There was something just so effortless and charming about the setting and the main characters, but they all seemed to be those moms who would usually never get to be in the lead role in most other stories, but here they got the spotlight. This variety of women who live in this small community inside this small town where nothing really happens. Until it does.
It is wonderful to see how they gradually started to bond and form friendships through their unusual business and the circumstances they face because of it, but also gain a certain sexual liberation and ways to show and express their desires, even if society does not want to admit that women over a certain age can have any sorts of desires.
But it was that aspect of the story that made many kdrama viewers did not notice this drama or pay much attention to it. It’s not a romcom, it doesn’t have the typical romance or characters, and it certainly did not feature a young heartthrob in the lead role. And the kdrama space, just like our society tends to put men at the center and their roles in the lives of women which is often why romance is such a focal point in our lives. We are all meant to be in love (with men).
There was plenty of fun to be had since the humor was good and with a heartwarming little romance as a side story which fitted a story such as this But the true love story here is the love between these women and how they grow with each other, and the drama seemed to understand that.
One thing this drama did very well was to show how the image and sense of self of these women within the society was often tied to their husbands and children. The men around them shaped their lives and the narrative that not only the story told, but also the people around them did, through the gossip that spread and how the actions of those men sometimes had greater consequences on the woman, which was something that most of them did not think or care about. So many things became a burden for the woman. And she is admired or pitied because of their behavior. Or their lack of a man, even.
The drama may have shied away a bit or hesitate to go all the way with the sex toy storyline, but it does fit the time and the characters who are the main protagonists of the story. And while the business around sexy lingerie and sex toys certainly liberated them to a certain extent, they were still allowed to be a little prudish despite being allowed to express their desires. But the real liberation within the story was their friendship. Because without it, they were quite isolated.
The romance or love within the story was, again, the love between these women and themselves, even though that story also brought out some rekindled emotions and the fun little flings and flirting. All of them got a man in their lives, for better or for worse, in the end. Because no woman in society is complete without a man. And I felt like the drama understood how that is how society sees the purpose of women. The main romance was very slow, which suited the story very well and never took too much time away from the main plot.
My biggest fail mark within the story is the investigation and the lost child-cold case that was a side story there dragged on a bit and sometimes I felt like that part of the story was hardly more than an excuse to give the main male character (and the only man there who was decent) more to do and fill in some dead time. It all came together in the end, which I was sure it would, and it was done in a kind of predictable way, and I’m still not sure if it added anything to the story or if the drama wouldn’t have worked perfectly without it.
Overall, it was a fun, lighthearted and easy watch where the hours flew by and the screenwriters did a good job of cramming all the character development and the slow-burning romance and wonderful friendship and everything else you could want from a drama like this in 12 episodes – but I will continue to insist that it’s a little too short for a traditional kdrama storyline and the pacing they’re used to having. But neither the character development nor the plot seemed too rushed here and the focus to tell a very funny and heartfelt little story about small town women, their quirky neighbors that make up their community and friendship never truly wavered.
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A Virtuous Show….?
I promised an update after this show ended so here it goes.Character Breakdown
Han Jeong Suk a compelling character with a journey that captures resilience and growth. Starting as a wife married to an unreliable husband, she eventually discovers his infidelity and courageously ends the toxic relationship. Her transition into the lingerie business marks a bold turning point, showcasing her strength and independence. The friendships she builds along the way add depth to her character and emphasize the importance of support networks. However, the addition of a romantic subplot feels misplaced. While there’s nothing wrong with her finding love again, it detracts from the more empowering narrative of her focusing on her business and son. Overall, Han Jeong Suk shines as a character, but the writing could have leaned more into her personal and professional development without the romance.
Kim Do Hyeon is a character whose impact on the story feels minimal, neither enhancing nor detracting from the main plot. His inclusion in the show seems more like a filler than a necessity, as the narrative would have progressed just as well without him. The subplot about his childhood abduction feels out of place and overly convoluted, adding little value to the overall storyline. While giving him a backstory is understandable, a simpler approach such as him being a police officer transferred to the countryside due to resource shortages would have sufficed and kept the focus on the central themes & characters of the show.
