1% de Alguma Coisa (2016)

Lead Chemistry made me convinced they were dating / had feelings in real life.

Plot: Contract dating story. I am a sucker for those.
Watch it if you’re in the mood for: A light hearted, low angst love story which convinces you that the leads are actually in love. Sizzling chemistry of the leads in kisses and in interactions. Far-fetched concept of “Contract Dating” but they sold it as realistically as it can be. The Male Lead (ML, Ha Seok-Jin) has traditional masculine traits (aggressive, dominating, protective and take charge) and the Female Lead (FL, Jeon So-Min) has traditional feminine traits (nurturing, understanding & submissive). Such pairings are getting rarer in dramaland due to “wokeness” so it was refreshing to watch. They were well done too. ML was considerate and FL did have a spine.
Why I liked it:
* CHEMISTRY: The leads have crazy chemistry, I was convinced they were dating in real life. It’s not just the hot kisses (though they were HOT), the chemistry is in little details on how the leads react to each other through their body language. I read a reviewer say that it seemed like this series cast an actual pair dating and I agree.The way they lean into each other, caressing the hair, holding hands etc. The way the ML cared for her after she was recovered from the kidnapping, whoa! I got goosebumps. However, the credit goes to the FL for making their kisses so magical. Most of K-drama actresses kiss like dead fish pressing their lips. Poor MLs do all the work and plenty of MLs kiss well. However, here the FL was an active participant so magic on screen :)
The ML’s breathing has been audibly captured a lot: He breathes deeply / sighs in a lot of interactions which gave me flutters :) The breathing sounds were very strategically placed. His deep voice also did things to my heart. I became a fan of Ha Seok-jin after this show (do more such roles oppa!)

* PLOT SENSE: The plot made sense in why the leads would be attracted to each other. I see too many plots where the ML is an over-achiever, filthy rich person and the FL is clumsy / tomboyish, beautiful-but-not-aware-of-her-beauty, and somehow the ML falls head-over-heels. I never quite understand what the FL is bringing to the table apart from her looks because clumsiness/aggression-of-hitting-guys is not a quality I find endearing.
Here, it made perfect sense to me why the ML loves the FL and vice versa. ML had a broken childhood, has family members fighting over money with each other and is used to females being attracted to him primarily for money as he is depicted to be an abrasive sort of character. The FL comes from a loving home. Very early on the drama establishes that she couldn’t care less about the money he brings to the table. She is a school teacher, great with kids: this last trait the ML specifically admires. I think in fact that’s a common trait they both share, they both love kids. The series has shown instances where the ML goes out of his way to protect a kid, which catches the female lead’s attention and made her realise the good part of him. The ML was cognizant of all the troubles the FL had to face just because she was dating him: burglary in her house, getting kidnapped, hearing taunts from his family and exes etc. So when the FL falls for the ML, he did have the security that she has actually fallen for him alone, the money associated with him was actually a burden that she had to overcome to fall for him.
Personally, I think given the FL was shown to be submissive (see the scene where she just hides behind the ML when she realises her house has been broken into), she actually enjoyed the possessive/protective (yes, it’s a fine line between the two) nature of the ML.

*TRADITIONAL MASCULINE / FEMININE VALUES PORTRAYAL: The ML did one heck of a job portraying a man-child. He could look very child-like innocent in a few scenes and managed to turn alpha male when certain situations called for it. The FL is submissive and the ML is dominating, they both work that way. I think that is how it is in real life too, a pair of submissive / dominating partner can work well (any gender can assume any role). I am way more dominating than my husband, I know he enjoys it. I believe my dominance is within the boundaries he feels endearing, not stifling. I have read reviews calling the ML’s behaviour toxic. I am not sure I agree. As long as it is in the FL acceptance zone, it’s fine, even endearing. For example: The days my husband shows jealousy, I remember them for a long, long time. They are so few and far between and reaffirm to me that he still loves me in a profound manner. For some couples these instances might be more frequent, but as long as the other partner is touched by them and not stifled, it’s fine. I don’t agree with broad labelling of certain behaviours as toxic, life is more nuanced.
The FL was accepting of some behaviours like him being possessive etc because it was within her acceptance zone. However, she gave it right back when the ML stepped out of her comfort zone. For example: she absolutely refused to ever listen to any suggestions about her leaving her teaching profession for being a society wife.
They were not opposites but complementary personalities attracted to each other.

