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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THE BAD: There are A LOT of things I hate about this drama. The story revolves around the female lead so romance is really just a bonus part in this whole series. The problem is, the female character is too problematic and never changed her selfish ways until the end of the show. There's a whole long list of flaws in the female character, her choices and reaction in life, which made her too tiring to watch -- too tiring that I don't have the energy to write a long essay of them. Now, for the romance: it was so meh. There was no chemistry between the main leads and the FL's acting makes her character even less likable. She looks like she's not really into him.
To sum it up, it's tiring to watch a female protagonist who has a very miserable life and makes it appear like it's all due to the whole world being unkind her, while masking her selfishness under her woe-is-me state, and then decides to go into a romantic relationship with her best friend whom she has abused since start of their friendship (never caring for his feelings or story for 20 years) because he's rich and obsessed with her, so he could help her out of her depressing life.
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It could have been better
This has a very hard theme for me, the Alzheimer's part, I couldn't watch those parts, but that's on me.I feel like this drama could have been so much better if it developed the second lead character and the mystery behind his story.
I could connect with the drama, in the beginning. Life can really be hard sometimes, but I like that the women all seem to be strong and pulling through despite their flaws. They're not just walking clichés.
The male lead's character was too bland and couldn't really connect with him until I knew about his back story. Still, he felt it very differently and showed almost no emotion except when faced with the writer on his deathbed bed. It certainly wasn't the way I lived the illness and I can't relate to that.
I feel like the male lead just had to be there, just because. His conflict and ways he could have intervened were completely overlooked. So many times he simply turned his back on the lead and didn't stand up for her. I would have stood up for her even if I didn't know her, how can a friend and love interest just throw you under the bus like that?
On a positive note, I liked that they used one of my favourite bands for the soundtrack (The Black Skirts) and that they didn't make them 30-yo virgins or celibates and acknowledged that sex exists in a simple way.
I was expecting this drama to get me into Korean literature but I can't. All the texts and the way they talk about books is too cheesy and poetic for me to understand and not find boring and annoying. I guess it's not my thing.
So it feels incomplete, not quite there yet.
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At first it’s interesting as we meet all the characters and see the female lead settle into her new job. Then things get cute and romantic as different possibilities open up. Then we run out of conflict since there really aren’t evil schemers and there aren’t enough plot twists to build any obstacles or interest. This is an odd drama that takes place at a work place, but doesn’t seem to know a lot about the work they do.
So the story sort of floats around with lots of characters that I care less and less about. There was a lot of promise at the start of the series, but it didn’t hit any really strong emotional points. Sure the two leads are adorable, but not enough for 16 episodes with little plot.
For a better Noona romance with better developed characters and chemistry, watch Something in the Rain.
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To be honest, I was able to finish it only due to Lee Jung Suk. He's cute, everybody knows that, he's a very handsome and good actor, that saved this drama. The lead actress wasn't bad, actually she's very good, is just the writing. I feel like I wen't trough the whole 16 episodes for the sake of looking at LJS's cute face and that's it.
I don't get it how this drama was able to score 8.5. Maybe it's the magic of having LJS in the cast.
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I have to be honest, I've struggled with many K-dramas that I watched. I don't find particularly charming guys being rude, aggressive or jealous. I don't like the damsel in distress trope or the cool guy with the warm heart crap... So, maybe that was why I was so happy to find this gem.
All the characters here have personality and agency. They might be a bit ruder here and there or jealous and needy from time to time, but is all in the boundary of a healthy relationship. Also, the side plots are compelling and you don't just sit there waiting for them to go back to the romance (but as I said, I do love books and I did enjoy the side characters).
I saw some comments complaining about the pacing, but I think that the slow build was also a plus side for me. It was what made me more invested in the story and what made it feel more natural and real.
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A very Misleading Title
Romance is a bonus book. At first glance, you might think this drama is very romantic and focused on romance between the leads. But you are very wrong lol.This drama is a slow-paced romantic one. Romance is not visible till episode 11-12, so embrace yourselves.
I think it's best to say that this drama is about an unrequited and unrealistic love, and someone who is too busy with their lives to even recuperate the love back.
I don't like LJS per se( sorry fans). He's cute and has got porcelain skin, but his acting was not real. He mostly acted like a fashion model with a cute smile and gestures, And not so in love. It was like a puppy love.
The FL. She actually did a great job.
The story is really good, Though it got draggy at some point.
I loved the OST. a good selection of songs and background music.
Overall, if you love romance, this drama won't satisfy your craving. The romance came only in the last 4 episodes. But a decent watch imo.
