A Business Proposal (2022)

comédie charmante, sur un thème bateau mais qui navigue joyeusement en évitant les écueils !

Eh bien, j’ai vraiment aimé ce drama qui se joue (un peu !) des codes de la romance habituelle ! Si on a bien l’héritier riche et la fille du restaurant de poulet, les personnages se différencient des clichés psychologiques habituels. La fille riche est drôle, intelligente et pleine de bon sens, l’employée n’a rien de l’héroïne chichiteuse à laquelle les dramas/romance nous ont habituées. La psychologie des héros garçons s’est elle aussi améliorée, et l’héritier fait montre rapidement de l’originalité de ses goûts en matière de mariage ! Le grand-père chaebol est plutôt sympathique et assez marrant ! Les deux tiers ont été vraiment agréables à suivre, on ne s’attarde pas indéfiniment sur les rebondissements et Dieu merci on échappe au traditionnel « je-t’aime-mais-je-te-quitte » car les personnages ont assez de bon sens pour ne pas y tomber ! Cependant j’ai trouvé les derniers épisodes plus faibles, l’opposition du grand-père paraissant tout-à-fait artificielle (il devrait voir un ophtalmo, ne pas avoir reconnu Ha Ri !! ). De plus la toute fin est un peu en queue de poisson, tant qu’à faire de la romance, autant aller jusqu’au bout et j’aurais bien aimé un peu plus de détails sur le côté concret (réaction du milieu des affaires, des employés de la boîte, des parents de Ha Ri, et surtout leur rencontre avec le grand-père !
Mais il semblerait qu’il y aurait une deuxième saison, donc ça expliquerait cette fin !
En tous cas c’est un joli drama, un bon moment à passer sans pour autant sombrer dans la cucuterie intégrale ! Les acteurs sont très bons, particulièrement les femmes !! les dialogues aussi, c’est léger et drôle, et je le recommande pour se distraire d’une actualité désolante !

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Sympathique

Avec ce drama, pour moi, on s'éloigne un peu de ce qui fait l'essence des dramas romantiques coréens : Tout dans la lenteur, la suggestion et autre.
Cela ne veut pas dire qu'il n'est pas bien, loin de là, j'ai passé un agréable moment. Mais force est de constater quand même que la romance est clairement assumée et montrée et , et ce, pour les deux couples.

Le couple principal matche bien, ils sont touchants, même si plus long à démarrer.

Par contre le couple secondaire démarre vite et fort, et les questions viennent après. c'est une façon de mener la chose différemment. Cela dit, j'ai beaucoup aimé ce qu'ils apportaient à la série, et ils ont très bien porté ce couple.

La série est pleine d'humour et c'est aussi ce qui fait que j'ai passé un bon moment.

Le petit bémol : 12 épisodes, certains trouveront la longueur parfaite, d'autre trop court. Personnellement, j'ai surtout été déçue du dernier épisode. Beaucoup parle d'épisode "bâclé" et je crois que je suis d'accord. Dommage.

Cela reste quand même une comédie romantique à découvrir, sympa, et plus "réaliste" que la plupart des Kdramas quand on aime ça.

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Drôle, amusant et mignon, «A Business Proposal» ne manque pas de faire sourire et rire, et ce, à pratiquement tous les épisodes. Avec seulement 12 épisodes, en plus, le visionnement passe très rapidement, sans même que l’on ne voit le temps passer. Que ce soit la romance principale ou la secondaire, les deux sont toutes aussi intéressantes à voir, et on suit tous les personnages avec plaisir, d’autant plus que les amitiés sont également mises en valeur, ce qui est un autre avantage pour ce drama ! Je le recommande avec plaisir pour ceux qui veulent un drama plus « feel-good », qui redonne le sourire !

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Avis Complet sur mon Blog :
https://lamagiedeshistoires.wordpress.com/2024/07/17/a-business-proposal-avis/

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❤❤❤ Perfect Rom-com ❤❤❤ A masterpiece !

I hesitated for a long time before watching this drama, because I'm a little tired of Office Romances and the cold and arrogant CEO plot / poor but warm FL.

