Love in Your Bosom (1994)

Blueprint K-romcom

So - Shin Ae Ra and Cha In Pyo married IRL after this drama. They've had a daughter, adopted two girls, and are living happily ever after indeed. Cha In Pyo is living his best life as a poet/author, and Shin Ae ra is just chilling, sometimes goes on TV, sometimes just hanging out with her fellow actress mates.

The drama is only 11 episodes long, as opposed to the usual 16 for an MBC Miniseries. I'd have liked some 5 more episodes for sure, more to that later, but, who am I to complain. We're getting 5 more decades of their cuteness, chemistry and bantering at least.

It's your classic, peak korean 90s romcom. You got the bosses, the workers, the beach trips and camp fires, the biker bois and the Ha Soobin wannabes, you got the poverty and the richness all in one. She - Lee Jin Joo, is poor and works at a clothing store in the department store that he owns. He -Kang Poong Ho , is one heckuva rich boi, playboy, whatever.
He's got another woman, Eun Chae, in his life that he technically still loves? I mean they were together before he left to America to study, but she's from a rich fam too, so, yeah, in the meantime, arranged marriage with business profits, and he loses her to his biggest rival and political/financial enemy, Jung Do il. Doesn't stop him from being controlled by his... um... organ though, LOL. The drama basically revolves around how he manages his two women - one that he used to love but can't anymore, and the one that he wants to love. The two meet too - but Jin Joo's but a salesgirl at a clothing store, so she bows her head.

Also here, kudos to the wholesome writing. No jealousy, no bitching, no "take-your-hands-off-my-man". No abusiveness, no makjang suspense, no anger to be let out. They talk with respect. Jin Joo admires Eun Chae's style, fashion, and elegance, while Eun Chae just wishes to live like Jin Joo for a day. Both address each other with respect and a weird sense of affection, knowing that they won't be an obstacle in each other's paths. And even after Jin Joo and Poong Ho share their first kiss, she adresses him as "Director-nim".

Now there were so many topics discussed apart from the enemies - to - lovers trope that the both leads go through. It's the loveless, slightly abusive marriage that Eun-chae goes through with Do-il. The fact that she has a baby and chances are high it's not his. The fact that he forces himself onto her once too often. The frequent leg shots, her characterisation just show her as what he sees her as - a trophy. An object whose emotions are not to be considered. Her character starts out as the one that a watcher is slightly put off by, but in the end, we cheer for her as she finds her path and breaks free.

It's also the queer-coded character of Jinjoo's department leader, who is affectionately called "Madam Ahjusshi". It's the little office romances that kinda get swept under the rug. It's the authentic portrayal of 90s work culture that did it for me.

As far as the plot progression goes, the enemies to lovers thing doesn't drag on too long, I think we can wait some good few episodes before they kiss (they deffo dated after that ngl), especially with the "stealing the department store from the Kang family" plotline needing to be introduced, as well as the many side characters.

As for acting, Shin Ae Ra SLAYED. She embodied Jin Joo to a tee, and I never cringed at any of her actions at all. Sure, there might have been some scenes where I chuckled at Jin Joo's innocence. Like, no way girlie was THIS sheltered LOL. It's again, a testimony to writers and casting directors picking the perfect person for the role. Cha In Pyo was a literal rookie but got a lead role, and it showed. In the first few episodes, man had no emotions in his voice whatsoever LOL. But he saved Poongho just by his vibe. Same to Lee Seung Yeon, who although slightly better on the acting side, also showed an acting progression as the episodes went on. It just goes on to show that uniqueness in looks and casting is so so needed. All it was was the vibe, the aesthetic of the character that none of the lead actors had to try much to channel it.

Music wise, the theme song is an addictive melody, and the warm fuzzy feels and the basically nonexistent tension make it a great drama to watch during the holidays or with friends, best while a bit drunk, just to enjoy the cheesiness of the 90s in fullest.

The drama is so corny, and yet so loveable, which makes it super rewatchable anytime. All in all, it's the k-romcom blueprint that birthed a star couple in Korea.

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