Dali and Gamjatang (2021)

lighthearted rom com

A pretty cute and lighthearted romantic drama that follows a classic opposites attract type of plot. For once, the over-the-top conspiracies and revelations of the more political and thriller part of the drama didn't feel out of place as the plot is a bit over the top from the beginning. The acting is very solid, adding a lot of uniqueness to each character. I enjoyed the secondary characters the most, as they felt well-developed and rounded.

Recommended for anyone who wants a typical rom-com kdrama with some political conspiracy on the side, but doesn't mind a formulaic plot

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Loving a clingy, hilarious, and romantic male lead

Nov. 14, 2021

I am living and loving for a male lead like this one. He reminds me so much of Park Hyungsik in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. If I am being honest, I was shocked at how funny, hilarious, and interesting this drama is.

Dali and Moo Hak's chemistry is just unbelievable off the roof. I love how even though Dali is kinda portrayed as a Damsel in distress type of FL, she ain't dumb! Also, I am so happy that there is no stupid breakup and time-lapse at the end. Cause I swear to God these writers be throwing that damned plot line every motherfking time. From all the depressing dramas and violent shows I watched, I love how this was like a breather for me. Definitely something I will watch just because of how comedy, romance, kinda crimeish, and art are mixed together into this one heck of a ride series.

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This pair works. Let's watch it again!

I don't know what makes this main couple work so well, because technically, as other reviewers have said, they're so incredibly different. It might be that when it comes to each other they're patient and willing to at least see from the other person's perspective. When I'm watching dramas these days it feels a bit shallow and up in the cloud but something about this was sweet and felt realistic.

I first tried to watch this show in 2021 and again in 2022 or so. I wanted to watch it so badly because I was so impressed by Kim Min Jae (the ML) after watching "Do You Like Brahms?", but I hated the first episode. I tried starting it multiple times because of the great reviews but I couldn't stand his character. He was loud, disrespectful and presumptuous and I think it was supposed to be funny. I don't find that sort of thing funny and I found the first episode unrealistic. He was supposed to be rich but was acting like a child and she was supposed to be smart but was somehow putting up with him. I couldn't understand how this attitude could ever be cute so I gave up on it. But I've been having a hard time lately and needed something funny and easy to watch. I remembered this show that had the slapstick funny first episode that I hated so I tried it again, but this time, I started at episode 2 and skipped 1 (I already finished most of 1 all those times ago anyway).

In episodes 2-5 he's still pretty annoying but to I tried to understand him and understand why the FL wasn't getting mad at him. tbh. I just accepted their dynamic as that really and I don't regret it at all. It only goes up from there- depending on if you will excuse some failings. The worst thing about the ML is the way he speaks to her. He has quite the temper and as I said earlier can be very disrespectful, especially in the beginning when she really didn't need anyone tearing her down unnecessarily like that. He really did berate her. I literally said "Ouch that hurts like a bitch" after something he said and I even thought I would not be able to ever in this world accept their match because he was so mean. Honestly, that scene alone was enough to give the show a 6. I shouldn't gloss over that so easily. So there's that. I guess the reason for my great rating is that I just loved it from the point that their relationship became more solid. I guess his character becomes such a huge support to hers that I just let all that go. After all that, I don't think he will speak to her like that again, for what it's worth.

The story is funny as I had expected and heavy in a way I hadn't expected too but my favourite thing about it is that it's written well. The characters are mostly well done and the story is complex enough that you always want to know what happens next.

The female lead is so beautiful. The number of times I said "God she's so beautiful" is ridiculous. I love shows that have a beating heart with rounded characters and a good and solid story. I usually can't stand obnoxious male leads but he tones it down a bit at some point. There's something about how serious he gets when they're discussing something serious and how relaxed he gets when he's just resting that makes him feel like a real person. This original attitude doesn't exactly change, but sort of fluctuates with the situation just like a real person would. He can also be smart, considerate and sweet and when he loves someone he goes all in 1000%.

When it comes to kdramas I'm a simple person: just give me a good story and characters I can at least understand to some extent. That's why my average rating is so high. It gives me the vibes of older kdramas that I loved in the sense that it managed to balance lightness, deep feelings and a good story without irritating me to death. The ML's secretary also has to be the coolest and most competent secretary I have come across in Dramaland. It also makes him a bit realistic that he isn't 100% perfect.
The female lead is an angel through and through and she's pretty strong. I liked her acting too and all the other actors did a great job. I only spoke about his character the most because I think his character gave the show balance.

I just wish there were a few more minutes in the last episode so I could see more of them. If you're in the mood for a bit of slapstick and can stand an annoying ml for a few episodes I seriously recommend it. I started to wonder again if love like this really exists. Ah, the beauty of a good kdrama and a good story. I want to rewatch it all over again.

