One Shot Scandal (2023)

This is how the real world works plus a few fate tricks

It's not everyone's cup of tea for sure, since the lead couple are not ordinary and certainly not young, but they are among the most realistic couples i have seen in Kdramas.

Story:

Star math teacher. Heartthrob, rich, whatever you name it, he has it. There are dark secrets lurking around. there is also tragedy but filled with many good moments. On the other hand, we have a very troubled family with a secret of their own. not to mention the hardships and happiness shown are meant to depict a more realistic feature of life. Students' pressure in life. A world where justice has no say in it and the hierarchy of relationships. This is how real world is.
Not many loopholes and certainly everything wraps up perfectly. The story at its core is flawless, except for a few short mishaps.

Acting:

First time seeing the leads. They are mature in both acting and delivering a decent character. The chemistry is off the charts. silly at times, but beautiful. Wish they had more interactions as a couple, but this drama is more heavily focused on the story revolving around students.

production:

top-notch. The locations used for shooting and even the items of clothing worn by the cast is chosen with dedication and care. It's not just some low-budget drama. everything is on point.

soundtrack:

Beautiful songs are used throughout the drama. totally matched the mood.

Overall, if you like the Genre of teaching, students, family, and a mature romance, this is for you!

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Could've been better

I enjoyed the drama for a while. The romance and comedy was good until the mystery part came in. After that it became too draggy. There was also a villain in this drama, which I felt was unnecessary,

The positives: the high schoolers, female lead's brother, and the male lead

The negatives: the female lead herself - her character was super annoying, like she'll always interfere in every issue and even justify her actions by shouting, she even failed to be emotional in situations like where to cry, being surprised all she did was covering her face with hands. There was very little to no romance at all between the leads, I'm not saying this because the female lead looks much older, I'm saying this because regardless of age one can express the love, that the viewers can feel, I never felt the romance.

I wished the story just stuck to the real storylines of these kids and their struggling through school at this crucial time and kept it a simple yet emotional coming of age storyline not only for them but for the adults in the drama.

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The math just didn't math.

It's been a while since I completed a drama that I disliked this much. I started watching without expectations, and even though I knew the extreme study culture storyline would be hard for me to relate to I was open. The pressure the students faced and the young actors' performances turned out to be the best part of this show. Unfortunately, this drama gets failing marks in all other categories. The romance plot was dated and stale. The mystery plot was comically bad. I really wanted to root for this aunt who shifted her whole life to raise her niece but instead, I watched the same petty rants and schemes from entitled parents, I watched two clearly older romantic leads acting like awkward children dating, and that was honestly more annoying than wholesome, and I watched the most unnecessary thriller plot that I still don't quite understand. And I still kept watching.

Jeon Do Yeon plays Nam Haeng Seon, our supposedly strong and super athletic lead who too often for me was passive and boring. I know many people have complained about her age, but I'm not sure that's why her character felt off to me. She and her bff played by Lee Bong Ryun were surely meant to seem less sophisticated compared to the other women characters, but that should not mean being bland. She is matched with Jung Kyung Ho who plays Choi Chi Yeol a supposedly super dynamic rock star teacher who was also cheesy and bland. The backstory provides a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why these 2 fall for each other but I just didn't believe it based on their interactions. Their romantic moments seemed forced. Their smiles at each other seemed super fake. Teacher Choi's high kicks were so ridiculous that they made his motivational teacher brand seem less believable. I totally understand the writer's intentions with the lead characters but they just didn't work for me.

If I'm honest, my favorite performances were Roh Yoon Seo as Hae Yi and her friends, and Oh Eui Shik as Jae Woo. Jae Woo was really a weird comic relief character throughout, but he still managed to create a believable and likable character... one of the few. The rest of the characters, mainly obsessed parents and rival students, were too extreme to feel real at all until the very last episodes. Maybe the extreme parts were meat for laughs but I wasn't laughing. And don't get me started on the random murder/suicide plot that never seemed to really fit at all. They clearly gave up on that plot based on its conclusion.

Would I watch this again? Absolutely not. I don't even know what kept me watching until the end. I think part of me kept hoping to connect to the characters or for the story to start making sense but eventually, I was just waiting for it to finally end.

Overall, this drama gets a hard pass from me, and I don't mean a passing grade. Maybe people who can relate to this kind of pressure to get the top grades or go to the highest-ranked schools will relate a little more but that won't make the writing any better. Sure, it ends well, as far as closure for the characters, but the end also felt too simplistic and too dragged out. I was watching the clock for the last 30 mins. Maybe for some watching the banter between an unconventional family or a different kind of couple may be enough to keep them engaged, but I wish this drama went on fewer tangents and developed the two leads enough to carry the whole story. Maybe if you want a drama with a more retro feel then you can find some charm in "Crash Course in Romance". Me? I can't recommend this drama or understand its high rating. The math just didn't math for me.

