1The Brewing Process of Life and love Journey
Even though I don't drink alcohol, the metaphor of brewing is quite captivating as it underscores the messages conveyed in the stories. The drama’s introduction beautifully illustrates this brewing process.1. Malting & Mashing. The malting phase parallels our early years, which lay the groundwork for who we become. Our environment nurtures, educates, and shapes us. The mashing stage represents our formative years, a time filled with a mix of sweet and bitter experiences.
Chae Yong Ju comes from a humble background; she’s been trained to be both physically tough and mentally resilient to survive, yet she often overlooks her own emotions. Yun Min Ju, on the other hand, is a neurodivergent individual sensitive to physical, emotional, and social cues. He is empathetic and creative but struggles to gain his father’s acceptance. Bang A Reum grew up surrounded by material wealth but lacked emotional support. O Chan Hwi enjoys a loving family, but the burden of his duty as a soldier has exposed him to life's darker sides, particularly the harsh realities that come with taking innocent lives.
2. The boiling stage can be likened to the trials we encounter in life. We face these challenges and, ultimately, emerge stronger. Each main character gains strength by acknowledging their past and embracing their true selves. This is where transformation happens—akin to fermentation—where we evolve, change, and mature, much like yeast converting wort into beer.
Chae Yong Ju realizes the importance of accepting and embracing her personal needs and emotions, a lesson she learns from Yun Min Ju, who is attuned to feelings. In turn, Yun Min Ju discovers that he can be accepted, loved, and cherished by others, particularly through his connections with his staff at the brewery. When he falls for Yong Ju, he learns the value of opening up and sharing his feelings with those he loves. Similarly, Bang A Reum also learns to be open with her parents and reveals her true self to O Chan Hwi. In response, O Chan Hwi dares to be genuine in front of Bang A Reum and eventually confronts his family, though this resolution isn’t explicitly shown in the drama.
3. Conditioning Process. Like a finely aged beer, we refine our character and hone our unique qualities over time.
As for the genre, the drama can be compared to a beer with taste notes that blend fruity, malty, earthy, and hoppy flavors. This combination reflects the relationships between the characters, encompassing thoughtfulness, sweetness, happiness, and contentment. The emotional journey is engaging, evoking both laughter and tears, while also providing a sense of comfort and serenity.
Overall, the story balances creativity with some typical romantic cliches, yet these elements do not detract from its value or impact.
Music: Oh the music makes me feel the love in the air. That's all I can say about the OST hehe oh but finally, we've got to hear Kim Sejong again. :-)
Rewatch Value: Yes.
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It's something different and new
So yeah I finished watching the drama just now and hereis my review fresh out of the oven!!!This drama is definitely something new from the usual kdrama trope touching sensitive topics and what impressed me the most the ML definitely shattered all the hailed toxic masculinity he shows his weakness his emotions openly and that is not something kdramas show it is always the ML saving the damsel in distress but here oh mahn the FL is this strong woman who indeed saves the ML. The love story of our ju ju couple is simple and beautiful. No unwanted dramas and twists and turns, they solve their issues like matured couples and there is no cringe aigooo moments. They are one of the veryfew green flag couple's who support and rooot for each other.
The side stories of the supporting characters were also sweet and short and did not bore me. The story was also nice and simple a good slice of life story I liked it. The cast also gave a good performance.
So if you are in for a good slice of life feel good drama brewing love is a good one.
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Cheers!
Brewing LoveGenre: Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 12
Streamed on: Viki
Plot Summary:
The military-trained and stoic Yong-ju works for a beer company that needs to get the overly empathetic brewmaster Min-ju to work for them. With her extroverted personality and his introverted personality the task would seem impossible. But shenanigans ensue and the pair somehow find a way to work together, heal each other, and find love.
Characters & Cast:
Main Characters: Ships.
Lee Jong Woon ⇒ Yun Min Ju
Kim Se Jeong ⇒ Chae Yong Ju
Shin Do Hyun ⇒ Bang A Ruem
Baek Sung Chul ⇒ O Chan Hwi
Villains: Notable actors.
It’s Kim Joong-Hee. You knew it, I knew it. As soon as this guy walked on screen, we all knew he was the bad guy.