To end it all, the series summarised itself: There is a person with 99% unattractive traits, but if he / she has 1% of a trait that you find attractive, you can fall for that person, that becomes the charm of that person.
I think it slandered the ML unnecessarily though because he was shown to be a good person overall, even though if a bit controlling and possessive. As I said, it’s a problem only if the partner finds it a problem. The world at large and their opinions do not matter. Here, the partner clearly enjoyed the trait. I mean folks are literally supportive of BDSM relationships, but not this? I call double standards.
So, if you are in the mood for feeling romance vicariously, go watch Something about 1%.
Read my more detailed review on: romancevicariously(dot)wordpress(com)

Leia Mais

Romantic

This was such a lovely romance drama, it may have the same story as others, but it was different in many ways, and I'm soo happy I give it a chance. I find myself binging this even though I thought I wouldn't. There were some moments I skipped, due to flashbacks, but this show, the romance and the MC it was worth watching. The romance literally started as soon as they started their contract relationship, it felt so real and natural, and soo realistic

I'll be honest at first I wasn't sure where all those 10/10 reviews were about, but as I decided there must be something hidden in this drama to have so much great reviews, and boy am I happy I sticked with it, and this is why...

I love how it wasn't done the same way as other contract relationships drama, I love the romance that was everything in this. The leads had such great chemistry. I love the way the ML looked at the FL, and boy the way he kissed that woman... gosh, that was something!! The FL I love her personality in this drama, she wasn't annoying, she wasn't that shy, she was so kind, bold, beautiful, and yet so meek. There were a lot of chacater growth in this as well, well especially the ML. I don't know if anyone else noticed, but based on the situations if you used subs, the music was actually tied into that, i thought that was soo cute lool.

Leia Mais

Good girl wins it all!

What a sweet love story. It might start off with the usual hate-hate relationship but when they fell in love (organically) they were in deep. Whilst I dislike the usual breakup trope used in most k/c-dramas, I didn't mind it too much here. It was still hard to watch the sadness and angst but it really served to prove to the world just how much they loved each other and you just can't break that bond. There is also a fair bit of skinship and it was done with feeling and maturity. No plastic or fish lips kisses here. OBTW, the show can also be titled "good girl wins it all". Enjoy!

Leia Mais

this is one Korean drama i have seen that is super good. i love how the guy is hot headed and doesn't like the girl. like always rich man poor or medium class girl. this drama is fantastic. this is also the first drama that i have seen that has a lot of passionate kissing. like this is the drama where there is a lot of kissing scenes but no bed scenes. so, its a clean drama. the plot of this drama is fantastic because both people are dumb and clumsy in their own ways. their own actions led them to this. thanks to the grandpa this story moves on pretty smoothly without the two people knowing if it is fate or if somebody is behind this. as usual or guy is a keeper and is a jealous type even though he doesn't try to show it. cuz he wants to act tough. which makes this drama even cuter. trust me you need to watch this drama.

Leia Mais

I've finally decided to write my very first review for this k-drama!
This will definitely be your cup of tea IF you're into light and fluffy romance drama with a hint of comedy.
Yes, it is the typical overbearing CEO who pursue the "ordinary" girl in order to inherit his grandpa's wealth.
However, despite the cliche and common rich man/poor woman story line, the actors are doing such a great job!!

Characters:
So Min (as Dada) is not a submissive, weak, indecisive and annoying womanlike the typical poor woman in romance drama. She has great personality and is not being portrayed "that" poor either.
Suk Jin (as Jae In) is not the typical cold, tough, abusive or tsundere CEO that often being portrayed in this genre. I love how his character is very "humane" that makes it hard not to fall in love with him.

