3
17
3
virgievirgie
Lost in Dramaland
Poor Acting, Writing and Execution of a Very Common Plot.
If I am not watching “Step by Step” due to the Clown Challenge, I would have dropped it within the first 1-2 episodes. The general plot is nothing special and we’ve seen many similar boss/subordinate relationships before. If the plot doesn’t stand out, then the acting, writing and execution must. Unfortunately, I don’t think this drama delivers. I also question if I should have watched the regular version, instead of the uncut version.
The first thing that bugs me about this drama is the poor acting of the male lead, Pat. I understand that this is Ben’s first acting gig and it really shows. The character he plays, Pat, is already not a super likable character. He’s childish and whines way too much. Unfortunately, Ben’s portrayal makes it even more intolerable. His angry, frustrated, and sad faces are all the same. When he cries (and he cries way too much), there are no tears. When he pouts, I find him annoying instead of cute. Aside from him, Saint (who plays Jaab) is just as bad. This is also his first role and his acting is so unnatural that the supposedly cool guy Jaab acts like a lovesick teenager.
I also really dislike the annoying and loud coworkers. The first few episodes are really hard to digest when Ying can’t stop screaming and Prem can’t stop being nosy. Both of the characters are so inappropriate in so many aspects. Luckily, there are also a few fun and good supporting characters. Ae and Chot save the show. They are fun, bossy, flamboyant and the life of the party. The actors did a great job in making these characters come to life and not annoying.
I am not sure if I should categorize the romance to be slow-burn or delayed. But the development is not written well. There are some indications that Jeng likes Pat from mid-drama on. Not much comes from Pat when he seems to respect and fear Jeng as his boss, after the initial attraction when they were strangers was gone. Their interactions before they become a couple are not fluffy or heartwarming. The introduction of a love rival definitely delays their romance. I waited for 10 episodes for them to finally get together. Then within 3 episodes, their relationship goes through a roller coaster ride. Everything feels rushed in regards to their romance in the last episodes, as well as the final business arc in the drama. I wish their romance had started sooner, like in ep 7 or so, to allow their relationship to develop at a much better pace. I also didn’t find closure with the Jaab/Jane arc.
Am I the only one who didn’t find Jeng to be that bad of a supervisor? I found his ‘demands’ reasonable as a boss expecting good quality work from his subordinates. At least he is respectful when pointing out mistakes. I must have watched too many mean bosses in Chinese and Korean dramas. Does Jeng warrant all that criticism and talk behind his back about how evil he is? I guess we need Jeng to have some flaws and a character development plot. Otherwise, he’s just too perfect of a character and too handsome. I was just writing down on my notes how perfect he is (+ a hot body) when the troubles of episode 11 happened and he didn’t want to talk about the issues when he should have.
If I watched the regular version instead of the uncut, will the extended product placement and filler be reduced? There's so much screen time spent on actors just holding a bottle of sugar free green tea and other products, describing how good they are. I chose the uncut version because I wanted all the kisses and intimate scenes. But what I get are boring bits.
The only positive things about this drama are the kiss scenes and the intimate scenes. Unfortunately, they are mostly jam packed into ep 10, instead of spread throughout the drama. At least, we have two participating actors who are not shy in going at it. The intimate scenes are also done well without feeling cringey.
I would not recommend this drama unless you really like the actors. If you are a fan of Man (who played Jen) and his handsome good looks and hot body, then go ahead. I also enjoy seeing Up (who played Put) again after watching him in “Lovely Writer”. This is a very different role and I quite like him here. I am giving this a 6.5 rating, which is quite low on my personal rating scale. But given the fact that this does not seem like a big budget production, with two actors in their first roles, and some good kiss scenes, I am not going to rate this any lower.
Completed: 2/25/2024 - Review #408
The first thing that bugs me about this drama is the poor acting of the male lead, Pat. I understand that this is Ben’s first acting gig and it really shows. The character he plays, Pat, is already not a super likable character. He’s childish and whines way too much. Unfortunately, Ben’s portrayal makes it even more intolerable. His angry, frustrated, and sad faces are all the same. When he cries (and he cries way too much), there are no tears. When he pouts, I find him annoying instead of cute. Aside from him, Saint (who plays Jaab) is just as bad. This is also his first role and his acting is so unnatural that the supposedly cool guy Jaab acts like a lovesick teenager.
I also really dislike the annoying and loud coworkers. The first few episodes are really hard to digest when Ying can’t stop screaming and Prem can’t stop being nosy. Both of the characters are so inappropriate in so many aspects. Luckily, there are also a few fun and good supporting characters. Ae and Chot save the show. They are fun, bossy, flamboyant and the life of the party. The actors did a great job in making these characters come to life and not annoying.
I am not sure if I should categorize the romance to be slow-burn or delayed. But the development is not written well. There are some indications that Jeng likes Pat from mid-drama on. Not much comes from Pat when he seems to respect and fear Jeng as his boss, after the initial attraction when they were strangers was gone. Their interactions before they become a couple are not fluffy or heartwarming. The introduction of a love rival definitely delays their romance. I waited for 10 episodes for them to finally get together. Then within 3 episodes, their relationship goes through a roller coaster ride. Everything feels rushed in regards to their romance in the last episodes, as well as the final business arc in the drama. I wish their romance had started sooner, like in ep 7 or so, to allow their relationship to develop at a much better pace. I also didn’t find closure with the Jaab/Jane arc.
Am I the only one who didn’t find Jeng to be that bad of a supervisor? I found his ‘demands’ reasonable as a boss expecting good quality work from his subordinates. At least he is respectful when pointing out mistakes. I must have watched too many mean bosses in Chinese and Korean dramas. Does Jeng warrant all that criticism and talk behind his back about how evil he is? I guess we need Jeng to have some flaws and a character development plot. Otherwise, he’s just too perfect of a character and too handsome. I was just writing down on my notes how perfect he is (+ a hot body) when the troubles of episode 11 happened and he didn’t want to talk about the issues when he should have.
If I watched the regular version instead of the uncut, will the extended product placement and filler be reduced? There's so much screen time spent on actors just holding a bottle of sugar free green tea and other products, describing how good they are. I chose the uncut version because I wanted all the kisses and intimate scenes. But what I get are boring bits.
The only positive things about this drama are the kiss scenes and the intimate scenes. Unfortunately, they are mostly jam packed into ep 10, instead of spread throughout the drama. At least, we have two participating actors who are not shy in going at it. The intimate scenes are also done well without feeling cringey.
I would not recommend this drama unless you really like the actors. If you are a fan of Man (who played Jen) and his handsome good looks and hot body, then go ahead. I also enjoy seeing Up (who played Put) again after watching him in “Lovely Writer”. This is a very different role and I quite like him here. I am giving this a 6.5 rating, which is quite low on my personal rating scale. But given the fact that this does not seem like a big budget production, with two actors in their first roles, and some good kiss scenes, I am not going to rate this any lower.
Completed: 2/25/2024 - Review #408
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