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Crash course in proper casting

Honestly I don't understand why the rating is so high for this drama. There are 2 major issues that killed the drama for me.

1. Proper casting complete fail
Really no offense to the FL as I've seen her other works, however this is all about age appropriate casting based on the character. Lets say FL's character was around ~22 years old & ~13 years later she should at MOST be in the late 30s. FL actress is 50 and definitely looks older than her age. Literally ALL the other moms looked younger than her. So when there are comments like "Oh she looks too young to be a mom." .... umm she can be grandma status. Needless to say there was zero chemistry between the leads. Scenes were cringe worthy....

2. For a drama that was promoted as a romantic comedy it turned into a dark theme with murder suicide? Whole story line felt forced but predicable.

The only reason I continued is because of the strong student cast and some more interesting characters like Chi Yeol's scretary, the Detective & FL's bestie. This story line would've been better if it was more of a school series like Solomon's Perjury. It's already got the beautiful young talented actors in all the classic student roles. So if you skip literally all the ML/FL's scenes, this drama will be actually enjoyable.

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This show tried to do too much

I was liking this one most of the way through, but things really fell apart in the final stretch. It was initially a romcom with melancholy undertones and hints of a dark mystery. The story was well developed and the characters were all great - up until right around the time the leads finally got together. Then it’s like a flip switched and everything got chaotic.

The characters started acting like different people, the mystery came to the forefront in really absurd ways, and the relationships between characters just stopped developing. Large chunks of the plot didn’t make sense, and I found a lot of the resolutions really frustrating and unsatisfying.

In terms of the romances, I liked the mains, but I didn’t come away feeling like I really understood how their relationship would work or that they had a strong and authentic foundation. This is mostly because the show just stopped developing their relationship in order to divert screen time to a serial killer plot. The teen love triangle was uninspiring and some of the choices those kids made were utterly baffling. I didn’t feel either potential pairing was a good fit and was not moved by the resolution.

For me this show was largely a missed opportunity to do something interesting with all the great set up it had going for it. It’s a shame the writing wasn’t better, because the cast was great and there was a lot of potential here.

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Romcom with a Little Bit of Everything

It was just an enjoyable romcom with an older couple, which is so rare these days. It has that feel good romcom warmth to it, yet also covers some serious issues. In a way it reminded me of Sky Castle, but without the intense melodrama. They did the FL dirty when it came to fashion. Just because she is a mom doesn't mean she had to dress like an unfashionable ahjumma. I was low key getting stressed seeing FL dressed in those ugly sweaters that were tucked into those mom jeans. Anyways, this drama had a little bit of everything. It just hit the spot if you like this romcom thriller genre. They might have tried to bite off more than they could chew with all of the subplots the drama had going on. In a way, the pacing didn't feel too draggy because of them. However, the writing would've been better if they focused on a few. The last episode was kind of slow since they were winding down the story, but I'd say that's normal. It has some flaws so I won't say it's amazing. Overall, it's light and solid entertainment.

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Not Good Enough

Korean Drama " Crash Course in Romance " is a family drama with rom com vibes and some mystery to boot.

The drama has an intense family story, with the dynamics between the family members being the center of the story. The relationship between mother and daughter was probably the best one of the drama actually.

The mystery case, in addition, offered some suspense to the plot and a few thrilling moments, when it got darker and more action forward. The game of guessing who was the one behind the murders was what kept things fresh for a while as well.

However, the romance was a let down. The leads didn't sell their chemistry and their romantic, sweet moments were too few to support a solid love story. In addition, they used many cliches, thus the story was predictable.

Finally, the performances were all great by everyone in the cast.

So, overall, four out of ten.

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A Dynamic Delight: "Crash Course In Romance"

"Crash Course In Romance" effortlessly maneuvers the challenging terrain of romantic comedy, injecting a breath of fresh air into the genre. The standout feature of this K-drama lies in the extraordinary dynamic between its actors, offering a delightful twist that keeps the audience engaged and entertained.

One of the highlights of the series is the impeccable chemistry between the characters, especially the unexpected bond between the naturally flirtatious second male lead and the male lead. The evolution of their friendship into a lowkey bromance adds a layer of complexity and authenticity to the narrative, showcasing the writers' ability to subvert traditional character dynamics.

Contrary to some opinions, the chemistry between the leads, Nam Haeng Seon and Choi Chi Yeol, is palpable and captivating. It's not a typical young puppy love dynamic, but a mature and nuanced connection that develops organically throughout the story. The actors deliver their roles with finesse, portraying the depth of their characters and their evolving relationship convincingly.