Eventually, I watch it for Ahn Hyo Seop.

And I haven't regretted it at any moment. It's almost a masterpiece of its kind, almost PERFECT.

- The rhythm is lively, with a total mastery of the balance humour/romance/emotion.

- The story is realistic (the CL is a bit like Mary Sue & Gary Stu :) anyway) but the whole thing is brought to life by great actors.
The FL is smart, strong (it changes nicely) and the ML brilliantly achieves the Hate=>love evolution. Honestly, we all dream of a lover like that...
The secondary characters are well developed and endearing: the best friend, the assistant (the CL2) are adorable and touching; Grand father ; the members of Team 1; etc
I haven't developed a 2LS for the friend of the love triangle, who is annoying with his indecision, his blandness. But the actor is great in this role to have interpreted such a borring character.
There are no evil characters, the bad-evil-selfish girl ready to do anything for her interests (the chef's girlfriend remains more or less within the malevolent standards).

- Technically too, it's excellent! The special effects and sound effects give spice to the scenes, the OSTs are catchy.

Conclusion: don't miss this drama if you want to relax, dream a little and smile (a lot)!
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J'ai longuement hésité avant de regardé ce drama, car je suis un peu fatiguée des Office Romances et du plot CEO froid et arrogant / FL pauvre mais chaleureuse.

Finalement, je me suis lancée pour Ahn Hyo Seop.

Et je ne l'ai pas regretté un instant. C'est quasiment un chef d’œuvre du genre, presque PARFAIT.

- Le rythme est vif, avec une totale maitrise de l'équilibre humour/ romantisme/émotion.

- La story est réaliste (le CL est un peu Mary & Peter Sue :) quand même)mais l'ensemble est mis en vie par de supers acteurs.
La FL est intelligente, forte (ça change agréablement) et le ML réalise avec brio l'évolution Hate=>love. Franchement, on rêve toutes d'un lover comme ça...
Les personnages secondaires sont bien développés et attachants : la meilleure amie, l'assistant (le CL2) sont adorables et touchants ; le grand-père ; les membres de la Team 1 ; etc.
Je n'ai pas développé de 2LS pour l'ami du triangle amoureux, qui est énervant avec son indécision, ses atermoiements perpétuels. Mais c'est tout le talent de l'acteur d'avoir interprété un tel personnage.
Il n'y a pas evil characteres, peste prête à tout pour ses intérêts (la girlfriend du chef cuisinier reste à peu près dans les normes malveillantes).

- Techniquement aussi, c'est excellent ! Les effets spéciaux et bruitages donnent du piquant aux scènes, les OST sont entrainantes.

Conclusion : ne ratez pas ce drama si vous voulez vous détendre, rêver un peu et sourire (beaucoup) !

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Une comédie romantique comme on les aime

Un drama « feel good ». Pas de surprise dans le scénario mais du coup j’ai adoré la sûreté du scénario dans ce drama. Une vrai comédie romantique comme je les aime.

Les deux leads masculins sont tellement plaisant à regarder. Aussi beau l’un que l’autre 🥵 !

En plus on ne s’ennuie pas du tout, l’amitié folle entre les filles est géniale. Elles m’ont fait rire et sourire plus d’une fois. Le grand-père est super drôle (j’ai adoré la scène avec son masque).

Les romances sont vraiment géniale, autant la romance principale que la secondaire. J’ai beaucoup apprécié que Tae Moo découvre assez vite la véritable identité de Ha-ri.

J’attendais les nouveaux épisodes avec impatience chaque semaine ! Je vous le recommande à 100 %.

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Cliches done right!

THIS is how you incorporate all the cliches without making them annoying. THIS is how you incorporate humor without making it loud and cringy. THIS is how you do the perfect rom-com.

Business Proposal felt like a throwback to early 2010 k-dramas and the golden age of romantic comedies, but it modernized it and fixed all the frustrating misunderstandings and miscommunications that made me tear my hair out back then.

