You know what’s really endearing? The quick blinks and nervous swallows that Ji-han does inbetween dishing out bold sentences about seducing A-jeong and making her feel excited and flustered 😆 Props to MSM’s expressions & delivery there, because that was a really convincing display of someone peacocking around like a self-assured hot shot whilst simultaneously realising he’s way in over his head, and he’s the one getting nervous & flustered at every turn.

I loved this week!! Highlights:

* The clinical and unashamed ’I’ll make you fall in love with me’, ‘go on give it your best shot’ experiment
* The meek manager halfheartedly putting a hand out to stop Ji-ahn when he was confronting Na-ri - even more hilarious because Ji-han was towering over everyone, but gold star for the attempt manager-nim (and also the little clap at the end hahahaha why is he so cute for this)
* The Jung Kyung-ho cameo
* Ji-han’s apparent habit of sprawling on the floor like a toddler to stop people from doing things (success rate = 0%)
* That ingenious and lowkey sweet plan to get back at Na-ri for A-jeong - “her day will be utterly ruined while remembering your face” WHAT a callback to ep 2 and also how deviously cute, revenge is the love language here
* Ok more on the plan because it took me by surprise! I was like aw that’s cute that he’s trying to spoil her, but when it was revealed that he literally planned the whole thing out not just for A-jeong to enjoy but to also get revenge on her behalf and inconvenience Na-ri as much as possible, I was like omg no but that IS really cute & sweet???
* And of course A-jeong’s refreshingly upfront, feisty, caring and sincere personality continuing to shine ✨ “why didn’t you make me go skydiving so that my heart wouldn’t just flutter, it’d burst open” is one for the books 😆
* Half impressed, half worried that he downed a bottle of hard liquor like that without stopping or wincing??? SIR???? I swear there was another show where the ML did something similar, skulled a whole bottle, was fine and sober and then passed out when it hit him all at once. Can’t remember which show it was for the life of me though - anyone??? Or maybe it was a situation where the ML immediately passes out even with the tiniest sip of alcohol?? Idk but it reminds me of something!

Bonus points to the show also for creating a mostly likeable but definitely entertaining band of supporting characters. A-jeong’s family are sweet but also funny and blunt in the way that only family can be, and also the Evil Half Siblings are kind of comically evil rather than being gratingly cruel or vile. Like yes they’re entitled and mean, but they’re not excessively horrible (yet???). They kind of remind me of the hilariously vain and dramatic half-siblings from Crash Landing On You. Even Na-ri’s diva attitude is funny to watch. AND YAY FOR AN SFL who I like and equally root for as much as I do the FL - though it’s obvious she’s got a crush...

What a delighful surprise this show has been. (And this post too- I was just watching the episodes!) A Jeong especially, character and actress. She does feel like a real person sucked into kdramaland, which works because of all the meta commentery and Ji Han being the most kdrama ml ml i've seen in a while (audacity included).
Every episode there's a scene of Do Han being all "oh don't be silly my family is not crazy chebol drama family" followed by Ji Han doing something even MORE outragously k drama chebol family esque.
(Also, Ji Jan, dude, stop being so extra. I the only person you are seducing is yourself in the most convrloutef way of making yourself fall for someone of all time)

I've been looking forward to these episodes all week and they didn't disappoint. I'm so here for the self aware use of the tropes, the amazing FL, her supportive parents, ML's apology, his plan backfiring... the list could go on for a while.

I'm having so much fun watching this show!

I'm still wondering why everyone is blaming a child for a car accident...

I love the leads together. They're very honest with each other and it's so fun. Who reveals his plan before? I will make you fall in love with me and then I'm going ot dump you. He's very confident! I liked how she was very chill about and she just played his game. I like how she find a way to enjoy each situation and doesn't take things against her personnally. He's a jerk? It doesn't matter, the food was good.

Do-Han having his own issue, it looks like he never really protected his brother from the rest of the family. He just wants to live far from them. I understand why, but it would be nice that he could be honest with his brother. I wonder if Ji-Han would understand alone she's paid (now he knows for the fake friend deal) or Do-Han or Ah-Jung will tell him.

I really hope Chae-Young will stay nice and understood she missed her chance with her first marriage. She looks smart and nice, so it would be disapointing. The half-sister is already the perfect mean girl.

I really like this drama for now. My only issue is how Moon Sang-Min looks too young for this role. He's not bad at acting, he has a nice chemistry with Jeon Jong-Seo but I would have prefered an older actor to face her.

