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Misunderstandings turned into second chances and the possibility of healing emotional wounds
Based on Moscareto's web novel of the same name, 'Business as Usual' revolves around Chae Jin Hwan (Seong Seung Ha, in his professional debut) and Kim Min Jun (Chae Jong Hyeok, 'My Dearest Nemesis' - 2025) in two different timelines.
In one, we see Min Jun, an introverted and insecure college student with self-esteem issues, communication difficulties, a tendency to overthink, jump to conclusions, and misinterpret situations, fall in love with an extroverted, popular, and naturally cheerful boy, with whom he will experience, in their first relationship, a brief, bittersweet, and self-destructive romance.
In the other, unexpectedly, eight years after a tumultuous breakup marked by insecurities, misunderstandings, and lack of communication, and without any contact with each other during that time, fate brings them together again when they unexpectedly end up working at the same publishing company, creating an atmosphere fraught with tension, both professional and personal.
Female director Min Chae Yeon, who with 'Happy Merry Ending' (2023) had ventured for the first time into LGBT+ dramas, and screenwriter Kang Rim, mix the two stages throughout the series, giving the viewer the possibility of comparing and appreciating the evolution of the relationship between the two protagonists when they met while they were university students, and how in the present day their still unresolved feelings complicate their working relationship, in a more powerful way than if they had presented the story in a normal, linear way.
In this way, the director and screenwriter better exploit the story, depicting in consecutive scenes how two lovers, for the wrong reasons, had to end their relationship in the past and were able to rekindle their love story. Jealousy, fear of abandonment, low self-esteem, insecure attachment, and early insecurities are transformed into second chances and the possibility of healing emotional wounds. The death of love and its subsequent rebirth.
The original poster for the series, which shows the two protagonists in a warm and homey setting, their faces just seconds away from a kiss. The phrase "A clumsy first love, where we were each other's 'smaller half'" informs the viewer of the complex relationship between the two and the impact of their reunion. It is striking, perhaps because we have been spoiled by countless romantic films from Hollywood (and the rest of the world, really; the structure and characters are boringly similar), the realistic and imperfect drawing of the two protagonists, who constantly make mistakes and who have very defined personalities. As the minutes go by, you get to know them as if they were two close friends.
Kim Min Jun and Chae Jin Hwan are looking for love, and they meet at the perfect moment, when the former needs someone loving and attentive to pamper him and treat him like a prince in a fairy tale. Jin Hwan is the perfect fit, a romantic waiting for the opportunity to prove his commitment in a serious relationship. Or at least that's what Min Jun thinks. And he's Seong Seung Ha at his most seductive. Kim Min Jun can't resist.
But then (from Min Jun’s perspective) comes the phone conversation in which he can’t quite hear what it’s about or if it’s about himself, the other’s hurried departure from the house because something unexpected and urgent has come up, following his steps down the street to see where he’s going, discovering who he’s meeting, seeing from a distance how his beloved hugs another man, how it seems to him to see them kiss, the jealousy that grows, the insecurity that always existed now reaches the size of a skyscraper, the conversation that should happen but never comes because he doesn’t wait for his return, because he doesn’t answer his calls, because he gets rid of his cell phone… and the relationship collapses.
Beyond the physical change—which can be interpreted in various ways (representation of the passage of time, life's hardships, the monotonous life, the 9-to-5 office job, a faded love, never having experienced love again, returning home, alone, every night...)—it's interesting how, approaching 30, Min Jun feels the weight of societal expectations to achieve more in life, yet feels trapped and dissatisfied, both in his work and his love life.
And suddenly, the man of his dreams reappears before him. He still looks as attractive, charismatic, and charming as ever, and this reminds him how different they are, while feeling like he hasn't made any progress since their breakup eight years earlier. Determined to keep his past from interfering with his work life, Min Jun tries to maintain his usual routine, keeping it strictly professional... and move on. After all, he's one of those who believes that "First loves should stay in the past; that's the point." However, Jin Hwan remains determined to rekindle their romance, responding, "I was looking for something more than friendship. I want something with real potential".