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The story line was OK-ish. It did touched an important issues and that is of women returning to work after a break into their careers, also it touched the hardship women face as single, divorced mothers so the idea was ok. Not the best of the best but not the worst idea for a drama either. Now if I get into the characters, the opinion is changing. The ML and the FL unfortunately didn't work for me not even a little bit. I felt a disconnection between them. It showed the age gap between them and I'm not talking about the way they look, because they are both good looking. I don't know if this was because there is a big gap between them in real life as well, but at times I felt the FL was holding back and I'm talking about the kissing scenes. There was this one time when he went for a kiss and he open his lips to go for a more romantic kiss and she just stood there like a wood poll. That made the whole scene awkward. The way the ML was looking at her it was just ............ I can't even find the right words to describe it because it was just too much. I understand he was looking at her with love, but that was not the look I was expecting. He was too in love with her and I don't think she was that in love with him or she didn't show it. I found myself many times ready to throw up when I was watching scenes between the ML and FL just like when you eat something sweet and is way too sweet. I got tired of the scenes where the main characters were in it and I wanted to just skip through those scenes. That is not good for a drama or a movie for that matter, when you want to skip through the scene with the main characters. I found my self liking Ji Seo Joon more and the other characters as well. I felt the ML was arrogant at times, full of himself, he acted some times like he was the center of the earth or that the whole world is gravitating around him or at least it should. I did like the friendships that were forming, even though I found a bit exaggerated the relationship between co-workers just because it's very rare in real life to have that much fun at work, or to have everybody be that close at work or to have so many things accepted at work like in this drama. I should stop here because is not gonna get any better. This is a drama that I would say this about it: if you can't find any good drama, then watch this one and if you find a good drama while watching this one, than drop this drama because there is not a big loss.
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WHAT I LIKED
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Lee Jong Suk. As a westerner new to Asian shows, I don't know the actors. But wow, Lee Jong Suk was beautiful. I mean, I don't know if it's the way they lit the show, and/or makeup and hair, and/or his wardrobe, and/or the role he was playing. Probably all of these things. Nevertheless, "Beautiful" is the word that came to mind. Honestly, I was mesmerized.
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Jannabi. Never heard of Jannabi, but I loved their theme song here ("The Story I Couldn't See"). Will be listening to more of them.
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The fashion. I'm not sure if what I saw actually mirrors true Korean white-collar business and leisure fashion or not. Interesting to see the clothing differences/similarities between South Korea and the U.S.
Some of the fashion (particularly that of Cha Eun Ho) was amazing. Was this "product placement"? Because seriously, Eun Ho had several extravagant coats. All of which looked great on him, BTW. But way more than I would expect a guy to have.
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Kang Ki Doong. Seriously, this guy cracked me up.
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WHAT I DID NOT LIKE
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Complete lack of romantic chemistry between the leads. (How did this happen?) Since I'm watching for the romance value, this made the series disappointing.
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Very little kissing or touching. Are all Korean romance series like this? Maybe it's cultural? Maybe Production has to follow strict guidelines? I don't know. But I need to see more physical closeness (doesn't have to be sex per se), especially if I'm investing 16 hours.
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Story was too slow paced. Hard to sustain interest. However, toward the end, it picked up a little bit. I did cry at one point.
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So many female characters shrieking at their boyfriends/husbands/whatever when they get upset. Like, having a melt-down. Seriously?
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For those not aware this is a remake of the American drama “Younger” and novel of the same name. I never saw the original but hope it’s better than this. In general is not bad but has many flaws. The basic premise is nice and has a good message about people (especially women) who have had to return to work after a long absence. I myself have had to do it twice. But the writing is often self indulgent and suffers from kdrama logic.
I wasn’t very found of the major subplot or payoff taking away from the main. Nor did the end make sense. It was a complete reversal contrived to make the ending more acceptable. Several of the secondary romances had people falling in love without any development. It just happens.
One subplot I found really disappointing was the divorce of two support characters. I can certainly understand the reasons and even why it would never work out, but the things the ex-wife had to say were just shitty and unnecessary. As the child of parents that got divorced, and of whom they still cared for each other, it’s not at all believable. Even on my mom’s best day my father would not have rubbed his sexual relationships with others. This drama is just weird about it.
Lastly some of the “lessons” are touted with sledgehammer effect. The end of each episode it full of them. Much of them are ludicrous to anyone who’s lead even a short life. One that comes to mind is how the one thing in an unfair life is that we all have one life. And life is basically how we make it. But even the drama points this out to be naïve and simplistic. The main protagonists has all sorts of obstacles to overcome. The only reason she does is becomes the writers write it that way. Life can be very different. There may be insurmountable obstacles. The only effect we have is how we handle them.
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