Beneficial Fraud (2023)

Immensely dull in between

When the series started, it was great... for about 4 episodes. I loved the comedy, the breaking of the fourth wall, the genius straight-faced confident female lead and the idea that it was the male lawyer who was the emotional one was also a great change of pace. I also liked the involvement of the SML cop character. But the story sharply declined after that with nothing happening and everything like I was enjoying about the series had turned into the most dull plot to the point that I kept falling asleep while watching it. There was no chance of me speeding up the show because there was a lot of complicated points being discussed which I would have then missed.

It's only from the 12th episode that the story really picked up again. It was funny again. The breaking of the fourth wall was back and the story was FINALLY moving forward. And even though I loved the last four episodes as well, I was just annoyed the entire time before this because I couldn't recognise the show. I really wanted to see things through and I'm glad I persevered because it has a satisfying ending.

I get that they wanted to build up the story, the suspense and the drama but from episode 5 - 10, it was a struggle. 11 th was good at first and then had a boring second half again. This caused me to avoid watching the drama and I fell back and only when I read that the show finally picked up did I finally binge the remaining 6 episodes. So the team basically is struggling throughout this time and it feels like there is no momentum to the show. I feel like many episodes can even be skipped as you won't miss too much.

This drama would have been better as a 10 - 12 episode series rather than a 16 episode one and then my rating for it would also be far higher but considering how difficult it became for me to continue, 7 is fair on my part.

Some additional points to help you make your decision - I liked the mystery element despite the overcomplicated story; there isn't any romance but there is a some good teamwork and friendships established; the actors did a good job and there was no character that I hated though one of the "kids" was slightly annoying.

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Be ready for a comprehensive script and excellent actors everywhere

Spreading its unique, quite appealing, and in places wittily pointed charisma, "Delightfully Deceitful" surprises with a multi-layered crime fiction, that is set in the milieu of people with extraordinary talents and qualities. Even if the poster may suggest otherwise: it is not a romantic comedy. However, "Delightfully Deceitful" does neither shy away from a little comedy here and there, nor from finely nuanced emotions.

At the beginning there are the personality portraits and relationship dynamics of a bunch of (because of their distinct peculiarities) 'a-social' contemporaries, who as such being colorfully thrown together eventually form a group of their own. With time, though, the plot of the crime story unfolds, raising once more the question of whether law&order have anything to do with justice; or isn´t vigilantism more promising?  In any case, the story revolves around organized crime, unscrupulous villains, malicious fraud and a lot of money.

Nevertheless, there is this bunch of idiosyncratic, unconventional, angular chessmen on the chessboard. Regardless of whether they are psychopathic, sociopathic or hopelessly empathetic, they are all rarely black or white, yet mostly in rich shades of gray. In any case, with their talents they are beyond the social average. While the KDrama could very well surface along at high speed, with a cool and casual esprit, it eventually comes along with a pleasantly profound grounding, since the socio-psychological premise , that we humans are inevitably social beings, swings the baton in the background. The thing is: we want to belong.
Exposure, stigmatization and exclusion also lead to the realization that the rules of the others do not apply to me. This might become associated with some kind of freedom. It also leads to a feeling of loneliness. Yet, the feeling of loneliness inevitably causes humans to slowly but surely wither away. No matter if it may be considered a gift or a burden, stigmatized individuals have to develop a emotional strategy for themselves in order to escape the sometimes more and sometimes less obvious psychological strain. That’s tough for grownups, let alone children...

This premise is handled from different perspectives. Additionally, the KDrama dares the balancing act of mixing this psychodynamic issue with no less complex interwoven crime fiction. Thus, in terms of the genre, the story may initially sail along in foggy realms, but over time the view becomes clearer.

"Delightfully Deceitful" has a well blended mix of spices to offer. Over 16 episodes it is always exciting, intense, opaque, emotional, also dark, sometimes two-fisted. Additionally: Be ready for a comprehensive script and excellent actors everywhere.

