Explore our spoiler-free review of the hit Korean rom-com drama ‘No Gain, No Love’.  Get general series information, plot summary, and my personal thoughts and rating, all 100% spoiler-free!  If you have already seen this drama and are interested in a more full review, including character analysis, highlights, and ending explanation,  please click on the link below.

This romantic comedy originally appeared on TVING and tvN . It was directed by Kim Jung Shik, who also directed other popular dramas such as the 2021 comedy drama ‘Work Later, Drink Now’ and the Netflix 2023 supernatural rom-com ‘Strong Girl Namsoon’.  He is expected to direct the upcoming rom-com ‘Monthly Boyfriend’ starring Seo In Guk and BLACKPINK’s Kim Ji Soo.  

Air Date: August 26 – October 1, 2024

Episodes: 12

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Starring: Shin Min Ah and Kim Young Dae

An empolyee for an education business has the perfect idea for a company-wide contest that comes with a nice cash bonus and a promotion.  But her hopes are dashed when she finds out the leadership have an unwritten rule that they never hire unmarried women.  Desperate to win, she hires a part-time cashier at her local convenience store to pose as her groom at an upcoming wedding.  And luckily for her, he has his own reasons for needing a “fake” marriage.

But things veer from her plan when her “husband” suddenly shows up as an intern at her office.  And as they are  forced to continue their marriage charade, they find themselves becoming much closer.  But a secret from his past threatens to split them apart.

‘No Gain, No Love’ is a light-hearted rom-com with plenty of fun humor.  At 12 episodes, the story never has time to get dull and there is enough emotional depth to keep it on track.   I find Shin Min Ah enchanting in everything she does, and this drama did not disappoint.  And I have to give a special shout-out to any second-lead couple who is so popular with fans, they decide to give them their own 2 episode “mini-drama”.

I feel like I’m saying this a lot these days, but this drama does have a 12 year age gap between its leads.  I also felt like a couple of the side stories fizzled out disappointingly and the ending seemed a bit rushed.    But it is a nice, breezy watch with some nice, touching moments. I give “No Gain, No Love’ an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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Kim Young Dae started his career by appearing in several web drama series before starring in his first television drama, ‘Extraordinary You’, in 2019, which landed him an award for Best New Actor.  Other popular dramas he has appeared in include ‘Sh**ting Stars’ and the historical rom-com ‘The Forbidden Marriage’ He also has a starring role in the upcoming psychological thriller ‘Dear X’  playing opposite Kim You Jung. ‘Dear X’ is scheduled to premiere some time next year.  Below are links to other great dramas Kim Young Dae has starred in.