I felt like the friendships were such an important part of this show from beginning to end and it made it that much better. The FLs and MLs are each so supportive of each other with their respective family situations, the coworkers are also such a supportive team, and it made the show that much more comforting to watch even when side characters came in to sabotage things as they usually do.

I admit that the ending is a little short and leaves some scenes and closure to be desired — but I understand that we only had twelve episodes and there probably wasn't much time to spend on some of the more interesting, non-romance subplots like backstories and family issues.

Nevertheless, if you're looking for something light-hearted and stress-free, this drama is the one.

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U-turn on expectations and clichés.

Not gonna lie - I dropped the show after the first two episodes. They were fine, but did not grab my attention. Next week I felt like watching a rom-com, so I picked it up again, and from that moment I just enjoyed the silly ride it took me for. They really played into, and at the same time broke all the cliches of kdrama rom-coms, and it was so much fun to watch

The story is something we have seen countless times - a fake relationship leads to a real one. Rich guy falls for a poor girl, yet few twists made it much more compelling and interesting. The female lead was not a damsel in distress - she is competent, friendly, strong. The male lead was not a cold lead - he is a cute and soft potato. The father was not evil, rather funny and a bit childish. The best friend second lead deal is dealt with in a realistic manner.

While the conflicts and issues between the main couple come from their different backgrounds, the second couple’s issues come from the differences of their personalities. Thanks to that we see a variety of interesting situations that kept me entertained.

That said, there was one side plot situation that had quite an impact on the characters and their behavior, but then was gone and never mentioned, simply because the current plot progression did not need it anymore. I wished we had some kind of closure or explanation for it.

The characters were all quite fun to follow. Except for the main cast that delivered a good performance, I want to talk about Seo Hye Won who played Jo Yoo Jung Young Seo's cousin. The girl was hilarious. Her random English lines with cartoonish subtitles on screen were some of the best scenes. She was extremely over the top, but it worked perfectly in the context of the show and overall tone.

While I have no huge complaints about any of the performances, I was slightly disappointed with Kim Min Gue. His character lacked expression. I get that he was this well mannered, stoic, logic driven guy, but I was just not completely convinced by his delivery.

It’s an over the top romantic comedy - funny sounds, funny animations, funny subtitles on the screen, but all of that was rather fitting and elevated the scenes - be it making them more funny, cute, sometimes cringe. I mean, the whole show is cringe, but I appreciate how they embraced that. Sometimes it’s the way to go - don’t take yourself too seriously, so people can enjoy it for what it is.

I don’t really have much to say about the soundtrack. All the songs were nice, cute and matching the drama, but the only one that truly caught my attention was Han Seung Yoon’s Whatever You Want.

Overall, if you are in the mood for romance, I don’t think you will find any better production from the past few years. It was cute, entertaining, did not have any over the top problematic plot lines, no random murder mystery we sometimes see in Korean rom-coms. Sometimes all one needs is good looking people falling in love with each other and all the cringe and sweet butterflies that come with it.

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Everyone Deserve a Treat Like This Drama Once In A While

