“Usokon” features a pretty common fake marriage/relationship trope. It doesn’t give us anything unique but does offer a comforting, familiar and cute contract relationship. This is a pretty easy watch and very binge-able. The pacing is good for a short drama (12 episodes, 20 minutes each).

Takumi (ML) and Yae (FL) are both likable characters, well, only to a certain extent for the female lead. Their contract relationship is fun and interesting, and the chemistry is pretty good. I was rooting for them all along. The first two episodes hooked me in, especially when we see the perspectives from both leads. Except for one annoying ex who showed up towards the end, the rest of the supporting cast contributes and supplements the main romance/plot pretty well. Acting is not too over-the-top for a J-drama.

The drama was going so well until the last few episodes when they introduced ML’s ex-girlfriend to the story. What a nosedive! The biggest issue is how Yae dealt with the meeting with the ex. Yae already has this martyr-like annoying personality when she was first introduced (such a big red flag). I thought there would be character development for her and she would behave less like a martyr. But no, she continues on to make one of the dumbest decisions ever, when it was made VERY clear to her how Takumi feels. At this point, I don’t think she deserves Takumi at all.

It’s really unfortunate because I was enjoying this drama so much, right up to this point. I like how the childhood friends reconnected, getting involved in the fake marriage, trying to keep this a secret, faking it in front of everyone, slowly falling in love and even the return of the other childhood best friend. All these are the makings of a classic fake relationship and I am eating all this fluff and cuteness up.

Unfortunately, I need to dock points because I was annoyed how it all went down in flames in the last few episodes.


Completed: 10/14/2023 - Review #366