O Geum Hui is a standout character whose journey offers a refreshing take on transformation and empowerment. Coming from a posh, educated background and transitioning from city life to being a countryside housewife and then venturing into the lingerie business was an inspired choice by the writers. Her storyline provides a clever way to explore rebellion and self-discovery, highlighting her boldness in unexpected ways. Her character adds depth to the group dynamic, emphasizing how a shared goal can unite women from diverse backgrounds. The balance she brings to the friendship circle is both compelling and heartwarming, making her an essential part of the story’s charm.
Seo Yeong Bok is a fascinating character who brings a unique perspective to the story. Despite being uneducated and living a typical countryside life, she breaks the mold by being open-minded and adventurous, which sets her apart from the traditional portrayal of women in her setting. As the breadwinner of her family, she defies the norms of her time, showcasing a resilience and strength that make her highly relatable and admirable. Her encouragement of Jeong Suk to stay in the lingerie business meeting highlights her role as a motivator and catalyst for change. Seo Yeong Bok’s character not only reflects the struggles of women in her era but also their capacity to adapt and thrive despite societal expectations.
Lee Ju Ri is a bold and multifaceted character who brings a modern and rebellious energy to the story. As a young single mother running a seemingly successful hair salon, her decision to enter the lingerie business despite its taboo reputation underscores her courage and determination to challenge societal norms. Already a “social anomaly” due to her teenage motherhood and provocative fashion choices, she stands out as someone unapologetically true to herself. Despite the generational gap between her and the other women, her seamless integration into their group highlights the universal nature of shared goals and mutual respect. Lee Ju Ri’s character enriches the narrative by showcasing how differences in age and background can be bridged through solidarity and friendship.
Um Dae Geum is undeniably an oddball, and his addition to the story feels out of place, especially as a love interest for Ju Ri. Her character, as initially established, thrives independently, content with her life as a single mother. Introducing Dae Geum undermines that dynamic, as Ju Ri didn’t need a romantic partner to complete her arc. His portrayal as a filial, naïve, and gullible young man seems intended to create contrast with Ju Ri’s bold and self-assured persona. While this pairing might work in a lighthearted drama, it feels forced and unnecessary.
Interestingly, Dae Geum’s character traits his innocence combined with an unsettling naivety could indeed have lent themselves to a darker twist if the story had leaned into a more serious tone. With subtle tweaks, he has all the makings of an unsettling character, and the dynamic with Ju Ri might have been more compelling if it had explored darker or more complex psychological layers. As it stands, however, his role feels more like filler than a meaningful contribution to the narrative.
My Thoughts!
A missed opportunity in the story was the lack of exploration of Jeong Suk’s best friend’s affair and its fallout. The revelation that her friend was sleeping with her husband and later becoming pregnant with what was likely his child was a deeply personal and dramatic twist that could have added layers to Jeong Suk’s journey. This subplot had the potential to delve into themes of betrayal, forgiveness, and self-reinvention, perfectly aligning with the central narrative of the four women and their lingerie business.
Instead of the unrelated and somewhat jarring subplot of the police officer’s childhood abduction, the show could have used this betrayal to deepen Jeong Suk’s character development. Her friend’s role could have served as a constant reminder of her struggle, while also being a driving force behind her determination to succeed independently. It would have tied directly to the story’s central themes of women finding strength in adversity and building something for themselves. Exploring this angle would have kept the narrative focused and more emotionally resonant while enriching Jeong Suk’s storyline.
A Virtuous Business is a standout drama that shines in its portrayal of women’s lives, challenges, and triumphs. While it isn’t without flaws, the show’s focus on women from diverse backgrounds and the dynamics of their friendship sets it apart from the typical romance-driven narratives we often see. The way the drama takes us on their journey through struggles, growth, and moments of joy feels authentic and heartfelt, with characters written in a way that is both relatable and empathetic, even if you can’t directly identify with their experiences.