101% RECOMMENDED
This drama started with a bang and continued to be my Fav Mon/Tue drama in march 2022 though there are many other Ongoing dramas that are good, but what makes this drama special is that it's fun and easy to watch, the best choice for binge-watching you just put this show on you'll have the most fun time and would Giggling for 8 hours and 4 hours you would be swooning over the romance. it's a fast-paced romance line either it's the first lead or second lead, this drama is filled with amazingly passionate couple chemistry and makes this drama so swoon-worthy... A drama can't be any more cliche than this one, but in every scene, you will be like "ok this has been done before but never on this level". this show has a unique quality that it doesn't make u irritated with its cliche plot but makes it more interesting and enjoyable due to its comic timing. Once you put it on you'll be eager for more and more that's how good this show is...
The reason I started watching this drama was that it was the newest Kdrama on Netflix with only 1 episode out and DANG I was hooked since, just because it was easily available on Netflix and Trailer seemed so fun, that I started watching it instantly; I had to suffer 6 weeks to finally see it's ending but surely this drama made MARCH 2022 SO MUCH FUN (jeez I'm gonna miss this drama so much).
Some Like 1st lead couple and some Like 2nd lead couple and it's totally alright but no need to compare these couples, BOTH couple's chemistry makes this drama Balanced and Worth checking out as the drama shows different aspects of romance.
Young Seo & Hari Are the best best-friends ever. A perfect example of a friend in need is a friend indeed (throughout the series they are seen cheering and helping out each other )
OVERALL: This drama is very good to watch, relaxing and gives a good laugh and constantly reminded me of how single I am...lol
*HONOURABLE Mention: Kim Min-Kyu with glasses... Is so CHARISMATIC... *wanjeon jalsaeng-gyeosso* (AND its special use in episode 8 had me freaked out...FIREee)
;P
...
REASONS TO WATCH:
+Bromance and Sismance=10/10
+Grandfather and Grandsons=8/10
+Awesome chemistry Between all the character=10/10
+Fake Jin Young Seo Scenes=11/10
+friendship between the leads=10/10
+comedy scenes=9/10
+Catchy OSTs=9/10
+A Light hearted destressing story=8.7/10
+fun watch
+short
+All the DIALOGUES are Catchy, Exciting and hilarious at the same time, 10/10
BUT MY FAVOURITE:
*KANG TAEMOO: I'm quite good... at many things. (EP1)
*SHIN HARI: Makes Samantha & Rachel very sad. (EP1), Archaeopteryx (EP2)
*CHA SUNG HOON: I’ll make sure that you never forget. (EP7)
*JIN YOUNG SEO: If you don't I'm really... gonna cross the line. (EP6)
...
REASON SOME MIGHT NOT WATCH:
-Cliche (but in a most enjoyable way)
-PURE ROM/COM (THE BEST OUT THERE)
-CRINGEY (BUT Alluring)
-FAST-PACED ROMANCE (totally the reason why I watched)
-NARCISSISTIC MALE LEAD (BUT TAEMOO IS DAMN CUTE BEING THAT WAY :* )
-RICH AND POOR (who doesn't like seeing rich lead flexing ;p )
-IF YOU PREFER ACTION, THRILLER, SUSPENSE OVER ROM/COM (this is the only reason one might not wanna watch it but still TRY IT and take a break from Action/Thriller types dramas, I'm sure everyone will love it)
...
CONS FOR ME:
*are only 12 episodes... [wish it was a bit longer (maybe 16 episodes) and we could have seen them all for a little while longer...]
...
*PS: I hope you all will LOVE this drama as much as I did*... and if you don't then we can't be friends ever... lol
AGAIN= *101% RECOMMENDED

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‘ Business Proposal’; The Revamped Rom-Com Formula With A Few Tricks Up Its Sleeve…

It is likely that most K-drama viewers can agree that the late 2000s to early 2010s was an era in the world of K-dramas predominated by melodrama and angst . Indeed for better or for worse, ‘ Business Proposal’ attempted to capture that in its rom-com formula.

‘ Business Proposal’ focuses upon Shin Ha-ri (Kim Se-Jeong- ‘ School 2017’, ‘ I Wanna Hear Your Song’ and ‘ Uncanny Counter’), a relatively new researcher at one of South-Korea’s top conglomerate enterprises, GO Food. Ha-Ri has always had an unrequited crush on Lee Min-Woo( Song Won-seok- ‘ Swan’, ‘ Switch’ and ‘ Never Twice’), a close friend since their university days. However after having her heart broken once again by Min-Woo, Ha-Ri soon begins to reevaluate her feelings.

Meanwhile Ha-Ri’s best friend and chaebol heiress Jin Young Seo ( Seol In Ah- ‘ Sunny Again Tomorrow’, ‘ Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life’ and ‘ Mr Queen’) discovers that she will soon be forced to go on a romantic date with a rich CEO’s son, much to her displeasure.Asking Ha-Ri to take her place, Ha-Ri agrees to do so in order to pay off a family debt.

When Ha-Ri shows up as Jin Young Seo, she soon discovers that her “date” is with the president of her company, Kang Tae Mu ( Ahn Hyo Seop- ‘ My Father Is Strange’, ‘ Thirty But Seventeen’ and ‘ Dr Romantic 2’).