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The start to this drama was good. Soo good. Its just the ending that makes you want to end it soon. This is not a bad drama at all. But it could have ended in 12 eps. the last four eps were just 1 episode + product placements + scene fillers + dragging for no reason.

Starting with the ML... He was an actor i wanted to keep an eye out since i watched Descendants of the Sun. Kim Min Jae has definitely earned the screentime of a ML and i think i could complete this drama because of his efforts (which could be felt in every sinking scene). His character is loud but not annoying, crazy but not tactless. ML was such a kind and sweet guy that sometimes i wish he would reallly be a bit ruder. But overall he carried the drama. Cant wait for more such dramas.

Park Gyu Young as Dali was likeable initially but after a while she didnt seem like an assertive enough person and just got on my nerves for the same reason. The way she forgave huge mistakes was just unbelievable. throughout the drama she felt powerless. She kept needing someone to save her and it was a bit much. Especially when she does react strongly its a great scene. I know people like this do exist but after the traumatic things that happened to her you would expect bigger reactions.
SPOILER: Her biggest reaction was dealing with the thief at the police station and after that nothing.

Annoying characters: OMG. What is up with ML's family. Why isn't there even one redeemable character.
So many slaps in the drama but not one to the stepmom. ML's father was unlikeable, loud and annoying. ( got annoyed with the ML character here because he only seemed mildly bothered by both and didnt take any action against their madness. )

I wonder why writers keep such characters where we are clearly supposed to hate them but still tolerate for some reason???

Like:
- The main leads chemistry. Romance quotient was high...
- Good aesthetic
- Happy Ending
- Humour level was good . ML definitely hard carried the drama.
- The few episodes that had a bit of mukbang/food scenes ( Ep 1, 11, 12 , 16)
- The cop friend, the secretary and museum staff.

Dislike:
- THE PARENTS!!! Ughhh.
- Dali's hairstyle ( I mean... maybe change it after some eps.
- Last 3-4 draggy eps.
- Everything else was alright.

Overall: It has veryy few art references. Only the location is a museum.
Watch it for KMJ , the leads chemistry and a fairly good plot.

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Pretty good

It did take me a while to finish because it wasn't 100% interesting but when it ended I felt quite happy to have watched it. There were a lot of characters that I really disliked from the very beginning and a few I knew who
couldn't be trusted.

I didn't like the fact that Taejin basically ruined Dali's family's name just so he can get the girl which is Dali herself. Not only did he ruin the family name, he also let her father die right in front of him. I swear, when he said "Over my dead body" I had a feeling where things will go and I was right.

I really liked Muhak for Dali. Even though they had their ups and downs at first, he was still there for her and she for him. Their relationship is one of the healthiest ones that I have seen lately (A little sad, I know).

Muhak's family sucks!! They really do. I hated the fact that his dad cared more about his step son than he did for his actual son, his own blood.

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MCs' personalities were too tiring for me

Lately I don't try too hard to finish a drama, so at least this was worth finishing! And in my opinion it got better on latter episodes.

What I wasn't a fan of were the characters. Not really the acting, the actors did a really good job, but the script itself made the personalities too overwhelming.
Dali too "noble" and composed and Jin too loud and rude all the time. I wouldn't mind if it was a little bit less intense.

That being sad, when they start to grow attached it got muuuuch better! He became less irritating and she less frustrating throughout the drama. Overall we got a great character plus relationship development. Yay! I deff would've dropped it if it weren't the case though.

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this is such a cute kdrama, but i mostly liked it for its humor more than anything. it was just so silly most of the time. that it kept me wanting to watch more everytime.
The second lead in here is actually terrible and this was the first time where i actually disliked the second lead with my whole heart. Like he was just a pure asshole and he wasn't likeable at all.
Most characters in here very pretty cool tho especially dali, i really liked her personality and how she handled most stuff.
I don't really remember how much of my attention span was on here but i do remember that park seoham made like a 5 second guest appearence there as one of the kpop group members and it was so random but its one of the things that stuck with me.
Its a pretty cute kdrama overall, i recommend it!

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Starts off great but turns into a trashy soap opera

The drama pretends to be funny and light-hearted but inadvertently hides very dark themes that the writers fail to address. Kim Da Li and Jin Moo Hak have an incredible first encounter and form an instant connection. The show starts off as funny, cute, sexy, refreshing, and full of explosive chemistry. Da Li is a well-educated daughter of a wealthy family. Moo Hak comes from "new money" with no education or class. Her book smarts compliment his streets smarts creating a unique match. Unfortunately, after Da Li's father dies and she returns to Korea, everything falls apart.

