What's Wrong with Secretary Kim

김비서가 왜 그럴까 ‧ Drama ‧ 2018
Completed
u10146071
1 people found this review helpful
Apr 5, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

Rewatchable hilarious rom com with great chemistry

Rewatching this drama in 2025 and it holds up so well. Still incredibly funny and romantic. The strange childhood trauma subplot can't ruin such a classic drama couple.

So many romantic comedies have aired since this drama was released but it still stands out. IMO because 1. the main couple are given so much quality screen time together 2. their acting and line delivery is excellent 3. they have great emotional AND sexual chemistry 4. very much 2 adult characters who very much care about each other and never stop trying.

#4 is so key to me -- you don't realize how much it means, until you miss it in other dramas. The way they keep TRYING. We get to see the relationship deepen step by step and how they both will accidentally do something that hurts the other and they do their best to fix it. I really love how both the FL and the ML care about each other's feelings and when they make a misstep they try their their best.

We get so much time of them dating and working things out. It's delightful!

Fantastic rewatch value because then you just fast forward past the subplots. All the core couple moments are perfect.

(If you don't like fluff and you want plot in your rom-com, you'll hate this one tbh. But if you just want a string of romantic moments and light comedy, this is perfect.)

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Completed
Mridu
1 people found this review helpful
Apr 7, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 10
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 10

There's absolutely nothing wrong with 'what's wrong with secretery kim'

If perfection was a Korean Drama, I am sure this one would make the cut.

Character Development: Every character involving the leads and supporting alike, will grow on you. Their individual stories morphing into a whole within an office scenario will almost compel the viewer to feel the laughter, shock and turmoil with/within each one of them.
The depth and character development hence, comes out exactly on point. Not too fast neither too gradual, just perfect.

Plot: There as such, wasn't a well defined plot in here, a theme rather. Of reconciliation, mutual admiration, acceptance layered with a veil of enigma, that were some past memories. Which lemme tell you the drama pulled off. Brilliantly.

Acting: What more can I say of the overwhelming "aura" that is of Park Seo Joon that hasn't been said already. The guy himself is a masterpiece (even when he's trying to be an obnoxious douchebag).
Park Min Young complimented him thoroughly and I was impressed.
Everyone else kept me entertained throughout.
But I'll give the credit where it's due, the child actors especially Moon Woo Jin did the finest job.
For me, the excellent portrayal of the childhood trauma was in all honesty, the highest point of the show.

Extra: The love triangle could have been avoided but I forgive them cause they didn't stretch it pointlessly for too long.
Unpopular opinion, the blooming romance between Gwi Nam and Ji Ah was more fun than that of the lead pair. I mean the duo had their own quirks and toe curling moments which I enjoyed from the get go.

In conclusion, if you're into rom-coms you really can't miss out on this one!

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Completed
-GJ-
1 people found this review helpful
Nov 14, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
Originally written on Nov 13, 2022

I didn’t take any notes while watching this, so no long ass review this time, but this was just okay.

The premise of a secretary who’s quitting her job and slowly falling in love with her boss over the course of her last month at the company is interesting, but the whole thing is dragged down by a forced mystery side-plot about childhood trauma.

Vice-president Lee is a narcissistic clown, and while the show explains why that is, it doesn’t make him a very likeable person. Hearing him talk about himself like he’s the most perfect person in the world is incredibly off-putting. Secretary Kim is a saint, as she’s been putting up with this shit for 9 years, and seeing her reward this behaviour with her love doesn’t sit right with me. It doesn’t feel earned. It feels bought.

It’s fun enough, and around the mid-season point there are a couple episodes which are really funny, but there are better, similar K-Dramas out there. Business Proposal, for example.

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Completed
lydgre97
1 people found this review helpful
Aug 6, 2023
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 4.0
Music 3.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

did anyone else hate this drama?

I don’t know what it was about this drama but it’s pained me to finish it! and the only reason I did it because I love park seo-joon so much.
I found the female lead to be incredibly frustrating like if your leaving your job just leave!! and she never gave a clear reason why she was leaving
hated the kidnapping plot pointless and stupid and just another kdrama were they’re meant to be cause they knew each other as kids
the male lead was super controlling which was passed off as love!
awful
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Completed
kdramakahani
1 people found this review helpful
Jun 26, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.5
This review may contain spoilers

What’s Right with Secretary Kim? Almost everything except ...

What I liked : Our office romcom queen Park Min Young, the office shenanigans perfectly uplifting the humor, the supporting cast with their own storylines, progressive rich guy's family (without the typical 'protesting cliche against marrying into not the same financial status'). The first half of the drama is especially fun, with plenty of light-hearted moments that balance the sweet romance and comedic timings.

