Fangirl_
This review may contain spoilers
A story about Love, Friendship, Companionship, Colleagues and a love for books
"We make books".
That's the motto of Gyeoroo Publishing.
"Romance is a Bonus Book" is a story about love, companionship, passion, and comfort - and shows that everyone is bound together in a book. In fact, it's up to us on how we interpenetrate this book which we've written. How is it that your favorite novel - which you've read countless times - somehow seems different the second time you read. How is it that amidst the quotes which used to be your favorite, you're finding new lines which you never bothered to look at before.
That's the story of Kang Dan Yi and Cha Eun Ho.
As a woman who once dreamed of pursuing her dreams and ambitions, Kang Dan Yi was compelled to marry a man at a young age, and leave behind the aspirations she once hoped to achieve. As a full-time housewife, and dedicating several years of her life raising her daughter and taking care of her husband, she got divorced.
In fact, that was the turning point in her life and career.
As an unemployed woman in her late 30's, it's hard for her to find a job in her expertise - despite her qualifications.
That's when her life gets tangled with her childhood friend - Cha Eun Ho - a Chief Editor and Co-Founder of a Publishing company, Gyeoroo.
What I love about this story is that isn't a mere romance. It's more than that. As viewers, we get to see the progression of Kang Dan Yi's life in the publishing company - and she teaches us many morals and life lessons along the way. In fact, I learned the in and outs of a book publication process through this drama, which is quite astonishing. A book isn't always about the story, but what makes the story worth reading. Seeing the behind the scenes and little celebration moments that the staff shared together after seeing their books get published is so wholesome and heart-warming. Outside of work, Gyeoroo Publishing is a huge family who've shared the ups and downs of life among themselves.
The romance. Ah, the romance. I was waiting to see Eun Ho's unrequited love for Kang Dan Yi being reciprocated, and it didn't disappoint me. They were so natural with one another, and every one of their interactions made me internally squeal. As childhood friends who've known each other for 20 years, changing their status from mere friends to lovers is difficult. Especially when you happen to be living together, and work at the same company. But these two are so adorably cute with one another, it's amazing. Their romance also highlights the fact that age doesn't matter when it comes to relationships - all that's necessary is a mutual love.
The side characters. I adored them. They added an extra fluffiness, humor and entertainment to the story - and it's so hard to let go of them (although we got a small glimpse of their epilogue :P). Ji Seo Joon began with being a love rival, but I soon came to love his character, especially after his interactions with Song Hae Rin (they're seriously adorable). And, Park Hoon and Oh Ji Yul's story was just hilariously cute! Those two never fail to put a smile to my face; seriously. I also loved that the drama implemented character's facing problems with their own love life too, like Seo Young Ah and Bong Ji Hong's divorce, and Go Yoon Sun's tragic history with her fiancee and her independent but lonely life.
Last, I loved the mystery aspect! It kept me so entertained throughout the drama. Even though it was a subplot, I kept trying to churn the gears in my head, trying to subconsciously figure out the 'mystery' behind Kang Byun Jun's novels and his career as an author. It was so well put together :)
All in all, I loved this show. 10/10 and would probably watch again.
(I loved the OST too!)
That's the motto of Gyeoroo Publishing.
"Romance is a Bonus Book" is a story about love, companionship, passion, and comfort - and shows that everyone is bound together in a book. In fact, it's up to us on how we interpenetrate this book which we've written. How is it that your favorite novel - which you've read countless times - somehow seems different the second time you read. How is it that amidst the quotes which used to be your favorite, you're finding new lines which you never bothered to look at before.
That's the story of Kang Dan Yi and Cha Eun Ho.
As a woman who once dreamed of pursuing her dreams and ambitions, Kang Dan Yi was compelled to marry a man at a young age, and leave behind the aspirations she once hoped to achieve. As a full-time housewife, and dedicating several years of her life raising her daughter and taking care of her husband, she got divorced.
In fact, that was the turning point in her life and career.
As an unemployed woman in her late 30's, it's hard for her to find a job in her expertise - despite her qualifications.
That's when her life gets tangled with her childhood friend - Cha Eun Ho - a Chief Editor and Co-Founder of a Publishing company, Gyeoroo.
What I love about this story is that isn't a mere romance. It's more than that. As viewers, we get to see the progression of Kang Dan Yi's life in the publishing company - and she teaches us many morals and life lessons along the way. In fact, I learned the in and outs of a book publication process through this drama, which is quite astonishing. A book isn't always about the story, but what makes the story worth reading. Seeing the behind the scenes and little celebration moments that the staff shared together after seeing their books get published is so wholesome and heart-warming. Outside of work, Gyeoroo Publishing is a huge family who've shared the ups and downs of life among themselves.
The romance. Ah, the romance. I was waiting to see Eun Ho's unrequited love for Kang Dan Yi being reciprocated, and it didn't disappoint me. They were so natural with one another, and every one of their interactions made me internally squeal. As childhood friends who've known each other for 20 years, changing their status from mere friends to lovers is difficult. Especially when you happen to be living together, and work at the same company. But these two are so adorably cute with one another, it's amazing. Their romance also highlights the fact that age doesn't matter when it comes to relationships - all that's necessary is a mutual love.
The side characters. I adored them. They added an extra fluffiness, humor and entertainment to the story - and it's so hard to let go of them (although we got a small glimpse of their epilogue :P). Ji Seo Joon began with being a love rival, but I soon came to love his character, especially after his interactions with Song Hae Rin (they're seriously adorable). And, Park Hoon and Oh Ji Yul's story was just hilariously cute! Those two never fail to put a smile to my face; seriously. I also loved that the drama implemented character's facing problems with their own love life too, like Seo Young Ah and Bong Ji Hong's divorce, and Go Yoon Sun's tragic history with her fiancee and her independent but lonely life.
Last, I loved the mystery aspect! It kept me so entertained throughout the drama. Even though it was a subplot, I kept trying to churn the gears in my head, trying to subconsciously figure out the 'mystery' behind Kang Byun Jun's novels and his career as an author. It was so well put together :)
All in all, I loved this show. 10/10 and would probably watch again.
(I loved the OST too!)
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