On the musical front, while the soundtrack is competent and complements the scenes adequately, it does not stand out when compared to the overall brilliance of the drama. It may not be a memorable aspect, but it doesn't overshadow the engaging plot and the exceptional performances of the cast.

Romantic comedies aren't necessarily my top choice of genre, but "Crash Course In Romance" pleasantly surprised me. The plot displayed creativity and originality, deviating from the often-predictable routes that rom-coms tend to take. The series kept me engaged, offering unpredictable twists and turns that kept me eagerly anticipating what would happen next.

In conclusion, "Crash Course In Romance" is a dynamic and delightful addition to the realm of romantic comedies, primarily owed to its outstanding character dynamics and unpredictable plot. If you're looking for a K-drama that breaks away from the typical mold while providing a refreshing take on romance, this one is definitely worth a watch.

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Crash Course in K-dramas

This is a story that basically tells us that the rooftops of Korea are a bit to easily accessible while hitting the top floor in society is d*** hard.

It is a true K-drama with a sure way to get bingo in a game of K-tropes and cliches... So if you have seen a drama or two before you are bound to recognise the twists ahead (with a few exceptions). So to love this you must be the type who loves cliches and well luckily I do.

You must also love watching slow paced romance, found family and the wide range of bad parents found in dramaland as they truly have gathered bot the supportive, the selfish, the insane, the corrupt the pavers... yep pretty much every single parent I have ever written about is in there (except for the same sex).

There are several couples in this drama, all good and frustrating in their own way, several issues are addressed a long the way while the main theme is indeed student pressure and inequality you will find some more stuff in there as well done pretty good but also a little bit inconsistent in build up vs wrap up as some parts of the story may build up for 14 or 16 episodes will be wrapped up in a short 2 second scene never to be spoken of again.

Binge ability- high
Heart-flutter medium ,
Predictability- high
Cuteness- high
Frustration- high

All in all a decent watch for those who like to mix genres and do not mind the predictability of the plot,

A beginner to K's may find this more exiting and is sure to be kept on their toes, so I think this is a really good introduction to K-dramaland so if you ever find yourself wanting to lore someone into K-dramas this is a good place to start.

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Wholesome rom com

It's a story about an aunt who takes in her niece and raises her as her daughter sacrificing her youth and sport career. I can't begin to describe how much I liked our fl she is the definition of good vibes, always so energetic and cute, a bit nosy sometimes but you can't help to like her. The ml seems to have everything going on for him he is rich, not bad looking and the top teacher.. He is badly stressed and can't really eat or sleep well, but he finds solace in our fl, which I think is so freaking wholesome. When asked why he likes her, he says because she is kind and a ball of joy and happiness, that made me swoon. In kdrama or other countries drama you would almost always hear oh I like her because she is so pretty and I am left with ahh ok wow what a love story you love her because she is hot.. Umm ok. The moms are unbelievable, they stoop so low to help their children especially sua's mom and it showcases the intense study atmosphere in sk I also loved hae yi and sunjae and their cute friendship not friendship. Ps how hot is sunjaes mom like I am in love😍. I think this is such a classic, I have to admit last few episodes didn't hit as much as the earlier episodes but nonetheless enjoyable all the way which is why I am giving it the high rating

Higly reccomend

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A Seemingly Fun Drama Addressing Family Pressure on South Korean Kids to Succeed Academically

My take on this drama now that we are almost to the midpoint.

I love, love watching Jeon Do Yeon. She is a natural and has this way about her, making me believe her in every role she takes. Here she is funny, fun, and almost over-indulged as a mom trying to keep up with other moms way over-involved, if not obsessed with their children's education. I adore Jung Kyung Ho; he is such an expressive actor and so much fun to watch. He is my third favorite South Korean Actor. I have to admit I wasn't sure what to expect from him in this role, but I love this fun side of him, and his love and dedication to math and teaching make me want to go back to school and re-do all those math exams I took as a senior in high school -- who knew math could be so appealing.

The twist I didn't expect from this drama is the murder/crime/suicide aspect. It makes sense to have that twist, seeing how much pressure parents, schools, and the education system puts on these kids. I am all for pushing your kids to excel in school, but it shouldn't be at the expense of their mental health or life, for that matter. One of the biggest tragedies of the Korean education system is that children and teenagers must always study. They have little time left over for fun, relaxing, vacations, or enriching themselves in non-school-related activities. It's not forced on them, but they are given few options for success; if they do not excel, it's as good as forced on them. Some kids study 18 hours a day, spend 10 hours at school, go to cram-school classes after school, and spend their time studying at home to secure a good college and standard of living, and acceptance is beyond tragic. I wish the parents, especially the moms, would put as much time into providing their children with a more balanced life as they do with their education. It would amount to a much happier society with students/children who aren't as stressed or pressured to study all the time and wouldn't need to cheat, lie, scheme, or bully to be accepted, feel good about themselves, or stay ahead.

