No Gain No Love Episode 1 Review: Shin Min-ah and Kim Young-dae’s Witty Banter Sets the Hilarious Tone

No Gain No Love Episode 1 Review | Leisurebyte

Director:
Kim Jung-shik

Date Created:
2024-08-26 17:20

The wait is finally over as No Gain No Love Episode 1, the highly anticipated drama starring Shin Min-ah and Kim Young-dae, has finally been released. Directed by Kim Jung-shik and written by Kim Hye-young, this rom-com promises a captivating blend of humour and a love-hate relationship between the leads. The story centres around a contract marriage that just might blossom into real love.

The comedy rom-com series is directed by Kim Jung-shik and written by Kim Hye-young.

Son Hae-yeong has always valued money and hates wasting it unnecessarily. At work, she learns about a potential promotion, but there’s a catch—it’s not available to single women, as the company wants to avoid controversy. Facing the possibility of losing this opportunity due to her single status, she devises a plan for a fake wedding. She enlists Kim Ji-uk, a part-time worker at the convenience store near her home, to pose as her husband. But will this arrangement spark real love, and will her plan ultimately succeed?

– Spoilers –

No Gain No Love Episode 1 Recap

The series begins by introducing Son Hae-yeong as a child. While playing at school, she expresses a desire to play soccer instead of dodgeball. However, the teacher insists that girls should play dodgeball, leading to a spirited argument where Hae-yeong argues that they won’t know if they like soccer unless they try it. When asked for her name, she confidently responds, “Son Hae-yeong,” meaning “no loss.” This moment sets the tone for her determined personality, shaped by her childhood experiences. Growing up, her mother’s generous nature led her to bring other kids home, which made Hae-yeong feel that her mother’s love was divided.

Fast forward to the present, and Hae-yeong is attending a wedding, debating how much money to give as a congratulatory gift. It’s revealed that this is her ex’s wedding, a man she broke up with six months ago. To her shock, she learns that he had been dating the bride for a year before they got married, fueling her anger. Although she imagines ruining the wedding by photobombing it, in reality, she simply catches the bride’s bouquet.

Meanwhile, we meet Kim Ji-uk, an orphan who comes across as kind, smart, and genuine, even though his job interview doesn’t go well. Afterward, he returns the coat he borrowed for the interview to a policeman and helps catch a criminal, further highlighting his good nature. Nam Ja-yeon, an adult story author and Hae-yeong’s friend, consoles Hae-yeong after the wedding. Hae-yeong reveals that she broke up with her ex to avoid pressuring him, as she was the sole caretaker of her mother. However, learning that he cheated on her makes her want her money back.

Later, Hae-yeong and her friend decide to visit the convenience store where Ji-uk works. They have a tense relationship, with Ji-uk being cold to her while she enjoys provoking him. The next day at work, Hae-yeong confronts her ex, demanding the money she gave him for the wedding. He refuses, saying he’ll return it only after she gets married. Furious, she learns from a colleague about the financial benefits the company offers to married employees, making her feel even more bitter about the disadvantages faced by single women.

We are also introduced to Bok Gyu-hyun, the son of a wealthy CEO. His father gives him an ultimatum: either make the company number one within a year or get married. Determined to avoid marriage, Gyu-hyun creates a new role within the company that reports directly to the president, which could help the company grow. Hae-yeong wants to apply for the position but discovers that the company doesn’t hire single women for such roles due to the president’s history of affairs, which his family wants to avoid repeating. This discrimination further frustrates Hae-yeong.

In a moment of frustration, Hae-yeong returns to the convenience store, drinks in hand. She looks at Ji-uk and suddenly gets an idea. Approaching him, she boldly asks him to be her groom.

No Gain No Love Episode 1 Review

The first episode of the series kicks off with a perfect blend of humour and uniqueness. Hae-yeong’s awkward experience at her ex’s wedding, complete with her comical daydream about sabotaging the event, sets a light-hearted and engaging tone. The show skilfully balances this humour with a deeper commentary on the societal challenges faced by single women. Through Hae-yeong’s struggles and her confrontations, the series highlights the often-overlooked difficulties and discrimination that come with being single, providing both an entertaining and thought-provoking watch.

The interactions between Hae-yeong and Kim Ji-uk are a highlight of the episode. Their dynamic is filled with witty banter and palpable tension, making their scenes together a joy to watch. Ji-uk’s cold demeanour clashes amusingly with Hae-yeong’s persistent charm, creating a compelling and humorous exchange that promises further development. This playful yet sharp interaction adds depth to their characters and sets the stage for a potentially intriguing relationship.

Overall, the first episode establishes a solid foundation for the series, mixing comedic elements with meaningful social commentary. The blend of humour and critique makes the show stand out, and the chemistry between the leads adds an extra layer of excitement. It’s a promising start that leaves viewers eager to see how Hae-yeong’s journey will unfold and how her relationship with Ji-uk will develop.

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