However, the inclusion of Do Hyeon’s childhood abduction subplot feels unnecessary and detracts from the otherwise tightly-knit story. It introduces an element of mystery/crime that doesn’t quite fit the tone of the show. Similarly, Ju Ri’s hasty romance arc feels forced and disrupts the character’s strong, independent narrative that was already perfectly established.
Despite these missteps, A Virtuous Business excels at centering women’s stories and exploring their individuality, solidarity, and resilience. It’s refreshing to have a drama where the heart of the story is about women’s lives and connections, not just their romantic pursuits. With a bit of trimming of the less relevant subplots, this drama could have been perfect.
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A Truly Friendship-centred Drama
At first, A Virtuous Business feels almost felt like a cross between Our Blues and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.It's set in the quaint, rural town of Geumje in 1992, and I love that they bring so many of the characters to life with complex feelings and challenges. Even the side characters grow and change, and aren't necessarily what you'd expect at first. They have their own have hopes, fancies, realizations, and struggles.
Unfortunately, by the end of episode 6, what made it really blossom in the first half becomes diluted by every cliche mystery, melodrama, and romance trope.
It feels like someone made the call to add more "excitement" rather than continue to develop the characters and their personal stories.
This is really unfortunate because they really laid some fertile storytelling ground in the first half, and I was enjoying the warm-hearted friendship, comedy, and everyday challenges of working-class women (and their marriages) in a rural town.
Still, I think the fun premise, great cast, and (mostly) well-written characters make it worth checking out. (Will update next week when the final two episodes come out.)
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A virtuous show !!
The first time I saw this K-Drama promoted, I thought it was going to 100% be the type of K-Drama I would skip out on because it primarily centered around middle aged women in the old times, I thought it would be a typical boring telenovela type where unnecessary drama ensued and I wasn’t planning on watching it. But then, a TikTok appeared on my fyp about this show- and the description- I mean wow. Housewives in the time of peak misogyny doing business, and not just any business, but sex toy business?! Oh my. I was SO in.I have to admit not once through the show was I bored. The funny bits were funny, the sad bits were sad and the romantic bits were romantic and the business part of the show was extremely entertaining!!
I don’t have much to complain about except for the fact that we never got to know what ended up happening to MC’s husband and the best friend (won’t spoil but the lore between them is crazy). Also why they never called out the landladys husband either…
I guess they just wanted to say that some things simply can’t be changed even if it seems unfair. But alas. The show was really great. I recommend it a lot!
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Empowering Women, Unraveling Desires & Mysteries in 90s Korea
"A Virtuous Business" centers on themes of women empowerment, human desires, and a missing-children cold case mystery set in the 1990s. The drama’s story, pace, relationships, acting, music, and costumes brilliantly support its message, bringing smiles and evoking nostalgia akin to "Reply 1988" and "Boyhood." It beautifully captures the era's nuances, societal resistance, and family dilemmas—issues we still face today, especially for women. Witnessing the main leads' vulnerabilities, perseverance, and eventual success evoked a personal sense of triumph. This almost flawless drama earns a spot in my personal Hall of Fame, and here's why:❤️Best Parts:
➥ Women Empowerment: This drama shines in showcasing positive female friendships. The four leading ladies, connected by a business idea, navigate everyday challenges with grace and resilience. Despite their different ages, family setups, and personalities, they all yearn for social and financial freedom. The drama sensitively portrays their vulnerabilities, reflecting the societal pressures women still face today. Their personal triumphs are both inspiring and relatable, offering hope and motivation to tackle challenges that have somewhat remained and exist even today.
➥ Human Desires: Our lead women venture into the business of selling adult toys at a time when sex is taboo. Even today, discussing basic human desires openly remains a challenge. This drama endears itself by addressing these topics through a mix of serious and comedic scenes, normalizing conversations about sexual fantasies, acts, and tools. It's a refreshing take that makes you realize this is just another business, and there's nothing to be ashamed of.