That said, there were a couple of things that didn’t quite sit well with me. First, the main lead's constant denial of their childhood connection got a bit repetitive and felt like it was dragged out unnecessarily. It’s like, we get it—just admit it already! The controlling jealousy of the main lead also felt a bit too much at times. I mean, the guy couldn’t even give his gf five minutes to talk to his brother, who she thought she had a childhood connection with, without dropping in and grabbing her. It wasn't endearing jealousy but rather borderline suffocating if this is normalized in society. I also wished FL's sisters had more developing arc besides feeling bad for her sister and accepting the guy into their family.

Despite these bumps and cliches, the drama is still a fun, engaging watch, especially if you're a fan of the office romance trope or if you are a newbie entering the kdramaland.

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Completed
robs
1 people found this review helpful
May 15, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.5
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 3.5
Rewatch Value 1.0

bomba

ah depois fica nt chato com esse trelele do sequestro tomar no cu. eh ate legalzinho e tbm tem a beatriz do brás coreana q a tonta da gerente bong Q EH MT CHATA PENSE NUMA PERSONAGEM Q NGM QUER SABER SOBRE POR MIM ELA SUMIA. a secretaria kim eh ok ela eh uma protag inteligente pelo menos e soube ligar le com cre do sequestro MAS ESSE PKOT DE SEQUESTRO UMA BOOOMBA PQ NAO FAZ SENTIDO NENHUM DPS PQ ELE SABIA Q A SCRT KIM FOI SEQUESTRADA COM ELE E ELE FICA SE FAZENDO FALANDO NAAAO FOI MEU IRMAAAAOOOO. PQ ELE TEM MARCA NO PE E ELA NAO??? TOTALMENTE SEM SENTIDO MT RUIM
afffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

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Completed
TrippleR7
1 people found this review helpful
May 14, 2023
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 10

Solid Romcom

When you know someone’s weakness, short comings, flaws and all and still accept them for all that, that was Kim Mi So towards Lee Young Joon aka Vice President in this drama. He was a narcissistic character but he wasn’t a bad person. He was adverse to being touched and while we got to know the reason for it, it didn’t excuse some of his narcissism.
Mr Aura-ous Vice President. The way he says that aura was always so cringe on so many levels but it was also funny and adorable at the same time.
I loved their relationship so much and boy did they have steaming chemistry.
Kim Mi So: I am not going home tonight, I’m not going to go home, I’m going to stay by your side thought out the whole night
Vice President: If you come into my house like this, I wont be able to control my pace tonight, tonight I don’t plan on stopping.
That exchange and what came (pun intended) after was so hawt and sexy, damn chills.
This was the series that made me a fan of both Park Ming Young and Park Seo Joon.
Rewatch value 10/10 (I have already rewatched so many times)
Overall 10/10

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Completed
Nelly
1 people found this review helpful
Nov 1, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.5

There is nothing wrong with Secretary Kim: A trip down memorylane

Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're taking a joyride back to an era of K-drama that, in my humble opinion, truly slapped. We're talking 2011-2021, a golden age that birthed some absolute gems, and What's Wrong With Secretary Kim is definitely one of them. I watched this ages ago.It had slipped off my mental Top 30, but a recent rewatch for this very review? Pure magic. Seriously, it felt like seeing it for the first time. And let's be real, I've been actively avoiding anything that popped out of the K-drama oven after that glorious decade.

Meet the Man, the Myth, the "Aura": Lee Young Joon

So, we have Lee Young Joon, a chaebol heir who's got more charm and confidence than Mount Everest has altitude. If you're one of those folks who loves to whip out words like "narcissist" or "misogynist," oh boy, you're gonna have a field day with him. But hold up, because this man is also the undisputed King of 2018 Rizz. His favorite quote? He simply oozes an "Aura" that makes everyone around him bow in reverence. You can love him or hate him, depending on which side of the highway you're parked on. But he's got a twisted past, It wouldn't be a K-drama if there wasn't one Right?

Secretary Kim: The Unsung Hero (Who's Had Enough)

Secretary Kim Mi So is the absolute lifeline of Lee Young Joon's existence. She's the engine circulating his oil, the glue holding his chaotic world together. But imagine his shock (and ours, let's be honest) when after nine years, she decides she's had enough. It's not that he treated her badly, but she'd been "Secretary Kim" for so long she'd forgotten who Mi So was outside of that title. Her announcement? That's the big bang that kicks off a marathon 16-episode drama. Could it have been 12? Probably. But hey, we got more Young Joon monologues, so no complaints here!

Why I Couldn't Stop Giggling (and What Could've Been Different)

What I absolutely adored about Lee Young Joon was his razor-sharp intelligence and confidence. If you're the sensitive type, you might mistake it for arrogance, but honestly, his monologues were pure gold. It's really not a bad thing to compliment yourself, and Secretary Kim had clearly gotten so used to his self-proclamations that she just let him do his thing. I kept cracking up at how he'd twist something as simple as, "I'm calling you because I miss you," into, "I'm calling because I don't want you to miss me." The sheer audacity!

