Então Eu me Casei Com a Minha Anti-fã (2021)

Brilliant but not without issues

Short: This is your average bubbly fun romance. The main leads are just perfect and seeing their relationship develop is the definition of happiness for me, brilliantly written and performed. it *doesnt* have some of the flaws of other romance stories, it *does* have some, and there's a bit of lazy writing near the end. This became a "must-watch" the minute each episode was available with subs for me, definitely recommended.

Detail:
After the disappointing lack of happy ending for Choi Soo Young's character in Run On I was hoping for her to get a great role in this one and she really delivers, finally given the chance to actually be a "normal" character and take the romance to the conclusion was a joy to watch and she's definitely become one of my favourite actors.

This story does follow the usual path to many extents, including the flaws, it even has the "go away and come back months later" thing that drives me mad. BUT, it does improve on the formula in a few ways. Firstly - in the go-away thing he didn't ghost her and said he'd text regularly, ok so that's not terrible. In another instance there's a strong case for them to have a massive misunderstanding when something she's written privately is stolen and published but without any question he trusts in her. Trust, wow, in a romance drama? That's new, I like it, let's see more of that please writers.

There are a number of pillars that make up a strong relationship - trust and support being two. They nailed the trust thing I think better than most, but support? not really - giving support is easy, receiving can be hard and when I felt they should have had the big star being supported by her he kinda cocoons and excludes her from it, I guess some notion of "protecting" her, but I'd have liked to have seen his vulnerable side more and given her the chance for the Anti-Fan to become the Number One Fan - in fact I was largely hoping that was the direction this would take, but it really doesn't. She does some things in the background but there's no visible payoff to it so it may as well have not been included.

She's a strong character, but I don't think the story gave her enough room to actually see that strength be of value, so it's almost that it didn't *matter* her character was strong as much as it should have. I think is the crux of the problem that I have.

I don't like that they didn't explain the path of Hoo Joon back to popularity. The writer used an (imho) lazy trick of doing a reset by sending him away and when he returns boom all is good again. For me, it was the anti-fan becoming the number 1 fan and standing up for him in the publics face, setting the story straight, that I was expecting to be the way ship righted but they went for the magic button reset instead - a real waste and the crux of why I didn't rate this a 10 because otherwise, it's a solid 10.

Other characters:
The second leads.. well... Jae Joons character is probably one of the most frustrating i've seen in a drama to date, massive massive chip on his shoulder, huge inferiority complex, rage issues, self confidence issues and more besides. In Hyung, his girlfriend really does love him but he can't see it because he's blinded by everything he perceives is going on around him that isn't. I kinda wish they'd been able to find a *better* solution to it but sense is kinda knocked in to him in the end albeit rather drastically.

I will repeat the flag noted in at least one other review though, this is NOT a normal relationship and if YOU find yourself recognising any of this with your own circumstances please talk to friends or professionals and get help before something bad happens.

The third couple - who I won't name - were brilliant as well, fun and bubbly and I adored how they did the proposal for that one, completely in character for them. They had a fun dynamic throughout and was good seeing their relationship develop - I mean it was a very minor part of the story but just made scenes all the more fun with their story in the background.

Music was good, but the repeated use of "Bittersweet" (the one that starts "I wonder what is love...") got a little annoying and even out of place given it was already part of his performances and then here they are in the production studio apparently working on that same song.

Definitely recommended, and one I'd certainly watch again to enjoy their relationship and Choi Soo Young's brilliant acting.

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My best favorite film

This film becomes one part of my life. I am so excited when each Fri and Sat comes.
As you might know, the movie completed in 2018-2019 but was not released. It has been a long time and no one has the news for it. I was disappointed with that since I like Sooyoung unnie and support all her films. The movie isn't going to be published.
Then one day, I almost screamed when the information for the on air will be on Apr 30, 2021.
To be honest, the content is not new but the way of main lead's acting is excellent. Their chemistry is so soft and real. I know that both Sooyoung and Taejoon have their own relationship in real life for a long time but I can't stop thinking they are truly a couple ^_^ I am happy when they happy and sad when they have trouble in film.
This movie is also popular in the world. I saw different language versions of each video for it such as English, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Russian or some kind of Arabic. The live fan meeting on Jun 9 reached the highest viewers following Godin's report. Sooyoung, Taejoon and Chansung are so funny and their interaction is good as well.
Last Sat is the final one, it is happy ending but I still feel sad. It seems that I have lost something. Thank you for all members in crew, thank you PD, writer, backstage dept and specially say thanks to all characters.
Good bye Geun Young, Who Joon, JJ, Oh In Huyng, Mr. Manager, Han PD, No Writer and so on. Hope to see you in the next project.

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Okay drama if not for the 2nd lead couple

The reason I'm writing the review already, even though 2 more episodes will be aired this week, is because I want to bring light to the 2nd lead couple.

