Korean title: 김비서가 왜 그럴까
16 episodes
Aired on tvN from 2018 June to July
Main cast:
- Park Min Young as Kim Mi So
- Park Seo Joon as Lee Young Joo
- Lee Tae Hwan as Lee Sung Yun
- Kang Ki Young as Park Yoo Shik
- Pyo Ye Jin as Kim Ji Ah
- Hwang Chan Sung as Ko Kwi Nam
- Lee Yoo Joon as Jung Chi In
- Hwang Bo Ra as Bong Se Ra
- Kang Hong Suk as Yang Chul
- Kim Ye Won as Sul Ma Eum
- Baek Eun Hye as Kim Pil Nam
- Heo Soon Mi as Kim Mal Hee
- Kim Byung Ok as Chairman Lee
- Kim Hye Ok as Mrs. Choi
Production credits:
- Production companies: Studio Dragon, Bon Factory
- Director: Park Joon Hwa
- Screenwriter: Jung Eun Young (ep 1-4), Baek Sun Woo, Choi Bo Rim
- Based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Jung Kyung Yoon
Notes:
- I don't know why but I'm less motivated to write reviews for dramas I actually like! It's easier to rant. Hence why this review is belated. And from memory.
- Hwang Chan Sung is a member of 2PM, a K-pop group.
- This drama was my introduction to all these actors, including Park Seo Joon and Park Min Young. I get the hype now! (edit: after putting the labels, I realised I already had a Park Min Young one because she was Girl in Sungkyunkwan Scandal! Oops. and Kim Hye Ok was in Bad Guy too. Her character is really different here).
Review: +
Title: A good title! A bit long but catchy and intriguing. And for once, it's really satisfying to hear it in the dialogue.
Girl: She's a great protagonist. Though she's an insanely competent secretary, she's relatable.
Boy: A chaebol heir! How original! His narcissisim is actually funny and when we get to know him more and the layers of his character are revealed, we appreciate him even more. I feel bad saddling this review with the "arrogant jerk" because he's not really a jerk but he's definitely arrogant so yeah.
Other boy: Yeah no. I have some degree of sympathy for him because I'm not a monster but the character was really one note and annoying. Also, it's a bit random but he's supposed to be the older brother and the actor is 6 years younger than the actor for Boy who is playing his age. His behaviour tends to feel more immature too, so there was some disconnect every time we are reminded that he's supposed to be older.
Other girl: Look, there isn't one !
Plot: There is vaguely a mystery about something that happened in the past but the twist is quite obvious so I was just waiting for it to be revealed. However, the gradual revelation of what happened was quite well-done.
Relationships: There wasn't any B-couple but two C-couples among their coworkers. I'm not complaining as there were both very different but still cute and funny.
Other characters: his parents, her sisters, his best friend and their coworkers.
Funny? Yes. It's a big part of why I like it. Special mention to his best friend (and his disaster of a secretary) and to Bong Se Ra.
Clichés: Office romance. Childhood connection.
Music: I don't remember it so it must have been fine.
Bottom line: I'm surprised that I remember so little of this drama, besides liking it. The mystery is hit or miss and the brother character is annoying but there are some genuinely funny moments and characters, Girl and Boy are strong characters and their relationship is believable. +!
