Love Scout soars to high ratings: How Lee Joon-Hyuk and Han Ji-Min's romance revives the comfort of classic K-dramas

We’re starved for real K-drama romance, as fans often say on social media. The truth is, while K-dramas haven't been completely bereft of romance entirely in the past year, yet, the classic moments—the umbrella-in-the-rain, the ‘accidental falls,’ and all the other unrealistic yet heart-melting tropes—have been noticeably absent, leaving many yearning for that familiar zing. Perhaps, the last one that ticked all the boxes was The Lovely Runner.

Enter Love Scout, featuring Lee Joon-Hyuk and Han Ji-Min in this slow-burn romance. We've got the elevator tension, fun, refreshing and quirky banter, which includes a particular favourite dialogue being, ‘I think you’re better as a cook’ and the response being ‘Then make a reservation’.  

If you’re still wondering whether to get into it, here’s the lowdown: The story flips the typical CEO-secretary dynamic, with Han Ji-Min as the diligent Ji-Yoon and Lee Joon-Hyuk as her suave secretary, Eun-ho. This is always a fun change, the last memorable reversal being the whimsical Encounter, starring Park Bo-Gum and Song Hye-kyo, which involves the forbidden romance between a CEO and her employee.

You might have seen this setup before, but be honest, you know why this dynamic always works like magic for K-dramas. And we’re just halfway through the show, where the characters are beginning to realise their feelings for each other, while keeping fans waiting on pins and needles during the cliffhangers of every episodes. The chemistry is electric, and it portrayed in every gesture and eye-conversation, enough to keep the viewers discussing for weeks to come. The romance feels natural and unfolds at a comfortable pace, blending the charm of a romantic comedy with the depth of a drama. It’s enjoyable and fun, with stellar acting that drives the story forward.

The wait for the next episode  is clearly becoming more difficult, As fans also note, it’s the right balance of ‘swoony’, mushy, and storyline too, and there’s more to unpack, as the rite of passage with every K-drama involves some childhood trauma, hidden secrets, flashbacks and sleepless nights.  So, if you were looking for the old comfort of the K-drama romance, you might just find it here.

No doubt, there will be some heartbreak along the way (Episode 14 is usually where most of us sit ready with handkerchiefs) and theories are already abound that the pasts of our two leads are tied, a classic K-storyline. But if it’s done well with angst, tears and a happy rainy reconciliation, who is complaining? The romance aside, the show offers a plethora of fun and interesting characters too, so you don’t feel as if you’re being unnecessarily diverted from the main romance, as it quite often happens.

Here's hoping Love Scout stays on course – it's already proving to be everything fans were missing in recent K-drama romances.

Love Scout is streaming on Viki.