Noticiable improvement in this pair of episodes. It's fun and the episodes fly by.
I love all the scenes when the main couple are together, their interactions and dialogues.
I'm officially hooked.

I have to get one thing off my chest before I get to the others but I hate, hate (repetition intended) the inclusion of a gun prop in the Viki banner ad for this drama. It is thoughtless, cringeworthy and unnecessary.

I am having so much fun with this show. On paper, this is just another candy-chaebol story, with a hard working candy who is trying to make it big and has a loving family, while the chaebol has trauma and family issues. But the treatment of the characters and their interactions make all the difference. Our FL is smart, witty and has terrific presence of mind. She is also worldly wise and practical. The ML on the other hand seems immature and childish, yet shows some sparks and honesty in his conversations with the female lead. Together, their interactions are so much fun to watch.

What makes it better is that there is no ‘trickery’ involved. They both know Ji Han’s attempt at seducing her, and she even allows it!! She enjoys the chaebol wooing and isn’t shying away from it. I especially loves how unfazed she was by the ‘suite’ and actually wanted to enjoy it since he already paid for it, while he was a bit shocked that she proposed sharing a room.
We already see the attraction between the two and I am TOTALLY shipping them!!

Chaebol daddy sounds like bad news. Grandpa seems to be trying to protect the illegitimate grandchildren? Why can’t he just give them money and secure their future, so they can both go live somewhere peacefully?

My only qn this week was - Why did Na Ah Jung not go to register the wedding? Was it only because Ji Han wanted to meet her. She did not even bother notifying Do Han, which seems very uncharacteristic of her. Or do we take that she really wanted to spend time with Ji Han and forgot about her appt?

Jeon Jong Seo is absolutely terrific here! Her facial expressions and body language are a joy to watch. I wish Moon Sang Min had more emotions, it would have been nice to read his face as he was seducing himself in the process of seducing Na Ah Jung.

Like Unit, I too hope Chae-won remains a sensible 2FL.

Officially hooked! I love when my nonsensical fluffy romcoms are headed by actually competent actors who just absolutely nail the micro-expressions and physical acting aspects. It's so enjoyable to catch the minute details instead of simply staring at pretty faces and pretending as if they're doing a convincing job. Great, great experience. I need the brothers to sit down and hash out their all their secrets and schemes and leave others (Ah-jeong) out of it. Neither of them seem to know or care what the other wants; Ji-han is convinced forcing his older brother into the prestigious position he yearns for and thinks of as the epitome of acceptance in their messy family unit is his expression of brotherly love, while Do-han basically abandoned his younger brother in a nest of hungry vipers for his artistic ambitions and freedom from the closet (which is 100% understandable, but still). There's a lack of clear communication between the two that could be solved over a night of drinks, but how else will we have a plot lol.

I hope they don't character assassinate our SFL because I quite like her. The half-sister is already here to fill the requisite 'bitchy supporting female character' quota. I need Joo Hyun-young to be a leading lady in every drama ASAP.

Ah Jung as a character and Jeon Jong Seo's acting continue be the highlight of the show. The hijinks were fun and funny, and the cameo was delightfully greasy.

I do think the FL as a character (and as an actress) is overpowering the ML. I keep wishing that they had casted a stronger ML(probably someone older)—I kept thinking how Chae Jong Hyeop would have been great in this role because of his resemblance to the ML and his killer charismatic smile would have filled in any gaps in motivation and back story to make me more convinced about the romance. To me, the ML’s chemistry with the SFL was better and more palpable. But the FL goes more than half way in the relationship with her energy, so I can see some connection happening, and in a way, their relationship is all about her catching him off guard with her spark and directness, so the ship can sail.

This is a show where one has to suspend a lot of logic (why would they go to a film festival where there would be a lot of press on a date if she is supposed to marry and register the marriage to Do Han?) to enjoy the hijinks, and I am largely willing to do that. However, it is hard me to overlook how they are treating Do Han’s character because there is no joy or fun there—only a lot of sadness, loneliness and sabotaging of his studio. While there is so much hilarity happening, to have Do Han’s part be so dreary feels like he’s being relegated to the sidelines as a sad plot device (and seemingly forgotten by Ah Jung). Do Han has become enough of a presence to make me care about him, and it makes me upset to have his story so incongruous to the charming parts of the show and make him some token sad gay character. I hope the show will do better by him.