Moo Hak is boorish and materialistic, but he is kind and sweet in the first two episodes. However, as soon as he finds out that Da Li owes him money, he becomes cruel and shortsighted just so he does not look weak. He insults, berates, and threatens Da Li while being fully aware of her bankruptcy, obnoxious family members, and creditors, then proceeds to relentlessly harass her despite witnessing her struggling to survive. Instead of bringing the two together to save the museum and build a great relationship, the writers turn him into an overbearing jerk and her into a perpetual victim.

What's worse, Da Li's intelligence and spunk completely disappear making her unable to stand up for herself. She takes abuse from everyone who berates, insults, and physically hurts her without any push-back. She allows Tae Jin to talk over her about his delusions of their non-existent relationship without getting a word in. She quietly sits still as Moo Hak's stepmother proceeds to assault and pull her hair without fighting back. And, this continues for the entirety of the show. Her character completely devolves into a doll with no agency or a personality allowing everybody to walk all over her. Moreover, she never demands that Moo Hak gives her an apology for his crappy treatment, and, neither do the writers make him apologize without being asked. The show makes no effort to correct past wrongdoings of any of the characters and force feeds us a happy ending.

Overall, the drama is somewhat entertaining, but Da Li's lack of a backbone and the characters' atrocious behavior make it very tedious to watch. For a brief moment, they address each other's shortcomings when Moo Hak demands why his mother hit Da Li, but it leads nowhere. This was a one time watch for me.

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take note on how to make complex yet easy to understand characters like this.

The plot isn't anything special but the characters are what makes this show great

FL: Everything an heiress should be. competent, dignified and charming. She gets put into a situation where she needs to take control of the falling family business once her father dies.

ML: He's ignorant and uneducated yet through his wits and hardwork, He managed to become a successful person. After meeting Dali. He slowly realizes theres more to success in life than in money.

SML: He's powerful and he knows it. He always has a plan and if it fails there's a plan B. He's not evil, He's just manipulative and will do anything to get his way. A great antagonist to the whole show.

SFL: She's spoiled and ignorant. Her only purpose in life was to be used to make connection for his father. A pitiful existence that's been tamed with social status/money. Easily my favorite character.

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A very heartwarming series that I really enjoyed watching. The cast was amazing and I really liked the chemistry between the two leads. Also the acting of both of the leads was really good. Kim Da Li is portrayed as a soft and delicate person with a huge and genuine love for the Arts. Park Gyu Young did a very good job and she is really shaping up to become one of my favorite actresses at the moment. The male lead also did a perfect job at portraying a character that might not be the brightest in the traditional sense ( academic wise ) but is really hard-working , dedicated to his business and the most important of all a good human being.
If you want to watch a drama that is light and really enjoyable I totally recommend it.
I also have to mention that the styling of the female lead was AMAZING . From her hairstyle to the choice of shoes and bags , everything was so spot on and aesthetically pleasing .

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I am a sucker for a good meet cute and it was really fun to see these two leads have such electric chemistry from the very beginning. Their chemistry was definitely the strongest part of the show.

Moo-hak ended up as a very sweet character that I enjoyed, but it was hard to watch the way he yelled at her so much in the beginning. Da-li on the other hand was so passive that it was very frustrating. The show explains it away as her being just kind of rich and naive, but she seemed to lack any survival or basic life skills altogether, which felt odd when she’s a thirty-something woman who has lived on different continents. The dynamic between the two of them was a little rough towards the beginning when Moo-hak was acting so hostile, but it was enjoyable after he softened a little. At the end of the show he was so obsessed with her and sweet to her, so he did have a good evolution of his character.

A lot of what didn’t work in this show was all of the scheming subplots. Everything to do with the different companies illegal maneuvers was so boring to watch and it really took away from the rest of the show. The plot could have been much stronger if they focused on the romance and Da-li struggling with losing her father and having to grow up, but instead they threw in all of these random real estate crimes, drug trafficking, and other crime plots that made things really convoluted.

The second male lead is probably the worst one I’ve ever seen, he was like a cartoon villain. It was infuriating to watch the scenes he was in. Moo-hak’s family also really seemed like terrible people and it did not feel like they deserved a redemption arc at all. I know Korea has a very different culture, but the adoption plot line was baffling. I have no idea if the way the show made it so scandalous is at all accurate, but it felt way over the top.

The final episode was such a huge letdown that it really bothered me. It felt like the show was trying so hard to pull one over on the audience that it was willing to have a terrible final episode as long as they could do that.

The art museum as a backdrop for the show was a cool idea and some of the installations and exhibits were very visually interesting. Da-li’s dad was also very endearing and it would’ve been great to see more of him, even if just in flashbacks.

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