The 2nd leads - Choi Jae-Joon and Oh In-Hyung - are a very good visual example of a psychologically abusive relationship. If any of you has a partner that treats you the same way Jae-Joon treated In-Hyung, please talk to someone.
Some of the signs, that also show up in this drama, are:
- Partner is overly controlling / jealous. (Shows up in foreign country just because another guy is around, you can't excuse that no matter how much he hates the guy, this is not normal)
- Not listening or believing you, twisting your words to fit their storyline
- Insulting you or your career, belittling your accomplishments
- Public embarrassment (like purposely showing you off to your friend)
- Threats, Financial control, Lecturing
- Sudden outbursts of anger or emotion
- Sudden emotional guilt-tripping when person has had enough "I need you / I can't live without you"
- PHYSICAL ABUSE (No one should hit anyone out of emotions, never!)
- So many more signs were in this drama. If any of these speak to you, please, please take care of yourself.

Honestly, in the beginning some of the things the main lead did to the female lead were also NOT okay.

This was very important for me to mention, as I have been in similar situations before. The rest of the drama is okay, the other couples and characters are great, the acting in this drama is very good, even the actors who play second lead did a great job on making me want to call for help. The storyline is pretty cliché at times, but that's expected from this the "anti" storyline.

The music was very nice, the main singers songs weren't great so I lowered the score a bit.

I don't know how the writer will end the 2nd couple, I really had been hoping for In Hyung to break free and take control of her own life. The main thing I don't want, is for this relationship to be romanticized, especially not to give them a happy ending. This would be a great visual example of an abusive relationship, a warning for viewers, if accented.

Please take care!
<3 your fellow drama lover

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Oh good, another Ode to Female Martyrdom. We needed one of those, it's been at least a month or two.
Geun Young is the eponymous Antifan who signs up for a show called 'So I Married An Antifan' - as the Antifan - and then finds herself viciously betrayed by being portrayed as an Antifan.

*cue martyr face*

It's an expression you'll get familiar with as it's one of only two expressions she has. The other is a grimace she reserves for when nobody is looking so we can see just how much hard work she's putting into enduring all of the injustices the world has undeservedly thrown at her.

It hasn't of course, most of her victimhood is entirely a choice. In fact if anybody is married to anything in this show, it's the female lead to her victimhood. How dare the reality show she signed up for portray her as smart, fun and in control of the situation she's in? Don't they know she's a VICTIM?!

She becomes homeless for no clear reason I can see and the male lead, Hoo Joon, lets her stay in his house. Instead of taking a bed, she bunks down in the laundry room so we can see just how hard her life is despite living in a mansion, getting an agent, and starring in what could possibly be a hit TV show with a major celebrity.

As for Hoo Joon himself, he's a dick. A famous and rich one so of course he's just misunderstood or something. He's not a real person anyway, just a cardboard cutout of an Idol. The female lead seems outraged by the idea that most of his life is performative despite that being the literal job he has. Of course his life is performative, HE'S AN IDOL.

Apart from our main couple, we have an excruciatingly-boring second couple constituting Hoo Joon's limp, wet lettuce ex girlfriend and former best friend turned greatest nemesis. Like most second leads, these two desperately need to get a life or at least a personality other than 'future violent stalker and domestic abuser'.

The worst thing about this show - apart from the acting, which is at all times bland - is that the premise is excellent and could have been used to spark a fantastic enemies-to-lovers dynamic from this mismatched pair. Instead, from the minute she gets him to do the show by hunting him down and begging, we know exactly the dynamic the show is going for. She's the perpetual victim of injustice, long-suffering and noble. He's hot and rich and always in control.

Can't wait for the sequel - So I Married A Martyr.

I hear she endures that with fortitude as well.

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Sweet Cliché! Second Couple Redemption?

The show, basically what you expect form the title. A contract relationship, now let me say, ever since that one show "I hear You" I HATED contract relationships with marriage involved. But this show, made me kind of like contract relationship with marriage involved. Although this show did drag out a certain thing.

The story was alright, the male lead was a d*ck at first, obvious, then became soft. The female lead, eh? Like I don't know what to say about her other than her being a huge eater? That's much, she was weak at first and kind of became strong towards the end? Still weak though but just got a tiny tiny TINY bit stronger.
The whole second couple stich was done so bad. Would've gave a 9 but those two just made me give it what I gave it today. I also personally think they tried to make EVERYBODY and meaning EVERYBODY have a happy ending. They even had Geum Young's ex manager have some "good" to her? I knew it was cliché but making everybody have a good ending? boring much tbh.
The whole JJ jealous of Hoo Joon got dragged out, too far. Episode 10 and the plot with JJ, Hoo Joon, and Inhyung got no where, JJ still hating him, etc. And they try letting people feel bad for JJ. I personally think it worked a bit for me but not all the way.