Special Mentions
Jang Won-Young and Seo I-Yeon were such a delightful couple
Best of OST:
I can’t remember but I swear this was on another Kdrama OST that I’ve seen. Either way, I’ve had this song on my playlist for a long time, and Kim Sejeong’s version of this song is haunting and beautiful and… just *chef’s kiss*
https://youtu.be/RE-84wwBXT8?si=WJcqJYbp7BhnAM5j
And it’s almost impossible to go wrong with a Melomance track on your OST…
https://youtu.be/AgAppV-X8GI?si=toz5aSQtX_Bv--Ne
I don’t know who’s in charge of the OST’s for Kim Sejeong, but they need a raise.
https://youtu.be/CnXbAOxCzCE?si=Lg6ChREH4Ax9Q9ym
Gripes:
If I’m being completely honest, I don’t disagree with the villain’s take that the product line was unviable. Also… I don’t know how successful her business at the end would be either…
Re-watch:
**Would I watch it again?**
Yeah. After a while I’d give it another spin. It had some really touching moments, but was also a light and fluffy rom-com.
**Would I watch it with my brother?**
There’s just no way this is his cup of tea.
**Would I watch it with my kid?**
Yeah, the romance is tame enough and I also like introducing different career paths to her.
Final Thoughts:
This drama had little to no fat to trim. The fact that it was a tight 12 episodes served it well. Towards the end you get a little bit of whiplash going from sad to cutesy a bit to quick. But overall this light and fluffy rom-com is worth the watch for sure. Great OST too.
Rating:
7.7/10
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I'm a huge fan of Kim Sejeong and absolutely love her work. I was really looking forward to seeing her paired with Lee Jong-won, and honestly, I wasn’t disappointed.
This isn’t a drama packed with fights, shocking plot twists, or Machiavellian jealousy. Instead, it's a relaxed, calm, and easy-to-watch series.
That said, it also knows when to go deeper—exploring themes like perseverance, friendship, and the journey to discovering true love. Plus, the attention to detail in the brewing process is fascinating, adding a unique and educational layer to the story.
In short, "Brewing Love" isn’t just a K-drama—it’s an experience that delights all the senses. It's the kind of show that makes you wish the episodes would never end.
Absolutely recommended for anyone in need of a dose of pure happiness on their screen!
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Beer n Healing...
This is a story about a bunch of very different people brought together and brought down by the less fun sides of society... or something like that a show of opposites attract and united by barely and maybe wheat toasts.The female lead is cool and fun to watch most of the time, she has a bunch of diffent sides to her : sweet, tough, hard working understanding, kind... But lets face it she is there to show a different way to be a woman
The male lead is soft n cold, sweet n fragile... and tries to show us the dangers of gender conventions and toxic masculinity.
The second couple is there to show family and flaws, playfullness and tthe dangers of fragile felinity.
And the third and fourth mains seem to balance between hetero and non hetero vibes without reaching the gay the whole way...
The amount of annoying elements, characters and slapstick contrast moments are a bit overwhelming at times but htey are not as bad as the preachy educational tone the drama gets from time to time reminding to stay away from any title that has the word healing amoung its tags. Seriously what was I thinking...
That said there is enough good in this and I did love enough of the characters to give it a 7,5 but if you too are allergic to healy preachy and annoying village people you should probably run away...
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Unexpected... Should you watch NOW, LATER, or NEVER?
I admit I doubted the chemistry in the first two episodes, but I was wrong. I wasn't supposed to start this review with the chemistry, but because I initially thought the pairing wasn't connecting with me, I was proven wrong by the following episodes. The build-up of the chemistry was done right. It was subtle. I would have to give that to the director. The nuances of the director's camera angles, framing, and movement intensify the chemistry. More importantly, the gaze, the smiles, and the portrayal of a deeper kind of love made the chemistry work.Acting: I have admired Kim Sejeong's acting in Uncanny Encounter. She is a good actress. While I could not remember which drama or show I saw, Lee Jong-won, when I first saw him, I thought it would be nice to see him as the lead actor if he were given a break. I thought then that a badass drama would suit him because of his sharp features, but his portrayal of his character, the empath he is in this drama, showed his depth as an actor. I felt the sincerity, the warmth of the character.
Plot: A simple but enticing plot. The side characters gave it fun and light moments.
