Useless Lies

Hwang Min-hyun plays a successful song writer but in the past he was linked with his girlfriends disappearance but his mother bribed a policeman to cover up his involvement. Kim So-hyun plays Mok Sol-hee who has the ability to detect people lying and runs a successful business from a tarot cafe. They had a brief meeting shortly after his ex girlfriends disappearance but meet years later and even though she does not remember, he does and is drawn to her. Over the series we see their relationship develop and with her help he seeks the truth about the event that he is convinced he is responsible for. It is an enjoyable series with great acting from the entire cast and and I really enjoyed the earlier episodes, sadly it seemed to run out of steam at the end.

Nothing amazing or unique about this romcom, but it's an enjoyable light watch with some crime elements and intrigue.

The show focuses on a woman with a superpower of being able to detect lies, which she makes a good living out of, but has affected her trust in the people in her life and she's isolated. She meets a man who is accused of a crime and similarly isolated, and hijinks ensue. It's a simple but interesting premise.

The main leads are likeable and both have well developed backstories. The show does a good job developing the plot at a decent pace, with some well written twists and turns. Everything comes full circle by the end, and whilst not a super deep emotional show, it does have some interesting concepts about lying, when and why people choose to do it and the particular effects it has on how the main character perceives the world and her relationships. The romance is cute and wholesome, and doesn't rely on tropes - the communication of all the characters is refreshingly honest which suits the theme.

Would recommend for a light watch, just enough problem solving and mystery to keep you interested, and pretty cute and fluffy as a romcom should be.

As I reach the midway point of the drama, I can't help but find it absolutely ridiculous, but in the best way possible. It adeptly captures the essence of the genres it aims to portray, particularly excelling in the realms of romantic comedy and fantasy. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, and their romantic moments are nothing short of heart-fluttering.

The drama fits seamlessly within the genres of Romantic Comedy, Fantasy, and Drama. The very first scene sets the tone as we're introduced to three men on the brink of being thrown off a building, they work for a gang and the boss suspects one of them has betrayed him. This tense situation takes an unexpected turn when Sol-hee, the "liar hunter," arrives on the scene. The writing brilliantly infuses humor even into these intense moments.

The initial meeting between the main leads further illustrates the drama's penchant for blending seriousness with humor. The female protagonist comes to the rescue as she intervenes in a scenario where the male lead is being attacked by his ex-girlfriend's brother on a bus. The juxtaposition of the serious situation and the writer's comedic touch makes for an amusing scene.

While some critics might nitpick about how characters bump into each other numerous times in quick succession, with each meeting proving more unlikely than the last, this drama is more rooted in fantasy and comedy, with moments of gravity interspersed. The story line offers numerous scenes that are utterly re watchable, packed with humor and charm.

To critics, I'd suggest embracing the drama for what it is rather than focusing on what it isn't trying to be. Beyond the romance, the story provides a fresh experience by highlighting Mok Sol Hee, a character with a unique ability. Flaws are present in most dramas, no matter how realistic the story is. But this drama isn't about intricate plot twists. Instead, it offers a straightforward yet engaging narrative that keeps viewers intrigued by Kim Do Ha's mysterious secret. The drama captures curiosity without relying on elaborate twists.

The drama's message is profound. Even though Mok Sol Hee appears to lead an uncomplicated life due to her special ability, true love has the power to challenge even extraordinary skills. Our obsession with truth and lies often hides the intentions of those who deceive. The core of the story is the growth of love through understanding and trust, even when emotions are hidden.

Up to this point, the drama has certainly delivered as a genuinely engaging experience. However, I reserve my judgment about whether it will achieve the status of a "great" drama until I see how the second half of the story unfolds, particularly in terms of the development between the two main leads.

A more comprehensive review will follow once I've completed the drama. Nonetheless, my current perspective remains positive. As I'm halfway through, I've even found myself re-watching episodes and relishing the memorable scenes that never seem to lose their appeal.

Drama had great potential but they didn't execute well. The main storyline was great but the supporting character's storyline was just there to occupy time for the episode. It felt like lazy writing to me. If they made the other character's plotline more relatable, it must've made the series more of a masterpiece than it already is. Other than that drama felt dragging after ep 7, if the episodes were cut down to 12 rather than 16 then really I'd be more satisfied. Regardless, the drama explores the point that the main characters had serious relationships before they met each other. It didn't hesitate to deliver the message that loving someone doesn't have to be your childhood crush or your first love. You can fall in love again, maybe with the right person. Also giving the message of communication is the key, don't assume things of your own both leads did that and faced big consequences. In the end, lying isn't a good thing but rather than just looking for honesty or truth, you should understand other people's perspective, which was my biggest takeaway from this show.

When I started watching this one after a recent deluge of rom-coms on OTT, I underestimated its simple plot-line about a woman able to tell liars. After following the initial 6 episodes I can't wait to watch how the drama unfolds and how the leads handle different situations pertaining their not-so-common lives (read: lies).

The story complicates with simple twists and unforeseen but predictable circumstances, presented in a charming and feel-good format. The scenes are as beautiful as the leads. This one is like an icing on top of all the rom-coms released this year, with believable and real characters, charming take on a love story about second chances. To keep the plot running, a hidden backdrop runs throughout, creating sufficient tension between all the characters.

The story actively deals with a few of the current concerns like that of mental health problems: why not to take them lightly, plagiarism in the music industry: how the more-established people exploit, underpay and mistreat ghost-writers and non-famous talented people.

It's a great blend of a sweet second-chance romance, good plot, mystery, and some good acting.