Name: I won't act like I loved it (but it was still a fun read)
Item: Act Like You Love Me!
Rating: 65
Author: reesetotle

Waifra

I won't act like I loved it (but it was still a fun read) · Waifora

This review will contain spoilers. Specific ones will be hidden, but nonspecific ones will not. Please read at your own discretion. Also, do keep an open mind since these are highly opinionated (that’s why it’s a reader review). If you disagree, be respectful. [Also, I’ve only read up to the series finale when I wrote this. I will edit this if my opinion changes somewhat through the spin-offs.]

My mistake was setting too high expectations for this manhwa because I love modern romances with some involvement of the entertainment industry.

Indeed, Act Like You Love Me! will make you experience so many emotions: happiness, kilig, fear, anger, annoyance, excitement, disappointment, and whatever else. However, it was not always in the way that I wanted it to, or the way that I felt like it had to. The humor was definitely there. There were so many scenes that had me cackling. The chemistry between the main leads were also there, and I did feel kilig whenever they’re sweet or clingy to each other. Also, the art is really good at balancing the gorgeous, serious panels, and the lighthearted, funny scenes.

But some elements were not as good.

First, the doll subplot. With how it was presented from the beginning, you’d think the doll would play a huge role in the entirety of the story. It really doesn’t.

Spoiler, click to view

It was just used as a unique way for them to meet, and to add some humor. But by the end, the doll was just hidden somewhere and never really used again. I didn’t really like that, although admittedly it made sense for them to hide the doll. It just felt anticlimactic to me, and a waste of the subplot. We don’t even find out why there was a fantasy element. What happened to the old man who gave her the doll?

Second, the final plot arc was not it. I didn’t like that they introduced a new character at around episode 100, and that episodes after that mainly revolved around Sahye and that guy. It felt like we lost the plot.

What’s worse is that they made a haphazard redemption arc for Sahye, while making rather decent ones for the two unchosen male leads. To me, Sahye is unredeemable after her acts of assault, kidnapping, stalking, blackmailing, you name it. And yet the manhwa made it seem redeemable, just by her eventually realizing she’s been doing it all wrong.

Spoiler, click to view

I mean, sure! Let's leave her alone since she realized her actions were probably not what her dead aunt wanted all this time! And yes, she didn’t even end up in jail.

Spoiler, click to view

Honestly, the story could have ended after Se-In let go of Ji-eon (and then add some lovey dovey scenes), even if that would leave the foreshadowing of Sahye’s involvement hanging. I would have liked this manhwa more with that.

Lastly, I can’t find it in myself to fully ship Doyun and Ji-eon. Yes, their dynamic is fun. Yes, I felt butterflies in my stomach when they flirted and bantered (and argued with each other lovingly). But some early scenes keep entering my mind. TW: sexual assault.

Spoiler, click to view

Doyun literally kissed her twice while they still weren’t dating, without her consent. Sure, the first time he did it was as ‘payback’ for the ‘kiss’ that he forgot (which was an accidental kiss on her shoe due to the doll), but that does not give him any excuse to just kiss her without warning. The second one is a bit murky, since she actually did want to kiss him but she was asleep (she was dreaming and sleeptalking). But he knew she had a boyfriend at that time. These scenes just rub me the wrong way.

This read is definitely not all bad, because I can say I enjoyed it for the most part. I just wish some things could have been done differently. Still, I would recommend you read it if you're just looking for something fun.