‘What is marriage if not a convenient arrangement?’ said almost every single person ever. Dating and marriage is a tricky business that most do not want to get involved in. Making commitments that last a lifetime can prove scary to some. But the way our society is structured, it prefers to see duets instead of solos in its ever-increasing playlist of rules and life. In contemporary literature and on screen we have come across a handful of stories where characters pretend to date or be married for an ultimate shared benefit. In Indian cinema, we have seen characters enter into a fake marriage or a fake divorce to get the house of their dream. In this Korean drama No Gain No Love, starring Shin Min Ah and Kim Young Dae, we see a woman enter into a fake marriage to rise the career ladder.
No Gain No Love Review: Shin Min Ah and Kim Young Dae lead life’s inequities with a bold fake marriage trope in new K-drama rom-com
After missing out on promotions, and monetary and fiscal benefits, Son Hae Young (played by Shin Min Ah), got fed up and decided to marry for her gain. She enlists the help of Kim Ji Uk (played by Kim Young Dae), a part-time worker at a convenience store, to be her fake husband. She embarks on a mission to get married as soon as possible and begins preparations. Kim Ji Uk is a mystery on his own. He dislikes Hae Young for some reason. He detests the fact that she smokes and is ready to butt heads with her anytime.
No Gain, No Love is of course a noona romance because again we see a woman in a senior corporate position and a man who is still looking to enlist a decent job. But more than that, it is a romance that holds the possibility of blossoming into a healthy and nurturing relationship. Hae Young does not think that she is loveable because she is always calculating and factoring profit and loss in any relationship. Ji Uk, on the other, is still a mystery. He was brought up by his grandma and is currently facing a predicament that will be revealed with time.
Shin Min Ah, whom we all loved in Hometown Cha Cha Cha, is back with a refreshing role as Son Hae Young. She is headstrong, and some might even say cold-blooded because of her methodical approach to her relationships. Well, most of them. She is much more adjusting towards her sisters. Shin Min Ah embodies her character quite well. She played a similar role in Hometown Cha Cha Cha, where she was learning to love herself and allow herself to be vulnerable.
Kim Young Dae has been a great performance right from his Extraordinary You days. He has only grown as an actor since. With this drama, we get to see him in a brooding yet softie avatar as Ji Uk. What makes him a good addition as the lead here is that he was not seen in such a story before. This role gives him some extra space to prove his mettle as a seasoned actor.
We have Lee Sang Yi as Bok Gyu Hyun, the head of the company where Hae Young works. He might become an angle in Hae Young and Ji Uk’s budding romance. If that happens, it will be interesting to see a hilarious battle of jealousy and priorities between all the characters involved. Lee Sang Yi plays Bok, the heir to the company where Hae Young works. He is known for his charismatic and charming personality, and his character in No Gain No Love is no exception. Meanwhile, Han Ji Hyun plays Nam Ja Yeon, Hae Young’s roommate and a writer of steamy online romances. Her character is described as being passionate, energetic, and full of life. She brings a comedic and lighthearted element to the show.
Both Lee Sang Yi and Han Ji Hyun are confirmed to appear in a spin-off series titled Spice Up Our Love, based on the web novel that Nam Ja Yeon is writing in the show. The chemistry between Lee and Han is evident in the show, and fans are excited to see them reunited in the spin-off series.
Those who like the fake marriage trope in a romantic comedy are in for a great treat! Shin Min Ah and Kim Young Dae present great chemistry on screen that is unmistakably interesting and captivating. There is a light enemies-to-lovers trope brewing between their characters at the moment. As we get closer to the story, it will be quite the joyride to see them squabble and bicker as a couple pretending to be together.
It is also oddly funny to see a single woman in corporate navigate questions and curveballs that demand her to get hitched or lose out on major career advances. What Son Hae Young goes through at her workplace is but a bitter truth of today’s women in corporate. It also highlights how the singles are forced to rethink their romance and other future strategies to gain a step up on the career ladder.
No Gain No Love also spits some hard facts when it comes to sham marriages and promises that only lead to heartbreak, confusion, and chaos for those involved. The series offers a refreshing take on the rom-com genre, exploring themes of love, friendship, and societal expectations. While the plot may be predictable at times, the strong performances and engaging characters make it a worthwhile watch. Shin Min Ah delivers a captivating performance as Hae Young, and Kim Young Dae shines as her unlikely love interest. Whether you’re a fan of romantic comedies or simply looking for a lighthearted escape, No Gain No Love is definitely worth checking out.
No Gain No Love premiered on August 26, 2024. Two episodes of the drama have aired so far. In next week’s episodes, we will get to see how Hae Young and Ji Uk’s marriage plans progress.
Watch the trailer for No Gain No Love here:
BOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2024 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.