The acting was alright! By the way, people hating on Choi Soo Hyung, have you guys seen her on Run On? She's literally TWO different characters! Loved her especially in Run On. Okay you don't have to like her role here but come on, you're over the top if you hate her acting, it ain't that bad. I literally only came to watch this show for HER yet didn't regret it.

The music? I don't know why people hate the music, maybe because I'm young but the music isn't that bad, I especially loved the intro music and always loved dancing to it every morning watching this show.

I would definitely re watch this show! The development in the male lead I could watch all day! Besides him I could re watch for Chan Sung over and over!
In total, this is light and fluffy ig but it's just cliché much so if you're not into this, don't even think of watching and giving it a one knowing you hate these kinds of shows.

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A curate's egg

I ended up liking the middle segment of this show after a wojus beginning. And then it arrived at an inglorious and tedious end.

Full disclosure: After jerk male leads I really, really hate female leads who are screechy, violent drunks, particularly those who go on to blame everyone else for their subsequent predicament. There's something weirdly misogynistic about the way that this is being served up as the new normal, anti-Candy for heroines. So the first couple of episodes realised all my worst fears.

PROS: Luckily, the character of Lee Geun-young started to calm down, become more real - and more compassionate - and even, eventually start to take responsibility for her own actions. I also think that Choi Soo-young acted well - even if that meant making the character unlikeable. I also liked some of the side characters - her friends, the production team, though would have liked to see those characters fleshed out a little more. And Hwang Chan-sung made a convincing antagonist. I also think it did a good job at sketching out how 'reality' TV works and how much it manipulates our perception.

CONS: The leads had zero chemistry. They were saying the right things by the end but it wasn't convincing. And despite this being 2021, I noticed that she kept he mouth tight closed during the kiss scenes, as if she wished she were somewhere else. I never really got a sense of who Hoo Joon was, either. I didn't think he was a jerk, but he was relatively opaque. I don't know if that points to the writing, directing or acting. Also, the father/ring part of the plot - what did it add to the story? And the plot holes/omitted narrative - Hoo Joon's mum, his previous 'relationship' (if any) with Oh In-hyung. I also think they wasted the character of Go Soo-hwan (he was barely in it) despite him being cited as a main character.

OVERALL: It was all a bit 'meh'. I won't remember it in 3 months.

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Average Drama With A Couple of Cons

At the start of this Kdrama, it was really promising but it moved kind of slow. It wasn't bad because we were still learning the background of the story and it was getting into its flow.

I loved the premise of the anti-fan. I was craving a Cold Rich Male Lead drama and this hit the spot with extra brownie points. However, what irritated me to no end was how the second FL (2FL) had more chemistry with the ML than the actual FL. (spoilery) They invested so much time in the backstory of ML and 2FL I actually started to like them more than the main couple.

Every single character was so spiteful and vindictive that it was painful to watch. It felt like the characters were playing the game ' Who can be more hurtful and self-destructive than the other.' Every character was either mean-spirited or had no self-awareness. but man even with all my complaining I was HOOKED and could not let go.

Overall I enjoyed my time watching it but probably would NOT choose to watch it again.

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Laughably mediocre. Lacks story and chemistry

I don't know where to begin with this mess. So I married the anti-fan was so mediocre that I almost wish it was just bad so I could have an easy explanationfor my distaste for this drama. It's pretty clear that this was a hot mess and most likely the reason it was put on production hold for 2+ years. If you would have told me this series was made in 2008 I would believed you because it really feels out of date and badly written, produced, acted, all of it, drama. The premise was great. Enemies to lovers, easily done right? Only... They somehow managed to mess that up and make it extremely boring. There is next to no chemistry between the 2 leads until 2/3 way through, and when it is presented it feels very forced because its out of nowhere.

The music, I can't even describe how hilariously bad. At one point I paused because I realized they were playing horrid out of tune music with a recorder. As in, the exact same music that is played badly on purpose for memes O_O Even when the main lead plays his music it's bad. And we're expected to believe this man is the #1 idol? There's no way. When he sings (which is only 2 scenes in the entire show) he just stands there and has a couple dancers behind him. I kept pausing to laugh. Theres no way this mediocre man is the #1 idol. Not with idol standards, and I'm very sorry to say... but not with that face. It's just not believable.

Besides all that, the storytelling is all over the place too. The second leads are somehow very dramatic and very boring at the same time. They spend each episode rehashing the same thing and I honestly had no idea if I was supposed to support their relationship or not because they were so toxic for no reason.

Would I recommend? Not unless you want to waste 16+ hours of your life.

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This drama deserves its anti-fans (and yet I rewatch it repeatedly!)

In a quick summary, this drama is 50% great and 50% awful. Sadly, the awful parts are so bad that it's impossible to recommend watching them - which means that less than half of the drama is actually worth viewing. And yet!