Kang Tae-Mu is a straight-laced and career-orientated individual, even being labelled by his grandfather and founder of GO Food, Kang Da Goo( Lee Deok Hwa- ‘ Age Of Warriors’, ‘ Suspicious Partner’ and ‘ Hit The Top’), as a “workaholic”. ( Especially after the incident surrounding his inauguration ceremony.)

The “first date” is calamitous for Ha-Ri but unbeknownst to her, Tae-Mu has felt differently. Confiding in his chief of staff , Cha Sung-hoon (Kim Min-Gue-‘ Romance Special Law’, ‘ Perfume’ and ‘ Snowdrop’) that he will marry “ Jin Young Seo” ( aka Ha-Ri) in order to keep his grandfather off his back, Ha-Ri’s ordinary life is soon filled with an assortment of complicated and sticky misunderstandings.

‘ A Business Proposal’ is based on the lighthearted rom-com webtoon,  ‘The Office Blind Date’ ( ‘사내 맞선’) by Hae-Hwa. Adapted to the small screen by screenwriters Han Sul Hee ( ‘ Ugly Miss Ae’, ‘ A Love Story’) and Han Bo Hee ( ‘ High Kicked!: The Revenge Of The Short Legged’ and ‘ Standby’), “ will likely appease and dissatisfy viewers of equal measure.

Of course, it is important to specify that ‘ A Business Proposal’ is supposed to encapsulate a certain “easygoing nostalgia” from rom-coms. For the most part ‘ A Business Proposal’ did possess a lighthearted, easygoing and fluffy edge; occasionally tipping into angst-ridden melodrama in order to “spice up” certain events of the narrative and keep viewers intrigued . ( This was particularly apparent with the “clandestine ” events surrounding the main leads’ relationship as well as lingering questions throughout the narrative surrounding the traumatic past of main male lead Kang Tae Mu.)

It is important to point out that the main leads in the series played by Kim Se Jeong and Ahn Hyo Seop were fairly delightful. Indeed despite some strained initial interactions onscreen, Se Jeong and Hyo Seop possessed a surprisingly easygoing chemistry as the series progressed between their onscreen personas.

However their onscreen roles Shin Ha-Ri and Kang Tae-Mu were admittedly not without their writing flaws. As a female lead and the main heroine of the series , Ha-Ri was established to be the “ hardworking” archetype. On the other hand, it is hard to ignore that while Ha-Ri does continue to maintain her hardworking ethos alongside her complicated feelings for Tae-Mu, she could sometimes be passive with her reactions and actions in the events of the series. ( This became apparent at times by Ha-Ri being “ beckoned by the calling of plot dilemmas” rather than character growth.)

For example one of the most noticeable problems of the drama arose from Ha-Ri’s personal drive and motives. Although it is arguable that Ha-Ri may have done so as a consequence from direct and indirect influences by her parents ( although the same cannot be said particularly for her brother per say) , it was hard to truly define or highlight exact causes given by Ha-Ri for entering this profession as a food researcher with sincerity. (Although this may seem like a nuanced and minor background point, it could’ve easily allowed Ha-Ri’s character to possess more definitive edges.) Instead Ha-Ri was often subjugated to the role as the “ thinker”; a brilliant idealist with a multitude of possible projects and new ideas for the company . However even as viewers, we rarely saw some of these ideas being taken further by Ha-Ri chasing her own dreams , or at least attempts by the female lead to become more ambitious with her imagination. ( Of course this may seem like a nitpicked detail but it seemed odd that the narrative would often highlighted Ha-Ri’s dexterous talents as a food researcher and her possible ideas but rarely pushed forward for it to the synchronic with the female lead’s character growth and development.)

Of course, this naturally brings up the discussion surrounding Tae-Mu and Ha-Ri’s relationship throughout the drama. Although as mentioned previously the onscreen chemistry between Kim Se Jeong and Ahn Hyo Seop is surprisingly dynamic, there is admittedly a lot to discuss surrounding their onscreen personas’ relationship.

