Shin Minah is a romcom queen and Lee Sangyi a fantastic second lead, with a funny premise No Gain No Love definitely had us watching.

I have been procrastinating writing this review for a bit too long. I like reviewing dramas in the same week I finish them but I have had so much going on that I never had the time or the motivation but today is the work. The power of home office I’d say is on my side. Well, I am really glad I got to watch this drama while it was airing even if I joined in late but I think that’s the best way to do it as I saw this drama being hyped and discussed everywhere and it just made me want to watch No Gain No Love so badly and I have no regrets when it comes to watching this one, it was a lot of fun and watching the spin off drama Spice Up Our Love right after was even more fun. Let’s get into the review

Summary via MDL: Son Hae Yeong is the type of person who doesn’t want to lose money under any circumstance. While growing up, she had to share her mother’s love with others. She often found her partners in relationships below her break-even point. Now, Hae Yeong faces the possibility of missing out on a job promotion at her workplace. To avoid such a loss, she makes a plan for a fake wedding. She recruits Kim Ji Uk to be her fiance. Ji Uk works part-time as a cashier at a convenience store. He is the type of person who can’t ignore people in need and tries to do the right thing. He is smooth with every customer at the convenience store, except for one person. That person is Hae Yeong. When she suddenly asks him to become the fake groom at her wedding, he somehow accepts her offer

Okay so first of all I think No Gain No Love does a lot right I even got my mom to watch it even if she never finished it because the way Jiuk was treated by his so called family upset her… I tried to make her stick it out but I don’t think she ever will finish it. Sad. Anyway, No Gain No Love was so much fun and always my happy and cozy drama when Love Next Door got to heavy for me during that particular week. The comedy in No Gain No Love is on point. The characters have so many tragic yet funny moments that make No Gain No Love the perfect romcom. But let’s focus on the characters Haeyeong is kinda a mood because if there is something I hate it has to be losing or wasting money, money is great however applying this mindset to love and relationship is a bit weird but you know what? You do you girl. I thought she was immediately lovable and the best part of the drama has to probably be her and Jiuk trying to make this fake marriage thing work and getting closer. The banter! The chemistry! I really enjoyed everything about this and laughed a lot. The sisterly bond of this was just as well done bc found family? Yes please give me more about that.

I am really surprised how many tropes No Gain No Love tackled and did so well while giving us so much different representation and interesting subplots? I love to see it and it seems to be a theme with 2024 K-Dramas because media is how to get people to open their minds. So yes No Gain No Love does a lot right. The three sisters, and their individual stories were amazing and a great watch while the main couple was never lost out of sight, until the very end…. I have some feelings about that ending. But more on that in a bit because I know that for some reason Youngdae was being roasted left and right for is acting but I don’t see it? Yes he has a nice face to look at and maybe he isn’t the best actor but her and Minah played well off of each other and made for amazing scenes together? Oh well, to each their own for me No Gain No Love had a pretty interesting story line, engaging characters and decent acting with funny moments and it took my mind off things during a stressful time.

Now, as much as I recommend No Gain No Love and the universe that comes with it I feel like the ending to this one was more than scuffed. Spoilers for a bit now; but yes I like that everything was resolved and we get a happy ending. But where was the communication we saw before? Why the time skip, man I freaking hate time skips! Whatever I am over it for now but it kind of ruined No Gain No Love a tad for me and left a bitter taste in my mouth but you win some you lose some and endings are something K-Dramas struggle with in my opinion. So all in all No Gain No Love was a great watch and I enjoyed my time with it and can only recommend it if you want something not too heavy (even if it has sad moments) and a great romcom!