This review may contain spoilers
It did it's job.
Listen, it was very cute and lighthearted mostly. The story was a little boring at times but honestly, I'd be lying if I said it was trash. I was rooting for all the couples like I was cheering for a team at a basketball game or something lol My biggest issue was the ending. I HATED it. What is it with these k-dramas and making the leads separate for a few years and then meet again? It's annoying. I mean, I know this was based on a Webtoon but still. Who reads these stories and is like "Oh perfect! a predictable ending. We need more of those!"Lol I enjoyed it though. I mean, I wouldn't watch it again anytime soon but maybe in a few years when I completely forget the story.
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A Rom-Com Rollercoster
"A Business Proposal" is a cliche in my opinion, from pretending to be a fake couple they fall in love and become a real couple. But the way they have interpreted the story and plot is just brilliant!!!!We have seen many such storylines but " A Business Proposal" has its own unique flavor to offer to us fans.
First of all, I started this drama only because I was interested in the actors, as I had not seen any of their other works; yet i was hooked on the first 3 episodes purely because of the storyline and was at the edge of my seat to see what happens next!!!!
The initial story revolves around how Shin Ha Ri who strugglesto keep her secret from her boss with whom she is pretending to date by being someone else. The drama is filled with moments of humor and excitment never leaving an opening for boredom. Later as the story progresses the story developes and takes a more romantic turn along with justifing each character's past, fears and how they overcome it with their significant other, giving the story more and more depth and meaning, of course the humor and suspense was not compramised. Not to mention the introduction of the CRUSH and love rival which makes this story ever more so thrilling !!!!
Both the couples that is "Shin Ha RixKang Tae Moo" and "Jin Young SeoxCha Sung Hoon" showed an amazing chemistry throughout the series. And not to forget the hint of bromance which enhanced both the humor and found myself shipping them hard!!!!(for that moment )
I just love the way this drama carries out the transsision and growth of all the people involved.....it is just marvellous!!!!
Overall i gave it a 9/10, and highly recommend it to other people who are interested in a simple yet meaningful rom-com show with dramatic scenes and also to the people who love a good webtoon adaptation. I also fell in love with this particular cast and crew!!!!!
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For romance k-drama lovers
If you're looking for something easy to watch, light-hearted romance with little humor on the side, then this is the drama for you.I liked every character and pairing, I think they were well portrayed. The actors played well together and their chemistry was believable. I had seen some of the actors' works before so it was interesting to see how they would play together. I liked Kim Se Jeong (female lead) in The Uncanny Counter and she delivered a strong female character here as well (or strong female character in k-drama standards). I also liked Seol In Ah's (second female lead) character in Mr.Queen so I was overjoyed to see more of her acting here. And of course, Ahn Hyo Seop, just as I was getting over his character in Abyss and Lovers of the Red Sky, I fell for him again. *eyeroll* Typical.
But most of all, I liked the synergy between the two female leads. Their sisterly bonding is friendship goals! *chef's kiss* Actually almost all female interactions were pretty amazing, so supporting of each other. Girl power! Second pairing was almost better than the main pair. Ha Ri's co-workers were amazing, I wish I had colleagues like that. Tae Moo's grandfather was an adorable old man ^^ Also Choi Byung Chan did a good job as Ha Min, his acting has improved.
The plot didn't need that many episodes but I found myself enjoying spending time watching this series. The story doesn't drag per se but it doesn't have major dramatic plot turns either. In the end I could have watched this series on and on and on.. the characters just felt so nice and realistic. The humor was just right and it was easy to forget everything else while watching the their banter.
I definitely recommend this to everyone who loves watching romantic k-dramas. Cheers ~*
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Perfect for de-stressing
This drama may not be for everyone, but I believe finding the perfect timing to watch this will make you appreciate it the most. I watched Business Proposal while ongoing, during that time when I'm going through something. On top of that, I'm on Kdrama slump after I got my heart broken by The Red Sleeve, and also because the Kdramas prevalent at that time mostly have dark/serious/melodramatic themes (and I've got no time dealing with other people's problems when I've my own). Business Proposal's arrival was a breath of fresh air. To me, this drama was like a ball of sunshine on a gloomy day; something I never thought I needed until it came. Cliche, yes. Lots of overused tropes, yes. But its predictable narrative cheered me up like an old friend. Since you already have an idea how this type of story goes, you just sign up for the fun - no tugging at our heartstrings, nothing mind-boggling, just pure fluff.The actors did a good job, most especially Sejeong. Hari is the type of character that not just any actress can pull out. You have to be convincingly crazy to portray her, and Sejeong did that. Through her, I was able to see Hari as a competent and optimistic woman rather than a damsel in distress.
