KDrama Calling: Business Proposal - Ahn Hyo-Seop, Kim Se-Jeong's Unserious Romcom Is Sweet, Silly, Sassy

At one point in Business Proposal, Ahn Hyo-seop's character Kang Tae-moo compares his love for Kim Se-jeong's Shin Ha-ri with his credit card. "They both have no limit!" Cringe? Well, this was probably the most memorable pick-up line of the show, that was high on crazy moments of romance, loud expressions and over-the-top performances. Business Proposal is probably the best rom-com you'd ever see in the K-drama land.The show released in 2022, we had just come out of the Covid times. Infact, the world was in a dire need for laughter, and this drama gave us that, and more. A love story that begins in disguise about two hopeless romantics trying to woo each other in the most outlandish manner, was enough for the audience to fall in love again.

Another set of two were trying to shoo each other away, only to keep getting pulled back to each other. Business Proposal went on to become a Netflix success globally, and we are convinced.

Mashup of romance

Business Proposal follows Shin Ha-ri who accepts to go on a blind date in place of her friend Jin Young-seo. While she tries her best to ward off the guy, Kang Tae-moo, he turns out to be her boss. Meanwhile, the friend experiences love at first sight for the boss' chief secretary/best friend Cha Sung-hoon (gear up for another case of Second Lead Syndrome). Overall, its a complete mashup of couples, romances and hilarious comedy of errors.But haven't we seen enough of the confusion? What makes Business Proposal different?

Pitch-perfect casting

First things first, the show wins with its casting. It was Ahn Hyo-seop and Kim Se-jeong's breakout project. They lived their characters. While Kim proved herself as the queen of comedy genre, Ahn burnt the screens reminding us of Park Seo-joon from What's Wrong With Secretary Kim. Fresh from the success of KPop Demon Hunters, this is a show fans must explore if they wish to see more of Ahn.

When second leads rule

On the sides, Kim Min-kyu and Seol In-ah gave us a more intense, bold romance. Mi-kyu's kiss as he removed his glasses in the moment, sent ripples across the audience. The four characters projected chemistry like we hadn't seen in a long time. They presented two couples of different dimensions: while one being conservative, another one as libertine. There's one of everyone.The side characters are etched perfectly fitting the bill. The office guys are funny, the grandfather is funnier and the cabbage field sequence is the funniest.

Cliched, yet indulging

Business Proposal is cliched, exaggerated and predictable. Yet, it cannot be missed. The comedy is not original, yet you end up laughing out the loudest. The show doesn't take itself seriously, and nor does the audience. It offers whatever fits in. But not once you complain. It has a bit of everything: corporate setting, office romance, sneaky kisses and demons of the past. It is pure entertainment, and that's what we seldom need.One striking aspect in its screenplay is the manner in which its plot development transitions smoothly between outrageously funny scenes. It's pace does falter in the second half, when it gets into its conflict curve, trying to explore a childhood trauma (another favourite angle for K-dramas), but just when one might expect it to turn non-engaging, it returns on track. Credit goes to its smart writing.

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Silly and saucy

Business Proposal is a sleek, well packaged show with a very good looking star cast, extremely drool-worthy wardrobe, manicured characters and humour that most of the times, leaves you falling off the chair. It's a light-hearted show, a must-watch indeed, because sometimes all you need to see is the silliest stuff!(KDrama Calling is our weekly series where we dissect and look back at a fan-favourite Korean show, decoding what makes it a hit even after a considerable time after release.)