What's lacking: This is just a preference, but I wanted it to be like an "Itaewon" -ish drama. I want to know more stories about the brewing industry. They've tackled the supply chain, distribution channels, marketing, etc., but I wanted more of it so I could add this to the business drama genre.
Undoubtedly a WATCH NOW drama!
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Every woman deserves to be looked at this way!
The first couple of episodes are a bit chaotic and don't really match the rest of the story. It feels a little like the writers changed direction a bit... but it is definitely worth persisting. I have never been interested in beer either, but it gives a suitable background for the rural location, the village life, the corporate greed and variety of characters.The FL initially put me off with her overtly loud, brash persona in the first episode or two, but once she calmed down and became more genuine, I loved her. The ML, initially avoidant and sensitive, seems to change almost 180 degrees (which is a little jarring, but I just accepted and moved on) once he sets his sights on being with the FL and she becomes his safe port. And all I can say about their chemistry is - every woman deserves to be looked at the way the ML looks at the FL. (Kudos to Lee Jongwon for portraying this perfectly!)
The 2nd couple are an interesting mix and getting together is a story of growth for both of them. The villagers, love them or hate them, are the sorts of people you do find in a small town. The corporate sycophants', well, what else do you expect in a k-drama!?
Overall, a refreshing, enjoyable romance and one I highly recommend!
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Awwwwwwww
Such warm and fuzzy goodness. The leads were both super charismatic and lovable and I loved watching their relationship blossom. I appreciated their kindness, their strong communication skills, and the complete absence of contrived conflict. The beer stuff was handled in a way that was accessible to a teetotaler like myself. The direction was creative and I appreciated how the show used the beauty of the natural landscape and certain visual tricks such as animations and selective employment of black and white to enhance both the comedy and the emotional stakes of the drama. A few things were glossed over a bit too quickly or introduced haphazardly (such as the ML's past suicide attempt, the second ML's PTSD, the ML's father's change of heart vis-a-vis "proper" masculinity and displays of emotion) and the second couple's courtship initially felt random. A very satisfying finale that made me tear up. A sweet, warm puppy of a show that will charm the pants off of you.Was this review helpful to you?
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A low-angst, easy watch
A lighthearted & heartwarming story of a bubbly liquor salesperson + the reclusive brewmaster she’s tasked to recruit in order to save her company branch from closing. She’s a woman who never gives up on completing any job she’s given, no matter what obstacles stand in the way. So with her natural take-charge attitude & a desire to save her fellow colleagues’ jobs, she sets out to sign the contract ASAP, not knowing how this one task will alter the course of her life forever…This is a fresh story in the KDrama world as the usual roles are reversed. Here it’s the FL who’s the former soldier with a tough-girl persona & the physical strength to keep up with/rival all the men around her. Opposite her we have the ML who’s the softer one with his over-developed senses that make him extremely empathetic. They both have reasons for being the way they are &, as their pasts are slowly revealed, the viewers can’t help but to feel for what they’ve each gone through.
Due to the divorce of her parents, the FL was raised by her grandmother. She’s forced to grow up quick in order to not be a burden on this beloved woman. She thrives as a soldier & enjoys the work she does, but when her grandma falls ill & is in need of constant care, the FL puts aside her own dreams & resigns from her post to stay home & care for her cherished family member. She pours everything she has into her new job, making a name for herself because of her determination & grit. She gives it her all because she’s the sole provider now & she’ll do whatever it takes to make her grandma as comfortable as possible. She’s a woman who’s unfamiliar with the “girly” things of life, never having had the time (or the desire) to waste on fashion or makeup. She’s friendly, hardworking, & dependable. She seems to have it all together, but nobody knows that her smile is hiding her inner screams.
Nobody but him, that is.
Our ML has always been different due to his ability to feel other’s emotions. He doesn’t just commiserate with those around him, but rather he actually FEELS their emotions as if they’re his own, making it seem like he can read their minds. His father treated him harshly due to this, not being pleased with a “soft” son, causing him to leave home as soon as he was of age & have limited contact with his family as an adult. He sought a home where he could isolate himself as much as possible &, thankfully, landed in a town that welcomed him & allowed him his peace. And while he does interact with the locals, he wants nothing to do with those outside his close circle. Not because he’s mean or indifferent, but because their emotions overwhelm him. This is shown to us with his first interaction with the FL, which is such an intense & beautifully-done scene.
