A highly anticipated drama has finally arrived to fans’ delight. Love Scout brings together romance veteran Han Ji Min with Lee Joon Hyuk, known primarily for his thrillers and crime projects, making this romantic pairing generate massive buzz since its casting announcement. Since its January 3rd premiere with a 5.2% viewership rating, the show has more than doubled its numbers in just two weeks, showcasing its surging popularity.
The first impressions between Kang Ji Yoon (Han Ji Min) and Yoo Eun Ho (Lee Jun Hyuk) are far from favorable. As CEO of headhunting firm Peoplez, Ji Yoon had carefully cultivated a potential recruit who turned out to be Eun Ho’s colleague. Attempting to prevent the transfer, Eun Ho engages in a battle of wits with Ji Yoon, criticizing headhunting companies for reducing human value to monetary terms. While the recruitment falls through, it’s later revealed that the candidate was sidelined at work, and Eun Ho himself ends up terminated due to betrayal by a trusted superior. After sudden unemployment, he catches the eye of Seo Mi Ae (Lee Sang Hee), Peoplez director who’s been struggling to fill the long-vacant position of Ji Yoon’s secretary due to her exacting standards.
Living up to viewer expectations, the actors deliver performances that perfectly embody their characters. Han Ji Min naturally portrays the work-obsessed CEO who judges others solely on their capabilities, maintaining emotional distance and cold pragmatism in all interactions. Despite potentially coming across as unlikeable due to her frigid attitude toward employees, she compellingly reveals layers of a character who’s built walls through past pains, keeping viewers invested. Lee Joon Hyuk perfectly embodies a universally appealing character—a former HR manager whose solid experience makes him an excellent secretary, while also being a single father who thoughtfully tends to not only his child but everyone around him. His portrayal of this idealized character, seemingly designed to check every box on the romantic drama wishlist, makes this series a gift to his fans.
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The chemistry between the actors is exceptional. Meeting fans’ imaginative “dream casting” expectations, the visual harmony between Han Ji Min and Lee Joon Hyuk is particularly striking. Scenes of the two in their sleek office attire, both in and out of the workplace, consistently delight viewers. The supporting cast adds further charm. Kim Do Hoon, who gained recognition through Moving, brings an endearing touch to Woo Jung Hoon, a seemingly frivolous chaebol heir who secretly cares for Ji Yoon. Kim Yoon Hye, recently seen as Princess Seo Hye Rang in Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born, showcases different charms as Jung Soo Hyun, a single mother close to Eun Ho.
The evolving relationship between Ji Yoon and Eun Ho is engaging. Their initial antagonistic connection transitions into a boss-secretary dynamic. Though Ji Yoon initially rejects and ignores Eun Ho due to their poor first impression, she gradually warms to him as he excels in his supporting role, naturally accepting him as her secretary. The revelation that Ji Yoon lost her father in fire when she was little and Eun Ho has his own traumatic fire-related memories hints at a connection stretching far into their past. While this might be a familiar trope, their story remains intriguing.
Love Scout, which plants one foot in the realistic corporate world while painting a romantic fantasy, makes for perfect light viewing. Viewers can look forward to more heart-fluttering romance from these two leads. (7/10)
Edited by Kim Won Hee
Translated by Kim Hoyeun
Edited by Kim Won Hee: I am a person who needs more than 24 hours in a day because there are so many things I love. I am amassing various genres in the jewelry box in my heart