Perhaps the most evident point of discussion and initial debate around Ha-Ri and Tae-Mu’s relationship can be sourced from one of the trope-induced setups of the series; “the contractural relationship”.

Admittedly Ha-Ri and Tae-Mu have both consented to the relationship and for different reasons. ( Ha-Ri’s motives being sourced for money to help pay off a debt while Tae-Mu’s causes can be found in order to appease his grandfather.) On the other hand it is hard to ignore that the initial treatment by Tae-Mu towards Ha-Ri as merely being a “ cause to an end” for his troubles ( and vice versa to an extent with Ha-Ri) as well as even offering money to Ha-Ri as an incentive to keep his grandfather off his back, could feel as though it was problematic by the narrative rarely pointing this out as a serious issue of discussion.


Of course it would be wrong to suggest that Tae-Mu and Ha-Ri doesn’t grow beyond the roles of the contractor and the contractee. As the series progresses and impassioned feelings grow for one another, the narrative relished within opportunities to highlight the obvious feelings of the “ lovelorn” main leads for one another. In later episodes of the narrative , this would often trigger an onset of misunderstandings and attempts by the main leads to “ cover up” their situations from work colleagues and family alike. Although the series did gradually present their potential onscreen relationship with more overt honesty ( especially with regards to Tae-Mu telling Ha-Ri about his traumatic past), this did often gloss over earlier issues of the series as a consequence. ( This was mainly due to the fact that Tae-Mu and Ha-Ri’s initial problems even for the effect of “ tension” such as Tae-Mu’s attempts to convince Ha-Ri with money, Ha-Ri’s reaction and fake guises as well as later treatment by Tae-Mu, were rarely brought up openly by the characters in order to acknowledge their mistakes and accept all of their faults as a point of further character growth .)

Under the creative leadership of screenwriters Han Sul Hee and Han Bo Hee, ‘ A Business Proposal’ offered viewers with a pacy narrative filled with the events surrounding the main storyline as well as several subplots in order to pad out the drama’s screen time .

Of course, thus isn’t a particularly unusual tactic used by screenwriters. However while this did offer opportunities for viewers to be intrigued and captivated by the events of the narrative, it could often enforce the classic dilemma of juggling a lot of different storylines. This could often lead to some of the minor counterplots of the series feeling rushed or somewhat anticlimactic by the ending of the series.

Perhaps one of the major subplots to discuss within ‘ A Business Proposal’ surrounds the potential onscreen relationship between second male leads, Jin Young Seo ( Ha-Ri’s best friend) and Cha Sung-Hoon ( Tae-Mu’s chief of staff). Young Seo and Sung-Hoon were characters who possessed less definitive storylines than the main leads.

Of course this isn’t particularly unusual per say in a drama but it seemed as though the series often moved away from initial inferences given by Young-Seo and Sung-Hoon’s character arcs to be explored in more depth. ( This can be particularly applied to Young Seo’s family situation and naivety rarely being brought up as a point of character growth, as well as Sung-Hoon’s own familial situation.) Of course Young Seo and Sung Hoon were supposed to play the roles of the “ assets” to the narrative and screen time . ( Although admittedly Young Seo was shown to make an executive decision with regards to her own dreams by the ending of the series, it was rarely given a concise buildup.)

Although Young Seo and Sung Hoon’s onscreen relationship was surprisingly sweet and offered lighthearted respite at times from the angst taking place in the main storyline, it could often feel rushed as a consequence of inconsistent screen time given to the secondary couple. In addition to Young Seo and Seung Hoon’s potential relationship being used as a major subplot, there were also minor focuses to draw out the narrative upon Ha-Ri’s workplace colleagues ( especially in order to highlight the potential onscreen chemistry and jovial animosity between her superior manager Yeo Eui Ju [Kim Hyun Sook] and team member Kevin [Im Ki Hong]), Tae-Mu’s grandfather and his fixation upon soaps and makjangs, Ha-Ri’s parents, Ha-Ri’s old crush Lee Min Woo and his initial jealousy towards Tae-Mu as well as Young Seo’s “ love rival” offered as comic relief, flamboyant and the eccentric Marine Group Director Jo Yoo Jung( Seo Hye Won).