For these episodes, especially the last, I was a little bothered by how Ji-han was ignoring his brother's interests entirely, but also, presumably his own if he wants to get Do-han's succession. The Grandfather approved the marriage, so if Ji-han's real goal was to be the power behind the throne, then he would back off, allow the marriage to occur and Do-han to take over.

Also, given that Ji-han chose really public sites for both his attempted seduction date and the cruelly deceptive blind date--that really could have led to a sexual assault of A-jeong--it seemed like he was actually working for the humiliation of his brother. I wasn't convinced by his gulping half a bottle of scotch in way of saving A-jeong (why, except to set up a drunk scene?) Meanwhile, A-jeong was awfully forgiving of Ji-han after that blind date.

But, these unconvincing plot twists aside, I still like the main couple--A-Jeung is honest and charming, and while Ji-han is indeed underhanded and conniving, he has a conscience, which I'm sure will be awakened even more as he continues falling in love.

...soon, they won’t be able to tell the difference between acting and genuine feelings. Cue: their agonizing angst and my popcorn party.

I tried to resist this show, I really did. But WORD, @unit. Word. As with so many, I am WAY more interested in the FL's story, but if the ML can actually be made human after all of his behavior so far?? 🍿🍿🍿

It would be a lie that I’m not enjoying this but I’ve been muttering to myself a la our LFIS’ adorable Beakdu - but no doubt without any of his charm - about fair bit of annoying no sense which I wish I could blink away.
What I still like:
1. Jeon Jeongseo’s acting: I love her presence, talent, ability to come across as both chaotic and in control and emotional range. I normally am normally not fond of nasal voices in KDs as they also happen to pronounce words more jarringly thereby making this student of Korean struggle to understand conversations even more but I can cope with all of this because I like her acting so much. And, she does cover up the occasional greenness of Moon Sangmin’s acting effectively and generously as she is so present in their interactions as to be captivating.
2, Ahjung: In comparison with so many other female characters, she is largely a delight. Her vulnerabilities and fragilities are complemented by her strength, resilience and bravery in the day to day drudgery of life before the ridiculous 3rd Gen. chaebol shenanigans kicked in.
3. Dohwan: I want to know the character better and for him to have more screen presence but he needs much more time with Ahjung and he has not been getting it in the last 2 eps. I hope the former boyfriend is not made into a stalker/sociopath.
4. Moon Sangmin: He is charming for sure and with all the grooming and soft filters looks heavenly/other worldly. He shines in some scenes as @lapislazulii nicely pointed out but he is fairly bog standard in others. No doubt, he will get more roles going forward and hopefully will become more consistent.
What I don’t/haven’t liked:
1. Even though this drama has worked hard to present Ahjung as a complex and sympathetic character, I dislike that they have felt the need to burden her with the “friend for hire” initial subplot. I find that problematic and it skates on thin ice as it is dishonest and not acting. It is real life and it has made me like and respect her less. I don’t think it was necessary and to me it just was included to drive a subplot but has consequences for her integrity and honesty.
2. Jihan is immature and entitled even if he is not toxic as other chaebol heirs. But the drama has so far failed to raise the issue that he wants to be the chosen heir and engage in even more worship of the Korean capitalism and is essentially not caring or loving towards his brother in the least. Yes, he pays lip service to sibling loyalty but he doesn’t see his older brother for who he is and is only interested in acquiring power by stealth.
3. Despite a strong and likeable female protagonist, the chaebol heir to the rescue trope is alive and well in this drama. Even within the confines of a fictional drama with many tropes, it seems appalling for him to propose and go on “a date” with Ahjung when there are people gathering information on him and Dohwan so to expose any useful information. It doesn’t make any sense to be this cavalier with that...

I am still pleasantly surprised that the SML in a TvN drama is gay and the character is portrayed respectfully. I like Do Han so much that I have found myself silently judging Ah Jung for going on such a public date with his brother and potentially jeopardizing the marriage plan.

Speaking of Ji Han, I love him, but he is certainly dead-set on his goal. Previously, I judged Do Han for not opening up to him, but at this point, I wouldn't be surprised if Ji Han still pushed for his brother's marriage even after learning about Do Han's sexual orientation. How would it be any worse than Ji Han literally trying to steal his brother's fiancée so said brother can marry the woman he does not love? Ji Han does not act out of malice, certainly, but it is genuinely concerning how, compared to his hyung, Ji Han seems to have nothing going for him outside of the company.