➥ Missing Children Mystery: Beyond the themes of women fighting for their rights and dealing with societal issues, there's an intriguing mystery at the heart of this drama. A cold case of fires and missing children brings a detective (our male lead) to town, intertwining his personal conflict with the mystery. The twists and turns are well-executed, and the ending is wholesome, satisfying, mature, and happy!
✘ A Small Miss - Personal Opinion:
While the drama hints at the characters' future paths, which is satisfying, I personally prefer closed endings. Additionally, the second half of the finale felt a bit rushed, which is why I rate it 9.5/10.
❤️ Overall: MUST WATCH!
"A Virtuous Business" is one of the best dramas of 2024 and comes highly recommended!
It is a must-watch for its heartwarming portrayal of women empowerment, human desires, and an engaging cold case mystery. With its brilliant story, relatable characters, and nostalgic charm, this drama captures the essence of the 1990s while addressing issues that resonate even today. The mix of serious and comedic scenes, combined with a mature romance, wholesome friendships and satisfying ending, ensures a delightful viewing experience!
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Jeongsuk-han Sales!!
This is one of the few I consider a version of good adaptation from an original work. It did the storylines right and made things optimistic leaving a more warm, feel-good vibe to take home. The acting was what carried the original 'Brief Encounters' and woori Kdrama has equally top-notch performances. Kim Sun-young especially brought me to tears. The child actors were all so adorable. The soulful music added to the melodrama tenfold. All the main cast got their moments to shine. Kim Won-hae is Kim Won-hae is perfect especially when he gets to be a diva. For once its satisfying Im Chul-soo does not just his usual bumbling bit but also some solid melodrama support. Kim Si-eun(I miss her since Lies Within) being young Bok-soon(Jeong-suk's mom) and kid Seong-su were perfect as the past selves of their future counterparts. While a fairly faithful remake(covering most of the major storylines with some revisions and omissions) of the ITV series 'Brief Encounters', they're separate enough while maintaining the essence and characters with improvements on some sticky bits. Most of the characters lose their confusing depth for tropes but its dealt with well(mainly Choi Jae-rim as Seong-su who leaves so much unfinished). Theres something of the couples and marriages kept intact which I'd have liked more of from the beginning than in the second half(esp Kim Won-hae's nag+sweetness). Loads of comedy slapstick, some deadpan...They've added a lot more to the enterprising sales spirit of the main four and not made the business out to be a cakewalk that could be done offscreen in the backdrop of their life stories as it was in the UK with Ann Summers coming across as Tupperware. Thats why I'm evaluating this more as a remake since they've stuck too close to the British drama. Brief Encounters did leave me a bit confused with what they wanted to convey and some of the choices they made(which might have been planned for more seasons) and the lack of details outside a general women's lives and period drama set in 1980s England. This is something I've found with a few other British drama which left me scratching my head but at the same time its all compact(Luther...every season...). Here the situations and scope are defined okay, there are lots of things they brainstorm about on the sales front but its all at a very basic level, which is fine. The adult products market of 90s korea is very hard to find out about but what little I could dredge up on it seemed fairly dicey and involved arrests, protests, AV and somewhat blackmarket dubiety. All things to stay away from especially if you want to talk about women's products and they should have stayed away from tying it to it even if coincidentally. If this were set in 90s Japan where women's adult products were starting to get traction, or were a JDrama(I adore how a lot of them approach subjects) or they kept the Ann Summers model as it was abroad, it could have gone very differently in this aspect. The rocky-road realism of never-ending issues goes well in that it is foreshadowed in a way. But it doesn't in that it comes too late and in too sloppy a manner to have the required impact. They had wind in their 'sales' to launch into their best endings.
