Our Sticky Love Review: Netflix’s Our Sticky Love is for all K-drama fans who enjoy watching something lighthearted and low-stakes, with a ton of romance. The drama, starring Jung Hae-in and Ha Young in lead roles, is a frothy watch that is more romance than mystery, taking place in a quiet and charming village with an amnesia plot in the middle. While nothing new and without much tension to hold it together, the series does leave a smile on your face from one episode to the next, especially thanks to the leads’ chemistry.
The Netflix K-drama (이런 엿같은 사랑) stars Jung Hae-in, Ha Young, and Heo Sung-tae and is directed by Kim Jang-han. The 12-episode series blends amnesia romance with a crime thriller, creating a mess-free series that will remind long-time K-drama fans of classic romance stories. While not new or perfect, the series is a fine watch, especially if you take your time exploring the story and the characters.
Our Sticky Love Review
A Rom-Com Built on Second Chances and Fantastic Chemistry
The story surrounds prosecutor Go Ji-won, who suddenly finds herself without her memories after coming under powerful crime syndicate boss Baek Sang-gil’s radar and getting into a mysterious accident. From then on, Jung Tae-ha assumes her care as her boyfriend, and while not trusting his words, the two eventually fall for one another.
The story isn’t anything new, but it’s the way it takes time to unfold that leaves viewers charmed. Every character, even the secondary ones, feels lived-in and real, so much so that viewers will find themselves moved at every turn. From the village ladies to the fantastic Kim Young-ok as Tae-ha’s grandmother, everyone’s heartwarming and charming. While the crime-thriller elements are definitely not important to the story, the romantic-drama part is charming enough to keep viewers engaged.
However, the series works thanks to Jung Hae-in and Ha Young’s chemistry. Jung, especially, is fantastic as a shy and awkward Tae-ha whose double life and heartbreaking backstory make him worth rooting for at every moment. On the other hand, Ha Young’s Ji-won’s coming to terms with her amnesia and her new life in a village she is supposed to know about might bring viewers to tears. Together, their chemistry is believable, and they are able to accurately showcase their relationship’s progression.
As mentioned earlier, this is a frothy romance that focuses more on drama and comedy, rather than the crime-thriller portion. If you’re here to watch what happens to Baek Sang-gil, you might find yourself disappointed because the plot line moves at a snail’s pace and sometimes forgets that it exists. But, as I said, it’s not a big deal as the romance more than makes up for it. This one feels like a classic drama that should’ve had a weekly release schedule. But it’s enjoyable regardless.
Familiar K-Drama Tropes, But Comfortingly Executed
As I mentioned previously, nothing about this show is truly new. The amnesia plot device, the fake boyfriend ruse, the secret boss lady protagonist now living in hiding – it’s all plot points that we have watched a million times before. However, the execution is mostly flawless, which is why it’s so enjoyable to watch. The series knows who it’s targeting and the vibe of the show and executes that very well. Thus, instead of adding unnecessary plot twists to make things complex, it focuses on exploring and furthering the characters and their interpersonal relationships to create a fuller world. In a rather surprising twist, the familiarity might be its biggest asset!
The Thriller Side Occasionally Loses Momentum
Of course, that being said, there’s absolutely no focus on the crime-thriller side. As a result of creating a romance that leaves a smile on your face, the B-plot as well as Baek Sang-gil turn into obvious tropes that are there just to offer some form of anticipation and thrill to the series and keep the characters somewhat on their toes. Of course, in that case, too, the characters’ traumas feel far more complex and painful than whatever Sang-gil brings to the table. Personally, it wasn’t a big deal – I forgot about the plot point for most of the runtime and most of the time it didn’t stay for long enough for me to think about it.
However, if you’re looking for an intense crime thriller, this drama is definitely not it.
Beautiful Countryside Setting Adds Extra Charm
And last but not least, as with every Netflix drama, this looks absolutely stunning. The beautiful settings of the village bring a natural warmth to Eun-sae and Tae-ha’s relationship, while the Seoul settings feel cold and distant. It’s a nice contrast, and the settings have a life of their own. Complete with the charming villagers, it’s a hoot to watch. The change of scenery also reinforces Eun-sae’s emotional journey while giving the viewers something warm that they can’t help but enjoy.
Final Verdict
Our Sticky Love is the perfect comfort watch for the weekend that will bring a smile to your face. While the crime thriller aspects are all but forgotten, it’s not a problem because all that matters is the romance between the leads, and the two of them execute that splendidly. In the end, the series is for anyone who loves romantic dramas with a warm village setting. It’s bound to leave a smile on your face throughout.
Watch Our Sticky Love Kdrama on Netflix. What did you think about the rom-com series? Let us know in the comments below!
