I thought the relationship between eun-ho and Dan-i was cute. For people who like skinship and lovey dovey couple moments, you'll get a lot of that once they start dating but not too much to the point where it's cringy.
The whole childhood friend trope gets boring to me but I like the way this drama did it. It gave the main leads more of a connection to each other. I liked how dedicated eun-ho was to making sure Dan-i was happy and how he always put her first. he had always been looking out for her even during the years they grew apart and he stayed by her side throughout some of the most difficult times in her life. You really feel that he cared for her.
I actually really liked the supporting characters. I really enjoyed the banter and conversations between the coworkers at the publishing company( I love the whole theme of the book publishing company. It really shows you the work that goes into making and publishing a book. If you're a reader then you will probably enjoy watching the process :)) After a while, I found myself getting more invested supporting characters than the leads.
Overall I think this was a really good drama. To be honest I started getting bored the last few episodes but I stuck it out to the end however I definitely don't regret watching this. Definitely give this one a try. I give it a 8/10
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We are beautiful books of all kind
I have finished this drama with a warm heart and my chest full of emotions turning inside.First of all, it is very well written. Everything evolves slowly and coherently.
The actors, i just loved every one of them and character they played as it fit them properly i may say.
Their acting was amazing.
The music, oh, I loved every song I've heard and "shazamed" them to know about the beautiful voices behind them.
The book enviroment felt good. Indeed, I love books, reading novels and poetry and I write too. Seing people as books is a beautiful thought as we all bear our stories from birth to death.
I agree with Dan I when she says that when re reading her book she underlined sentences and discovered new ones and when Seo Jun says that the book does not change but the reader, it explains it all.
At different season of our life, it does not taste the same and more precisely when we start seing what only used to watch without aknowledging it.
I felt every bit of this drama and it makes re think about self and the life one lives.
Beautiful drama that shows the way to life fully, authentically no matter what. The path to writing a good book.
Romance is the bonus here indeed with all one goes trough and experiences, a beautiful romance that seems to be like an Albatros that cannot fly because of his to big wings but who finally discovers how to take of and how pleasant and beautiful it is and feels to fly with such powerful wings.
It's smooth, it's full, it's deep and it touches straight to heart genuinely. I felt in love with it.
Another lesson learned from it.
Thanks to eveybody in this drama.
Thanks for this beautiful realisation.
감사합니다!!!
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This review may contain spoilers
Serious or Fun?
As others have written, I felt that this romance lacked passion. But my main issue was that it felt the writers were torn between serious and silly fun. The Gangnam Leopard scene and rich mom suggested silly fun, but then we had the suicide of the poet and the medical condition of the missing author. I'm ok with the a mix of fun and serious, but when the fun seems implausible (like the middle aged female being the biggest draw at a night club for a younger crowd) it lessened the impact of the serious. Regardless, i was bored through the middle episodes, but found myself genuinely enjoying the last three.Was this review helpful to you?
Sweet slice of life with an unusual setting! My favorite drama!
I fell in love with this drama. I love that this is set in the publishing world and a noona romance. I love the leads and all the side characters. This drama is sweet without being tacky or grotesque. Its story, despite some harsher elements, depicts the twists and turns of adult life in a comforting way. Even the colors on screen tend to be on the warmer side, which is part of why watching it feels like sipping hot tea on a snowy day.I feel like this drama cradled me in its hands and told me everything was going to be OK. We've all had our failures and tragedies. We all feel, at one point or another, like life has passed us by. But just like Dan-i, we can try again. We deserve to find our purpose and our victories.
RIABB is beautiful, funny, evocative, warm and sweet. I watched it twice, then watched it again with my husband who loved it and declared it to be his favorite drama as well. Watch it if you love books, noona romances or comforting slice-of-life dramas with endearing characters.
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Love amidst books
Romance is a bonus book is a slice of life kdrama that captures the highs and lows of life in the most beautiful, vivid and captivating manner. The drama revolves around a woman, Kang Dan Yi, who puts her career on hold to focus on her marriage and raise her daughter. Unfortunately, her marriage ends in a divorce leaving her penniless, homeless and jobless. Kang Dan Yi seeks help from her best friend, Cha Eun Ho.As no company wants to hire someone who has been on a career break for years, Dan Yi bets on the one thing she knows best; her love for books and takes up a task support job at a publishing company where her friend Eun Ho is a chief editor. In the quest for achieving professional excellence alongside great friendship, their true feelings for each other comes to light.
The drama is uplifting, inspiring, comforting, motivating and realistic. The story thrives on the ordeals and struggles people go through to get a job especially those who haven't worked for a while. The drama captures the reality on the ground; the tears, disappointments, failed interviews and hopelessness of the unemployed.
However, this drama offers comforts and motivates one not to give up with the hope that there will surely be light at the end of the tunnel. Dan Yi's situation was pitiful and discouraging. This is a woman who couldn't even afford to buy herself a new pair of shoes. She could have shrank but she didn't. She continued to press on and even as a task support, she took on big tasks and contributed accordingly. At the end, her life took a positive turn.