Chemistry Level: TOP NOTCH!!
Ha Suk Jin and Jeon So Min acting are very natural that it makes my heart flutter with such little actions & conversations. The kiss scenes deserves an award! Those were seriously few of best kisses i've seen in k-drama so far! Watch out for Lee Jae In's mouth, girls. He's a beautiful motherfker. LOL.

PLOT: Since it is a short drama, i think the writers did a great job to develop the story. I love how the conflicts between the couple are being solved very quick, showing their maturity in relationship WITHOUT annoying love-tringle thingy.

So, i'd highly recommend this drama for anyone who is looking for a light and fluffy romance k-drama to fill in the weekend. You WILL fall in love from the first episode. TRUST ME.

Leia Mais

"This show knew what it wanted to be (fluffy, light, and still enjoyable) - and didn't try to be anything more than that."
In short, I loved it.

In all honesty, I did not really think much of this drama at first. The story itself is rather simple, revolving around a contractual relationship and the people involved in this, nothing that has not been done before. Furthermore, the plot is driven (mostly) by the two main characters and their relationship, as well as the difficulties they have to solve in their relationship, rather than a grand external plot. Usually, I am wary of dramas that start off with this premise since the main characters often get stuck fighting over unrealistic or plain stupid things, especially if the couple consists of people from very different parts of society.

However, I am always a sucker for romance, and that was something this drama, and the reviews of it, promised. And I was not left disappointed. The two main characters fit their admittedly (very) stereotypical roles in the first few episodes, but it quickly became apparent that things were not going to keep being this way. It was nice watching both of the two, very stubborn, characters adapt to each other while they got to know each other. Of course, problems arose as the story progressed, but those were dealt with and we, the viewers, got to see the relationship between the two leads get stronger in return.
Of course, this show is a romantic drama and thus that is where most of the focus lies, had I started watching this show on the premise of getting thrilling action scenes and a deep tragic backstory, I would have been gravely disappointed. The story is simple, but it seems the writers knew that and for once they did not try to make it into something that it is not. The story achieves what it sets out to do, and that is to deliver a fluffy romance between two, seemingly, incompatible leads. All in all, this leads to quite a few quarrels between the leads but it seems that for every quarrel there is a solution and two heartwarmingly fluffy scenes to make up for it. There has to be some suspense after all.

Plot structure and episodes
Again the story knew what it wanted to be and did not try to be anything else, which was refreshing.
This show is definitely one you could binge without getting too bored of it. It didn't feel too dragged out at any points. Something that is most likely because the conflicts weren't dragged out for unrealistic amounts of time, but I digress. The episodes had a nice length, yo?u could easily watch one and come back to it later, and the storyline felt evenly distributed.

Characters
The main characters did a great job portraying their roles and they had great chemistry together. Most of the memorable moments were between them but the story would not have been complete without the supporting characters. They made the small moments between the main leads stand out even more but kept themselves interesting separately as well.

Leia Mais

I watched this drama over and over again like 6 times.... It's really makes us feel and fall in love right away...I really appreciate the efforts and the acting of the lead actress and also my ideal SeokJin oppa... The drama made me to see and taught me to how to live and enjoy the Twenties Life..Also the drama gave me lot's of dreams and desires about one's responsibilities... Loads of love to the whole team... Especially Seokjin oppa,I wish I could get a guy like you... Who being a naughty,caring, responsible, humorous, Cool headed and also little cold hearted.. It's really suits there's really something 1% is there...

Leia Mais

On paper, this drama looks like just another contract marriage/dating rom com, which is honestly what I was expecting and in the mood for, but it exceeded all expectations I had of it honestly.

Let's start with how it subverts drama tropes and stereotypes. I won't give any spoilers but there are many aspects--second male and female leads, subplots, secondhand romances--that never played out the way I was expecting. Instead, the show mostly turned these around and twisted them so that even if I predicted what would happen, I could never predict the outcome. It was so refreshing and fun.

