Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Language, smoking in flirty workplace K-drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
No Gain No Love
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In NO GAIN NO LOVE, Son Hae-young (Shin Min-a) has been fighting for an equal playing field since she was in grade school. Because her mother brought children in need to her home, she never felt like she got a fair shake at life. At work, she's realizing that she can't advance in her company as a single woman. When the company advances a program to help bright young workers get a head start, she comes up with a plan to help herself get ahead. But her plan includes roping into her scheme an innocent bystander whose feelings might get hurt. Can she move ahead without damaging those around her?
Is It Any Good?
Complicated and playful, this K-drama addresses sexism in the workplace by tackling the question of being single. No Gain No Love does employ the whiz-bang sound effects that can distract in shows coming out of Korea and China, but they are used to decent effect in this series, illustrating that care has been taken in editing a show that might have staying power. The clever writing and decent acting support this effort.
Fans of underdog dramas with a romantic bent will enjoy this one. Be aware that the show does have more language and sexy stuff than most K-dramas, so it's best for more mature viewers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about perseverance in No Gain No Love. At what point does the main character realize that her perseverance isn't appreciated? How do you know when to stop barking up the wrong tree?
Compassion drives people's good deeds, but it can be a cause for breakup (when a love interest asks a character if she's the only one taking care of her elderly mother). Do you think there's such a thing as being overly compassionate?
In this show's corporate setting, people work with each other and against each other. How does teamwork really work? What if people are on a team for their own gain?
TV Details
- Premiere date: August 26, 2024
- Cast: Shin Min-a , Kim Young-dae , Lee Sang-yi
- Network: Amazon Prime Video
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Activism , Friendship
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: September 3, 2024
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