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The Middle Part was as dry as the Sahara Dessert

Didn't really intend on picking this drama up (and I really shouldn't have), but the first several episodes were pretty darn amazing, I love my scammers scamming bad people drama cliche alot so i have enjoyed quite a number from this genre regardless of the writing (see leverage, mad dog etc). And they did the scamming pretty cooly too, hardly seen breaking of the fourth wall and there were a good number of cool shots that are pretty rare in dramas.

But then the middle part came and let me tell you I felt like I got scammed into watching this (pun intended), the main cast kind of stopped scamming people to give a backstory that while interesting was presented in a very questionable order and convoluted way that made me care less as the episodes went on. I thought officer park (the probation officer guy) and mo jae in had a pretty interesting relationship going on with all the backstory but it wasn't really developed in the end and it felt weird that they were promoted as leads for this drama as well

The acting kind of saved the show and at least made me finish it but i definitely had to force myself through more than a hand ful of episodes (like 6 eps), really a waste of talent, if only they had kept that intial sparkle and kinda speedy story from the first few episodes, it would have great

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Actually Deceitful

The drama fell short of its promising premise, stumbling through a maze of poorly executed plotlines and lackluster character development. It didn't take more than a few episodes, after the first couple of cases, to show its cracks, the narrative was disjointed, as if the writers couldn't decide which direction to take. Once the main case with Kyung Ja & Jay was brought to the front, the story went haywire. The drama failed to maintain a cohesive storyline after that. The main antagonists motivations were a total joke of a writing, let alone, the unhinged obsession of an adult over a little girl. While it's clear the creators aimed for a clever blend of mystery and drama, the execution fell flat, leaving more frustration than entertainment.

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Overly complicated everything, no plot development, and the driest characters ever.

I have been waiting for this drama ever since it was announced. I love thrillers, the synopsis sounded interesting, and the trailer was great.
But then the episodes came. That was supposed to be the good part, but... it wasn't.
That's right, I'm just as confused as you are.
I think there is no problem with the plot itself. They could've made this into such a good show, yet what we have is:

- Characters with no personality
(No, being traumatized is not a personality trait. If you disagree you might need a therapist.)
Flaws make characters realistic but you can't make a character out of one. You need to add something to it and that something is missing here.

- A story that gets more and more complicated with each minute. I know this is not a valid argument, but... it's just stupid. I'm unable to find a better word for this.
I tried out directing so I've read some bad scripts, but this one? Oof. Simply oof.
It started with the FL being falsely accused of murdering her parents and now... what is this? It's hard to put it into words because it's such a mess. This is a 16-hour show. 8 hours in the plot development is still nonexistent. No progression. I bet they'll rush things in the second half.

- The FL breaking the fourth wall to explain things because they are unable to tell the story properly. They literally have to tell things to your face, like: "So we're doing x because y." I'm sorry, but that's a shortcut. I could even call it cheating.

It's visible that the writer is a rookie. I had to google it and found them.
Seriously, I'd love to have a discussion with them to ask what they were thinking.
Maybe it's my fault for expecting too much, but I am deeply disappointed.

The slightly good things:
-The OST is pretty good.
-And the chemistry between the leads is okay, but you know... would be even better if they had personalities.

I somehow made it to episode 8 and just found myself getting distracted instead of focusing on the drama itself and had to rewind a couple of times.
So yeah, I gave up. My poor brain gave up. I have to leave this unfinished but might come back to watch the last episode just for fun.

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Surprisingly amazed by it

One of the not so talkabout drama, I agree to some reviews that its a bit dry in the middle part but the story a quiet good. The backstody is good and well explain, you need to understand it for you to grasp the story why it all happen.
The casting is good and they all did a perfect job in portraying their roles. The reason why I watched it bcoz of Yoon Park ?. I like him as probation officer., his role gives light to more serious type of story. He is jolly and when he becomes serious he really is.
There is also romance in the story but they don't focus on that they are more focus on getting their revenge.
I am surprised that I liked it, it is more serious genre but I got hooked by it plot. Its a perfect revenge drama for me.
In the end they all got the justice that they deserved.

