At first it’s interesting as we meet all the characters and see the female lead settle into her new job. Then things get cute and romantic as different possibilities open up. Then we run out of conflict since there really aren’t evil schemers and there aren’t enough plot twists to build any obstacles or interest. This is an odd drama that takes place at a work place, but doesn’t seem to know a lot about the work they do.
So the story sort of floats around with lots of characters that I care less and less about. There was a lot of promise at the start of the series, but it didn’t hit any really strong emotional points. Sure the two leads are adorable, but not enough for 16 episodes with little plot.
For a better Noona romance with better developed characters and chemistry, watch Something in the Rain.
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Exploring Kang Dan Yi’s Tale of Redemption, Love and Resilience...
Written by screenwriter Jung Hyun Jung ( I Need Romance), “ Romance Is A Bonus Book” was a light-hearted love story between a divorcee, single mother Kang Dan Yi ( Lee Na Young) and her younger, successful childhood friend Cha Eun Ho ( Lee Jong Suk). Uplifting and sweet, it was notable that the series did have a couple of lose holes within its overarching completion...
Perhaps the most notable thing to say about the series is that its predominating story plays upon prominent cliches of the “ vulnerable and unemployed” female lead, the “ successful male lead with an obvious crush on the female lead ” and the evident lovelorn second male lead Ji Seo Joon (Wi Ha Joon). There was nothing entirely terrible about these cliches per se in the drama, however, the evident reoccurring presence of the “ male lead’s crush” as well as other dominant tropes of “secret dating” and “ jealousy” did become a little tiresome within the drama.
Nevertheless, it is wrong to bring the drama down entirely from its tropes and praise must be given towards the cast through their fairly brilliant performances as a whole .
Taking centre stage of the series, was undeniably main actress Lee Na Young as the female lead, Kang Dan Yi. Na Young was captivating within channeling the eccentric traits as well as optimism behind Dan Yi’s growth throughout the series.
As a character, Dan Yi was fairly likeable for viewers by her kind-heart, resilience and strength in the face of adversity. As a notably older character than her counterpart lover Eun Ho, it was intriguing to see how the show played upon Dan Yi’s age as a challenge towards work, self-confidence and her love life. Nevertheless, it did feel that there was lot left to explore with Dan Yi as an individual, rather than a merely an asset to the plot. Although the show did explore a little about Dan Yi’s previous relationship and her interactions with her daughter Hong Jae Hee ( Lee Ji Won), after their initial use in the beginning of the series, Dan Yi’s emotional reactions and exploring more about this side of her character as a mother and a divorcee , felt half-baked. It is understandable the show didn’t want to become too bogged down in the unnecessary details of Dan Yi’s past, however, it would have allowed us as viewers to see and understand more about Dan Yi’s current emotions and resilience if we’d learnt and seen more interactions with Dan Yi’s former husband and daughter. ( Not least more reasons why Dan Yi was going to marry him in the first place before having cold feet , as well as the lack of communication between Dan Yi and Jae Hee, besides not living together.)
Parallel to Na Young was Lee Jong Suk as the young male lead Cha Eun Ho. Whilst Jong Suk has undeniably had more captivating performances than his role in “ Romance Is A Bonus Book”, he did bring a certain charm within Eun Ho’s suave attitude and heartfelt affections for the female lead.
Cha Eun Ho was undeniably a fairly typical male lead within his framing in the show as the “ childhood friend” and the “ successful, younger lover”. Nevertheless, Eun Ho was a character who respectfully learnt to understand more about Eun Ho by rekindling his long-held crush once more.
The relationship between the two characters did feel cliche in parts by the necessity to prolong telling their colleagues that they were dating for a major proportion of the series, however, Eun Ho and Dan Yi had a symbiotically healthy relationship which did not draw out into emotional gaslighting or manipulation, by learning to respect one another over the course of the series making the pairing undeniably heartwarming for viewers.
Sadly, the side characters of the drama often felt slightly underdeveloped particularly with the associated ensemble of the colleagues such as Song Hae Rin ( Jung Yoo Jin) who harboured romantic feelings for Eun Ho as well as the second male lead Seo Joon who reversely had feelings for Dan Yi. Other characters such as Go Yoo Sun ( Kim Yo Min) and Seo Young Ah ( Kim Sun Young) had interesting roles in the storyline, but nevertheless could have been developed slightly more as individuals ( besides their rushed endings). The overall ending did feel completed and was undeniably sweet for the main characters.
In conclusion, ‘ Romance is A Bonus Book’ was slightly underdeveloped with feeding into cliche tropes and slightly half-baked side characters. On the other hand, the main leads were portrayed as individuals with character growth , the show had intriguing messages against ageism and work discrimination in Korea, as well as a heartfelt romance that could engage viewers without toxicity or unhealthy tropes. Definitely worth a watch for fun.