DH and JH clearly need to sit down and talk with each other. Seems like neither have talked about their mothers death and how this have affected their relationship. Beside DH opening up to his brother as I belive JH gonna understand and support his brother.

Only me curious about DH and mystery guy and if they could rekindle their romance and their backstory.
Why do I feel like DH moving to New York was to run away and he want this time to run away again with AJ without actually face his own problems and his family...
It is really big order though asking for 3 years marriage and even moving abroad. AJ is a great friend doing this even though she even think of this an acting gig and even get to play the lead character.

It is funny seeing JH falling into his own traps and their frankness actually so swoony to me. <3

It wasn't mentioned in the recap about Do Han in those foreboding scenes. Cable cut. Lights out. I wasn't really expecting how threatening things could be for him so I am worried for him and hopes he doesn't try to investigate it on his own. He probably will though.

I like the seduction game because Ji Han and Ah Jung are both aware of the challenge and are self-confident in winning lol.

The Choi sister is more interesting than her brother. I'd rather see more of her than him. Honestly, I want to see her hair down. XD

Hah, Jung Kyung Ho's character was so greasy!

Honestly, you’d have to be blind not to notice the messy plot, the murky characters and the minefields that lie ahead. But bring me a blindfold because I can’t believe I’m having so much fun with this cheesy rom-com.

Rather than deep analysis, I want to play trope bingo! (Where’s that card again?) Our male chaebol has rain trauma, ofc he does. She has a poor, loving family vs his rich, back-stabbing one. He gifts her a makeover, ofc he does.

But I love that the ML is employing many of them after a crash course in Drama 101, that both are aware of them, esp. our female lead, and that we often turn them in fresh ways. I did *not* want a purse with the makeover; that gym bag was gold. She’s packing in all the freebies from the festival in there, you know she is. Maybe even some hors d'oeuvres. Atta girl. 😂

Now of course @dncingemma is right, this is fundamentally a Cinderella story where the not-yet Prince Charming is part and parcel of an exploitative system. But you know what, I’ve got my shades on for now. 😎

Oh, I also chuckled at the subtle as a hammer attempt at equality with the half-sister. If only the system wasn’t so unjust, she’d totally be the biggest baddie of them all. LOL.

Can we talk about the half-sister in that green sparkly dress? And her style in general? This may need a fan wall post.

Super recap as always by Unit! Refreshing to read your recaps and the comments posted here as opposed to other platforms where they seem to not understand that this is drama-land and not real life. Another thing there are people out there seriously shipping A-jeong and Do-han as if the love of a good woman will straighten him out (yes pun intended). Let's all sit back, have fun and hope show continues as well as it started!

Last week, I wrote something along the lines of "this is a mess. Time will tell if it is a delightful mess or a disgusting mess".

Watched Ep. 3-4 today (Wednesday) and I'm still confused on the different characters and their back stories. Relying on Wiki at this point.

This seems very. . . . standard. Cute ML (but kinda young?); spunky heroine (a plus - but only if the ML is equal to her, so jury still out); mystery (death of chairman's daughter); chaebol maneuvering (I likey, no I love 🥰🥰) and . . . . The Grandfather.

Enjoying thus far but. . . . jury still out on what kind of mess this drama will devolve/evolve.

Oh, and meanwhile - does anyone know where "TK HoteL" may be filmed??? I'm planning a trip to SK and this hotel is a definite possibility. It apparently is a phony name - would like to know the real name.

Subverting tropes is the new trend, and I love how much fun they are having at taking those digs Rich boy poor girl? Check. Rich boy trying to impress poor girl? Check. Poor girl not impressed? Check. Both don't know that they are in a trope? Uncheck.
I was giggling watching that empty flight scene. And big companies doing PPL - that Nike bag, lol! I also love the way Do han is being portrayed. I really hope they keep his arc respectful, and happy.
I am not sure I like the plot as much though. I am not warming up to Ji Han. Why exactly is he trying to stop this marriage? The bro seems to be happy marrying this girl, and the bro is getting the company. I am at a loss here. The entire thing is standing on a flimsy ground.
Moon Sang Min is so pretty. And in some scenes, he is swoony and even sweet, especially where he plays the big bad chaebol and I also loved the way he sticks up for A-Jeong. But he is swallowed by the effervescent A-Jeong. The mismatch in energy is a bit jarring. I do think he needed a stronger actor, but it's early days yet.