Second, I never got bored. I've watched over 80 dramas. I usually get bored with some aspect of a drama I watch. That never happened with 1 Percent of Something. Even in spots where the show could have gotten boring,  I think the biggest factor in helping this show is the 40 minute episodes. This helped keep the show from getting stale or putting in a lot of filler. Each minute had to mean something and helped keep me engaged with the characters.

Which leads me to my third point: the characters! They were so alive and engaging! I loved all of them. Even the second male and female leads which is honestly a hard feat for me. They were all so real. I felt like I could call them up and they would be real people instead of creations of the writers' minds. It was absolutely amazing. The characters were flawed but had so many redeeming qualities. I didn't even think the jerk chaebol was THAT big of a jerk. It was so incredibly nice to watch.

My last point: The most realistic version of hate to love I've ever seen. You get to watch the main characters slowly fall for each other over a series of small moments. It doesn't feel forced. You watch as they interact on the terms of the contract and slowly start caring for one another. It's obvious in their actions and what they say that they're both falling. Nothing feels out of the blue. Jae Inn is able to redeem himself slowly and even learns from his mistakes and doesn't continually treat Da Hyun as garbage like a lot of dramas will do (coughheirscoughcough).

There were some not so great things. The small plot lines about Da Hyun being the president of Ji Su's fan club wasn't my favorite thing. But it was cute and added to her character. The music was just okay. It was nothing that got stuck in my head or that I'll ever listen to again later but it worked well in the drama.

Overall, this is definitely going to get added to my favorite dramas list. I am a little worried about rewatch value since a lot of my enjoyment came from being surprised. That's why I've marked it a 7. When I eventually feel like watching it again, I might update this number/review. We'll see.

Leia Mais

Really Enjoyed It

I really liked this drama. It kept my attention throughout.

What I liked:
-Han Suk Jin was amazing. He was very believable as Jae In and was my favorite character in the show. I loved when he would put people in their place, when he wouldn't take things lying down, the fact that he would do things his own way, his reasoning for not wanting to marry DaDa at first (he didn't want her to suffer), etc.
-Jeon So Min as Da Hyeon. I like that she would give just as good as she would get. She wouldn't let people see her sweat. I just didn't like that she constantly kept saying I don't know your grandfather to Jae In. Why not research it? There were articles about Jae In on the internet so why not search up his grandfather especially since SH Group was his creation. That was annoying.
-The main couple had great chemistry and it was cute seeing them not realizing they were in love with each other. They had cute interactions, great kissing scenes and I liked when Jae In would tease DaDa.

What I didn't like:
-Jae In's ex- she kept harassing both Jae In and DaDa. No matter how firm they were with her or how much they put her in her place, she still would keep coming around. She comes around and says she loves him after being apart for 3 year. ????????How Sway? And at one point she told DaDa she was being pathetic. What was pathetic was her chasing after a man that didn't want her and made it clear that he didn't want her.
-Jae In's little sister- She was not needed and added nothing to the show.
-The last 2 episodes- Episode 15 dragged a little, thankfully not past 1 episode unlike some other dramas. I know it was to make the audience feel what it was like for them being separated from one another, but it was still a bit draggy. And the last episode was just too fast paced and introduced more topics that I felt one more episode was needed to smooth everything out.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this drama, recommend it and will definitely rewatch it again.

Leia Mais

I have 80+ dramas under my belt, and I am not sure anyone is as easy to watch as Jeon So Min. Crushing the female lead role effortlessly. She is just so flawless here.

The drama itself has a few minor flaws, but floats along so nicely. I actually think it should have been 16 one hour episodes, instead of 45 minutes, as there should have been a little more time to develop the secondary characters. Other than that, you will find yourself with a smile on your face 95% of the time while watching this.

Jeon So Min deserves more lead roles, PERIOD! There is just no reason for her to not be a top tier lead. She nails romance, and has perfect comedic timing. There are only a few leads that have both, and she is one of them.

Leia Mais