Love Scout

Should be called Talent Scout. There isn't much love scouting, is there?

This was sold to me as something revolutionizing romance k-drama. It doesn't. It's got its good points but overall it's a mess of a script and not much in the way of character building. It's actually got so many of the minor tropes in the construction of scenes and even character dynamics. They only switched the genders, now you have the cold female CEO and the warm, kind-hearted secretary. How is that solving anything?

Manic pixie dream boy come secretary whose main purpose it to save the female lead from whatever trouble she gets herself into and adore her unconditionally and anticipate and cater to her every whim. He is the perfect father, boyfriend, and professional, all at the same time, without any protestation. Have you seen anything like it? Cause I haven't. Must be quite a sight. Of course, I forgot to mention he is also ridiculously attractive and attracted only to her, but that goes without saying. Sounds reasonable right? What is even more laughable is that his whole thing was that he suffered professionally because he put his kid first and had to neglect work, but when he comes to her company he can spend long nights at the office, and his child is miraculously not affected by it.

The work environment in the field of head-hunting is also not very believable, I am pretty sure things don't happen that way and that easily. These company employees are miracle workers sometimes. Of course they/she had to be faced with almost insurmountable obstacles in the form of industrial espionage and conspiracies and back-stabbing. Things could not be any worse, but somehow it is all resolved, and quite easily and quickly. And when it was all crashing down nobody thought of calling some lawyers for legal protection. Whole two episodes, you are being investigated for criminal offenses, nobody had a lawyer there. This is madness.

I know there is plenty of suspension of disbelief in k-drama, but some people are really pushing it. I'm no expert so it's easy to fool me, but at least make me believe it.

As for the structure and pacing, it felt rushed and shallow towards the end. They wasted so much time on the setup and her being unbearable that if left too little time for a believable relationship or a credible resolution to the company's problems.

This woman was so insufferable for so many episodes I was having trouble imagining how they would make them fall for each other. Again, I guess you gotta believe in it.

Compared to what it promised to be this it nothing more than six. In the large pool of k-drama rom-coms it's very mid, so seven. Did not like Han Ji-min here at all, but maybe any other actress would have been just as unlikeable.

This is just a review of the first two episodes, as that is all we have to date. I am already wishing I hadn't heard of this until all episodes were released and I could binge it. I have a good feeling about this series. It appears to be 12 episodes, which, if they keep a tight storyline, will I'm sure be perfect. I'm not a fan of characters getting together and breaking up often over stupid misunderstandings just as a time filler. Although I'm happy with time away from the main characters if there are interesting secondary character plotlines. Which I think there may be going by the quick peek at the 3rd episode we received.

Right away I was interested in the premise of this series as I had enjoyed the Ryan Reynolds/Sandra Bullock romcom movie with Reynolds as the very put upon male assistant to Sandra Bullock, and I still rewatch that.

Love Scout is not a comedy but I'm loving the vibe and there were some amusing moments. I will always give a series a chance, watching at least two if not three episodes to ensure I have grasped and am in invested in the main world/character build. This caught me within 30 minutes. By the end of the 2nd episode I was immediately checking to see how long I had to wait for the next episode.

5 days!!!!!!! Luckily, as I am late to the KDrama party, (2023) I have a lot of amazing shows to catch up on. I will update next weekend.

I don't usually write reviews, but LOVE SCOUT deserves every word of love and appreciation I can give it. This isn't just another KDrama - this is the KDrama. My most favourite ever. And trust me, I've seen a lot.

What makes LOVE SCOUT so special is its simplicity, its honesty, and the beautiful way it portrays love. No unnecessary melodrama, no chaotic twists, no toxic fights or typical KDrama chaos. Just two people - Eun-ho and Kang Ji - slowly, gracefully falling in love. And that slow burn? It's so real, so tender, it stays with you long after the show ends.

I actually discovered this gem through some Insta edits of Eun-ho and Byeol. Byeol looked super cute, so I gave it a try. That one random decision changed everything. I found my perfect KDrama. The one I'll always come back to.

Han Ji-min and Lee Jun-hyuk? Absolutely flawless. Their chemistry is pure magic. They're sweet, mature, and so incredibly lovable together. I genuinely hope to see them share the screen again someday. They're that good.

Also, if you're someone who's tired of the usual KDrama tropes and over-the-top storytelling, please give LOVE SCOUT a chance. It's refreshingly different in the best way possible.

LOVE SCOUT is not just a show. It's a feeling. And for me, it's forever.

I can understand why this show is a hit. She is the CEO and he is her secretary. The gender role reversal compared to Secretary Kim is amusingly handled. The man handles everything even beyond his job description so well that it is funny. From cooking to protecting. Plus Lee Jun Hyuk always looked sharp in a suit since City Hunter and Are you Human. Like a perfect wife and husband in one. Han Ji Min is good at giving life to her no nonsense CEO character. She is smart and not a frustrating person. She says things quickly and deals with issues decisively. She has a nice hairstyle that suits her.

The premise for them to be together is good. No messy in laws and she was also from a single parent household so she understands him and his daughter.

The various clients stories are quite interesting. Makes you appreciate what a headhunter has to do.

A few flaws. Some of the other characters storylines are a bit weak at times. Like the aunt raising her niece as her son and the young director. The office humor is strained sometimes as in most kdrama office shows they have to exaggerate to create excitement. This is a watchable show.

It was a struggle to get to the end of this wearisome series. The first few episodes showcased the slooooooww build up of the lethargic romance between the two leads. He looks at her. She glances at him. He looks at her again. He blinks. They're alone in the office. He falls asleep and she touches his nose. She's had too much to drink and she leans in, but will they kiss? No. Big nothing burger. The director thinks it's an amazing scene, so they show it twice. Then the two leads experience the least exciting date I've ever seen in a Korean drama-a piano recital!

Lots of shots of the deserted office at night with one or the other leads or both of them working diligently. They enjoy lots of meals/snacks together, and product placement proliferates. A certain Korean candy bar takes center stage three times. It's name is forever burned into my psyche.

At Episode Seven, the writers wake up and realize that there's not much emotional tension in this series, so they throw in a contrived complication. She weeps. He holds her. Will this non-tragedy drive our two lovers apart?

Nope. Back to business as usual. Meanwhile, the insipid dialogue deserves an award for pointlessness: "What's your favorite weather?" "Did you ever day-drink before?" Another couple exclaim over the fact that they're both wearing the same style of shoes.

Finally, toward the end, the evil villain makes a move. Now there's actually a conflict of sorts. But it's too late. The audience has been bored into oblivion.