Not only Koreans but most Asians see education as a way of gaining success and bringing esteem to one's family. And what's even more bewildering is the extent these mothers would go to secure that success for their children even at the expense of other children, resorting to cheating, lying, and scheming -- which in turn leads to bullying others and harming others and themselves, even murder and suicide. I don't even know if a solution exists. Still, I think the system itself needs a massive overhaul, and so does the role of the family and education-crazy mothers who believe their child's life is not about freedom, personal choice, or happiness; it is about production, performance, and obedience -- life is so much more than that and just because one birth a child it doesn't mean then own them.

I appreciate this drama for bringing up the many issues related to the education system in South Korea, particularly the pressure families put on their kids to succeed academically and the consequences of those actions.

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Too much going on, but really ultimately, not much is completely fleshed out

I’ll start with what I liked:
The acting, in general was very good.
Jung Hyung Ho as Chi Yeol, the man knows how to play quirky but still vulnerable.
Oh Eui Shik as Hae Woo, Haeng Seon’s brother. Eui Shik tends to play kind of over-the-top characters and I thought he did a wonderful job reigning himself in for this role. I found it very believable.
Shin Jae Ha as Ji Dong Hee, Chi Yeol’s secretary. Wow, he had a fantastic character arc.
The teen’s story line – slight romance, triangle, developing friendships.
The show was pretty good until about episode 10-11. Nothing fantastic, but somewhat enjoyable.
What I didn’t like:
SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
Terrible name for the show. I’m sorry, if the words “Romance” or “Love” are in the title, that should be where the focus is. It was not the case at all here.
Jeon Do Yeen as Haeng Seon. This actress was very poorly cast for the age she was supposed to represent. She was MUCH older than they talked about her being at the beginning of the show, and I just laughed when multiple people said she looked too young to have a teenage daughter. She looked a lot older than all the other moms.
Why did they dress her like a grandmother?!? She had the most awful wardrobe I’ve seen in a while and everything made her look even older.
Lack of chemistry between the leads. Why did they like each other? The writers told us they were supposed to like each other, but I certainly didn’t feel it at all.
Then there was the over-abundance of story lines-
Despicable, power hungry, gossiping moms – every one of them, other than Haeng Seon. I guess that was to make her look good, but how many terrible moms do you need in one place?
The pressure on the kids to excel. I understand that’s a thing, but though it was pretty much a main focus of the drama, there was no positive resolution in sight. Then to have the teachers blame everything on the fact that the kids are drinking power drinks and eating sugar.
Student Suh Ah. I get that her mother pretty much made her the way she was, but she was over the edge, having hallucinations, anger issues, etc. and seriously needed counseling, and then suddenly at the end of the show she’s going to med school!?!?!
Ji Dong Hee’s storyline – I loved his portrayal but was so disappointed in the direction they took him and the total cop-out with the suicide. I was also disappointed in the fact that they didn’t address the trauma that Chi Yeol MUST have experienced to be betrayed like that. He had an eating disorder because of prior trauma, but this whole thing was just glossed over. They could have done a good job of addressing this without all the extra people showing up.
Haeng Seon’s niece’s kidnapping – again a traumatic experience that was just glossed over.
Haeng Seon’s brother and her best friend – just no. It was thrown in at the end like they needed to fill some time. It was off-putting and fake.
The real mom coming back – again, filler. She was a terrible person and we already suffered through a bunch of episodes with OTHER terrible people! She left a bad taste in my mouth (which was probably the writer’s intention, but it was pointless)
I didn’t really feel that the mom’s learned much through what they put everyone through, especially the lawyer mom. She was a liar, a cheater, she treated her kids terrible and then made her son sound like a nutjob to get him out of jail, when she actually thought he was guilty.
Then there was an ex that showed up for three minutes in the last episode, just long enough to start rampant rumors.
Two-year time jump. PLEASE, this is used all the time, but it got on my nerves here, a lot. Haeng Seon has tried multiple times to get her physical fitness certification and failed. What’s the deal, does she not study, are the writers intimating that she’s stupid? I don’t know. Then, I hated the lack of closure/end for the teen couple. He asked her over two years ago if she would go out with him. He’s waited all this time and then she just gives him a peck on the cheek and walks off?!?!?

I realize that a lot of people enjoyed this show, but for me it was over-scheduled and under-developed.

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