Theres several throwbacks to 1990s Korea and references to foreign movies peppered in which I adored. Especially the way some of it is utilized viz Seo Taiji and the Boys. Like with Golden Kamuy there are some anachronisms that I excuse for creativity mainly due to available material. This was also the first time since Golden Kamuy(manga) ended that I've had this much fun looking up references and day-to-day history and ruminating on topics. Nothing will ever top Cold Case in that in my heart though. I also felt some similarities to Casa Amor the movie somewhere- some scenes. And of course the ending is as if they did the whole of Casa Amor's business building moments offscreen which they should have put in as small snippets or still photos to show how we reach the epilogue at least. The ending actually really reminds me of the finale to Waikiki somewhere...
The addition of the historical adoption scandal that has been in the limelight past few years since around 2021/22 onwards is an aside- a random red herring- so it didn't quite go down well even though they used the storyline for the ML and his relation with FL. One overall difference in story structure that isn't well done is how instead of building up all the stories slowly from the beginning so they feel connected, separate story arcs come up and are tied in just before they are to emerge each time. And some plot choices required bit too much of suspension of disbelief like a lot of Do-hyeon's. Cho Sun-ae's story was an interesting perspective but negated due to its timing. But say, if foreshadowed earlier... Or been linked to Young-bok's... And Young-bok- if her life story was explored more(already the groundwork seemed there mainly due to the acting of the actors) and more of her daughters shown. Or if they had a different angle than the original's accident(I personally disliked that one thing in Brief Encounters deeply because it leads to a depressing ending and added nothing to the plot)...like, just the shady past holding them down in the present since their SoL melodrama is what made their story shine rather than the odd crime plot from the original. Albeit, since they dealt with the conflict deftly and ended on a positive note I got a sense of catharsis for the British version just from this(someone give some catharsis for In-tae...).
With many of the conversations dropping stories of daily life offhand, depictions, attitudes, etc I was reminded of certain parts of certain books(Mrs. Harris during the clam fishing women's scene, Embroideries, etc) and pondered over impressions I recall of people I know, etc. Those women's magazines at the hair salon were the biggest nostalgia bait to me- I was a bit like Dong-u. The strong point was indeed depicting women's stories. The small town setting especially really brought out various cross sections in a single place. I have heard of situations similar to Jeong-suk's mothers. How fickle theoretical law is...the sense of justice so ephemeral. The bickerings and gossips and second-hand tales dropped in background conversations...Mainly how the idea of being open about sex is a paradox. Most women with close friends/acquaintances or kind of groups, have always been overly free and open in talking sex lives /menopause /childbirth /"gossip", trying out traditional methods especially foods just like the Geumje women were doing long before Mrs Kim's marital aids came to town. I have vague memories and anecdotes of certain people of yore in my life(how someone can share in delight over r-rated movies, lecture on about how being prudish is bad and yet consider lipstick a sin because culture says so?). And how when I told my mom about being bewildered by certain colleague's lunchtime chat in my then new job, she tells me her colleagues too talk of their sex lives and issues openly between friends and even vague female acquaintances. The Geumje citizen's objection to this new business and product perception is a sort of prejudice. And coz it will end up out in the open to judgement of others. While its girltalk within themselves, sex is no such taboo. The butcher, the hardware store lady, Young-bok...all their pre-existing openess are quite true to life. Heo Young-ja and her original counterpart(who was more far more puritanical) are this cornerstone in this somewhere. Young-ja is also shown as a foil to Jeong-suk's mother and their stories are sad with no easy answers. The chains to be liberated from are societal mores. Casa Amor was in 2015 and yet be it the 1982 or 1992 or 2015- UK or Korea, its all universal and timeless. There is always the taboo, prejudice, a backlash from some section no matter how much times change and laws change and laws cycle around and all. Even relationships, marriages, frustrations, compromises, gossip, blame-game - constants.
