K-dramas

KBS Rom-com The Law Cafe with Lee Seung Gi and Lee Se Young Wraps Lackluster Run in Ratings and Buzz

Fall is my favorite season and rom-coms my favorite genre so it has been such a sad disappointment the last two months to not have fall weather arrive yet and for the rom-com The Law Cafe (Love by Law). It starred two faves of mine Lee Seung Gi and Lee Se Young who both can act AND had shown great chemistry together in their previous drama Hwayugi (A Chinese Odyssey) and the drama is adapted from a webtoon so I thought it was a high chance of being a success. Then it arrived and hoo boy was it a letdown, it’s weirdly unengaging and I legit had to force myself to watch with the hope that perhaps the start was choppy and would get better. I didn’t like either lead character (as written) and poor Lee Se Young was especially annoying and shrill. The legal cases were perfunctory and the so-called eccentric neighborhood fold and cafe employees were not well-fleshed out. I’m 8-episodes in but the drama wrapped this week with ratings averaging around 6%. K-netizens think the problem is mostly the old school story script but also that the two leads did not suit onscreen delivering no chemistry. Such a waste all around if you ask me.

ockoala

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  • I really don't get why Lee Se Young accepted this role! and after the success of Red Sleeve ...???

    Lee Seung Gi roles been lackluster for the past few years (for me at least) so I was not really expecting anything from him.
    Though I hope he comeback with a role similar to his role in A Korean Odyssey.
    Nice lovely guy roles just doesn't cut it for him.
    .

    • I feel like Red Sleeve gave Lee Junho more of a boost than LSY. She did a great job, but LJH's impressive acting blew everyone away. I feel like a lot of factors go into choosing a role - she may just feel like doing a light legal rom-com (after doing something heavy like Red Sleeve) or she likes working with LSG; and also money can be a factor too.

      LSG did Mouse, which was a twist on the nice, lovely guy persona. But Choi Ran's convoluted thriller style is not everyone's cup of tea.

    • I have no idea why Lee Se Young choose this too. After impressive the red sleeve. Her acting is so bad here which is shocking me. Well i blame the script and directing for lackluster acting.

    • It means you’re clearly not aware that Vagabond was a hit and people are still clamouring for season 2 and Mouse has one of the highest ratings for its genre and has a huge cult following.

      The 2 actors were fantastic at portraying Kim Yuri & Kim Jungho and they both needed a lighthearted drama after the emotional heavy Mouse & The Red Sleeve

  • Agree with @vai. LSY should stick with saguek. Her face no longer looks charming and in fact looking very odd with embarrassing expressions in this drama. LSG should stick with variety. None of his recent dramas are hits and his acting is actually quite blah tbh. Why does LSG keep the same hairstyle for so many years (with his growing age)? Only to look a bit better in the last episode at the wedding. Very Disappointing drama.

    • Seyoung looked more beautiful here than she’s looked in any drama. She’s definitely one of the actresses of her generation that’s good at emoting well and acting with her eyes, so I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s okay not to like the drama because we all have preferences, but to insult her image is very low of you.

      • insulting her image? Hahaha 🤣 What image does she have? Do you know what IMAGE means? My opinion remains the same. You can disagree. But I am never low 👎🏻

  • Unsure at lee se youngs choice with this drama, nothing abt the synopsis drew me in, though I always am open to be surprised.

    I never found LSG to be a good actor, like.. at all. He cant generate believable romantic chemistry with his FLs and his acting n presence is very blah. Should stick to varieties n singing (his voice is really good tbh).

  • Was disappointed as well. Loved LSY in Kairos and Red Sleeve, but I can't stand how her character was written here. Not a fan of LSG, so there really was no hook for me in this drama.

    • Seyoung’s character here was very well written, even better than Deokim. Kim Yuri is a character that’s very human and relatable - she has her faults, but she’s also very self aware, she reflects on her actions and ensures she does better in both her professional and personal life.

  • Lee Seung Gi never have chemistry with his FL in his dramas but his fans always blame the actress side.
    Superiority complex

  • I am a fan of LSG, find him really sincere and charming in all his roles as an actor, singer and variety show host. Actually he is the only K entertainer that I root for me, always wishing him the best in whatever he does. It’s not true this drama lacked buzz, it ranked consistently in the top 10 throughout its run. Also, Mouse did really well and earned him many new fans. His acting was awesome there. And lastly, I must add that he really looks much better in person than on TV!

  • The two leads does not have any chemistry. Both tried their best I believe, and the story may not be engaging enough, but in general it has good messaging and great cast. But as this is a romcom, the two leads just don't match. Everytime they kiss, I can't help but cringe. He just doesn't seem to be that into her, and neither does she. The smoldering look like what Junho had with Seyoung is missing.. so it fails, imo. In fact, the villain was more interesting and has more chemistry with Seyoung than LSG..

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