World Reviews Now!

“Hong Seol: Others might not know, but I know... the truly scary face hidden behind that fake smile.”

The Rundown

Behind the name: Based on the Webtoon: 치즈 인 더 트랩 

Country: South Korea, 2016

Genre: Rom-Com

Production: Lee Yoon-Jung

Network: tvN

Director: Lee Yoon-jung

Cast:   Kim Go-Eun (as Hong Seol), Park Hae-Jin (as Yoo Jung), Seo Kang-Joon (as Baek In-Ho), Lee Sung-Kyung (as Baek In-Ha) Nam Joo-Hyuk (as Kwon Eun-Taek), Park Min-Ji (as Jang Bo-ra)

Compare to: Boys Over Flowers

Hate it or Love it?  Enjoy it

Synopsis in a Sentence: A manipulative ‘angel’ makes life a living hell for those around him... undercover, so what happens when you get to be the cheese in his trap?

On Writing: The Plot

Oh, where to start. The writing is quite remarkable for capturing the nuances of complex characters, the double layers behind their motives, and the insecurities that fuel their actions. That’s the first thing. 

The second thing is that… it is sooooo cute! From a female perspective. Both cute and toxic at the same time. But layered and nuanced and at some levels, absolutely astounding! 

Great writing, great plot, not-so-great impact? 

(4/5)

On Acting: The Cast 

A very well cast crew! 

All hail Park Hae-Jin, the handsome heartthrob who is stoic, dangerous and angelic at the same time. We’re really talking about his character. That’s how good he is as an actor. 

Kim Go-Eun is female lead and of course good! She plays the innocent, childlike university girl well, of course, so great work on the acting. As a petition to the writers, can we please get a real, well rounded female lead? Not an emotionally stunted 15-year old masked as a 20-something year old woman? Little rant here, but this character, as portrayed, is so extremely cliche in the Manhwa/K-drama space! 

Seo Kang-Joon is Beak In Ho and quite the hooligan! A job well done as we haven’t quite seen him in this role before. 

Beak In-ha is such a character! And she plays her effortlessly, believably and wonderfully! Fabulous acting from the larger-than-life Lee Sung-Kyung!  

And honourable mention goes to Nam Joo-Hyuk, who plays friend to our female lead along side Park Min-Ji and honourable mentions to the full cast of “college kids” that come together to make this a binge-worthy guilty pleasure! 

A very well cast team! Great characters, glorious portrayals! 

 (4.5/5) 

On Production: The Creativity

The creativity is perhaps mostly on the plot and character side, but production does not let us down. Good work overall, and a great addition to portraying and relaying the story.

(4/5)                                              

On Resolution: The Conclusion

The ending is quite unlike what we’ve seen before. The resolution? Deserved a re-watch, but for the innovation that springs past the expected K-Drama ending, the conclusion deserves some props!  

(4/5)

The Verdict: An absolutely cute, lovey dovey portrayal of a toxic relationship, with a twist of an ending that perhaps redeems the story… a bit...