The way they showed the contrast of the FL’s outer countenance & inner thoughts as seen/felt by the ML was just wonderful (& a great way for the viewers to then know what was happening in future similar scenes.) From the chemistry the actors have from that initial meeting, we (the viewers) know this is going to be a well-done drama. And we’re proven right which each subsequent interaction the Leads have. After that intense scene, we come to comedic moments where she’s trying to win him over & he’s firmly drawing a line of rejection. But even as he’s turning her away, his caring nature shines through in the little things he does for her (iykyk). And as they interact more, her caring nature also gets displayed in the ways she notices the small things & attempts to protect him/make him comfortable (again, iykyk). They’re complete opposites in lots of ways, but the genuine goodness of their hearts is the same.
I enjoyed watching this duo fumble their way into a partnership that was born out of an unexpected friendship. When the whole town is against working with her due to some sabotage attempts from a colleague (who later turns into a great friend, thank goodness!), the ML’s choice to trust her is such a touching scene. All the little ways she proved herself worthy of that trust & all the many ways he continued to choose her over & over laid a great foundation for their relationship to build on & progress from. It’s sweet how confident the FL is in her everyday work life & interactions with others, but how unsettled she gets by the unknown feelings the ML evokes in her. She’s not a touchy feely, girly girl so a lot of what he’s making her feel is foreign to her. I sometimes got a little frustrated at her naivety, but it makes sense in light of her history & lack of any emotional connections like this before.
The ML is a total green flag for her, understanding her confusion & easing her into things. I love the way he begins flirting with her, knowing she likes him even though she herself hasn’t figured it out yet. He’s adorable in his approach with her once he’s able to differentiate his own feelings from those around him (remember, he feels everyone’s emotions as if they’re his own so it can sometimes be confusing for him to know what HE’S actually feeling). That scene where he confirms that he himself likes the FL & it’s not just him experiencing the other guy’s emotions is so cute. ☺️
I admit I couldn’t really relate to the FL in her tough-girl persona, but that’s simply because she’s the complete opposite of me. I have a chronic illness that has affected me all my life so my physical abilities are quite limited, making her achievements vastly different from my own, haha. BUT I did grow to love her character & appreciate her strength. (Note: I’m not a girly-girl either, just to clarify. Makeup, fashion, hair done everyday - I’m too lazy for all that 🤣.) I more resemble the ML in this show. Which is actually what makes the show so fun - it truly is a reversal of the typical roles between men & women! And the actors did a fantastic job bringing their characters to life.
The secondary cast members were great too in their roles. Each one brought a different element to the team, adding a necessary dynamic that helped give heart & soul to the storyline. The love story of the second couple is just as sweet & satisfying as that of our Leads. And the friendship that bloomed between the once-rivals-now-teammates was so fun to watch. Plus, I just have to mention, the whole cast is freakin’ gorgeous so it’s no hardship to watch them on the screen!
Overall, this is a really easy & heartwarming show. There’s not a lot of angst or tension. The characters all stay true to themselves, nobody turning to the dark side for personal gain. There’s no real love-rival drama &, best of all imho, there’s no breakup. That got a bit dicey for a bit, but the Leads handled the situation beautifully. I absolutely adore that, in the midst of the tense could-be fight, the FL says, “there’s no breakup for us.” PSA to all writers - do this more!!! Two adults who can take a step back when emotions are high & admit they need to cool down before continuing the conversation. It’s so mature to simply hit pause when a fight is coming so that things aren’t said & done in the heat of the moment that you later regret. So I really appreciated & admired that the Leads did this - they know they have responsibilities to their employers & colleagues, but they also know they have a responsibility to protect & guard their relationship. So they choose to table the discussion & come back once they both have clearer heads, but not without clarifying that they are NOT breaking up. Kudos!!
This made me laugh, swoon, cry, & cheer so I would definitely recommend it if you’re in the mood for a story that will move your heart from the Leads sweet love. I confess, I didn’t really care much about the work aspect of the story. If that had been all there was, I would’ve dropped this, but the Leads saved the show for me. They had enough chemistry & interactions that I could overlook my boredom of the liquor brewing stuff & the workplace plot line. I came for the story, but I stayed for the Leads. 🩵
_________\\__________//________
-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-
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…
….
