I was satisfied with the plot as it was very well rounded and as there were no loose ends. I really appreciate the way it unfolded which was very neat. Everything fell right into place, this drama is one of those that make you feel at ease as there is no unnecessary dragging of the plot and complications that are out of place, everything is gradual and build up in a way that everything happening makes sense.
The characters apart from being well cast, they were all given attention and had a path laid out as they made progress in a heartwarming and natural way. All of the supporting characters were very endearing in unique ways and got to show a lot of their charm. For me, the most wonderful thing was friendship shining through with all of them on multiple occasion showing their shared desire to care for others. As for the mains I was very happy to see that none of their problems were created by misunderstandings or unpredictable happenings beyond their control which always puts me off, they were very considerate of each other and also acted like mature, healthy, functioning adults while their behavior and decisions were aligned with their character and that is a very big win for me. And I have to mention that the main female lead was very wonderfully written, showing a strong, kind, patient side and in so many ways a favorite with a delivery executed in a very graceful manner. Also the main couple was pretty cute without it ever being too much and the actors had chemistry.
Even though I am not the type to ever re-watch, if I ever felt down and wanted a safe bet for making myself feel better this drama would definitely manage to lift my mood without losing any of its qualities.
Over all I really enjoyed it as it didn't get too depressing but was also consistent and had a lot of beautiful moments. I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to watch something soft and fuzzy but also with a plot that gradually progresses in a light and neat way.
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On a more positive note, the performances were good and the bookish refrences nicely done. The side characters' stories were interesting as well. So, 6 out of 10, because I loved the first part, but the second one was boring.
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This review may contain spoilers
RIABB is a drama perfectly fitted for the period when the winter has been going on for too long, you want to something to warm you up and you are tired of tea and soup. It has a lot going for it – nice characters, great chemistry, interesting themes – but ends up only slightly above average.At first, the drama is defined by Kang Dan-i and you root for her since the beginning. Joining back the job market after a break is a worldwide theme and when you are confronted with the heartbreaking truth of what was really going on with her, you cannot help it but be on her side. One thing this drama does so well is showing the unspoken in relationships, the things that hurt so much yet belong behind closed doors and women are often told, that that’s just how things are. I found myself crying over one of the stories of the side characters that got also divorced - her situation was so ordinary yet touching in a profound way. And the writers not only showed these things but presented us with strengths for these characters in friendships rooted in understanding and patience. There is plenty of good female friendships and bromances as well.
The core of the drama slowly shifts toward the relationship between Dan-I and Eun-ho and it’s a delight. What I loved the most was that it was shown through the everyday life, built on strong foundation, acceptance, nurture and care. The other romantic relationships formed in the drama felt also really nice and natural.
The workplace is a major part of RIABB and it’s a dream to work in. I also felt like the actors themselves had such a good time filming the drama that it showed through. There was also one mystery which I felt was a bit extra but tied into the story comprehensively. It’s a character driven drama which makes the tempo quite slow and it makes you feel the length of some of the episodes.
Overall though, I liked it and looked forward to every weekend to watch it, thanks to Netflix and the quick upload with subtitles. But I don’t think that there were those memorable moments worth coming back to that soon.
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This review may contain spoilers
WHAT I LIKED: The acting was amazing. The characters are all lovable, especially all the ones excluding the main couple. The color palette was so pleasing to the eye, as well as the furnishings, the clothes, the ambience was all fitting to the story and a joy to look at. I loved everything involving books, as a book lover myself. I loved the interactions between the founding members of Gyeoroo, especially Eun Ho and the President. I also loved the sisterhood between Ms. Go, Ms. Seo and Kang Dan-i. That was my favorite part of the entire drama.WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: The plot weakened towards the second half of the drama. Gyeoroo allowed Kang Dan-i to resign for something that wasn't even her fault in the end, and was even on the verge of firing her, and then she was referred to a small, shady publishing company for who knows what reason (I can't believe Ms. Go would do that!) , then rehired to Gyeoroo when the President was reminded that they have a "special recruitment policy". I mean what?? Couldn't you think of that right after she'd resigned and y'all were missing her?
Kang Dan-i never speaks of her past life as married woman, and after one scene of her videocalling her daughter on the phone, there is no mention of the daughter again. I found it very disturbing, considering that she laments her divorcee and mom status when thinking about dating again. The story focuses solely on her struggles to reenter the workforce, and her experiences as a wife and mother do not factor in at all in her growth. I get that the husband was an utter jerk and deserved a nice beating, but a complete omission of that aspect of her life didn't sit well with me.