Nevertheless it’s wrong to entirely digress ‘ A Business Proposal’ without acknowledging some of its impressive feats, specifically the directing leadership of Park Seon Ho ( ‘ Birth Of A Beauty’, ‘ Suspicious Partner’ and ‘ My Strange Hero’). Throughout episodes, ‘ A Business Proposal’ displayed some impressively mesmeric and creative touches; differing from minimalist palettes to vivid and slick editing cuts. Although these imaginative touches dwindled in later episodes and instead highlighted minimalist approaches to filming and palettes, it certainly offered an onset of aesthetic shots throughout the first-half of the series. ( One of the most memorable scenes coming from the narrative bringing to life the cover story for Ha-Ri and Tae-Mu’s “ initial encounter”; Ha-Ri imagining a monochrome and drizzly day in New York, before her entire being-quite literally- is brightened up by the sudden appearance of Tae-Mu and a canary yellow umbrella onscreen.)

For those intrigued about the accompanied soundtrack, ‘ A Business Proposal’’s OST is mainly comprised of an array of saccharine, upbeat and lovelorn ballads; some of which were admittedly generic and quick to disappear from memory. However, fast-paced tempo song ‘ You Are Mine’ by VICTON (빅톤), sweet vocal track ‘Love, Maybe’ (‘사랑인가 봐’) by SECRET NUMBER and ballad-style composition ‘ Melting’ by BAMBAM were particularly noteworthy tracks.

‘ A Business Proposal’ offered its audience with a nostalgic sweet and lighthearted topping of angst, cliches and romantic relationships throughout the duration of the series. Although ‘ A Business Proposal’ boasted an unoriginal plot premise with several writing flaws and tropes, the narrative did surprisingly offer several unexpected takes upon the setup, with decent onscreen chemistry between the main leads as well as imaginative takes upon filming and editing. Overall while ‘ A Business Proposal’ may not appease everyone with its niche dilemmas and plot premise, the series will offer a sugary and sickly sweet ride for anyone looking for an updated and lighthearted take upon old-school rom-coms. Overall, a decent binge-watch.

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This drama was filmed in the wrong era

If this drama was out at the same time as Boys Over Flowers or Secret Garden or something, I would be more understanding. But this drama felt like they were just following the Book of K-Drama Cliches. I have watched cliche dramas before that work just fine, but this was just straight up boring and outdated. Everything was predictable, from the dialogue to the tropes. There was barely anything to the plot to keep the drama moving. I felt like I was watching filler ep after filler. No wonder there's only 12 eps.

I thought we have moved past the I-will-bother-you-till-you-like-me-Sehoon-Lee Min Ho-like romance. The main couple barely shared any connection and had no chemistry. The second couple was slightly better, but they also didn't match in compatibility.

The only unique factor was the English speaking cousin.

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A Korean billionaire romance with potential

Seven episodes in, I'm yet to see what the proposal is or what it has to do with any of the businesses in the show because the contractual relationship doesn't seem to be it considering how it was treated. ABP is also guilty of following several stereotypes and clichés that are now so old that they might as well be outdated. How many times haven't we already watched/read a story of a fake identity/contractual relationship? In how many dramas have we not seen women subtly or unsubtly directly or indirectly taking each other down? Since I've not read the original work this series is based on, I can't say if this typical storytelling is the brainchild of the author or the screenwriter but for the premise it promises, it lacks substance.

There is the usual hardworking middle class family of the female lead, her equally crazy and supportive best friend who, refreshingly, has a thing for the second male lead, the charismatic and rich hero who has a tragic past, a sweet and reserved SML who is his best friend and an eccentric grandfather who just wants to hold great grandchildren in his arms. So, the characters are ready, and the foundation is laid but when these are established, there is not much to take the story forward. ABP thus transcends genres in the sense that it jumps from comedy to romance to what is looking to be melo. The point of discontent here is that the story had (still has) potential but instead goes chasing after useless elements.

