So I Married the Anti-Fan (2021)
Grade: C
16 episodes, 1 hr each
Viewing Platform: Viki
Lee Geun-young is a promising young journalist working at a local magazine when an assignment to attend a posh party ends up with her puking on pop star Hoo Joon's shoes and Geun-young throwing her own dress shoe at the pop star's head! Then the pop star cancels a big shoot with Geun-young's magazine and specifically requests Geun-young's dismissal. Her boss finds out how Geun-young was involved in the pop star canceling the shoot, so she is fired. Enraged, Geun-young decides to try and expose Hoo Joon for the “duplicitous” person he really is, but when his devoted fans catch wind of her, they beat her up in front of his studio. Hoo Joon witnesses the beating and intervenes, taking the opportunity to spin the situation to his favor, telling his fans he will “embrace” everyone, even those who might hate him. What happens when Hoo Joon's agency agrees to a reality TV show starring Hoo Joon and his biggest anti-fan, Geun-young? Will Geun-young be able to gather enough material to justify her hatred and bring the star down? And what happens when Hoo Joon's former love interest & former friend/secret anti-fan get involved?
*This show had a really promising premise, but it failed to deliver in a number of ways. Hoo Joon's inevitable transformation once he falls in love just isn't believable. He is surly and rude in the beginning, as is the typical kdrama formula, but he doesn't quite manage to come across as likable with all his sulking. There aren't enough signs leading up to his transformation, either. Then there is the secondary story line with his former friends – it is very dark and heavy, dragging the whole drama down. The guy & girl have a seriously toxic relationship; they are supposed to be dating, but the guy actively thwarts the girl's chances at fame (he started his own talent agency & wanted Hoo Joon to join them), completely controls her life, and he even slaps her across the face! *spoiler alert* His diving in front of a truck to save her from her suicide attempt did nothing to endear him to me; he shouldn't have pushed her to that breaking point in the first place, and she should have left long ago. This kdrama also felt more worldly/American than normal, with several couples shacking up & a gay couple kissing in the beginning. I won't watch this again, and I wouldn't recommend it.*
