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Sometimes I just want a no drama, drama. Something sweet and syrupy, something with a sprinkling of humor, and possibly with a dash of romance stirred in is the perfect recipe for a weekend binge. That said, some drama recipes over index on one or more of these ingredients and become inedible. To help you with your marshmallowlly cravings, I’m sharing my top three series, which still have a dollop of our expected displays of relationship drama (that I not-so-secretly love). Special callout to Strong Woman Do Bong-soon. It’s not on the list because I‘ve already covered in a previous post (or else it would be topping this list!).
What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?
To answer the title’s question, nothing is wrong with Secretary Kim (played by Park Min-young). In fact, she is the Rolex of secretaries. Proficient, efficient, confident, and competent. But at the peak of her secretarial career, she unceremoniously turns in her two week notice. This causes her boss, Lee Young-joo (played by Park Seo-joon), to spiral into a comical frenzy. Why? His feelings of friendship, and possibility of something deeper, have been stewing under the surface of his perfect exterior for almost a decade. Having taken her for granted for over nine years, Young-joo's emotions bubble over as we see him face an acute sense of confusion at the potential the loss of his secretary and right-arm woman. What comes next is a series of misunderstandings and office antics between the two as they face the problem of finding a new back-fill, deal with office antics, and eventually face the feelings for each other.
What's endearing about this show is Young-joo. He's unabashedly egotistical and self-absorbed, but his comedic timing in this series is near perfection. At the same time, Secretary Kim is smart and sassy. No damsels-in-distress here. Just sit back and watch these two dynamic personalities clash. Additionally, while we get to learn our couple's backstories and journeys that led to the current situation, the series starts with the dramatic resignation. Rather than get to know the characters as the get to know each other, this is the point where many couples are already giving the traditional 10-year aluminum. This series comes with all the cliches you want in a rom-com including love triangles and office romances, but it also has a nice depth of tackling some of the problems a boss/secretary relationship would encounter. If you want a model of a rom-com that does it right, look no further than What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?
Because this my first life.
This story revolves around two financially strapped roommates, who through an unusual set of circumstances, turn into a couple. Protagonist number one is Nam Sae-hee, a co-founder and employee at an app developing firm. His dream is to completely own his current home. However, he needs a roommate to help payoff the loan. Sounds like a normal plan for any single adult, right? Well it would be if his particular habits and rules didn’t make it unbearable for other guys. Enter main character number two: Yoon Ji Ho. She is nearly broke as her struggling writing career is failing to take off. Through a miscommunication and a series of mishaps, Ji Ho becomes Sae-hee’s roommate. This is unconventional because it’s slightly taboo for a single male and single female to live together, unmarried. Rather than have Ji Ho move out, they decide to progress with the living situation. They develop a mutual contract because one needs the money and the other is desperate for a place to live.
What is alluring about this series is the flow and natural progression of the story line, and the evolution of the relationships. Dealing with finances and learning to compromise are the everyday challenges any couple will face. The writing and direction tackle these normalcies without aggression, unneeded comedy, or glazing over the struggles, such as Ji Ho facing her family or being the only one of her friends who isn’t dating, married, or doesn’t have children. Sae-hee isn’t your typical flawless male lead, which showcases his acting chops. The subplots and characters also fit seemlessly into the story, without being a distraction or feeling unnecessary. I found best friend to Ji Ho, Soo Ji, to be particularly interesting as she deals with her own set of workplace problems, namely sexism. This drama is charming, funny, and believable. I felt myself rolling my eyes with understanding, consistently wanting to give Ji Ho a hug. Her workplace circumstances maybe too personally identifiable. This a light drama, with a few ups and downs, but happy endings abound!
Fight My Way
In this drama we have two fighters in our figurative boxing ring; in one corner, you have hopes and dreams of childhood, and in the other corner, we have reality checks of adulthood. In Fight My Way we get to see these two themes battle it out, with a side dish of longtime friendships either crumbling under the tension or rising to the occasion. This story follows four close childhood friends into their mid-twenties, all of whom have been dealt metaphorical blows to their original life plans. Park Seo-joon as Ko Dong-man is martial artist who had to give up his career due to a physical altercation with another fight in his younger days. He's now unhappy in his unwanted career as an exterminator. Our female lead, Choi Ae-ra (played by Kim Ji-won) works for guest services at a shopping mall, which isn't the glamours TV or radio broadcaster she envisioned she'd be. Baek Seol-hee, Ae-ra's best friend and roommate, dreamed of being a caring wife and mother, but instead, she finds herself in secret office romance with longterm boyfriend, Kim Joo Man (as neither one wants it to be a detractor or distraction to their careers). Come watch our fab four face their realities "their way." With plenty of giggle worthy moments and audible "awes" along the ride. You'll fall in love with this heartwarming tale of everyday nothings and lifetime everythings.
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