“Frankly Speaking” Review: Unfiltered News Anchor Equals Comedy Chaos

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What if every word that tumbled out of your mouth was the stone-cold truth and you had no control at all? No sugarcoating, no little white lies—just stark, brutal honesty. Enter the world of “Frankly Speaking,” the K-drama where Song Ki-baek, your average news announcer, becomes a walking, talking truth bomb after a freak accident.

Picture Jim Carrey’s “Liar Liar” with a dash of kimchi and a boatload of romantic twists and turns. It’s a full-on, laugh-out-loud adventure into the chaos of saying it like it is.

Ki-baek, brought to life by the effortlessly charming Go Kyung-pyo, is a 33-year-old news guy whose life spins wildly off-course when he gets bizarrely zapped and loses the ability to lie.

In a world where manners make the man, Ki-baek’s brutal honesty starts whipping up storms faster than you can say “career suicide.” His job? Hanging by a thread.

And then we meet On Woo-joo, portrayed by the absolutely delightful Kang Han-na. She’s a variety show writer who’s practically clinging to her last ratings point, who figures Ki-baek’s truth-telling hiccup could be the golden ticket her show needs to dodge the ax.

What unfolds is nothing short of television gold.

Ki-baek’s no-lie policy isn’t just good for giggles. It drives the whole shebang. His straight-shooting ways are as heartwarming as they are cringe-worthy.

One second, you’re busting a gut over his awkward truths. The next, you’re hiding behind your hands, bracing for the fallout. It’s comedy gold with a clever twist.

Ditch the glitzy tales of chaebols and their champagne problems. Frankly Speaking” keeps it 100 with real-deal drama and everyday hiccups.

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Ki-baek and Woo-joo’s down-to-earth vibes? Utterly relatable.

Their chemistry? Through the roof.

Watching these two orbit each other from just colleagues to potentially more is the stuff of K-drama legend. Grab your popcorn, folks—this one’s a keeper.

Jumping into “Frankly Speaking” without a clue about Korean culture? Chill out, you’re all set!

Here’s the scoop: politeness and peace are big deals in Korea, and Ki-baek’s truth grenades are shaking things up big time. Picture this guy as a bull in a china shop of cultural norms—his accidental honesty is whipping up a storm of laughs and gasps, turning everything delightfully topsy-turvy.

You don’t need to cram a history book to catch the drift, but getting a handle on these cultural tidbits seriously amps up the fun as our characters navigate some seriously sticky situations.

And the cherry on top?

The laughs and the feels are universal, so you’re gonna be all in, even if Korean etiquette sounds like rocket science.

This series? It’s like a cocktail of comedy, romance, and just a sprinkle of fantasy, all stirred up by Ki-baek’s total inability to control his mouth.

This series? It’s like a cocktail of comedy, romance, and just a sprinkle of fantasy, all stirred up by Ki-baek’s total inability to control his mouth. His chronic honesty isn’t just for kicks—it’s the heartbeat of the show, driving every face-palm-worthy confession and all the mushy moments.

When Ki-baek lets slip yet another bomb of truth, it nudges everyone, especially Woo-joo, to face their own secrets, sparking some solid chit-chat and a truckload of laughs.

“Frankly Speaking” is the real deal—it’s a breath of fresh air, it’s got belly laughs, and it’ll pull at those heartstrings hard.

Go Kyung-pyo and Kang Han-na? Absolute fire together, making those awkward “are we more than just work buddies?” moments pure viewing gold. Their acting? Off the charts.

And don’t even get me started on the fab support crew. Joo Jong-hyuk, as the charmingly tangled ex, and Lee Bom-so-ri, as the loyal BFF, don’t just fill up space—they layer in some meaty drama and really round out this wild ride.

And the storyline? Absolutely addictive.

But hey, it’s not all chuckles.

The show throws you a backstage pass to the Korean office vibes, where putting on a good face is practically performance art.

Ki-baek’s little ‘honesty problem’ spotlights the tightrope between being your true self and sticking to the social script. Lucky for us, the pratfalls and zippy one-liners make “Frankly Speaking” an out-of-the-park hit, no matter where you’re streaming from.

With its zesty twist on worn-out K-drama cliches, real-life messiness, and spot-on main acts, “Frankly Speaking” nails it as a rom-com with real spunk. It ditches the glitzy, high-society drama for tales that hit closer to home—the real, gritty, and downright hilarious truths of life and love.

Digging into the messy, raw stuff of human connections and personal growth? “Frankly Speaking” dives headfirst into these themes with a sharp, honest look at the clash between personal truth bombs and the polished facade society expects.

If you’re all about snort-laughs and the feels hitting you right in the gut, then this show is totally up your alley.

Would I recommend “Frankly Speaking?” You betcha! If you’re all about snort-laughs and the feels hitting you right in the gut, then this show is totally up your alley. Watching Ki-baek, who can’t tell a white lie since his shockingly honest mishap, tackle the wild pitches life throws at him is like scoring front row seats to a comedy goldmine with a side of deep feels.

This series totally crushes it, finding that perfect balance between a giggle marathon and a sob fest, while digging into themes like brutal honesty and real connections. With snappy writing and stellar performances, it’s an absolute home run.

So if you’re tired of sugar-coated romances and want to shift gears for some straight-up, laugh-till-you-cry moments, then this show’s got the goods to keep you glued.

Critics and couch critics alike are buzzing about the stellar performances and the plot that perfectly blends chuckles with real emotional punches. It’s been hailed as “one of the funniest, most heartwarming K-dramas of the year,” and believe me—it’s all that and a bag of chips.

This show isn’t just sticking to the script of romantic comedies. It flips the script, shakes it up, and serves something spectacular.

Whether you’re a seasoned K-drama watcher or just dipping your toes in, this series is packed with goodies for everyone.

Jump into the hilarity and warmth of “Frankly Speaking” and drop your two cents in the comments! What’s the hold-up? Pop some corn, grab the remote, and discover why everyone’s talking about this gem.

“Frankly Speaking” hit the screens on May 1, 2024, and it’s all cued up on Netflix for your bingeing pleasure.

“Frankly Speaking” OST: Your Senses (sung by LAS)