Nae ireumeun Kim Sam-soon

Your typical formula for a Korean TV drama goes something like this: A poor but hardworking and ambitious girl coincidentally gets involved in the life of a rich and spoiled playboy. Their interactions ultimately result in their falling in love with each other and him becoming a better person. Then, something devastating happens, like one of them finding out they have cancer or an old ex coming back, and the couple is temporarily torn apart. A few dramatic episodes later, they work things out and get back together for a happy ending.

Generally, both leads are attractive and thin, and their "love" is as innocent as two middle school students dating for the first time. The premise of this kind of show may sound cheesy, but there's something charming about Korean dramas that makes it all work.

My Lovely Sam Soon is not that typical TV drama. While it does include the trope of a poor girl catching the heart of a rich guy with some conflict mixed in to keep things interesting, My Lovely Sam Soon provides a refreshing, more mature take on the typical Korean drama. It also includes something somewhat unique in Asian entertainment: the female lead is older, overweight, and foulmouthed.

There are so many things I liked about this drama that it would take pages to list them all, but a few aspects of the show really stood out: the relationships were realistic, the comedic moments were genuinely funny, and the characters were relatable.

In many Korean dramas, the romantic moments in the show are pretty lackluster. The kisses are always a surprise for the receiver, and the receiver looks like they've been assaulted half the time. You will almost never see anything remotely related to an intimate scene in a Korean drama, and couples will oftentimes sleep next to each other but never with each other.

My Lovely Sam Soon is the complete opposite. The drama does not shy away from showing intimacy between characters, and all of the romantic scenes are tastefully done. This ultimately makes the relationships in the drama seem more realistic, and it also makes you care more about what happens to the characters.

In addition, the hardships the characters go through are relatable, and the acting is superb, which makes the drama all the more interesting and fun to watch. I found myself laughing multiple times throughout the series, and for me there was never a dull moment in the plot. The only thing I didn't particularly like about the drama was that some overused tropes were thrown in. Without spoiling anything, some unnecessary dramatic conventions were tossed into the mix in addition to the old-ex-comes-back-into-the-picture cliché.

A sort of American counterpart to this show would be the film Bridget Jones's Diary, which also features an overweight woman as the protagonist. Some even consider Sam Soon the Asian Bridget Jones. With that in mind, I would recommend My Lovely Sam Soon to anyone who enjoyed that film as well as to anyone who enjoys a good laugh with a little drama mixed in.

My Lovely Sam-soon is a 2005 kdrama rom-com whose lead is a brassy pastry chef named Kim Sam-soon played with gusto by Kim Sun-ah. Sam-soon starts the series being cheated on then dumped. Her public emotional reaction is watched by the spoiled cool President of Bon Appetit restaurant named Hyun Jin-heon, played by Hyun Bin. Sam-soon ends up involved with Hyun Jin-heon and their courtship ups and downs are the basis for this appealing show.

What I liked about the show a) Kim Sam-soon is a bit raw and willing to take risks for her career, family and love. She is the star of the show and the actress portrays Kim Sam-soon with appeal. Even when yelling, you see Kim Sam-soon cares through her passion. b) Hyun Jin-heon is one cool customer and the fact he is drawn Kim Sam-soon takes a while for him to accept. Once he is "all in" the relationship, he has his own quiet charm. c) Kim Sam-soon's mother and sister are embodied with similar zest and the ensemble family works. Hyun Jin-heon's devotion and respect (and some terror) for Kim Sam-soon's mother is wonderful to see. I want to karaoke with that family. d) Refreshingly the obstacles to their relationship didn't annoy me (unlike many kdramas). His mother, his ex-girlfriend, her ex-boyfriend, etc. were written so that they impeded but mattered to the evolution of their relationship. e) No subtitles needed when character Dr. Henry Kim was on screen (played by American born Korean actor Daniel Henney). I'd love to know how accurate the subtitles were for the English dialog. f) The first kiss scene sizzles and in a nutshell reflects the characters.

What I did not like about the show a) Fat? Kim Sam-soon is supposed to be fat in this series. She may be a couple of dress sizes larger than the other actresses, but she is in no way fat. The actress reportedly gained 15 pounds for the role. The references to size only heightened my awareness how thin all the other actors were. b) The "I hate my name" storyline never resonated with me.

Dear All,

My friends always asked me : "Why do you so like the drama "My Lovely Kam Samsoon" the most ?