Jeong-suk learning from the mistakes of those before her with similar predicament, availing of that divorce option available to her without being bound by society's judgement and trusting her own judgement set things in motion. It was one of the most cathartic moments in a drama without a doubt. Instead of moping about the travails of being divorced or single mothers Jeong-suk and Ju-ri living their lives as they want- that felt real good. I was satisfied with how Geum-hui and Young-bok's stories went overall. I just wish we had more of Ju-ri. Loved her to bits. And silly Dae-geun! His actor is good at being diverse I'm amazed seeing him in other dramas at the same time. I also wish we could have seen Uhm Seo-yeon's story from the original, even if abridged, as it was quite a vital angle. It could bring up conflict on how she avoids an arranged and unhappy marriage unlike her mother and even round out the contrast of those with the small town perspective with someone who left for the big city. Her Seoul connection could also have brought in the plot twist last arc with foreshadowing. This is the third major issue- how they play it too safe with the plot. The 15+ rating for such a topic is deterrent but so is the plot's reticence to embrace the topic fully. They could have changed far more of the storylines from the original instead of keeping some that were fairly unnecessary and given the the townswomen more tales that theres an infinite history to chose from(the side characters were really lively). Or how the women thaw and become regulars(considering the later product lineup also include some other items that would see more regular sales). But I kindof get paring some things down for what they wanted to focus on for the 12 episodes. The compatible relation shown between FL and ML was sweet. The FL for the most part is too much a Yamato Nadeshiko as is her meaningful name a Korean-equivalent pun for, but she gets to show a lot of steel and innate leadership/managerial skills.
Maybe making it 16 epsiode to explore more and un-rush some things would have been better though things were kept crisp with just 12 and plotlines got tied up neat enough. Theres an epilogue that should be a cut scene that should be placed somewhere before the 4 years later ribbon cutting. Do-hyeon had returned as Geumje station's new police chief, Won-bong and Jong-sun get a quintessential romcom fall-and-catch moment(Jong-sun got a full-time job at the pharmacy 4 years ago) and Dae-geun's now a pro. The titledrop at last ties things up with their new business' punny name shown at the very end- Virtuous Business aka Jeong-suk Han's Sales...
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Long live women's power
"Long live women's power." This kdrama was absolutely amazing from the first episode to the last. Starting from friendship, family values, relationships, the actors reflected all of them with all their emotions on the screen. I really liked the writer because all the characters were very good in their own right.All the couples had a great relationship. My favorite couple was Kim Do Hyeon and Han Jeong Suk ?
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Simpatico e oltre i soliti stereotipi
Terminato anche questo piccolo gioiellino... Un drama che merita sicuramente di essere visto perché fa tanto riflettere su una realtà che ancora oggi comunque crea sempre problemi... l'emancipazione femminile... Queste 4 donne ci hanno fatto sorridere a crepapelle, ci hanno emozionato e fatto piangere... Ognuna di loro ha avuto il suo Happy ending nonostante le difficoltà incontrate.... Un amicizia così tra donne e' un sogno... Pura e sincera ??Ma posso dare 8.5 ...
Sono delusa dal finale e dalla sua poca accuratezza... Quando ci azzecco su alcune dinamiche nei drama ci rimango male soprattutto perché desideravo il contrario ...
L'incendio un semplice incidente e l'abbandono avviene per una famiglia chiusa nella sua mentalità e nulla più... Raccontato in due minuti ...
L'ex migliora amica la fa franca si tromba il marito dell'amica rimane pure incinta e nessuno le dice nulla e non viene scoperta... Bell'affare ... L'ex marito dopo il matrimonio ciao ciao scompare pure per il figlio....
Il detective doveva stare via max 2 anni e ne sono passati 4...si rivedono come se niente fosse e anche il saluto di partenza non c'è stato... Un abbraccio un bacio nada ....
Magicamente dopo 4 anni aprono il loro primo negozio .... Questo salto temporale ....bhaa nel mezzo come sono andate avanti se chi vendeva questa merce era stato arrestato???
A me piace quando tutto si apre e si conclude con un senso...
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Enjoyable!
