1
bbchops
Dallas, TX
A bit of a disappointment
This show, which was highly rated by some of my favorite MDL reviewers, didn’t live up to expectations. While it did evade some of the worst K-drama tropes—like a breakup only to makeup in the final act, or overbearing in-laws for whom social status is much more important than love when it comes to marriage—the story offered nothing to replace them with. The one bit of suspense was confusing and far-fetched (memory transference?!!), and the inevitable romance plodded along, albeit pleasantly, to the end.
After having seen Park Seo Joon in the lead role now in two K-dramas (Itaewon Class and this one) I have to say I’m not a fan. I find it very hard to connect with his characters. His Lee Yeong Joon is such a colossal jerk through the first 4 episodes that I found the very idea of the angelic Secretary Kim (played by Park Min Young) falling for him exasperating considering what he’d put her through for the previous 9 years. And even though Yeong Joon mellowed out in the second half, I never really recovered. His narcissism was at times self-mocking and played to comedic effect, while at other times—like when we heard his internal monologue—he appeared to be disturbingly self-absorbed. In either case, the cringeworthy “aura” humor wore thin rather quickly. I also found his transformation from complete jerk to compassionate, considerate boyfriend beyond belief.
The angelic Park Min Young played Secretary Kim (Kim Mi So) and did a good job with what she had to work with. She was absolutely lovely, but all she was asked to do was be pretty and sweet and flash her startled doe-eyed look a few times per episode. The real stars of this show were in the supporting cast. Kang Ki Young had all the best lines and absolutely nailed the part of Yeong Joon’s only friend, President Park You Shik. He was hilarious, and his interactions with and his secretary Ma Eum (Kim Ye Won) were highlights of the show. Other characters shined too, like Bong So Ra (Hwang Bo Ra) and her wacky relationship with Secretary Yang (Kang Hong Suk), and Kim Ji Ah (Pyo Ye Jin) and office heartthrob with a secret, Go Gwi Nam (Hwang Chang Sung).
After having seen Park Seo Joon in the lead role now in two K-dramas (Itaewon Class and this one) I have to say I’m not a fan. I find it very hard to connect with his characters. His Lee Yeong Joon is such a colossal jerk through the first 4 episodes that I found the very idea of the angelic Secretary Kim (played by Park Min Young) falling for him exasperating considering what he’d put her through for the previous 9 years. And even though Yeong Joon mellowed out in the second half, I never really recovered. His narcissism was at times self-mocking and played to comedic effect, while at other times—like when we heard his internal monologue—he appeared to be disturbingly self-absorbed. In either case, the cringeworthy “aura” humor wore thin rather quickly. I also found his transformation from complete jerk to compassionate, considerate boyfriend beyond belief.
The angelic Park Min Young played Secretary Kim (Kim Mi So) and did a good job with what she had to work with. She was absolutely lovely, but all she was asked to do was be pretty and sweet and flash her startled doe-eyed look a few times per episode. The real stars of this show were in the supporting cast. Kang Ki Young had all the best lines and absolutely nailed the part of Yeong Joon’s only friend, President Park You Shik. He was hilarious, and his interactions with and his secretary Ma Eum (Kim Ye Won) were highlights of the show. Other characters shined too, like Bong So Ra (Hwang Bo Ra) and her wacky relationship with Secretary Yang (Kang Hong Suk), and Kim Ji Ah (Pyo Ye Jin) and office heartthrob with a secret, Go Gwi Nam (Hwang Chang Sung).
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