I found Eun Ho's character and his relationship with Kang Dan-i hard to swallow, and not just because of a meh chemistry. Eun Ho is that perfect man that shouldn't even exist in kdramaland; rich, handsome editor, professor and successful writer who is down-to-earth, responsible, friendly, kind, and sensitive, who has suffered a one-sided love for his noona for twenty years, is ready to buy expensive clothes for her, furnish a room in his house for her, will wash dishes for her and cook food for her, help her here and there at her job at Gyeoroo, is ready to stand up for her whenever possible, and will rush to her when she's hurting (Except when he didn't keep in touch with her enough to know she had been divorced a year ago and was pretty much homeless?) What's more is that Dan-i just seems to take and take and give back very little. Sure she saved him from an accident when he was little, and she helped him out with some problems involving his parents a long time ago, but for a woman who wants to write her own story and not be a Cinderella, she does get rescued by him in the first few episodes. She's older than him but at times he was the mature person between the two, especially when it came to expressing love.
Both Dan-i and Eun Ho (as individuals) seem too nice to be believable. I did like her interactions with Ji Seo Jun, and of course I loved the dog! I think that the Seo Jun - Hye Rin pair seemed just a tad forced in the last episode.
The only thing that kept me going was the support characters and their hilarious interactions.
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Romance Is A Bonus Book is really well-written K-drama complemented with amazing casts. This one has put me into a state of emotional mess. It had me feel so sad and yet made me laugh. It got me curious, and it gave me answers. It didn't have any unnecessary plot-twists that can potentially lead to a dragging development. It has a rather simple storyline but I think it's how the writers really want it. It is very heartwarming,
The casts are EXCEPTIONAL. All the crying scenes are just daebak! They are also effectively funny (or at least for me). There are many supporting characters given the setting of the story, but the important ones had their time to rightfully shine and have their own stories and character developments. The production did a great job in choosing these casts.
As a bookworm myself, and someone who is also personally related to book publishers to some extent, I just want to express my massive appreciation to the producers for not making the "romance" overshadow everything else. In fact, rather than the romance, I think I paid more attention to the message about books. The will to express the passion of the people behind the books we read, the essence of creating books, the references made about books in correlation to the characters' life experiences. I just love everything! And I learned a lot about the behind the scenes of book publishing — the editorial part, the printing and marketing. Ah, really AMAZING!
Not only that — the way they approached and tackled different sensitive topics like mental illness, marriage and divorce, was stellar! I watched these parts with heavy heart because they felt so real. ALSO, mad props for showing a positive representation of the LGBT community. Although it was rather short, it wasn't forced, it was just there so casually, so subtle, so right!
I haven't gushed over K-drama in a while. Romance is A Bonus Book is definitely going to my "All-time Fave K-drama list". Totally recommending this to my bookish friends!
"The moon is beautiful." — I love this.
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This review may contain spoilers
This is one of those dramas that are not meant to be “bestsellers”, like mentioned in the drama, but tv stations would still produce them as they bring warmth to those who watched it. LJS left such a great gift for fans before his military enlistment. There were not unreasonable plot twists, nerve wrecking happenings, hate-able antagonists etc. Just a well thought through storyline, stellar acting, pretty cinematography and lots of beautiful references to books.
This is an inspiring drama, which I feel might be more relatable to a more mature audience. It’s the type of drama I would watch when I feel down because watching it, I can’t help but have a smile plastered across my face. LJS’ handsomeness in this drama definitely doesn’t help.
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Good one but not the best.
As I said in the title it's a good drama but not the best, it's kind of light, sweet, fluffy rom com that you can watch just for fun nothing more and if you are big fan of Lee Jong Suk. It's a good story at least you won't feel you wasted your time.Cons:
1. The FL I didn't like her character that much I mean if you are showing that the FL is clever she has great educational background and acadamics and she used to work in a big company as a independent woman than why her decisions about her life are not relevent to this that's what I don't get it.
2. I don't like acting I mean Lee Jong Suk is cute, very handsome but I just don't like his acting I don't feel the emotions I guess.
3. The chemistry was bad from my opinion I didn't feel that passion between the main leads or the spark.
Pros:
1. I really liked many dialogues as a booklover I love the metaphors they used.
2. The side couples were great I really enjoyed story of each side character.
3. I really like that there was no "Villan" or shady, dark character.
4. Story wasn't unrealistic.
So yeah that was it, it was a good watch.
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Exploring Kang Dan Yi’s Tale of Redemption, Love and Resilience...