……
The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.7💋
- Together : ep.9 👩🏻❤️👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻
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It's okay not to be okay.. rom-com version
I just know I'm going to be rewatching this one because of the ginormous smile it left on my face at the end and how well they wrapped it. At first, I didn't know how to feel because I wasn't expecting him to have powers, and I prefer highly masculine male leads, and though later he fell more into that category, at the beginning, it looked so unsure of his character that I wanted to drop it. So glad I stuck with it. I just breezed right through it. It was the perfect break from my heavy mystery or deep romance dramas.LIKES
-A new industry is always interesting
-His character seemed delightful and I hope it stays that way
-it's everything great about your run-of-the-mill rom-com, over the top, bright, light, and heavy, cute love, and everything in between -it's an office relationship ish
-They showed them in a light fun cutesy aegyo love that I rarely see with main characters and it suits them
-how they didn't do an unnecessary breakup and acknowledged that there's no breaking up(over fixable stuff), just a truce
-She switched between kickass to sweet girly and wasn't just masculine the whole time
-OST was killing it, I'm still bouncing and singing it hours later
DISLIKES
-too much craziness with the editing and comedic timing in the first few 10 minutes of the drama, but I get that this is slapstick over the top comedy, so...
-The ajummas overdo it sometimes
-They tried too hard to make him soft and feminine, so that sometimes it took away his charm and made him look like a whimp... They later fixed it.
So all my issues with the characters in the drama in the story were fixed and the end just was so nicely done with no insane breakups or tragedy that it shot up to a 9 out of 10 for me. With really high rewatchability score.
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Im here for the romance
I watch mostly romance shows.This is my personal preference.So I am here for the romance.
When I like something I always go and read other reviews.I was surprised by all negative ones. But this is how it is. Taste is subjective.
What I liked
-the romance
Good chemistry between the leads. Good comunication. No unreasonable breakups.
-ML
The FL is likable but ML is a true gem. This man is very beautifull.Fortunately he does a good job and is more than beauty.The scenes with him are very enjoyable. He is very kind and empathetic. It is hard for him to be around others. - despite that he found a way to cary on and even take care of FL.
They are very different but I loved it when he desided that he likes her. He was straitforward and selfasured without been out of character. And she was fumbling and confused. Sweet and funny.
-ending
Happyend.This is a must for me.
-most of supporting cast
The villagers at first are the same crazy people like in any other drama but fairly quicky were revealed their true colours.They are source of comic relief and its working most of the time.Usualy supporting cast are nuisance and takes time to warm up to them.Its not the case here.
What could be better
-business side of the story
The business side at first was source of tension and is to make things more interesting I suppose.
There is nothing awful.No truly evel parents medling.Some things are drama explainable.
The pacing is good. Any arising problem was cleared within 1-2 eps.
Other couples - I dont know .Even when 2Leads are good I usually dont care for them. I think most people would like them.
So this is short and sweet romance without big problems. And truly amazing ML.
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Brewing Love is exactly what it sounds like—warm, slow, and comforting.
It’s not flashy or dramatic, but if you enjoy watching love blossom gently over cups of coffee, small talk, and quiet acts of care, this drama delivers exactly that.The leads have lovely chemistry—not in a high-energy, will-they-won’t-they way, but in the kind of connection that feels grounded and believable. Their relationship evolves at a peaceful pace, and much like brewing the perfect cup of tea or coffee, the joy is in the waiting. It's about two people growing out of loneliness, not by rushing into romance, but by learning to see each other slowly.
The setting—a cozy café—adds to the mood, and the food and drink visuals are beautifully shot. It gives off that same soothing atmosphere you’d get from dramas like Rainless Love in a Godless Land or Meet Yourself. That said, it does take its time. If you're looking for dramatic twists or fast-paced storytelling, this might feel a bit too light. But for those in the mood for healing, everyday romance, this one hits the spot.
Pros:
✔ Soft, genuine romance
✔ Beautiful cinematography and café aesthetic
✔ Healing themes and emotionally mature characters
✔ Comforting background score and food scenes
Cons:
✘ Very slow pacing—not for viewers who need high tension
✘ Some side plots don’t fully develop
Would I rewatch?
Yes—on a quiet night, wrapped in a blanket, with something warm to drink.
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