Indeed, & I'll get to that shortly. Thought I have to balance the negative review before mine cos I really enjoyed this show ( which, by the way, is called "The Undateables" on VIKI ).
First though, let's review the components of the K drama formula which you'll soon encounter once you become a regular : TWO GUYS pursuing ONE GIRL, though guy2 is never totally viable. LEAD MALE is rich & LEAD GIRL is not, with girl introducing guy to the simple pleasures he missed out on. FIRST MEETING OF MAIN COUPLE is angry/awkward. LOTS OF "ACCIDENTAL" occasions early on for main duo to touch/hug ( Aaargh ! VERY ANNOYING, by the way ! ). AT LEAST ONE PARENT of main duo is dead. AT LEAST 1 MAJOR CRISIS for main duo before inevitable happy ending. Yep, sounds like a recipe for boredom but it isn't if you care about the characters.
So, there are some exceptions, though this show sticks to most of the template. Formula aside, it's the other stuff that makes a good K Drama, like the story/script, emotional connection & quality of the cast. Like a few other under-rated K dramas, this one delivers in all areas.
Central couple are vital, obviously, & Hwang Jung Eum as the girl & Nam Goong Min as the guy have great chemistry in my opinion. She has some detractors on the VIKI forums which seriously baffles me. The support cast are also good, with Coach Yang a deserved fan fave.
The story ? The motley crew of the VIKI title ( as the main duo team up to get them dates ) are consistently entertaining, with the last third of the show being especially effective in that regard. And that "shock"I referred to in my heading, well, I love being surprised and a quarter of the way in, HJE does something which was exciting and brave, considering the general prudish conservatism of K Drama. Bravo to the writers & to her !
Oops, forgot to mention the top production values, a great music score, copious humour & yes, I cried a few times. Hey, no K Drama spares the H20 !