Written by screenwriter Jung Hyun Jung ( I Need Romance), “ Romance Is A Bonus Book” was a light-hearted love story between a divorcee, single mother Kang Dan Yi ( Lee Na Young) and her younger, successful childhood friend Cha Eun Ho ( Lee Jong Suk). Uplifting and sweet, it was notable that the series did have a couple of lose holes within its overarching completion...
Perhaps the most notable thing to say about the series is that its predominating story plays upon prominent cliches of the “ vulnerable and unemployed” female lead, the “ successful male lead with an obvious crush on the female lead ” and the evident lovelorn second male lead Ji Seo Joon (Wi Ha Joon). There was nothing entirely terrible about these cliches per se in the drama, however, the evident reoccurring presence of the “ male lead’s crush” as well as other dominant tropes of “secret dating” and “ jealousy” did become a little tiresome within the drama.
Nevertheless, it is wrong to bring the drama down entirely from its tropes and praise must be given towards the cast through their fairly brilliant performances as a whole .
Taking centre stage of the series, was undeniably main actress Lee Na Young as the female lead, Kang Dan Yi. Na Young was captivating within channeling the eccentric traits as well as optimism behind Dan Yi’s growth throughout the series.
As a character, Dan Yi was fairly likeable for viewers by her kind-heart, resilience and strength in the face of adversity. As a notably older character than her counterpart lover Eun Ho, it was intriguing to see how the show played upon Dan Yi’s age as a challenge towards work, self-confidence and her love life. Nevertheless, it did feel that there was lot left to explore with Dan Yi as an individual, rather than a merely an asset to the plot. Although the show did explore a little about Dan Yi’s previous relationship and her interactions with her daughter Hong Jae Hee ( Lee Ji Won), after their initial use in the beginning of the series, Dan Yi’s emotional reactions and exploring more about this side of her character as a mother and a divorcee , felt half-baked. It is understandable the show didn’t want to become too bogged down in the unnecessary details of Dan Yi’s past, however, it would have allowed us as viewers to see and understand more about Dan Yi’s current emotions and resilience if we’d learnt and seen more interactions with Dan Yi’s former husband and daughter. ( Not least more reasons why Dan Yi was going to marry him in the first place before having cold feet , as well as the lack of communication between Dan Yi and Jae Hee, besides not living together.)
Parallel to Na Young was Lee Jong Suk as the young male lead Cha Eun Ho. Whilst Jong Suk has undeniably had more captivating performances than his role in “ Romance Is A Bonus Book”, he did bring a certain charm within Eun Ho’s suave attitude and heartfelt affections for the female lead.
Cha Eun Ho was undeniably a fairly typical male lead within his framing in the show as the “ childhood friend” and the “ successful, younger lover”. Nevertheless, Eun Ho was a character who respectfully learnt to understand more about Eun Ho by rekindling his long-held crush once more.
The relationship between the two characters did feel cliche in parts by the necessity to prolong telling their colleagues that they were dating for a major proportion of the series, however, Eun Ho and Dan Yi had a symbiotically healthy relationship which did not draw out into emotional gaslighting or manipulation, by learning to respect one another over the course of the series making the pairing undeniably heartwarming for viewers.
Sadly, the side characters of the drama often felt slightly underdeveloped particularly with the associated ensemble of the colleagues such as Song Hae Rin ( Jung Yoo Jin) who harboured romantic feelings for Eun Ho as well as the second male lead Seo Joon who reversely had feelings for Dan Yi. Other characters such as Go Yoo Sun ( Kim Yo Min) and Seo Young Ah ( Kim Sun Young) had interesting roles in the storyline, but nevertheless could have been developed slightly more as individuals ( besides their rushed endings). The overall ending did feel completed and was undeniably sweet for the main characters.
In conclusion, ‘ Romance is A Bonus Book’ was slightly underdeveloped with feeding into cliche tropes and slightly half-baked side characters. On the other hand, the main leads were portrayed as individuals with character growth , the show had intriguing messages against ageism and work discrimination in Korea, as well as a heartfelt romance that could engage viewers without toxicity or unhealthy tropes. Definitely worth a watch for fun.
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Be it the plot, the characters, the setting (the lovely office, the neighborhood Song Hae Ri always finds herself ending up in), the costumes, an environment consisting of BOOKs, the little poem-like monologues at the end of each episode - everything perfectly and moreover, naturally fits into the story.
The plot itself is coherent and well rounded: no lack of logic, no unanswered questions, no rushed ending – everything is well scripted and accurate in every detail. Even though it is not an overly exciting or suspenseful story, with its clear path and the way the story unfolds RIABB holds the viewer's interest until the end.
