Hmm, I don't even know how to start because I wanna be accurate and fairly objective but ahh, I just enjoyed this show haha. So, I guess that's the disclaimer that this may be very biased haha.

This show was NOT on my radar at all until I happened to stumble upon it while looking at Prime. It featured Shin Mina so I figured why not and I'm glad I made that choice. I think it is an underrated gem of a show.

It may start off a bit slow to some but the humor is witty and the chemistry between the cast is lovely. This was the first time I've ever seen fostering featured in a drama; usually it's just orphanages. I liked that it showed some of the complex family dynamics and how even being an "angel" with pure intentions can hurt others or even oneself. I absolutely LOVE the female relationships and dynamics. They have open and honest communication as well as act like women who would/could be in that stage of their lives. They aren't still in an awkward self discovery phrase or ashamed of what they want or need. It's just realistic supportive relationships. Characters also make mistakes or hurtful choices but it's not treated as grave sins, it's just stuff that can happen.

I liked the relationship between the main couple. I thought it was gonna be alot more bickering and enemies to more but it actually balanced that move well. Once they got to know each other, it's easy to understand why they would fall for each other. It's still funny to me that the male lead was like "the only feelings that could happen between us are dislike or disgust; I know too much about you to fall for you" only to be hit by the thunderbolt as soon as she showed she's actually quite a considerate person. I also like how they complement each other. They can both be petty and they can challenge each other but in the end, they got each other's back.

The second lead couple was even more enemies to lovers. I think they are proof of the benefit of casting the right actors for roles because they are just objectively likable. She's cute, he's dorky, and together they're adorkable. It's just the fact, objectively, that the guy isn't the best guy might give some folks pause. He acts impulsively and emotionally. He doesn't often apologize for his actions. He's a work in progress and yet he got everything he wanted.

While I didn't mind the 12 episode run, I did also feel like I wanted more. I wanted more comeuppence for those who manipulated people's lives, more information of Ji Uk's life after returning to Hae Young's side, more about Hae Young's business. I don't know if the wittiness and charm could have lasted 2-4 more episodes but I could see why folks would've liked that. I liked the full circle feel of the conclusion for Hae Young and Ji Uk.

I looked forward to this each week and I'm sad that it's over. I think it also has rewatch potential because who can pick up on some things you may not have noticed during the initial watch.

I would give No Gain No Love a 10/10 in the rom-com genre. The writing is sharp, the storyline is tight, the directing deft but subtle, and the editing well executed. The writer really makes you feel invested in the characters.

Shin Min-Ah did a fantastic acting job, but I was really impressed with Kim Young Dae. Given the 12 year real-life age gap and experience level, he really held his own around Shin Min-Ah. Their chemistry was amazing, and they delivered their bantering/bickering lines perfectly. One really felt invested in their enemies-to-lovers love story and their journey together.

I liked the second leads well enough. Some took issue with the 2ML after he went all 'game of thrones' towards his younger half-brother, but I'm not too fussed. I didn't find their love storyline as interesting, although there was good chemistry, and a cute enemies-to-lovers arc.

Generally, the side characters were also amazing. Shin Min-Ah's character has two foster sisters (one being the 2FL), and their discussions/debates on love, and how they support one another during the trials and ups/down of life were very touching.

Perhaps one of the best examples of the clever writing is that the show is FULL of the typical rom-com tropes, but handled in such a witty way that it is entertaining, fun, and refreshing rather than stale.

I only found out about it because of all the Love Next Door haters kept comparing it No Gain No Love, and although I think the haters were somewhat misguided in their critique of LND, they were spot on in their appraisal of NGNL.

The first episode is a lot of set up, but it hits its stride fairly quickly, and addictive by episode 3. I too wish there were more episodes, but I'd rather have that attitude than roll my eyes wondering when this drama would end.

Frankly, even though it has ended, I'm just re-watching it because it hits the emotional notes so well that I don't get tired of it (or Kim Young Dae).

A fantastic romcom with incredible repeat value!
I wish it was 14 episodes so we got a proper closure to many arcs that felt a little lacking towards the end.

When the show delivered the rom and the com it was absolute riot. I laughed and swooned all along. That doesn’t mean the show lacked depth. When it hit the emotional parts it really tugged your heart, be it the relationship between the sisters or the mom or Ji Ukie need to be wanted and useful, the show made us feel for every character.

Son Hae Young is easily one of my favorite female leads this year. And Shin Min Ah brought her to life. I only wish they had styled her better.
Kim Young Dae played a soft role here as someone longing for family and needing a sense of belonging. His performance might not be explosive but I felt he fit this character very well.
Their romance was beautiful to watch. From frenemies to family to lovers they moved along so beautifully. I was totally convinced that these two belonged with each other.

A special shout out to Han Ji-hyun for delivering a powerful performance as a traumatized young woman. I have always loved her and look forward to her future projects.

One of those rare dramas which had me rewatching the episodes as I waited for the next week. It was so much fun and I will dearly miss this show.

