Meu Querido Nêmesis (2025)

SUGAR WITHOUT TASTE

Sometimes, less is more. Sometimes, developing one arc is better than shoehorning multiple arcs. There has to be a reason why many comments about this drama are "something was missing". Is it a bad show? Absolutely not. But it was lackluster in a way that upsets the viewers, for they could see the vast potential it held.

What is good about the show?

1) The setup: Two people who broke each other's hearts as teenagers because of naivety & insecurities....reuniting as adults in the real world while harboring old scars and helping each other grow, love, forgive and become better people is rom-com gold. This is a solid setup which doesn't allow you to get bored and keeps the viewers on their toes while being entertained.

2) Choi Hyun Wook: He is rising star in the kdrama world.... brimming with potential, raw charms and natural talent. Something which is unmissed by the viewers and producers. One can argue that this is his first attempt at trying more mature, "not-school boy" role....paving way for a future as a mainstream actor with a diverse filmography. And I think he did a good job. Ofcourse this character was nowhere as layered as his past characters. However, it was refreshing to see him tackle a quintessential kdrama male lead role. His ability to handle humorous & emotional scenes with ease and charming persona made this a fun watch.

3) Decent OST, Good Production and Adequate Kdrama world building: I've rarely come across a kdrama that doesn't deliver in terms of music, aesthetics and world building. The show will give the viewers everything that we associate to a good kdrama. It is Seol suave, aesthetically beautiful, well produced, promising supporting cast and musically forward.

Why this show is lackluster?

1) Too many divergences: The synopsis tells that their childhood incident was the main bone of contention, but this couple is plagued with many challenges and after a while as a viewer you can't help but wonder....it's a little too much. They have to sort their past misunderstanding, his attempts to safeguard his secrets (hobbies), their present-day professional differences (boss-subordinate angle), their social incompatibility (chaebol- commoner angle) and personal scars (his traumatic childhood). After a point as a viewer, I felt a divergence fatigue. You can't give every challenge or obstacle under the sun to the couple just to make the story "interesting". On the contrary, it makes the viewers feel exhausted.

2) Half Baked Closures: I wished rather than spending so much time giving a gazillion challenges to our couple, the makers should have spent adequate time fleshing out their main bone of contention and the male lead's family matters. Becuase at the heart of the story, these two issues were the reasons why it shaped them as the people that they were. The show dilutes the nuance of these issues either for comic relief or to focus on other matters. They should've spent more time explaining their teenage pain, built an emotional explanation of them choosing to move ahead and male lead's unresolved family trauma. Though, I was at least glad that he received an apology (won't give more details) .... wouldn't have expected that had this been a 2014-2015 era kdrama so cheers to that.

3) Chemistry: This is probably a controversial take but oh well, this is my view. I felt the casting was off. The two did not have the spark that makes you swoon while watching a romantic series. In scenes when they were by themselves, when they were fighting with each other, when they were interacting with others.... they did a great job. Both are good actors and have proved that repeatedly. Chemistry is not about acting, it's about the writing and how the actors connect with each other onscreen. This couple did not have the pull that makes the audience swoon. Having said that, there were some sweet scenes that will make you warm and floofy inside.

All in all, its a palette cleanser watch. You won't be glued but you won't hate it either. Worth watching for fans of the genre and of these actors :)

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