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THE BAD: There are A LOT of things I hate about this drama. The story revolves around the female lead so romance is really just a bonus part in this whole series. The problem is, the female character is too problematic and never changed her selfish ways until the end of the show. There's a whole long list of flaws in the female character, her choices and reaction in life, which made her too tiring to watch -- too tiring that I don't have the energy to write a long essay of them. Now, for the romance: it was so meh. There was no chemistry between the main leads and the FL's acting makes her character even less likable. She looks like she's not really into him.
To sum it up, it's tiring to watch a female protagonist who has a very miserable life and makes it appear like it's all due to the whole world being unkind her, while masking her selfishness under her woe-is-me state, and then decides to go into a romantic relationship with her best friend whom she has abused since start of their friendship (never caring for his feelings or story for 20 years) because he's rich and obsessed with her, so he could help her out of her depressing life.
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To be honest, I was able to finish it only due to Lee Jung Suk. He's cute, everybody knows that, he's a very handsome and good actor, that saved this drama. The lead actress wasn't bad, actually she's very good, is just the writing. I feel like I wen't trough the whole 16 episodes for the sake of looking at LJS's cute face and that's it.
I don't get it how this drama was able to score 8.5. Maybe it's the magic of having LJS in the cast.
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A very Misleading Title
Romance is a bonus book. At first glance, you might think this drama is very romantic and focused on romance between the leads. But you are very wrong lol.This drama is a slow-paced romantic one. Romance is not visible till episode 11-12, so embrace yourselves.
I think it's best to say that this drama is about an unrequited and unrealistic love, and someone who is too busy with their lives to even recuperate the love back.
I don't like LJS per se( sorry fans). He's cute and has got porcelain skin, but his acting was not real. He mostly acted like a fashion model with a cute smile and gestures, And not so in love. It was like a puppy love.
The FL. She actually did a great job.
The story is really good, Though it got draggy at some point.
I loved the OST. a good selection of songs and background music.
Overall, if you love romance, this drama won't satisfy your craving. The romance came only in the last 4 episodes. But a decent watch imo.
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The story line was OK-ish. It did touched an important issues and that is of women returning to work after a break into their careers, also it touched the hardship women face as single, divorced mothers so the idea was ok. Not the best of the best but not the worst idea for a drama either. Now if I get into the characters, the opinion is changing. The ML and the FL unfortunately didn't work for me not even a little bit. I felt a disconnection between them. It showed the age gap between them and I'm not talking about the way they look, because they are both good looking. I don't know if this was because there is a big gap between them in real life as well, but at times I felt the FL was holding back and I'm talking about the kissing scenes. There was this one time when he went for a kiss and he open his lips to go for a more romantic kiss and she just stood there like a wood poll. That made the whole scene awkward. The way the ML was looking at her it was just ............ I can't even find the right words to describe it because it was just too much. I understand he was looking at her with love, but that was not the look I was expecting. He was too in love with her and I don't think she was that in love with him or she didn't show it. I found myself many times ready to throw up when I was watching scenes between the ML and FL just like when you eat something sweet and is way too sweet. I got tired of the scenes where the main characters were in it and I wanted to just skip through those scenes. That is not good for a drama or a movie for that matter, when you want to skip through the scene with the main characters. I found my self liking Ji Seo Joon more and the other characters as well. I felt the ML was arrogant at times, full of himself, he acted some times like he was the center of the earth or that the whole world is gravitating around him or at least it should. I did like the friendships that were forming, even though I found a bit exaggerated the relationship between co-workers just because it's very rare in real life to have that much fun at work, or to have everybody be that close at work or to have so many things accepted at work like in this drama. I should stop here because is not gonna get any better. This is a drama that I would say this about it: if you can't find any good drama, then watch this one and if you find a good drama while watching this one, than drop this drama because there is not a big loss.
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I have to be honest, I've struggled with many K-dramas that I watched. I don't find particularly charming guys being rude, aggressive or jealous. I don't like the damsel in distress trope or the cool guy with the warm heart crap... So, maybe that was why I was so happy to find this gem.
All the characters here have personality and agency. They might be a bit ruder here and there or jealous and needy from time to time, but is all in the boundary of a healthy relationship. Also, the side plots are compelling and you don't just sit there waiting for them to go back to the romance (but as I said, I do love books and I did enjoy the side characters).
I saw some comments complaining about the pacing, but I think that the slow build was also a plus side for me. It was what made me more invested in the story and what made it feel more natural and real.
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This review may contain spoilers
Lacking
I loved this series—warm, tender, deep love story. Lacked to show intimacy though considering the length of time the lead guy has loved her - 20 years. They live together too so they should have had more intimate scenes like passionate kissing at least. And it doesn’t have to look distasteful. Secretary Kim’s bed scene was artfully not lustfully executed. The fact that this was lacking in this series, diluted the love story for me. It just does not make sense to not show an intimate, passionate scene given the circumstances: his enduring love through all the years and them cohabitating now. It’s just unrealistic that nothing physically passionate is shown. And it didn't explain why he didn't know that she has fallen on hard times for a whole year without him knowing, given the fact that he always drives to her house when he gets drunk. He didn't get drunk for a whole year I guess (???!!!) But they didn’t meet for lunch, even once, in that one year after her divorce? That’s odd considering how deep their friendship is. Hmmmm.Was this review helpful to you?