And yet I have re-watched those good parts multiple times because they've hit that sweet spot of "conceited jerk meets bumbling manic pixie dream girl and everyone falls implausibly in love" that I sometimes crave.

I will say that the romance of our main characters is based in nonsense and wildly chaotic, but it has heart-fluttering moments that are grounded in two people who don't really know how to be around people very well but somehow fit each other. Once they start connecting, it's really very charming. Both actors do a great job with some very wacky material, and have a natural feeling connection. I felt that they both grew into functional adults on their own and through their relationship with each other.

However! The second leads, who are central to the MLs backstory and cause mess for the FL, are horrific. Their relationship is so abusive I couldn't handle even their first scene together, let alone the absurd situation they end up in. The character of JJ is beyond awful. The unfortunate SFL is so broken by her circumstances that I just wanted to reach into the screen and take her away from everything she was dealing with. That poor girl made me so sad and angry that people can treat people like that.

Back to the good points, I have to give love to our MLs manager - I adored him and his knowing smiles. Stick with him, our mains, and the FLs besties, and you're in for a good time.

The music is sweet, as befits a story about a pop star. I actually enjoyed several of the songs quite a lot.

Overall, half of this drama was quite good, good enough to rewatch. With aggressive use of the FFW button, it is a fun, lightly melo drama.

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If you are looking for a healthy relationship, you won't find it here

Let me begin with what I liked – the ending was really cute. I also liked cameo appearances of some of the actors I’ve seen in other dramas. And the music was good. The acting was okay, which I will cover in greater detail under CAST.
WRITING: I felt that the growth between the two characters was sorely lacking. The only time they communicated was when they were drunk, and they were drunk A LOT. There were too many unlikeable/pitiful people, and sadly this included the lead characters. There should be someone at the beginning of the story that you want to root for, and I didn’t feel that way about any of the characters. The show was rife with the standard K-drama tropes - wrist grabs, drunk confessions, bullying (sorry, but it’s NEVER acceptable for a man to hit a woman), parent troubles, brother troubles, misunderstandings due to lack of communication, best friends becoming enemies, enemies becoming lovers, crooked CEO’s, tragic medical conditions, love triangles, time jumps, rushed endings. You name it, you’ll find it here!
What stuck out most to me was how dysfunctional the relationships were. Granted, this show is about three years old and was just released, but even three years ago I would hope that writers would start to address the importance of honesty, respect, and communication in a relationship.
MAIN COUPLE: He was a mess, and was not nice to her in any way, shape or form at the beginning. Jumping to conclusions, emotional blackmail, and shutting yourself off from someone that you supposedly love to disappear and handle problems on your own, are not signs of a healthy relationship. Sadly, K-dramas use the time jump in almost every show, and it just doesn’t ring true that when you’ve been desperate to win the love of your life that you’d disappear for months/years at a time to “resolve” things and then just show up out of the blue without having contact with your significant other. In this age of cell phones, texting, social media and FaceTime, this is definitely an overused ploy. She was a mess and a doormat. She was pretty much treated badly by everyone, and she just took it. Get a spine!
SECOND COUPLE: Just no! This was the epitome of a toxic relationship and the police should have gotten involved.
CAST: Choi Tae Joon as idol Hoo Joon. I didn’t feel that he was strong enough to carry the role of male lead. He lacked “presence”. I found myself watching everyone around him in the scenes he was in. I’ve seen him in other things and enjoyed his acting, but this wasn’t a good fit for him.
Choi Soo-young as Lee Geun-Young. I had more problems with the way her character was written, rather than her acting. She is a beautiful woman, and there is an intrinsic sweetness about her that was a positive addition to her character.
Chansung as JJ. As an abusive, possessive, jealous boyfriend, I felt that he was a bit much, but it was the way he was written. However, I will say that toward the end, when something happens to him, that is where his acting really shone. He did a wonderful job of displaying the fear, despair, and vulnerability of his character which actually made you somewhat change the way you thought of him.
Han Ji An as Oh In-hyung. Of all the characters, the writers fell down on the job most with In-hyung. She was spineless and an emotional wreck and I couldn’t believe that anyone would fall for her or that she had the strength to take on being an idol star. Add to that Ji An’s acting, and I felt like it was a bit of a train wreck. Her facial expressions were flat throughout the show and her doe eyes just screamed “poor me”. There were a couple of scenes where she was walking away from the actor she had been talking to, and even her gait was unnatural.
Again, the ending was the saving grace.

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Oof...

Within less than 3 minutes going into the first episode we were presented with these goofy and silly sound effects for every motion and laughter. My expectations were nullified immediately which definitely helped to endure it. The interactions between the characters were painfully artificial and static, which made the dreadful cheesiness even worse than it already was. This is how it seems from the surface but the content is much more revolting and ugly. Highly not recommended!

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