The characters and their relationships boost the story and make this drama an enjoyable ride. Even though we have a clear main couple with star actor Lee Jong Suk, it is the whole cast which shines. Each and every character gets his/her fair amount of screen time and we witness the character grow as the story progresses. Be it the feisty Song Hae Ri, boy-next-door (literally) Seo Joon, stone-faced yet soft-hearted Yoo Sun, the bubbliest couple Ji Yool and Hoon and others..all of these characters are so endearing and relatable and their working and personal relationships as well as their worries and struggles just make us want to be a part of this precious Gyeoro-family.
I have seen complaints about the female lead – since she does not measure up to Prince Charming Lee Jong Suk, but I feel she is quite charming in her own way. She seems authentic in her role. I really like her character and I also think that the mains have a great chemistry – it is sweet and in some way innocent, you can clearly see the intimacy and understanding of each other only a friendship of decades can create – so kudos to the lead actors for portraying and conveying it so well.
And last but not least an appreciating paragraph for releasing a drama that deals with books and a publishing house (THANK YOU, any other recommendation?) I did watch 'Chicago Typewriters' where the lead is neither foreign to books since he is an author and I liked it for other reasons, but RIAAB really makes you appreciate books and each and everyone who works on writing, editing, publishing and selling a book. All you booklovers out there, this drama is for you – non-readers, watch this show and fall in love with actual printed books.
'Romance is a new book' is one of those rare shows which leaves you with a smile and inner warmth an the end of each episode. It is a show you can watch on rainy days or times you feel depressed but also at the beginning of springtime. It is a light hearted, sweet drama. RIAAB – the moon really is beautiful (watch the show to get the meaning!!)
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I'm gonna begin by saying that I am biased because Lee Jong Suk is my absolute favorite actor. I have loved 95% of everything he he played in (the only one I disliked was Doctor Strange, but that's because of the female lead, his character was great). He always manages to make me feel warm inside. What I feel when I see him act is that feeling you get when you get back home after a long day, when you first kiss someone you like, when you embrace someone dear to you. He's just...amazing. And I appreciate him not only as an actor, but as as a person as well.
But this drama...it was heartwarming from beginning to end. It didn't have a lot of action, but that's just because that's not what this is about. It's about rediscovering yourself, finding love later in life, doing sacrifices for the ones you love and just...living your best life, being the best version of yourself.
My favorite genre of dramas is romance, because I feel it helps me escape reality and makes me feel good. However, I am extremely picky when it comes to this genre, because it's hard for me to be wholly satisfied with the main pairing, let alone the other pairings. That's not the case with this drama, however. Each and every pairing had amazing chemistry and clicked well together. They were all amazing together.
I'm not gonna spoil it, but if you're in the mood to just feel at peace, definitely watch this drama!
I'm gonna end this review by thanking Lee Jong Suk not only for starring in this drama, but in everything he starred so far. I am so grateful for the way you made me feel through your work and I wish you all the best. Have a good time in the army and come back quickly, because us, your fans, are already anxious for what you have in store for us after you finish your military service. Fighting!
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Love, Love, Love!
Finally I can write my review!Oh gosh, I don't even know where to start because honestly, that was one of the best dramas I've seen so far.
Let me tell you why I loved it so much:
First of all, the plot. Maybe the plot is not the most special one ever, but it's really good, though. Especially because it includes books and the setting in the publishing company which I loved. So if you're into that kind of stuff, you won't be disappointed.
The cast is very, very well-chosen and has pretty good acting skills. I loved every single character in this drama which is even surprising to me because normally I dislike the supporting role in the love triangle. But here I even loved the characters who were shitty in the beginning. You shouldn't judge a book by its cover, you could say:D
In this drama you don't just get a cute, mature romance, you get so much more: Beautiful friendships, inspiring personalities and some knowledge in book publishing which I found very interesting to be honest.
On top of that you get amazing OST! Everytime I listen to them, they leave a smile on my face and let me feel motivated. Through out the drama they were really fitting and made every scene even more special.
In general, this drama is a real feel-good drama. Doesn't matter if you're sad or happy, this drama will make your day. I felt so good watching this. I connected to the story and the characters immediately. If you like Lee Jong Suk, then that's also a good reason to watch it because he was so good at his role. I can't imagine a better ML in this drama. :D
And this drama will also awake your emotions. When I watched the last episode I was crying almost through out the whole episode. It was sad, it was happy, it was inspiring. And I miss this drama so so much. For me it was like everything in it was fitting. None of the characters was left behind and they got time to tell their very own story. So if you're in the mood for a new drama, watch it! Get yourself a blanket and a cup of tea and enjoy this cozy, feel-good drama:)
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