The drama also portrays the day to day activities of a publishing company, Gyeoroo Publishing, which is the main setting of this drama. Every step involved in book publishing is shown and it appreciates the work of key players such as the editor, book designer, marketing and sales team, the illustrator etc. It also highlights the struggles publishing companies go through to make sure a book is a success.
The romantic aspect is not left out either. Dan Yi, in her quest to overcome the challenges of life finds love with her friend Eun Ho. Their romance is soft, sweet, beautiful and healthy. Friends to lovers and Noona romance troupe is exhibited in this drama; one that would make you smile, cringe and make your heart flutter as well.
This drama is one I'd call a masterpiece or a skillful piece of film making. If you're a fan of books, friends to lovers troupe, interested in the publishing world or in need of a drama to comfort you and give you a ray of sunshine, then this drama is for you.
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Warm, Cozy, Friends to Lovers with a Bookish Backdrop
This show. This show. *This show*. How do I even begin to describe it?Is it the best kdrama ever? Probably not. Does it feel like it to me and is it my favorite out of everything I've ever watched? Yes.
I wish I could properly describe how incredibly wonderful this show is. It's probably not for everyone. If you're looking for something super dramatic and crazy and intense, this isn't it. Come back to it later when the chaos around you is too much and you need something soft and quiet and cozy to wind down to. This is it.
Romance is a Bonus Book is warm. It's quiet in that it sort of sneaks up on you. You're enjoying it but you don't realize *how much* until you're in too deep. It's literally the equivalent of a steaming cup of tea (or hot chocolate, whatever your poison is) by the fireplace. It's *beautifully* written, the romance is soft and quiet just like the rest of the aesthetic of the show, but it's *so welcome*. I didn't realize how tired of problematic leads I was until this show. The ML is literally *the* most unproblematic, wholesome, beautiful, wonderful ML I've ever come across. There were scenes where I literally could not stop grinning because of him (and the FL). I also really loved the FL. She's incredibly strong and there's this quiet strength to her that really drew me in from the very moment she was on screen.
There isn't a *single character* I dislike (except for random people that show up once or twice but barring them). Scratch that, there isn't a single character I don't like and/or love. Every character is unique and brings something really special to the storyline. This isn't a plot-driven drama, it's a character-driven one, so this is incredibly important. Each character is like this thread in a larger, gorgeous tapestry. One after the other, their lives weave together and create this beautiful thing that is this show. The cast is great, the acting is wonderful, and I just love everyone! (I've always heard great things about Lee Jong-Suk and this show *truly* showed me why. Guess who's watching While You Were Sleeping Next?)
This show is about strength, about resilience, about friendship, and love. It's very beautiful to see the different kinds of love that people can have for a person, and how that love can develop/change over time. It's just ... ugh I love it so much. If you're looking for a friendship to lovers, this is it. This is wholesome and beautiful and makes me happy. The side couple is also *incredibly cute* and I love them to pieces. So much. As individuals and together, and that is so rare!
All of this, added to the absolutely *gorgeous* backdrop/theme of a book publishing company and it's the best thing I've ever seen. The publishing house is so clean and brightly lit, you love every scene spent there. Not only are you surrounded by books, but by people who love and cherish them too. The literature references, the way people talk about books, the different references to quotes/deeper things was just the bow that wrapped the present that is this show all together. It brings everything together so so beautifully. As a lover of literature, just the book storylines/backdrops alone were enough to make me like this show. Pair it all with the flawed but incredibly wonderful characters and it's now my favorite show ever.
It's not without its faults, don't get me wrong but the good far *far* outweighs the little things I'm not the biggest fan of. A certain storyline could have been handled better (or just omitted altogether), and I admit I sometimes want those fireworks/epic love kind of romances, but that's just not this show's style. It's just so soft and warm and cozy, so welcoming and quietly deep, when it ended, I lowkey teared up but they weren't sad or happy tears they were just ... wow this is done. I have to leave this show now.
I definitely plan on rewatching because just thinking about it makes me want to smile like an idiot.
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...
the production was good, I can't complain .I also say that the performance was incredible, it would be a sin if I complained.
I love the actors, I loved the characters.
Of course, not everything is perfect, I can't lie, but what a drama that doesn't have a single flaw.
So in conclusion, I recommend...
I say it's worth watching, maybe it's bad for some, but for me it was good.
This is just my opinion, you better watch it and have your own opinion.
I don't know what to say, because I think everyone has their own opinion.
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Good but dragged out
it was a pretty good show and I did enjoy it, but many times through out watching it I wished that it would hurry up and finish because I feel like it drags out so much without explanation. the last episode or two really make up for it because it ties everything off but before then it just makes it hard for me to care about what's happening since I dont know what's going on. also, the main FL has a daughter but shes only mentioned like 4 times which erks me a lot lol, I wish we could have seen the daughter at the end of the show. The side characters love story was more interesting to me then the main love story... like there was times I wished the main leads would hurry up with their "cute" banter bc it'd be like 10 mins of them just laughing and giggling with nothing happening but it added nothing and I didnt care about them enough to enjoy it. overall it's an okay show, a nice watch I suppose but definitely not in my top picksWas this review helpful to you?