Ahn Hyo Seop and Sejeong's chemistry was surprising to me though. I didn't buy their chemistry at first knowing Ahn Hyo Seop's shy personality. But as episodes went along, I began shipping HaTae couple (not Hyoseop and Sejeong 'coz I don't really ship actors hehe). I'm glad that Hyoseop and Sejeong became close IRL since it's positively emanating through their onscreen chemistry. I even get more attached to the drama upon knowing how it's filled with their adlibs. Goes to show that the actors confidently shared their own ideas to make the scenes more entertaining. Goes to show that they really enjoyed filming this drama despite the commonplace plot.
The OSTs are fire too! There are only a few Kdramas who've got amazing OST line-ups. It will not be an overstatement that I'm tempted everyday to buy the OST album haha.
If anyone asks for my opinion about this drama, I will only remember the good things and tell how happy and excited this drama made me feel, and how this drama made me look forward to Mondays for 6 weeks (when I normally couldn’t haha).
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Easy and lighthearted watch
This drama is outright ridiculous with it seemingly throwing all the classic k-drama tropes into one, but it embraces it and makes it work. It's one of those dramas that is perfect after a long day and you just need something silly to unwind with. It helps that the cast are all beautiful and wonderful at their jobs, too. It's a very bingeable drama and I appreciate that they decided to settle on a 12-episode series so that it didn't need to unnecessarily drag on (even if there were times that I wanted to see more)!Was this review helpful to you?
Good choice of actors | Good Chemistry
It’s your typical rom-com cliché BUT done right!!!The female characters aren’t trying to act as kids or immaturely to look cute.
The friendships chemistry between the two male leads and two female leads is ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT!
I started watching for the second leads but then found myself staying for the main.
Good character development from the male lead🔥🔥 Well acted👌🏼👌🏼
I laughed a lot and it made everything memorable.
I wouldn’t say it’s bringing something new to the table, but it definitely made cliché worth it and not cringe at all.
I would rewatch someday perhaps when i want a good laugh
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This review may contain spoilers
The drama was aired at the right time. With all the korean dramas having heavy plot released lately, this one is like a breathe of fresh air. It's cliche but not cringey.
Even if it's predictable and the story isn't new, it's still fun to watch.
Love the actors for bringing the characters to life especially Se Jeong and In Ah, their positive energy is contagious. Hyo Seop and Min Gue are so good looking. Their characters may be annoying if they were real people but the way deliver makes them loveable.
Also love how Tae Moo easily accepted his feelings for Ha Ri
The type of drama you would rewatch whenever the others you're watching is getting too dark and heavy
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Lost focus
I started out really enjoying this drama and I couldn't wait to see where the story would lead. However, somewhere along the lines I lost interest. I started finding things characters did annoying and I was over all the lying and hiding the characters were doing. One of the reasons I kept watching was because Kim Min Gue and the second lead couple. They really weren't given a proper send-off in the finale.I will say, this drama felt both too long and not long enough. We spent so much time running around the issue that it got tiresome and then the writers realised they only had 12 episodes and rushed everything in the end. It could have been better planned out. Additionally, towards the end some of the characters were acting a bit OOC, particularly the Grandpa. I mean I get he was angry, understandably so, BUT he spent the entire time wishing he would get married I would think that would make up for it. i also found him incredibly mean to Ha-ri. Idk, things could have been done better.
I guess that's all I have to say on this one... it was fun until a certain point and then it was just disappointing.
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jerk male lead at his finest...
based on fans' reaction (that I'm not judging), one (ie myself) would think this is the sweetest romcom, but it's so frustrating. It's just 2 incredibly robotic, cold, dense and jerk MLs that bully the FLs and order them around.One forced a marriage proposal on the 1st date, never tried to get to know the FL, then bullies her repeatedly once he finds out she lied, and the get upset she dared to not like him or "get" how he's in love with her..