I haven't watched the drama this was based on, so this review is solely on the kdrama.I was surprised to see a drama with this kind of subject matter being made into a kdrama. Seeing that Netflix was presenting it in the U.S. made it more plausible because the Netflix kdramas have always been riskier than the dramas I've seen from other platforms. Surprisingly, I think the topic was handled pretty well in this drama (though the drama takes a pretty big shift in story about halfway through and is mostly about interpersonal drama). There were some genuine laughs in the beginning when the women first start selling the products and, while some jokes were cheesy, I enjoyed it.
The cast is 100% the reason I gave this a chance because the main actresses have majorly impressed me in other dramas. There's even brief appearances from Ra Mi-ran, one of my all time faves. Also, the guys were all great. The kids did a good job, too!
This drama worked the best when it was centered on the women's individual growth. I enjoyed Jung-sook's story the most when she was getting rid of the crappy husband who was just dragging her down and making peace with her mother's treatment of her. I felt like Ju-ri was primarily a woman that supported her friends when they struggled with confidence, especially when it was something they'd been shamed for. Young-bok was also a really loyal friend and her family situation was so sad. Geum-hee was actually my favorite character and I loved every single scene she was in. The actress was phenomenal and I loved that this show subverted the assumption that the oldest woman in the friend group would be the most conservative. Her story is partially why I kind of felt like the business aspect could've been stronger.
I'd wished, for all that she suffered in continuing it, that Jung-sook had a more personal reason for joining the business. Geum-hee has this storyline revolving around her husband initially shaming her for wanting anything sold by that kind of company and she basically ignores him and wears the lingerie anyway. It was about her overcoming that desire to just do whatever her husband wanted. For Jung-sook, it was just a cash grab, yet she suffers more than anyone else for the job. I don't know if the original drama gave the MC more of a personal reason to keep doing it, but it was just a bit of a missing piece to me.
The story of the detective looking for his mother was interesting. For such a small town, I didn't expect 2 random plots of people in the town being sociopathic monsters. That joke on tiktok about kdramas being (kinda) sunny/happy until they insert a random kidnapping/murder plot came to mind with the random man trying to kidnap Jung-sook. I wished they hadn't laid the "reveal" on quite so thick, but it was nice that the detective had a happy conclusion to his story.
The storyline I was most moved by was Young-bok's and her husband's trouble with the law. It was actually heartbreaking with how clear it was her husband loved his family but couldn't do anything to support them. It was a bit of a sad ending for them overall (unless I missed something?) because, as I understand it, he still didn't have a job? Maybe he became a stay at home dad?
Overall, I enjoyed this show for the most part. Admittedly, it was still a bit hard for me to see So Yeon Kim in this kind of role. I don't expect her to just play a villain in everything, but I also felt like this character wasn't given a ton for the actress to really dig into. Her character's motivations start with trying to make money to take care of her son and shift halfway through to trying to take care of and help the detective. I thought she did a great job in the scenes where she was bonding with the other women.
The scenes centering the friendship between the women were my favorite part of this drama. Its a recommend and the second most enjoyable Netflix kdrama I've seen.
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Another one of my highly-anticipated watches that fell a bit flat for me towards the end. At least it was a happy ending for everyone involved, especially my favorite girl squad.A Virtuous Business follows Jeong-suk, a young housewife living in early 90s Geumje, a small town (village?) where everyone is everyone else's business. When her dead-beat husband loses his job, Jeong-suk must find a way to make a living, and that's when she's introduced to selling lingerie and sex toys.
It's definitely a crazy business to be involved in in a country as conservative in South Korea during that time period, and in fact Jeong-suk face a lot of backlash as she and her three compatriots and business partners, Yeong-bok, Geum-hui, and Ju-ri, struggle to get their business off the ground.
The show overall was quite fun, and it's such an intriguing concept, but I think the story was much stronger when it focused on the four women running their business amidst all the rejection and being an amazing support system for each other. In just 12 episodes, the show had to squeeze in the business plot PLUS the detective solving a decades-old mystery AND trying to find his birth mother PLUS Yeong-bok's husband's drama PLUS Ju-ri's love interest's drama... it just ended up being too disjointed and too much. So much so that even important conflicts were rushed in their resolution that the whole point was lost. I mean, no one likes a dragged-out plot point, but surely there's a middle ground between that and said plot point being resolved in like half an episode and all the characters moving on like nothing happened.
