Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Changhyun Kim
JTBC’s Forecasting Love and Weather is set in the Meteorological Administration, where the colorful employees remind you of the unpredictable weather. The show intrigues the viewers with an unusual setting of a weather station and its familiar theme of workplace romance. It also cleverly weaves the romance into the ever-changing weather and tells a wondrous story that intrigues the viewers. So the story gives a fresh and interesting take on work and love. If you are a fan of office romance dramas like Forecasting Love and Weather, you will probably fall in love with the shows listed below.
tvN Romance is a Bonus Book (2019)
Set in a publishing company, this romance drama centers on the people who strive for success in both work and love life. The show follows Kang Dani (Lee Na Young), a former copywriter and a divorced woman who lies about her work experience to join a publishing company, and her love interest Cha Eun Ho (Lee Jong Suk), a famous author and the editor-in-chief in the same company. As the series revolves around a publishing company, it depicts the realistic everyday lives of the writers and publishers working in the industry. It also strikes a chord with the stories of women who are having a hard time after their maternity leave and working moms who must hold down a job and run a household at the same time. Lee Na Young and Lee Jong Suk build their relationship step by step and blend their romance smoothly into their workplace setting. The delightful chemistry between the two actors makes it hard to feel the age difference between them.
tvN Touch Your Heart (2019)
Yoo In Na and Lee Dong Wook, who played lovers in Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, teamed up again as a couple in Touch Your Heart. Based on a web novel of the same name, the show centers on a top star who loses her fame after getting embroiled in a scandal. To earn a major role in a legal drama, she gets a job at a law firm by posing as a secretary. The fact that the fictional actress, who is notorious for her terrible acting skills, has to act as a secretary in her real-life at a law firm adds laughter and tension to the show. Yoo In Na also added liveliness to the show as she made a lovely portrayal of Oh Jin Shim, the top star with a little bit of bluff and a little bit of lack of intelligence. Lee Dong Wook stars as Kwon Jung Rok, a workaholic lawyer who seems to lack the human touch. He made the viewer’s heart flutter as he gradually became a passionate lover of Oh Jin Shim. Yoo In Na and Lee Dong Wook showed natural chemistry that was far different from what they had shown in Guardian.
tvN What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim (2018)
Based on a web novel of the same name, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim centers on Lee Young Joon (Park Seo Joon), a narcissistic vice-chairman of a major corporation. While Young Joon loves himself so much that he doesn’t care about others at all, he begins to pay attention to his highly talented secretary Kim Mi So (Park Min Young), who worked with him for nearly 10 years right by his side. As the two were more like a married couple who have been together for a long time, there was no tension between them. However, things take a turn as Kim Mi So suddenly announces that she will resign. The two actors made headlines on many occasions with their striking resemblance to the original characters and their heart-fluttering performances. Notably, their kiss scene collected countless views and the two got swept off in dating rumors after the show’s conclusion, although they denied it immediately.
tvN Introverted Boss (2017)
While Lee Young Joon in What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim overflows with confidence, Eun Hwan Ki (Yeon Woo Jin) in Introverted Boss exudes the exact opposite charm. He is like a ghost to his employees as he is always calm and silent. However, things change as an outgoing new employee named Chae Ro Woon (Park Hye Su) tries to get closer to him. While it is about the romance between an introverted man and an outgoing woman, the show also sheds light on the story of Eun Hwan Gi, who slowly warms up to others as he falls in love with Chae Ro Woon. The two having a hard time growing closer reminds us of the complex relationship map we have in our real lives. It is also refreshing to watch the quiet man becoming social and mature. However, the unrealistic setting in the early episodes and Park Hye Su’s questionable acting remain as something that can be done differently.
JTBC Strong Girl Bong-soon (2017)
This drama follows the story of Do Bong Soon (Park Bo Young), a girl who was born with superhuman strength. She gets hired as a bodyguard to the famous game developer named Ahn Min Hyuk (Park Hyung Sik). While it is unusual for a Korean drama to have a superhuman heroine in the show, Do Bong Soon has a formidable strength that does not match her cute appearance. The series resonated with the viewers as it handled the fears that women face in their everyday lives. Additionally, it added some tacky touches of humor which can be found in Stephen Chow’s films. Although some criticized the slow-paced plot in the later episodes, the show still won rave reviews for its fresh subject and the excellent performances by the actors.
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.
Translator Changhyun Kim: Hello, K-pop, K-drama, and K-movie lovers! I will provide you with accurate and reliable Korean Entertainment news.