Now, for a little constructive criticism. I felt there was a slight mismatch in the chemistry formula. Young Joon, bless his heart, knew from the tender age of eight that he was going to love Secretary Kim forever. When they finally became adults, he poured his entire heart into their relationship. But for her, after being his secretary for so long, it was incredibly tough to separate her career from her romantic feelings. She was so deeply immersed in her role that shifting gears emotionally, even in their intimate scenes, felt like a struggle. They even mentioned this often, how he'd want to serve her or do things for her, but she'd still have that "secretary posture" and mannerisms. Part of me secretly wished she had actually resigned, just to see her character truly grow and blossom outside of that professional mold.

The Verdict: Still a Delightful Ride

Overall, though, it was an incredibly enjoyable watch. This is probably my fourth drama with Park Min Young, and honestly, she's one of the best in the industry for a reason. What's Wrong With Secretary Kim might not be a brand-new release, but it's a testament to that golden era of K-drama, and it still holds a special place in my heart (and on my rewatch list!).

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Completed
ScarletOz
1 people found this review helpful
May 23, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 4.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers

Overhyped

I had high expextations for this drama based on the reviews but it really failed. Acting and casting was the best part, otherwise the story had big loopholes, and I did not like the ending either.

How the hell did FL decide to stay in the company when the whole series was around her finding her way and resting? She did rest maybe one day, then she njust continued with her people pleaser ways. Even after ML let her go, it felt like she stayed out of guilt and did not love ML truly.

The last episodes were so boring I could almost not finish the whole series.

Do not watch this if you like consistent stories and real romance. It was just fluff and cringe.

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Completed
shruti7890
1 people found this review helpful
Aug 14, 2018
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 2.5
If you have watched a lot of dramas before watching this one you might not connect with the storyline which I found myself doing. It’s a typical storyline but I definitely enjoyed all the characters in the drama. Though it’s a repeated childhood friend story Park Minyoung and Park Seo Joon brought some freshness into it as we haven’t see their pairing. Each love story was unique and cute. Some scenes were extremely funny so there was a reasonable amount of comedy which made up for the story in some way. The OST was okay but not super amazing. Overall the drama was okay but don’t watch with extremely high expectations because you can guess what coming next, it’s not unpredictable.

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Completed
Snozzberry Juice
1 people found this review helpful
Oct 11, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.5

It started with great momentum ...

I added this drama to my queue because of Park Min Young. I absolutely adore her. The first episode did not draw me in. Despite the comedic tones of character introductions, it really didn't catch my attention. It was not until the end of the second episode that I held out hope for this drama.

The story and character development flowed beautifully. You learned a lot and fell in leave with all of the characters, main and support. It all comes to a head at the end of episode ten and you're left with this sense of closure. Unfortunately, you don't get that in the last six episodes. While the last six episodes are adorable, they're fluff. You forget about everything that happened in the first ten episodes because it is just sort of written off. I was left with a few questions and this want to find out how things were mended.

The acting is great! You do have to keep in mind that this drama has a comedic aspect to it. Parts are expected to be delivered animated and overdramatic. I personally feel the execution was amazing and left me drawn to the characters.

The music wasn't all that memorable. The songs fit the scene where a song became more prominent, but I didn't feel the need to run to Spotify or look up every song in the OST.

I could see myself watching this drama again, but only until episode ten. Again, nothing against the last six episodes, but I felt there could have been so much more than what was presented.

Overall, this drama is cute.The love story, characters, and comedy mesh really well and make for a bingeworthy drama.

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Completed
Mister Romantic
2 people found this review helpful
Nov 11, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

A Classic Romantic Comedy

A cute romantic comedy about a narcissistic boss and his secretary: when I say narcissistic, I mean he doesn’t have an ounce of humility from start to finish. But that’s the charm of this unique character. You will eventually warm up to his unwavering habit of loving himself. The character Lee Young Joon played by Park Seo Joon is one you will either love or hate. The drama was structured around this character, so I learned to like him.

Kim Mi So, better known as Secretary Kim, was played by the gorgeous Park Min Young. She, as usual, was incredible. The concept in this drama is that she understands her boss completely. When Vice Director Lee talks about his good looks, intellect, or abilities, she usually agrees with him. Their relationship eventually becomes a romantic connection prompted by her decision to quit her job as his secretary.

Love will slowly blossom between the two, and you will witness a beautiful romance grow between two adults, both of which are relatively new at dating. Don’t forget this is a romantic comedy, emphasizing romance, and you will enjoy this drama as I did. There was an interesting subplot that’s settled early in the drama bringing the romance to the forefront. You don’t often see that happen. Usually, writers drag the main subplot to the bitter end. I enjoyed this refreshing change in writing style.

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What's Wrong with Secretary Kim poster

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  • Score: 8.5 (scored by 145,423 users)
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