Review - Dynamite Kiss: A Simple Yet Charming Romance

With the original Korean title 키스는 괜히 해서! and officially titled Dynamite Kiss in English, the series is a romantic comedy that reached international audiences through Netflix.

The show is directed by Kim Jae-hyun, with a screenplay written by Ha Yoon-ah and Tae Kyung-min. It works within the genre’s classic themes, such as chance encounters, lies, reunions, and emotional tension, exactly the kind of elements romance drama fans love.

At the center of the story is Jang Ki-yong as Gong Ji-hyeok, a team leader with a rational and reserved personality who is emotionally more fragile than he appears. Opposite him, Ahn Eun-jin plays Go Da-rim, the protagonist, a warm, resilient character who is, above all, incredibly engaging.

The story begins during a trip in which Da-rim meets Ji-hyeok, and the two share a passionate kiss that sparks a desire to pursue a relationship. However, due to a family emergency, Da-rim is forced to return home without saying goodbye to Ji-hyeok.

While Ji-hyeok tries to track Da-rim down using the clues she left behind, she finds herself in serious financial trouble. In order to secure a job at a major children’s products company, she lies by claiming to be married and a mother.

The situation becomes complicated when she reunites with Gong Ji-hyeok, now her boss. Because of Da-rim’s lie, the reunion is filled with unresolved resentment and a series of awkward situations.

Audience reception was largely positive. On IMDb, the series holds an average rating between 7.5 and 7.7, indicating solid approval. Many comments praise the chemistry between the leads and the strong pacing at the beginning. On the other hand, some viewers note that after its bold start, the series occasionally falls back on familiar genre clichés. Even so, most still chose to keep watching.

The true strength of the series lies in its main couple. The actors display excellent chemistry, which is essential for a romantic drama. Together or apart, they are genuinely funny, and there are very few moments where they risk boring the viewer, even during individual scenes.

Go Da-rim stands out as a protagonist who avoids the naive and dependent stereotype so common in the genre. She wins the audience over with her optimism and good humor without feeling forced. Meanwhile, Jang Ki-yong, as the charismatic Gong Ji-hyeok, delivers humor through a highly physical performance, expressing the character’s emotions through gestures and posture.

The supporting cast performs well overall, although only a few characters receive deeper development.

It is impossible not to mention the character Kim Mu-jun, played by Kim Sun-woo, who is given the thankless role of interfering with the main couple while also serving as Da-rim’s best friend.

The problem is that he comes across as deeply unlikable when he suddenly realizes that he has “always loved” Da-rim, but only after seeing her become involved with another man. Instead of appearing sweet or devoted, he creates frustration, often showing up at moments that disrupt the couple.

To make matters worse, Kim becomes the romantic interest of the lovable Yoo Ha-yeong, played by Woo Da-vi. Yoo is exactly the kind of character viewers want to see become friends with the protagonist. From the start, she never behaves like a rival, even though she is aware of Kim’s supposed feelings for Da-rim. Because of her charming personality, it is frustrating to watch her waste time on someone like Kim, who shows little consideration for her emotions.

If the intention was to make the audience dislike him, the show certainly succeeded.

As for the so called villains who attempt to disrupt the couple’s lives, whether at work or in their personal lives, this group lacks charisma and even convincing plans to achieve their goals.

Each character feels shallow and uninteresting, and even their attempts to make life difficult for the protagonists come across as mediocre and dull. Jang’s half sister, for example, receives very little personal development. Although the story tries to invest in a failed romance arc, it does not make her compelling, not even as a villain.

Other characters, such as Yoo’s brother, display more aggressive actions toward Jang, but remain underdeveloped and are portrayed with a level of moral simplicity that weakens audience engagement.

Aside from the mothers of Jang and Da-rim, who form a surprisingly enjoyable duo whenever they share the screen, this subplot offers little of interest and exists mainly to fill out the narrative.

Some viewers may dislike the decision to include memory loss near the end, but personally, it did not bother me much. What was more frustrating was the lack of closure regarding Da-rim’s sister and the state of her marriage.

After all, it was through Da-rim’s younger brother that the initial catalyst for the story was created, and failing to dedicate even a few minutes to showing how her character arc concluded leaves a noticeable gap in the finale.

Even knowing that the villains received their deserved endings, even if one of them faced few consequences, the story ultimately concludes in a way that satisfies fans of the genre.

Absolutely.

The series is delightfully entertaining, the protagonists are engaging, and despite its flaws, it delivers a fun experience without demanding too much from the viewer.

If you are looking for a light romance to binge watch, you will almost certainly enjoy Dynamite Kiss.

And you, have you ever had a kiss that swept you off your feet and became the beginning of your own love story?