Also, that time skip at the end is absolutely diabolical, 4 YEARS is simply too much. How did Jeong-suk and co end up with a big boutique store in the middle of town for a business that no-one is seemingly a fan of, as demonstrated by the protest on the street on the day of their opening?
But I think the show's biggest "sin" is wasting important themes that could have made it stand out or not fully committing to them. I'm not saying it had to be a raunch-fest, but the story of a young, newly-divorced mother selling sex toys and sexy lingerie in a deeply conservative rural town seems like an opportunity to explore how women can explore and own their sexuality on their own terms, and not just for the pleasure of men, and how women can just own their lives in general.
And yet the main selling point of the lingerie is for the women to look good for their husbands. Jeong-suk enters a new relationship with a hot, well-adjusted guy (with a JOB, thank God) and the relationship is as chaste as any typical kdrama even though their chemistry was fire. Ju-ri and Yeong-bok are in relationships with man-children that they still have to take care of on tope of everything else going on in their lives. Geum-hui is the only one whose husband turns out to be somewhat normal at the end, but I'm not sure if that was deliberate character development or the writers forgot his characterization. Also we're told Geum-hui didn't want children and wanted to live like a modern woman, and yet it turns out she did have a child and she was a housewife in any case spending her days cooking for her husband and following his every whim.
And I just generally think focusing on the business in general and how it grew plus setbacks would have made the show more interesting. There were scenes of them discussing game plans here and there, but they felt awkward and like they were written by people who didn't know what they were talking about. Why did they never expand their reach to other towns? Just how many vibrators could the butcher possibly buy?
I'm sure having more episodes would have helped give room to fully develop these concepts, but also I'm not even sure the writers would have made good use of the opportunity.
Still, I enjoyed the four women's friendship; I love how they came from different backgrounds and circumstances and found common ground with the business and each other. Even though I wasn't a fan of the ending, I'm glad that they were successful in the end and that everything ended on a good note, and I still think the show was quite good for what it is. The acting was great, the setting and production was great; I just wish it had done more.
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Sama kaya posternya, ada sekumpulan buibu yang mau cari tambahan uang akhirnya coba jadi sales. Tahun segitu sales tuh susaaaaah banget ternyata. Jualan door-to-door dan dapet banyak hinaan saking tabunya produk 18+. Akhirnya jumpalitan bikin strategi, dari isi survey-bundling sama tiket film (dewasa, uhuy)-bikin deskripsi produk dll.
Walau ada plot hole kaya gimana tuh kelanjutan suaminya yang slengki tapi yaudah aku maafin karena fashionnya lucu-lucu banget. Nontonnya ngga pake mikir, seru dan hangat banget persahabatan mereka????
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Girl's Girl Kdrama of the Decade!
A beautiful drama about a friendship of four amazing women! ??♀️?I loved how eccentric this drama felt and how the writers pulled off the clichés in a fresh and enjoyable way. The "virtuous business" theme gave it a unique touch, making it stand out on its own.The lineup for this drama was unexpectedly impressive. Kim So Yeon playing the coy yet brave Han Jeong Seuk was such a refreshing change from her previous roles. I’d say the same for Yeon Woo Jin! I’m so glad this drama really highlighted their versatility, especially acting-wise.
I also loved how the drama took the time to introduce each character’s backstory and narrative in a way that didn’t stray from its synopsis. It helped emphasize values of friendship, love, and family out of all. The plot itself felt fresh and new to me. It’s an educating K-drama, shedding light on stigmas from the 1990s while keeping things engaging and meaningful.
I had just wished the main leads had more screen time in the later episodss sigh...
Overall, this was a guilty pleasure of mine and was watching this along side other kdramas hahaha?
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