“Change is always scary. But you’d fall behind if you shy away from it.” – Kang Jiyun (Love Scout)
When corporate life gives you a rejection letter, you apply to ten more vacancies. But when you run a head-hunting agency, you bring together the best of both worlds— the corporate and the candidate—to earn your buck.
Kang Jiyun (played by Han Ji Min) is the definition of a career-oriented woman— educated, smart, prideful, hardworking, focused, and above all, sleep-deprived. She runs a headhunting agency in Seoul, South Korea, where she tirelessly helps her clients and candidates grab the best opportunities.
Yu Eunho (played by Lee Jun Hyuk), is the model single dad—organized, situationally aware, soft-spoken, and meticulous. After being wrongfully fired from his previous company, falsely accused of leaking company data, fate brings him together with Kang Jiyun when he’s revealed as her new secretary.
The story explores the gentle emulsification of these two individuals, aided by corporate chaos and homemade meals. The series portrays the beautiful journey of two people who begin as polar opposites, gradually moving toward stability and falling in love.
Series: Love Scout
Where to watch: Rakuten Viki, Apple TV, Wavve, Netflix
Cast: Han Ji Min, Lee Jun Hyuk
Written by: Kim Ji Eun
Directed by: Ham Joon Ho
The Plot
Kang Jiyun, as the CEO, runs a head-hunting agency called ‘Peoplez’, providing her services to corporations while helping job seekers land their perfect roles. Handling corporate shenanigans with ruthless decisiveness and a cut-throat approach, she is a disaster when it comes to maintaining work-life balance. Struggling with insomnia caused by unresolved trauma from her past, she finds it difficult to process her daily life in a healthy way. Amidst one of her many crises, she’s introduced to an unlikely, yet perfectly organized new secretary.
Yu Eunho, formerly an HR, took paternal leave after a life-threatening scare involving his daughter, Yu Byeol (played by Ki So-you), in order to care for her and learn how to balance work and family life. However, dissatisfied with his ‘work ethics,’ one of his supervisors falsely framed him for leaking company information. As a result, Eunho loses his job and ends up being hired as Jiyun’s secretary.
While being under the care of her competent secretary, Jiyun slowly starts changing for the better. She gradually learns to love herself, discovers her purpose to live, and slowly starts to fall in love with the said secretary, giving rise to a chaotic office romance. Initially fueled by anger and revenge towards her former colleague and mentor, Kim Hye Jin, Jiyun eventually learns to let go of the past and focus on what truly matters, all while pursuing her dreams with a renewed sense of purpose.
With office romance as its central theme, the plot explores various tropes and sub-tropes, including found family, healthy workplace dynamics, and parenting. It beautifully portrays the process of grief, particularly the loss of loved ones, through the perspectives of different characters in various circumstances. Overall, the plot emphasizes the importance of taking a positive, albeit practical, approach to problems and not letting the emotions get the best of you, particularly in the professional world.
The Characters
Kang Jiyun (played by Han Ji Min)
A prideful, smart, and career-oriented woman, who fails to maintain a work-life balance. She’s often seen overworking and pouring all her energy into her career, neglecting her own well-being. She gradually learns to balance her priorities and discovers herself, with the help of her secretary (and love interest). She is revealed to have suffered deep trauma from the loss of people she held dear. Unable to properly process their deaths, her grief manifests as anger, damaging both her mind and body.
Yu Eunho (played by Lee Jun Hyuk)
A single father to a young daughter, he’s often seen taking control of the situation or trying his best to regain it. His patience, attention to small details, and organizational skills earn him a position as Kang Jiyun’s secretary. When he’s not suited up for corporate, he’s revealed to possess exceptional cooking skills. Being always ready to put others before himself, he sometimes finds himself in trouble and neglecting his own needs.
Why You Should Watch It
- Lessons: The show, while being set in a fictional scenario, also reflects the harsh realities of the corporate world, leaving much to be learned for those unaware.
- Visuals: The series offers a stunning visual treat with beautiful cinematography, styling, and overall visual impact. The excellent cinematography makes for a cozy watch without being too stimulating.
- Cuteness Overload: The series has two child actors (Ki So-you and Kim Tae-bin) performing as Yu Byeol, Yu Eunho’s daughter, and Jung Seo-joon, Byeol’s playmate, adding a heavy dose of cuteness to the series.
- Character Development: Each character in the series has a unique backstory, along with their own strengths and weaknesses, which they strive to make the best of, ultimately leading them toward their own happily-ever-afters.
- Workplace Dynamics: Despite being set in the corporate world, the drama does an excellent job of emphasizing healthy workplace dynamics. Instead of relying on clichés like forced team dinners, uncomfortable suits, and awkward team-building exercises, it portrays a casual yet respectful workplace dynamic between Kang Jiyun as a CEO and her employees, which feels like a breath of fresh air.Found Family: The story of both the main leads and supporting characters weaves together beautifully to depict this theme. The drama excels in showing the power of community and support systems, and the positive changes they can bring for everyone involved.
- Dreamy OSTs: In a true K-Drama fashion, the original soundtracks for the series are perfect companions for the storytelling. The upbeat romantic ballads are sure to make you get all the feels of being in a K-drama, even when not watching one on screen.
‘Love Scout’ is a story about finding the best even in the worst circumstances. For working professionals, it offers a bittersweet reprieve from the usual monotonous corporate day. For aspiring professionals, while not entirely based on reality, the series provides valuable insights with a gentle reminder that nothing lasts forever and not everything is as bad as it seems. It emphasizes the ‘give respect, get respect’ fact, portraying how working towards your goals with negativity and spite never leads to a successful outcome. The show also promotes respect, kindness and mutual understanding among team members. The reversed gender roles with a female CEO and a male secretary also make for an exciting new dynamic, breaking the gender norms and leveling the playing field from both sides.
The series also serves as a powerful reminder for viewers to prioritize their well-being over career or corporate life. It cleverly portrays the realities of the corporate world, while adding the whimsical touch of K-Drama magic, leaving viewers with a sense of peace and happiness after just 12 episodes.
Written by: N.V.S. Akanksha
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