Portrait of a companionship
It's a nice drama for those who love books. The struggles behind writing and publishing are so interesting, I really don't know if it's like this in reality or if they just romanticized, but for sure is interesting. Some story odd parts made me think "gosh, why?", but I just decided to not be so demanding, and accepted it in my heart.Dan Yi and Seo Joon relationship was so dreamy, and I just loved the dog. They lost a great chance of steal our hearts just because they had a dog in scene. But I would totally fall in love if I get that scallion plush toy.
All secondary roles were so full of life, and I really appreciate they gave us an ending for each one.
My complainings goes to main couple, of course. I've seen Jong Suk in a few romantic roles, always playing this good boy, and is never disappointing, though sometimes I can't help but thinking it could be a bit different role. First time watching Na Young acting and it was okay, but nothing remarkable, although really broke my heart how she was always emotionless even when Eun Ho was putting so much effort to make her realize he had feelings for her. Even kissing scenes were super meh. But I do admit their relationship is a portrait of how companionship should be, spending time together, supporting and caring for each other.
So if you're not eager to watch super breath-taking kisses, it's a good drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
I came to watch this series purely for the way it presented itself as a fluffy, simple romance - something I needed after watching all the heart aching melodrama I've been watching recently. And that's exactly what it was.STORY: 7.5/10
There are many things I liked about the general synopsis of the story. The main female lead's situation was unlike anything I had heard of before in fluffy romance; especially their age difference. It gave some sort of message that even after you've peaked in your youth, and it seems life is over for you - there's still hope that things will get better. I loved the whole concept of the book metaphors being used throughout the series, and the entire thing taking place within a publishing company - as a writer and aspiring editor myself, many of the dialogues about how much books can affect and change the world, and how much they mean to the writers and everyone behind it touched my heart and made it easy to relate. The direction of the story was well written and left us with a cute, sentimental yet open ending.
Dani's struggle through her career and the many subplots that circulated around the company, however, were the main thing that kept me going through the series. As the other reviews may suggest, there was a point where they were just dragging everything along, and I found the melodrama undertone of the story to be a bit lacking and weak when it came to the intensity of it all. I feel like the main point of this drama was just to showcase those "cute couple moments," since that's most of what came out of it between the main leads. In the beginning, I was far from hating it, but it kept going on in the most random situations that it just seemed out of place and way too corny for even me, the romance enthusiast's, taste.
Not only that, I found it a bit weird that Eunho just assumed she liked him back and that's what started their relationship. There was a lack of that realization of "Woah, I've loved her for so long and now she finally returns my feelings!" that I was incredibly hopeful for. I also wanted more on Dani's part on how she started seeing him differently, and how her feelings for him were different from the other men she's dated previously. Simply put, I wanted more depth in how their romantic relationship developed instead of it just flashing into this whole cutefest of snuggling and kissing. I also wanted there to be more about Dani as a mother - that was the main thing that disappointed me about this drama. Her daughter literally appeared once or twice and was only mentioned once in the last episode - but it would've been nice to have the main female lead of a romance drama be seen as someone who is mature and motherly more often.
ACTING/CAST: 7/10
There was nothing remarkable about the acting between the cast members. The chemistry between the main leads was perfect and cute, allowing them to really seem like lifelong best friends (I heard somewhere that LJS said that Lee Na Young was his ideal type? Good for him). I loved some side characters (I will protect Ji Seo-jun with my LIFE), and also really liked the feminist undertones when it came to Dani, Ji-yul, Ms. Go, and Ms. Seo. Each woman sacrificed the lives planned out for them because they wanted to live the way they wanted to.
The publishing employees were all very lovable in general and their dynamic as a whole hardworking family was very fun. The comedy (with the trenchcoats, especially) made this series much more lighthearted and rendered some smiles and giggles from my part. Overall, the cast had great chemistry with one another and made me feel like I was even a part of their gang.
MUSIC: 8/10
I am a BIG The Black Skirts fan, so having some of their songs being played was absolutely wonderful. The music, in general, was very soft and fitted into the whole aesthetic of the show just right.
REWATCH VALUE: 8/10
As this doesn't allow any big emotional toll, I might give this show a rewatch in the future, simply for the cute moments.
OVERALL: 7.5/10
Although the concept of the drama was interesting, the way it played out didn't amount to what I actually expected and had much more potential plot-wise. However, it did perfectly as a way to have the audience go "Awww" at Lee Jong Suk being a cute boyfriend and tried it's best to remain interesting and poetically consistent. With lovable characters and beautiful imagery of the literature and writing world, it is a drama that is absolutely perfect for those who simply want some lighthearted fluff and to leave with a full heart and a smile on their face.
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