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It's like a Rocket; It goes up very fast and then down

In the beginning, the story is started very strongly. You can be curious about what happened to her family and why. It's very dark and has a profound secret. The cast is very good and fits the story.


I watch Strong FL. But she is very annoying. She never talks directly. Also when she explains her plan, her character changes instantly. When she looks at the screen she seems very excited and willing to explain her plan. But normally she doesn't talk like that. Because of that viewers can't feel her character.

Also, I don't feel the chemistry between FL and ML. They are very good players, but they don't transmit their feeling I think. Watching the second couple's story is more fun and nice. Their chemistry is better than the first couple.

When you think ooh problem is solved but no. Another problem and a devil character show up. 16 episodes are very long for this story. They should finish 12 or 14 episodes.

Young actors are very good and I think they have potential. I want to watch them in more dramas.

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Better than you think

I've read some of the other reviews and I think some people don't enjoy this show because it's not relatable to them. The story is intricate and well written, a rare combination. And the acting and production do the writing justice. The story is concerned with themes of empathy (or lackthereof), revenge, and ethics. If these themes do not relate to you, you likely won't enjoy this show. If they do, you're in for a good time.

The only complaints I have are: (1) the blatant product placements (it's not too annoying though) and (2) the explanations of the various plots of the characters are sometimes delayed to the detriment of the story. However, do not let this deter you from watching it, I still highly recommend it to anyone interested.

Stories of romance sometimes revel in sentimentality a little too much but this one is an exception.
In the interest of brevity, I'll end my review with this: give it a shot.

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increasingly intricate, blending elements of revenge and deception into a captivating narrative

Delightfully Deceitfully is a gripping Korean drama series consisting of 16 episodes, centered around a group of con artists with a female lead as their charismatic leader. The story unfolds at a fast and engaging pace, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. With each passing minute, the plot becomes increasingly intricate, blending elements of revenge and deception into a captivating narrative.

While the series excels in many aspects, one minor drawback lies in the portrayal of Kim Dong Wook as the male lead. Unfortunately, his performance falls somewhat flat, as his character, a lawyer, fails to deliver the depth and excitement that the story demands. Moreover, his voice tone remains disappointingly similar to his previous roles, which hampers the distinctiveness of his character.

Fortunately, Chun Woo Hee shines brilliantly as the female lead, injecting the series with a magnetic energy that elevates the overall viewing experience. Her portrayal of the leader of the con artist group adds an extra layer of intrigue, making the series even more enthralling.

In addition to the main cast, the supporting characters play crucial roles in advancing the storyline. Their contributions are significant, weaving a complex web of relationships and motivations that enhance the overall depth of the plot.

Overall, Delightfully Deceitfully is a must-watch drama for fans of the con genre. Despite a lackluster performance from the male lead, Chun Woo Hee's captivating portrayal and the well-crafted story will keep you hooked until the very end.

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Bloody Brilliant!!!!!!

I loved this series. So often dramas like this leave me with lots of little annoying things that were left unexplained or plot lines that don’t play out realistically.It was a convoluted story but was played out flawlessly with brilliant acting from everyone especially FL she was outstanding. I liked the fact that all the supporting characters were important to the story, no one felt like a filler and unusually for me i have an interest in seeing how all the characters could progress.This show is crying out for a season 2, so many possibilities re plot and although i loved the no nonsense approach to any romances there is sooo much scope for almost every character.all in all a really good watch
P.s. very surprised at some of the reviews on here and also by the low number of them but I suppose all viewing is subjective ……….

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intriguing story that hooks you in

originally came into this thinking it’d be one of those ‘filler’ dramas I watch when nothing exciting is being aired. but it was actually one of the best shows I’ve seen in a while. while it doesn’t do anything widely unique in terms of story, it brings out the question of how justice is defined by different people and it leaves us wondering at different points of whether violence or the law would have worked better in that situation consistently. it also had a rather great list of side characters who made the Lee Ro Um Group feel much more full of life. it does get a bit slow at times, but the eventual plot twists made it worth it

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