I'm really a fan of the 12 episode format for this, it kept my interest throughout and although I am not necessarily a fan of the dramatic choices in the last episodes I felt it never dragged or messed with the pacing. I sure hope others adopt it too, 16 it too many for most k-dramas and the plot becomes too stereotypical because of it.
The comedy worked really well, I enjoyed the sound effects, the actors shine in those moments. I also loved the fact that the writing doesn't betray its heroine at all. She is consistent, but nuanced. She doesn't become a dum-dum after falling in love or have a flagrant personality switch. She is difficult and rough and puts up walls and annoyingly she keeps doing it. But it works so well for the comedy bits. As for the lead guy, I kind of understand the criticisms leveraged at his acting skills, but tbh I have seen this type of character before, and it is a type. It also works very well for the comedy. His blank stares or barely an eye twitch are very amusing. And for whoever has seen him in Shooting Stars, he can be very flamboyant and expressive.
I liked some of the themes that the drama tackled, even if they were played for laughs. Such as blatant sexist practices in the workplace. But it did support its heroine despite her being uncharacteristically ambitious, analytical, calculative, eye on the prize type of gal, which is always fine for a corporate guy. I also appreciated the small plot surrounding that other girl's pregnancy and the drama with the baby daddy. These kind of reactions and beliefs are rarely shown in k-dramas and it added to the realism, despite the stereotypical ending to that story. Not a fan of the polyamory twist, that sure threw me, but that's on me.
Hae-yeong's trauma about her "loveless" childhood is written pretty well I think and I felt it strongly. It's a refreshing type of setting for a k-drama. Another new take is the fact that she is allowed to blame and still love her mom and not just cower and forgive because of Confucianism. Her feelings are valid and validated. The dad plot threw me again, I thought it was a bit too much with what followed that revelation, but hey, a lot happens in 12 episodes, so kudos for that as well.
Wasn't a fan of Nam Ja-yeon and her whole arc and the storyline about the smut and the troll was too much and unnecessary, let's be honest, it's smut, or erotica if you want to be PC, making the guy come around to such an extent is stretching it a bit for me, but hey, I guess I have to go with it. Maybe Ji-uk's uncovered connection deserved a lot more screen time, as well as his relationship with his sibling. I'll admit I resented the second lead couple's story, although I did like the guy as a character. I have often seen that actor in other dramas apparently.
All in all, I highly recommend this for the rom-com k-drama genre. It goes down very smoothly.