DUDE, you are not 5.. "harassing someone means love" is NOT a thing.. calling a stranger at 4am cuz your ego was hurt when she randomly compared you to a dinosaur is not ok.. (1st warning)
being rich doesn't mean people need to bow down and worship the ground you walk on.. then he goes and forces her to wear the tightest dress and make fun of her when she got uncomfortable wearing it... (2nd warning)
he severely bullies her at work, even if it was cuz she "lied", talk it out you idiot.. (3rd warning)
and worst of all were eps 5 and 6 when he 1st sulks that she's "not getting his hints of love (ie the bullying). and then he scams his way into dates WITHOUT telling her they were on a date, then again he's upset that she's there for the reason he lied about (final strike, THE WORST ML around....)
oh yeah, add in when he throws her out of the car (figuratively) when it was heavily pouring rain!!!!!!!!!
how hard would it have been to park infront of her, let her comfort him, then confess...
the FL is no better.. she acts like she doesn't take anyone's nonsense but she follows his orders too much. she doesn't call him on his bs. she was "happy" when he only tied her shoes. she didn't say "no this dress in too small". she took the bullying, even though it was workplace harassment. then after he throws her in the pouring rain, she "worries" for him, and in the end forgets everything cuz he swooped in infront of her shallow friends that won't believe a handsome rich man would date her
then the 2nd couple.. the FL fell too fast then keeps getting blocked by the 2nd dense ML who now thinks "he can't love" especially a rich girl or whatever..
robotic dense MLs are not appealing..
again, how hard would it be to "express" emotions? what world are we living in? toxic masculinity that encourages men to stay quiet, harass their love interest, hope she notices him and confess 1st? and say it's "boys being boys"?
I'm sorry but I prefer my men sweet, confident in their feelings, supportive and ready to love and make the FLs feel worthy
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Trust me, I LOVE a good cliche rom-com. Unfortunately, this ain't it.
At least not for me. I guess I understand why people would be so into this drama, but I personally just can't. The CEO arrogant ML gig is far from being my cup of tea, and the entire superiority/inferiority complex between the main leads being boss and employee is way too obvious. I suppose I should've expected this much from the summary already, but still, I hoped for some differences from the usual stuff we've already seen 5 years ago in romantic comedy K-dramas like this. But there are so many tropes and cliches in this drama, that it's damn predictable and at some point, it felt like I was watching one of those Wattpad fanfictions turned into a drama.However, on the positive side, the secondary couple was admittedly the best thing about this drama. I loved their chemistry-- which I felt the main couple lacked, and I liked their characters both individually and together as well. They brought newness to a plate that's otherwise dull and has been done a 100 times before in the absolute same manner.
So, in conclusion, you could watch the secondary couple's scenes only and have some happy good thoughts about this drama OR you could put yourself through the cringe and utterly unappealing cheesiness of the main couple as well. But then again, everyone I know seemed to love this drama. I don't know, did we even watch the same thing?
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The Unpopular Opinion Amongst Popular Opinions
Storyline:The storyline utilizes one of the most cliche and overused tropes in history - contract marriage, poor girl falls in love with rich guy etc.
Since the drama is a rom-com, there were many scenes that were hilarious (at first) and overall the drama was rather lighthearted. However, the drama often dramatizes and adds many scenes supposedly for the comedy but ends up being very cringey and redundant. Since this drama has only 12 episodes, the story moves very quickly, too quickly in fact, that they did not slow down to properly flesh out the main characters and show proper development in their various relationships - mainly the FL & ML as well as SFL and SML. The couples fall in love so quickly that it’s hard to believe they ARE in love but rather, the relationship is very superficial and on the surface. They barely have proper conversations to get to know each other and we are already dumped with several kiss scenes. The storyline is too simple and has no depth whatsoever. Overall, it was extremely cringey.
Acting:
Sejeong's acting was pretty decent, though it felt like she was holding up the entire show by herself. Ahn Hyo Seop’s character seemed more like a supporting role rather than a main lead. There was no chemistry between the leads at all. I’ve watched Ahn Hyo Seop’s various projects and it seems that his choice of script is very poor, such as Lovers of the Red Sky, Abyss etc. There was no room to fully showcase his acting potential here. SML has a very disappointing character coming from the fact that I actually liked his role in Snowdrop because of his rather nuanced acting there.
In conclusion, don’t waste your time if you want to watch a good quality drama with proper development. However, if you are up for a pretty lighthearted, mindless and cliche rom-com, go ahead and give this drama a try.
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THE CAST!!! THE CHEMISTRY! THE PACING!- a chill wholesome watch
A business Proposal is such a light-hearted, stress-free watch! I cannot think of the last time where I have laughed out loud this many times watching a drama!! yes, It's cliché and yes it's very predictable, but that just adds to the stress-free aspect of it! I have watched a handful of dramas, but I haven't come across a CAST as PERFECT as this :) not to mention the pacing of this drama; it resolves problems quickly, it's not lagged on and any misunderstandings don't tend to last more than an episode or two!If you're looking for a chill, comedic, rom-com watch, I'd deffo recommend giving this drama a shot! :)
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