On May 1st, JTBC unveiled its latest romantic-comedy series, "Frankly Speaking" (also known as "No Secret"), sparking excitement among K-Drama enthusiasts worldwide.

Boasting a stellar cast featuring Go Kyung Pyo, Kang Han Na, and Joo Jong Hyuk, the show promised a fresh take on love and life's complexities.

Song Ki-Baek (Ko Kyoung-Pyo) is single and 33 years old. He works as an announcer at a broadcasting station. People consider him an ideal announcer. He is polite and well mannered. One day, Song Ki-Baek suffers from an incident which causes him to speak without thinking first. He now faces the biggest crisis of his life.Meanwhile, On Woo-Joo (Kang Han-Na) is an enthusiastic TV variety show writer. She becomes interested with Song Ki-Baek's harsh language and she gets him to appear on her variety show.

- AsianWiki

However, as the series reaches its finale on June 6th, it has left many fans feeling let down by its conclusion.

The premise of "Frankly Speaking" seemed promising from the outset.

Song Ki-Baek (portrayed by Go Kyung Pyo) is a respected announcer known for his charm and etiquette.

Yet, a sudden incident forces him into a predicament where he must grapple with the repercussions of speaking impulsively.

Enter On Woo-Joo (played by Kang Han Na), an ambitious TV variety show writer intrigued by Ki-Baek's newfound bluntness, leading to their unconventional collaboration.

Initial reviews were positive, with viewers praising the chemistry between the lead actors and the engaging storyline.

However, as the series progressed, cracks began to emerge in the narrative, culminating in a disappointing finale.

Despite only comprising twelve episodes, "Frankly Speaking" struggled to maintain its momentum, veering off course and leaving viewers disenchanted with its direction.

Online forums, including a popular K-Drama subreddit, became hotbeds for discussions as disappointed viewers voiced their frustrations.

Many lamented the deviation from the initial promise, highlighting a sense of lost potential as the series faltered in its final stretch.

Some suggested that the story arc could have been condensed into fewer episodes, with the decline in quality becoming apparent after Episode 10.

The backlash against "Frankly Speaking" has raised concerns about the viability of twelve-episode K-Dramas, with comparisons drawn to similar recent disappointments like "Wedding Impossible."

KDramaStars owns this article
Written by Joan Cabigas