Did anyone but me notice that some of the elements of the plot seem to parallel the classic Audrey Hepburn - Humphrey Bogart romcom SABRINA? Not entirely but there are parallels.

At the same time, we have real danger lurking in the background with the rumor that our brothers's mother was murdered. It seems like someone may now be after Do-han. I find this sort of plot idea a distraction.

There is more to the backstory of Ji-han and Chae-won. She apparently once married someone else and now must be divorced. I am going to hazard a guess that in her mind this fact makes her such 'damaged goods' that it is now actually possible for her to marry an illegitimate son like Jihan- while Ji-han follows that same reasoning to plan on her marriage to Do-han.

Does Ji-han see Chae-won or Do-han as people with their own agency? No: I suspect that when he lost Chae-won before I think that he repressed that side of himself and learned the wrong lesson- which is why he now resembles Linus Larrabee from SABRINA.

Of course, when Chae-won discovers what Ji-han is doing with our FL you can just bet that we can kiss Miss Nice Girl goodbye- there will be serious fireworks.

We are now one-third of the way through this story, and I am really enjoying it.

I love this Show to bazillion tiny sparkly pieces!

I love the puppy hero who’s trying to act like a jerk but oh-so-not convincingly. I love our heroine who’s not prude and enjoys what comes her way (like expensive dinners and grand experiences) but doesn’t fall all over the brothers like a little clueless girl who’s never been given a candy. I love how’s she’s curious about Ji Han and irreverent and a bit too smart for her own good but that’s ok because no one even minds, lol. I love how she has a sense of inner confidence and pride and not much bothered about what people say about her because her moral compass is fine-tuned pretty well and she knows it. I love how she’s perceptive about Ji Han’s feelings but doesn’t make outlandish assumptions, and she actually asks questions if she finds something bewildering. I love how Ji Han watched all A-Jeong’s dramas to “research her” and that’s what (undoubtedly) swayed her, not the trips and dinners and grand gestures. I love all the other female leads, like Cha-Won who’s smart enough to realize that she was most likely inexperienced in rejecting Ji Han but also knows him too well to also realize that his mind is preoccupied with someone else. I like their easy and affectionate camaraderie with Ji Han genuinely respecting her and (literally) looking up to her — how refreshing to see SFL who’s story we are all actually looking forward to see unfolding. Even A-jeong’s frenemy-actress is a sight to behold, how twisted her “complinsults” are! There’s nothing new about chaebol family but the way the whole family behaved reminded me of a garden-variety dysfunctional family with tons of painful undercurrents and I felt pity for all of them, for haughty eldest daughter who covers for her immature ne’er-do-well brother, for Do-Han sitting there uncomfortably and mute, for Ji Han enduring slaps and accusations of being a “trash” persona, and even grandpa trying to navigate the best as he can. They all need therapy and it shines through as to why. As a contrast, A-jeong’s family is full of light and warmth and adorable bickering, and I can’t get enough of them. I hope Ji-Han and Do-Han get adopted into that family to finally feel the warmth of being loved.

Finally, I loved how this Show does not take itself too seriously. It runs on tropes but it’s so meta (like our hero learning all the tropes from watching the dramas) that it gives it just the right amount of levity and familiarity that keeps us hooked and wanting more. The dialogue is smart and whimsical. The lovers’ bickering is swoon-worthy. And I am so looking forward to a gay brother’s backstory! Please give me mooooooorrrrreeeee, Show!

This is my new favourite drama. I love the fact that the leads are nice-looking without being sensationally beautiful. I love the dialogue, which is packed with incident, humour and a naturalness which makes even outrageous Kdrama tropes seem perfectly normal. I love our battling heroine striving so hard for the unlikely chance at a leading role. I love her family. I love the nasty siblings and hope they stay nasty without becoming murderous. This drama has me laughing all the way through and please please give me 16 episodes and not a miserable 12. Just please keep it up, I’m counting the days to Episode 5. And oh yes, GREAT recap!

Surprisingly I like this drama, it's unpredictable and fun and this week episodes really makes my heart tugged.

I really love how the leads actions always backfire to them, Jihan intentionally became cupid, grandpa that approve the marriage and later must about how Jihan and An jung finally falling in love.

I love the kdrama reference, mother-in-law with headache, blind date, chaebol date, water splash and and I can't wait for the next.

Btw, I will revert to spelling 나아정 as (Na) Ajeong as that is the standard romanisation but Ahjung is phonetically fairly accurate.