And now I wonder: Will things be different this time, or is it better to leave the past behind? Will they be able to overcome the misunderstandings of the past?
With a plot that explores the deepest emotions and the complexities of unresolved love, 'Business as Usual', less so in the reason why the two leads broke up in the past, reminds me of Lim Hyun Hee's fellow South Korean drama 'Our Dating Sim' (2023).
To work, 'Business as Usual' needed two actors fully committed to the project, dedicated to creating and developing the characters. Seong Seung Ha and Chae Jong Hyeok accepted the commitment and give their all on screen. They are formidable in both timelines; no one could have better embodied Chae Jin Hwan and Kim Min Jun.
Both draw on the strength of their characters to create memorable performances. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable. The work of Seong Seung Ha and Chae Jong Hyeok is mainly observed in the knowing glances they give each other. It is clear that there is a lot of work put into the two actors behind each scene.
I like how Min Jun's character evolves over time. Reuniting with Chae Jin Hwan makes him bolder, more open, and more confident. I have no doubt he's ready for a healthy relationship.
Min Chae Yeon worked on the script with Kang Rim for years, but when it came time to film, she asked the actors to improvise and find the most natural way for them to behave and interact with each other. In statements on social media, she has stated that she tried to finish the scenes in a single take, with the aim of capturing the spontaneity of the performances, and she also had Seong Seung Ha and Chae Jong Hyeok spend time together before filming, so they would be more believable as a couple and rehearse ways to start and continue conversations, especially moments of intimacy. These series of decisions are risky; it is safer to stick to the script and plan every detail, but with luck and talent, the result is worth it.
The work of the protagonists is joined by a supporting cast, The work of the protagonists is joined by a supporting cast, made up of, among other actors and actresses,Jung Do Myung as Chae U Hyeok (college classmate), Lee Sang Won as AR Publication director, and Lee Ui Seop as Kim Geon Ju, the college classmate, is also a strong presence in the BL world after starring in the dramas "Summer Indigo" (2025) and "Taming the Bad Boy" (2024), and the film "My Idol" (2024).
Great photography, cool colors, and a pleasant soundtrack add a lot of depth to the story.
In one, we see Min Jun, an introverted and insecure college student with self-esteem issues, communication difficulties, a tendency to overthink, jump to conclusions, and misinterpret situations, fall in love with an extroverted, popular, and naturally cheerful boy, with whom he will experience, in their first relationship, a brief, bittersweet, and self-destructive romance.
In the other, unexpectedly, eight years after a tumultuous breakup marked by insecurities, misunderstandings, and lack of communication, and without any contact with each other during that time, fate brings them together again when they unexpectedly end up working at the same publishing company, creating an atmosphere fraught with tension, both professional and personal.
Female director Min Chae Yeon, who with 'Happy Merry Ending' (2023) had ventured for the first time into LGBT+ dramas, and screenwriter Kang Rim, mix the two stages throughout the series, giving the viewer the possibility of comparing and appreciating the evolution of the relationship between the two protagonists when they met while they were university students, and how in the present day their still unresolved feelings complicate their working relationship, in a more powerful way than if they had presented the story in a normal, linear way.
In this way, the director and screenwriter better exploit the story, depicting in consecutive scenes how two lovers, for the wrong reasons, had to end their relationship in the past and were able to rekindle their love story. Jealousy, fear of abandonment, low self-esteem, insecure attachment, and early insecurities are transformed into second chances and the possibility of healing emotional wounds. The death of love and its subsequent rebirth.
The original poster for the series, which shows the two protagonists in a warm and homey setting, their faces just seconds away from a kiss. The phrase "A clumsy first love, where we were each other's 'smaller half'" informs the viewer of the complex relationship between the two and the impact of their reunion. It is striking, perhaps because we have been spoiled by countless romantic films from Hollywood (and the rest of the world, really; the structure and characters are boringly similar), the realistic and imperfect drawing of the two protagonists, who constantly make mistakes and who have very defined personalities. As the minutes go by, you get to know them as if they were two close friends.