If I have to complain it would be the lack of OTP scenes in episode 12. I wanted more of them, more of their growth and more of Ji Ukie’s new hairdo.

If you are in a mood for a solid romcom with interesting characters go check it out, you won’t be disappointed.

Only kdramas will make you cry about love and family while trying to sell you, among many things, jellies, Subway, "banaespresso", and a BMW.

Writer Kim Hye-young really locked the story in - I can't think of a single moment that feels wasted. Even the murder subplot felt like a meaningful, necessary step in the story's exploration of what it takes to build a family. I'm really grateful that the writer showed how abusers are a danger to those around their victims, and how this isolates the victim further. Writer is clearly fond of men, given how kindly she writes all her serial cheaters + the awful Fork-gyu, but the story never loses sight of the sisters, who are it's beating heart. Brilliant work from all 3 actresses here.

This is probably the funniest show of the year, it's sooo unserious 😂 2024 has been a limp year for kdramas, but NGNL reminded me why I got into them via romcoms in the first place - for their breezy, self-indulgent stories that were always so sincere. This one has been fun!

This is one of the best romcoms this year with solid story and likable characters. Granted, the ending could be better and I am willing to close my eyes this time.

https://kdramadiary.com/kdrama-review/no-gain-no-love-tvn/

A solid 9/10 rom-com with a lesser bad finale.
The first drama of Kim Young Dae that I finished 😅. Tried to watch him in Sh**ting Star but only up to first and last 2 eps. Also dropping him as well in The Forbidden Marriage.
Love Shin Min-ah in this drama. I think this is one of her best acting after a while.
My love for both Gyu Hun and Ja Yeon, can't wait for their 2 episodes spin-off this week.
I hope SangYi will landing more lead actor in future 🥰.
Till next drama, Beanies ✌️

This is going in my top ten I just need to work out what to remove. It is a brilliant example of why K dramas are so good for our wellbeing. It was so funny whilst also having depth in the characters and storylines.

I was disappointed twice when the show went down a traditional rom com route but they turned one disappointment around in such a uniquely funny way I could easily forgive the writer. It was a real shame though that the writer went old school with the 5 mins from the end wrap up as that did not fit with the well paced preceding episodes. 12 episodes was the perfect length, it was filler free.

A fun binge watch with episode 12 being the weakest link. Highly recommended, but please note it is not a family watch due to some adult content and violence.

At first, I was oblivious about No Gain No Love. After dropping Love Next Door, I was looking for some romance to swoon over when I saw the umbrella clip of Shin Mina and Kim Young Dae. Is this a Noona Romance? Okay, it’s rom-com, let’s see.
I wasn't expecting to love Young Dae because I already saw him in Shooting Stars (which I haven't finished yet, I'm on episode 14/16). And I fell more for a bad-boy type guy, but Kim Young Dae's soft and angelic Ji-Uk got me swooned and smitten. I LOVE JI-UK and want to see more of him. This is the best Young Dae’s character so far, and I thank him for making me fall in love again. I’m like Son Hae Yeong saying this to him “ YOU CAN’T BE THIS GOOD-LOOKING! YOU SHOULD’VE WARNED ME ABOUT YOUR GOOD LOOKS.”
I love reading Dramabeans recaps and Beanies' comments, which helps me understand more about the story and the depths of NGNL's characters. Beanies are excellent commentators. They write almost everything I wanted to say. No gain, no love deserves a slot on my top 10 Kdramas (can't decide yet if it's number 2 or 3). It's rare for me to fall in love with Kdrama characters, and when I do, it takes a while. My PANG PANG COUPLE will be forever in my heart. No Gain, No Love is a 10/10 must-watch rom-com, if you want to laugh and be in love over and over again...
❤❤❤

If you're a petty person (like me) and like to have your plotlines neatly wrapped up and solved towards the finale, this is not the show for you.
Two thirds of the show are witty, surprising, fresh and more or less light in tone, but the last part feels heavier and more melo with the finale sadly being the weakest episode of the 12. I'm a bit over-focusing on the weak spots here because the other reviews leave them out, so this is just for balance. 😉 For me this was a mixed bag as expectations were risen during the first two thirds of the show when there was a lot of fun bantering balanced with emotional depth, but in my opinion it declined towards the end. So beware a bit and adjust your expectations along the way.

Solid 1/10. My only regret is to drop on episode 6 and not before.
An infestation of sound-effects on any move a character does. Like blinking eyes, and you get a "plic-plic" sound. It's supposed to be comedy. But I laugh more at a clown in a circus.

Add to that the bad sexy jokes or situations, supposed to provoke, but feeling just banally vulgar. A female lead no guy mentaly healthy would date, with no quality an old woman could offer to a young guy like the ML. But for unknow reasons, he was a weak virgin mop ready to commit.

Romance was out of the game, and comedy almost inexistant. The drama was both outdated and setup for fast-food modern audience consumers. I'm not even annoyed by clichés like "the guy turns out to be CEO son", so bad it was already on more basics.

When people say me "best 2024 romcom", I'm ready to trust them, but it just means other kdrama romcoms are now total garbage.