SYNOPSIS:
At the request of a longtime friend, Shin Ha Ri agrees to go on a blind date with the intention of scaring off the potential suitor, who turns out to be none other than the president of the company where she works. To make matters worse, he surprises her by proposing a marriage.
Year: 2022
Genre: Romance • Comedy •
Network: SBS • Netflix
Episodes: 12
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| Business Proposal is an adaptation of a webtoon with the same title, A Business Proposal or The Office Blind Date. I haven’t read the webtoon, so I’m viewing this drama as a stand-alone show. I don’t have any big expectations going into this drama. As a rom-com, I only expected it to bring me laughter and heart-fluttering moments.
I’m glad to say that this drama did not disappoint. Kang Tae Moo reluctantly agrees to a blind date to appease his grandfather. He resolves to marry the first woman he meets to end his matchmaking ordeal quickly. Meanwhile, Shin Ha Ri, acting as a loyal friend (and for the 800,000 won incentive), attends the blind date in place of her best friend. In an attempt to scare off the potential suitor, who turns out to be the president of the company where she works, Shin Ha Ri feigns eccentric behavior. Unexpectedly, Kang Tae Moo finds her antics amusing and proposes marriage. Thus begins a whirlwind of chaos as they enter into a contractual relationship, with Shin Ha Ri struggling to conceal her true identity. It’s a light-hearted and fluffy romantic comedy. There’s no complicated plot or love triangles. The pacing is just right and doesn’t feel rushed or dragging. I never felt bored throughout the whole show. The Rom-com Tropes The rich guy and the poor girl? ✔ The serious-and-uptight-but-dorky inside male lead? ✔ The bubbly and bright female lead? ✔ Contractual relationship? ✔ Office romance? ✔ Accidental kiss because they tripped? ✔ Drunk confession? ✔ A male lead with a childhood trauma and a female lead who somehow heals him? ✔ The female lead harbors a crush on her best friend but is friendzoned, and later on, the said best friend discovers he actually likes her too? ✔ The story is predictable and filled with clichés, but you know what? That’s okay. This drama embraces clichés and strives on them. Because even though the scenes and lines are something I’ve seen and heard before, it manages to work on its favor. The key to that success is the great cast. The characters are genuinely funny and lovable, making even the most predictable moments very enjoyable to watch. Kim Se Jeong shines brilliantly in her portrayal of Shin Ha Ri. She effortlessly embodies both the sophisticated demeanor of Shin Geum Hi and the charming simplicity of Shin Ha Ri. Although, I’d say I find it more interesting when she is pretending as Shin Geum Hi. The thrill of maintaining a hidden identity, coupled with the playful nature of Geum Hi’s personality, is just entertaining to watch. As Kang Tae Moo, Ahn Yeo Seop brings charm to his character as the serious and efficient president of Go Food. He has a no-nonsense attitude with a layer of pettiness and stubbornness. The chemistry between the two leads is great. Their interactions are sweet and endearing. Their on-screen relationship is a joy to watch. The second leads are also adorable. They add such great dynamics to the show. Kim Min Gyu and Seol In Ha make a fantastic pair. The chemistry between them is undeniable, at times even stealing the spotlight from the main leads. I’ve seen Seol In Ha in a couple of dramas before, but she usually plays the brooding love rival that doesn’t really stand out. But in this drama, she really shines. She just needs the right material that will showcase her strengths. 
Aside from the main characters, the majority of the cast is entertaining. Young Jo seems to be an annoying character at first, but she made me laugh with her mixed Korean and English. Her “wow!”, “oh my gawd!” and “I have no chingu!” are iconic. No Real Consequences The only notable flaw that I could think of is the lack of real consequences for the characters. The main conflict regarding the status gap between the two leads and its potential impact on the company’s reputation isn’t resolved satisfactorily. This may partly due to the rushed pacing in the final two episodes, where events unfold quickly without enough time to process them. What happened to the rumor and that controversial YouTube post? Yoora doesn’t receive any consequences for that. She apologizes to Shin Ha Ri through Min Woo and disappears. I don’t feel the weight of the consequences that the story built up and made me believe would have big consequences. However, this is a minor nitpick. This drama, after all, is a light-hearted rom-com, so this doesn’t affect my overall viewing experience and is only something I want to share. At its core, the drama succeeds in providing enjoyment and amusement, which aligns with its intended purpose. Overall, Business Proposal is a delightful and enjoyable drama. It has all the ingredients of a perfect romantic comedy with an amazing cast. It’s not perfect, but it definitely has its place in my favorite rom-com drama list. ☆ RATING: 8/10 ☆ |