Nothing happens here
It's amazing how creative one can be to produce 16 hours of drama that contributes to nothingness.Noooo chemistry in this romcom.
The problem is that k dramas have such excellent serials that even if one is mediocre, it leads to disappointment.
The office setting is boring, the interactions between colleagues is mundane, yawwnnn.
The FL character was different and interesting, but instead of playing on those strengths they focused on mediocre traits.
Just did not click.
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WHAT I LIKED
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Lee Jong Suk. As a westerner new to Asian shows, I don't know the actors. But wow, Lee Jong Suk was beautiful. I mean, I don't know if it's the way they lit the show, and/or makeup and hair, and/or his wardrobe, and/or the role he was playing. Probably all of these things. Nevertheless, "Beautiful" is the word that came to mind. Honestly, I was mesmerized.
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Jannabi. Never heard of Jannabi, but I loved their theme song here ("The Story I Couldn't See"). Will be listening to more of them.
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The fashion. I'm not sure if what I saw actually mirrors true Korean white-collar business and leisure fashion or not. Interesting to see the clothing differences/similarities between South Korea and the U.S.
Some of the fashion (particularly that of Cha Eun Ho) was amazing. Was this "product placement"? Because seriously, Eun Ho had several extravagant coats. All of which looked great on him, BTW. But way more than I would expect a guy to have.
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Kang Ki Doong. Seriously, this guy cracked me up.
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WHAT I DID NOT LIKE
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Complete lack of romantic chemistry between the leads. (How did this happen?) Since I'm watching for the romance value, this made the series disappointing.
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Very little kissing or touching. Are all Korean romance series like this? Maybe it's cultural? Maybe Production has to follow strict guidelines? I don't know. But I need to see more physical closeness (doesn't have to be sex per se), especially if I'm investing 16 hours.
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Story was too slow paced. Hard to sustain interest. However, toward the end, it picked up a little bit. I did cry at one point.
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So many female characters shrieking at their boyfriends/husbands/whatever when they get upset. Like, having a melt-down. Seriously?
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This review may contain spoilers
For those not aware this is a remake of the American drama “Younger” and novel of the same name. I never saw the original but hope it’s better than this. In general is not bad but has many flaws. The basic premise is nice and has a good message about people (especially women) who have had to return to work after a long absence. I myself have had to do it twice. But the writing is often self indulgent and suffers from kdrama logic.
I wasn’t very found of the major subplot or payoff taking away from the main. Nor did the end make sense. It was a complete reversal contrived to make the ending more acceptable. Several of the secondary romances had people falling in love without any development. It just happens.
One subplot I found really disappointing was the divorce of two support characters. I can certainly understand the reasons and even why it would never work out, but the things the ex-wife had to say were just shitty and unnecessary. As the child of parents that got divorced, and of whom they still cared for each other, it’s not at all believable. Even on my mom’s best day my father would not have rubbed his sexual relationships with others. This drama is just weird about it.
Lastly some of the “lessons” are touted with sledgehammer effect. The end of each episode it full of them. Much of them are ludicrous to anyone who’s lead even a short life. One that comes to mind is how the one thing in an unfair life is that we all have one life. And life is basically how we make it. But even the drama points this out to be naïve and simplistic. The main protagonists has all sorts of obstacles to overcome. The only reason she does is becomes the writers write it that way. Life can be very different. There may be insurmountable obstacles. The only effect we have is how we handle them.
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First off, these slow, poetic K-dramas are generally not my cup of tea, and this one suffered like the others. After the initial well-done aesthetics, and 'cozy' feel are established nothing ... happens. Plus, the romance was very immature for one woman divorced and one man with an established dating history. If you are familiar with the U.S. show Younger that this is based on, this doesn't have the crazy hijinks and cliffhangers, it is quiet and not much happens.
What kept me watching, was the ideal of work that you love, doing it with integrity, and adding value and well-being in the world. If only we could all work like that! It seems like an ideal from another time, and it moved me a lot. Also, the care the show put in to actually portraying the publishing industry with detail.
Acting was competent, music matched the mood, I absolutely will not be rewatching. I grade on other criteria:
Complex Themes - 7.5
Putting in the time and work to create and bring art into the world is a responsibility and a lifelong passion. Behaving with integrity may cause pain in the short run, but pays off in the long-run. A minor theme on how hard modern capitalism is on mothers.
Character Growth - 4
No one meaningfully changes or grows, they are the same as of episode 2 as the end. Perhaps, the most disappointing part of the show.
Complex women and relationships between women- 7
There's plenty of screen time between the women in the publishing house, them interacting, mentoring, helping and hurting each other. They are all a bit of a stereotype. Dani, it must be said, is a bit of a blank slate - apparently has no friends or family besides what goes on in the publishing house.
Production/Cinematography - 8
I loved all the different outerwear/coats. The clothing and settings really fit the characters. There was a soft, warm feel to the cinematography that suited the show, and I liked how they shot bookstores and books, but it did not attempt to be very creative cinematically.
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