An unrequited crush who leads the heroine on, his on again-off again girlfriend who is existentially jealous of Shin Ha Ri and a perverted neighbour are plot devices of yesteryears, not 2022. Of course, the men save their women every time and the two women have nothing to talk about other than their suitors or love interests. When this first happened in episode 1, I decided to wait out and hope for some betterment, seeing that it all begins with a blind date, but nothing seems to have improved from then to now. While passing the Bechdel test is not indicative of how well a series does, it is tiring to see women whose entire lives revolve around men, and not themselves. That the original novel has a better reason for Ha Ri agreeing to the contract is just another fact to lament.

BUT the male characters are written well. Their traits are cute, lovable and new. A big plus to ABP's characterisation is their gentleness. How often do we find an old man addicted to dramas so much that he actually sets up alarms and gives a running commentary while watching them? I can totally see Ha Ri's mother and Tae Moo's grandpa hitting it off when they meet. Tae Moo, in turn, maybe an archaeopteryx who for whatever reason puts on a cold and severe look (that looks very put on) but he's actually a big softie who likes to clean Sung Hoon's apartment whenever he's stressed. Then there's this fuzzy fur ball of a Sung Hoon who's just fluff bundled into a human. Nothing much can be said of Ha Ri and Yeong Soo but the food product development team is a delight (pun intended). Music delivers and after a while, the drama is watchable only for its actors.

It's not that ABP is bad. Even though it takes its women for granted, it gives them room to breathe. They make their own decisions, and they initiate the relationships when they are ready. There are no toxic narcissistic overbearing tropes to be found. It's just that ABP fails to utilise its characters, their quirks and a solid foundation of a popular and successful premise.

NOTE: Ratings may vary by the time the drama ends and if, like I'm hoping, the show redeems itself, this review may vary too.
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EDIT: Turns out I was rather wishful. The last two episodes were particularly over the top dramatic, as if no one knew how to end this story. I guess they didn't. The characters don't change and even until the end, remain good on their own, failing in their dynamics with other characters. The plot takes unnecessary turns that are illogical and are not given a proper closure. Min Woo and Yoo Ra remain consistent in how much of a train wreck they are, and their arcs remain meaningless. Tae Moo's past also meanders into a dead end.

There is some pointless last episode drama as well and we see some deviation in characters here- favourite grandpa unusually (but maybe not unexpectedly) turns into a typical mother-in-law and instead of seeing a rosy wedding (which in my opinion would have saved the drama's ending), there is just added frustration. He also never got to meet the owners of the chicken house, and he'd wished his granddaughter would come from a modest family like that in the first episode. *sigh*

Even though it puts a smile on our faces, ABP largely remains a wasted potential, and the lone bright spot remains the Tae Moo- Sung Hoon duo. It makes me want to ask- why are people still writing such shallow plots and why are people still watching them? Most importantly, why is it that people think visuals and kisses can salvage a story? (The high ratings despite everything will probably explain it).

ABP is lighthearted and doesn't take itself seriously at any point. Recommended only for those looking for some sweet mindless romance.

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Another overhyped netflix drama with no substance.

It's basically a take on all annoying cliches from the kdrama world - chaebol guy with a traumatic family childhood meets a lively, poor girl who turns his whole world upside down. Plus, there's the chaebol's family going against the relationship (what a surprise). An annoying love triangle exists too.

If you're like me, an avid long time Kdrama fan who's fed up with these cliches, you really should avoid this drama if you don't want to feel annoyed. I always crave for dramas that are realistic and relatable, and sadly this isn't one of them.

A lot of people also mention the chemistry between the leads as their favorite, but honestly, I didn't feel any spark at all. The acting was also too bad. The male lead was trying too hard to replicate the main lead in What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (with the countless hair touches) and it really din't work for him. (heard the webtoon really portrayed this but come one guys) I hope he gets a better roles next time cause he's actually good.

The only plus side I found was the female lead's job of being a product researcher. I often find it amusing how kdramas can romanticize jobs that often go unnoticed. This drama amazed me only in that aspect.

Really, skip it. They keep saying that this drama did all the cliches right... It honestly didn't.

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