‘Love Scout’ K-Drama review: Han Ji-min, Lee Jun-hyuk lead a mature, refreshing workplace romance

Han Ji Min and Lee Jun Hyuk in a still from ‘Love Scout’
| Photo Credit: SBS

There is a special sort of joy that K-Drama romances where respect, dignity, and communication are treated like main characters bring to the soul. At 12 episodes, Love Scout is the rare K-Drama that leaves you wishing there were a few more episodes. This is, however, what tops the show’s long list of wins; there is hardly anything unnecessary or overdrawn in this romance.

Kang Ji-yun (Han Ji-min) is the successful CEO of headhunting firm Peoplez. Her fast-paced, chaotic boss-woman life is missing a capable, hardworking assistant. Yu Eun-ho (Lee Jun-hyuk), a seasoned HR professional who finds himself out of a job thanks to workplace politics, takes up this new role. A calm and steadfast single parent who is eager to work hard, Eun-ho is just what Ji-min and Peoplez needs.

While Ji-yun struggles to make sense of Eun-ho and his earnest ways, he is an instant hit at Peoplez. Eun-ho takes initiative, is quick to be of assistance to anyone who needs it, and has a kind, encouraging work for everyone. Most importantly, when he attempts to bring order to Ji-min’s chaotic workday, he is never overbearing. There’s a lovely montage that captures just how attentive Eun-ho is to what would make Ji-yun’s harried day at the office easier— he fixes a door she constantly crashes into so that it opens the right way, finds a stand for a handbag she flings on her couch, leaves her comfortable office slippers exactly where she needs them to be, and manages to get her coffee order just right. It isn’t long before Ji-yun is utterly charmed. Who can blame her?

Love Scout’s writer Kim Ji-eun deserves much of the credit for how this refreshing subversion of gender roles is handled. K-Dramas have for long had chaebol male bosses paired opposite female employees in the workplace. Ji-yun and Eun-ho’s growing relationship is handled sensitively both in the workplace and outside of it. Through the course of their blossoming, slow-burning romance, Ji-yun revels in how Eun-ho’s presence makes her life better. And to his credit, Eun-ho refrains from being a saviour or attempting to have a solution to all of Ji-yun’s problems. There are respectable boundaries here, and even the one time he does step in, the couple thankfully have a conversation about it immediately.

Ji-yun and Byeol’s growing cameraderie makes for one of the many wholesome relationships Love Scout delves into
| Photo Credit:
SBS

At the start of the show, it is revealed that Eun-ho is ostracised by his seniors at work after going on a sabbatical to spend time with his young daughter. As earnest as he is at work, Eun-ho is shown to be an equally capable parent. His daughter Byeol (Gi So-you) is all sunshine, and full of love to give. Her slow, but steadily growing bond with Ji-yun was another well-written part of the show. Byeol has stars in her eyes, looks up to Ji-yun as a cool woman, and is instantly taken by her. The child on more than one occasion asks her workaholic father to go out on a date. All of this also thankfully means that Eun-ho brings absolutely no baggage with regard to his first marriage to his growing relationship with Ji-yun; there is no threatening return of the ex determined to be a barrier and all of this is thankfully relegated to just one honest conversation.

A number of K-Dramas over the years have delved into a host of interesting professions and workplaces — weather forecasting, book publishing, the glitzy hospitality industry and more. Love Scout focuses on the lesser spoken-about work of headhunters, and how fiercely competitive the industry is. Of course, much of the drama in the show is owing to an industry rivalry, but the day-to-day workings of the job itself, the romance and the relationships thankfully take precedence. Peoplez itself makes for a largely conflict free, wholesome work environment with hard working employees who are intimidated by their CEO, but hold her in high esteem.

The second leads in Love Scout get a great storyline and well-written character arcs
| Photo Credit:
SBS

In shows that have second leads who are interested in the main characters, they are either annoying and intrusive or are completely dispensed with in the latter episodes. Love Scout’s second leads thankfully fall into neither category. While Soo Hyun (Kim Yoon-hye) and Jung Hoon (Kim Do-hoon) are interested in Eun-ho and Ji-yun respectively, there is more to them than their unrequited love. Both characters get lovely arcs and a great storyline to themselves. Are more writers taking note?

Leading this refreshingly mature romance, Han Ji-min and Lee Jun-hyuk are in fine form. The actors play Ji-yun and Eun-ho with seasoned ease, never once resorting to unwanted theatrics. Ji-min’s Ji-yun is a rare, well-rounded female character who makes no bones about taking initiative; be it at work or when it comes to her personal life, firmly stands her ground, learns and evolves all while never compromising on her independence. Jun-hyuk is a particularly welcome and swoony addition to actors excelling as romance K-Drama leads. It helps that much of their sparkling chemistry is backed by a great soundtrack, with Paul Blanco’s lilting vocals in ‘Test Me’ proving to be a welcome musical refrain throughout.

Love Scout deals with everything from gender roles to single parenthood effortlessly. Not once does the pace fall, and even one unnecessary conflict (their early life connection and it is high time this trope is banned), is resolved quickly, just as one would expect two mature adults in a communicative relationship to handle it. Workplace romances can be tricky, but Love Scout finds the right balance. What a delight it is, to watch a love story that is as refreshing, heartfelt, and swoony as this one is.

All episodes of Love Scout are available on Viki