A 30 yrs. woman parted with her boyfriend, lost the job & a series unfortunate can be found in her. Who is she ? She's Kam Samsoon, a fat & looks not pretty woman, what's going on of her ? Did she shocked her mind in addition, be retreated ? Absolutely, not, she faced to the hard time and sick of the tick, hate of the bully.

When she met Jin Heon and begins a new Chapter, He's a cool man and has a kind-hearted and a handsome, rich young gentleman. They've different background, however they're going together as Samsoon is a natural and frank girl. Samsoon has an optimist and so brave to face her true love regardless success or not. If I've the same situation, I may be to give up and choice to escape so that why I'm so constant to support this drama.

In the meantime, women always to face the high-pressure that come from job, family, marriage, especially for the single women. Not only in Korea, there is the same problem in Hong Kong and make us can't to bear it. In the drama, Samsoon always to join the marriage date and to face the harsh partner as she want to find the true love, actually in Korea it's the true life and that's why that drama is so popular in Korea and in Asia. If a woman over 30 yrs. is still single may be discriminated by the people in Asia. Oh ! That's so unfair to the women.

How a wonderful drama that make me so unforgettable and many circumstances are still in my mind and Samsoon teaches me to face the challenge and "just to do what you want" as time is not waiting for a man. So excited to watch that splendid drama, it always make me smile, cries, and feel aches. As the story required, SUNA needs to increase weight for a short time, actually she had increase 8 kg. during the filming period that makes her not well after which she also needs to loss weight. Oh ! What a professional actress !!

When I feel free, I'll to watch the DVD repeatedly to share the fun and the upset time. Be honest to myself, be trust for my ability, be frank to your relatives and face to the true love that all of this I learn from Samsoon. Be good done for our protagonist in our life.

May I to say that KIM SUNA is the best actress in Korea, her performance not only outstanding and she has a strong character that make me always feel that " My Lovely Kam Samsoon" is not a drama, it's the true life, in addition, she's a sexy girl, full of attractive and charming young lady. Don't ask me why I'm so constant to support & love her, as that no reason (maybe she has a very powerful voice that appeal to me, Haha...).

I like the most articles, namely :-

Love ... like love has never disappointed you, Work ... like you don't need any money, Dance ... like no one is watching you, Sing ... like no one is listening to you, live ... like you are in paradise

Today is a one yr. anniversary for SAMSOON, I want to say that "Happy Birthday to SUNA, Hyunbin & all their fans". It's a time for us to review the unforgettable memories, as so many circumstances always in my mind. I know Suna is ready to film a new movie, she plays as a solicitor & I look forward to watch it. Hopefully, it'll be broadcast in H.K., moreover, I'd like to wish Suna has a good health, prosperity & success in her future endeavors.

Best Regards, Yummy

My Lovely Sam-Soon aka Kim Sam-Soon.

Yay!...I see other people have already reviewed this show sufficiently enough, and fairly accurately in my opinion (except for that tool from India). Not much for me to add here, so I won't waste much time other than a few comments below.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

This show is really good overall for this genre, and, it features a nice mix of typical KTV melodrama fare combined with an otherwise straightforward adult drama. You do get your hunky doctor, beauty with cancer, various love angles, etc...But the main focus is on the life of the lead character; she's an overweight (by KTV drama standards), single, down on her luck, woman who's quickly approaching middle age.

I really like how this show portrays the main character as neither pitiable or without merit. Instead, she's quite "normal", well grounded, and really charming. This is an unusual and refreshing choice to be the focal point and main love interest of a KTV melodrama (as opposed to the status quo of some super thin young beauty who needs to be saved by, or take advantage of, some good looking rich dude).

Lead actress is terrific, and, she's deserves a lot of credit for taking this role on; she is actually a super thin beauty in real life who put on a lot of weight just to play the part, and, she absolutely nails this role!... The rest of the main cast is quite good too overall, and, I particularly enjoyed the performances of some of the secondary characters; the lead character's older sister being chief among them.

Bottom Line: 8 out of 10 stars!...I loved it!...VERY WELL RECOMMENDED!

For 2005, this hit show was quite forward and groundbreaking. The heroine is plump and sex is dealt with frankly, no waiting for ep 15 for a kiss. Sometimes the physical comedy is repetitive like the slapping and hitting. The saving grace is the humor is spontaneous and original. Great performances by Kim Sun Ah who put on weight for the role and a young Hyun Bin. The secondary lead actress is good too - Jung Ryeo Won. Daniel Henney is funny just by grinning. The ex boyfriend cheater is hilarious.

Worth watching and still ok by 2023 standards maybe a bit chauvinistic but that's how all the shows were then.