Kim Min Jun and Chae Jin Hwan are looking for love, and they meet at the perfect moment, when the former needs someone loving and attentive to pamper him and treat him like a prince in a fairy tale. Jin Hwan is the perfect fit, a romantic waiting for the opportunity to prove his commitment in a serious relationship. Or at least that's what Min Jun thinks. And he's Seong Seung Ha at his most seductive. Kim Min Jun can't resist.
But then (from Min Jun’s perspective) comes the phone conversation in which he can’t quite hear what it’s about or if it’s about himself, the other’s hurried departure from the house because something unexpected and urgent has come up, following his steps down the street to see where he’s going, discovering who he’s meeting, seeing from a distance how his beloved hugs another man, how it seems to him to see them kiss, the jealousy that grows, the insecurity that always existed now reaches the size of a skyscraper, the conversation that should happen but never comes because he doesn’t wait for his return, because he doesn’t answer his calls, because he gets rid of his cell phone… and the relationship collapses.
Beyond the physical change—which can be interpreted in various ways (representation of the passage of time, life's hardships, the monotonous life, the 9-to-5 office job, a faded love, never having experienced love again, returning home, alone, every night...)—it's interesting how, approaching 30, Min Jun feels the weight of societal expectations to achieve more in life, yet feels trapped and dissatisfied, both in his work and his love life.
And suddenly, the man of his dreams reappears before him. He still looks as attractive, charismatic, and charming as ever, and this reminds him how different they are, while feeling like he hasn't made any progress since their breakup eight years earlier. Determined to keep his past from interfering with his work life, Min Jun tries to maintain his usual routine, keeping it strictly professional... and move on. After all, he's one of those who believes that "First loves should stay in the past; that's the point." However, Jin Hwan remains determined to rekindle their romance, responding, "I was looking for something more than friendship. I want something with real potential".
And now I wonder: Will things be different this time, or is it better to leave the past behind? Will they be able to overcome the misunderstandings of the past?
With a plot that explores the deepest emotions and the complexities of unresolved love, 'Business as Usual', less so in the reason why the two leads broke up in the past, reminds me of Lim Hyun Hee's fellow South Korean drama 'Our Dating Sim' (2023).
To work, 'Business as Usual' needed two actors fully committed to the project, dedicated to creating and developing the characters. Seong Seung Ha and Chae Jong Hyeok accepted the commitment and give their all on screen. They are formidable in both timelines; no one could have better embodied Chae Jin Hwan and Kim Min Jun.
Both draw on the strength of their characters to create memorable performances. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable. The work of Seong Seung Ha and Chae Jong Hyeok is mainly observed in the knowing glances they give each other. It is clear that there is a lot of work put into the two actors behind each scene.
I like how Min Jun's character evolves over time. Reuniting with Chae Jin Hwan makes him bolder, more open, and more confident. I have no doubt he's ready for a healthy relationship.
Min Chae Yeon worked on the script with Kang Rim for years, but when it came time to film, she asked the actors to improvise and find the most natural way for them to behave and interact with each other. In statements on social media, she has stated that she tried to finish the scenes in a single take, with the aim of capturing the spontaneity of the performances, and she also had Seong Seung Ha and Chae Jong Hyeok spend time together before filming, so they would be more believable as a couple and rehearse ways to start and continue conversations, especially moments of intimacy. These series of decisions are risky; it is safer to stick to the script and plan every detail, but with luck and talent, the result is worth it.
The work of the protagonists is joined by a supporting cast, The work of the protagonists is joined by a supporting cast, made up of, among other actors and actresses,Jung Do Myung as Chae U Hyeok (college classmate), Lee Sang Won as AR Publication director, and Lee Ui Seop as Kim Geon Ju, the college classmate, is also a strong presence in the BL world after starring in the dramas "Summer Indigo" (2025) and "Taming the Bad Boy" (2024), and the film "My Idol" (2024).
Great photography, cool colors, and a pleasant soundtrack add a lot of depth to the story.
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