92

I Need Romance comes back for a Season 3

We’re getting another round of tvN’s hit romantic-comedy drama series, with the cable station announcing that Season 3 of I Need Romance is in the works for early next year. Like the earlier two seasons, the third round will reunite the same writer and director pair (writer Jung Hyun-jung, PD Jang Young-woo) and will run for 16 episodes.

I Need Romance 1 and 2 were both based on simple conceits but produced well, populating their worlds with modern careerwomen and dealing with romance with a realistic touch. As the title suggests, the stories played on the need to bring romance back into relationships, with the main couples having lost that lovin’ feelin’, so to speak, after being together for many years.

Season 3 will be a workplace rom-com set in a home shopping TV station, where the 33-year-old heroine works as a fashion marketing director. She’s described as not believing in love, though she’ll fall into a romance with a twentysomething co-worker who “dreams of a pure love” with her. Uh, I think a certain girlfriday’s noona radar just shot way up. There’s also a late-thirties senior colleague who fits into the love triangle, though I’m inferring from the wording that the noona-romance will be the main loveline. (Just a hunch. Don’t quote me!) (Also, I wonder if that will soothe the hurt feelings of everyone who got caught up rooting for the wrong romance in the earlier round.)

I Need Romance 3 will be casting soon and plans to begin filming in mid-November. It’s looking at the Monday-Tuesday timeslot to follow Basketball, which will close out this year for tvN, putting this drama’s premiere in January.

Via Joy News

RELATED POSTS

Tags: , , ,

92

Required fields are marked *

hey....the story sounds so much like Dalja's Spring....
home shopping, noona romance, etc.

0
7
reply

Required fields are marked *

yeah sounds exactly like Dalja's Spring

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

In this case, Yay for borrowing plotlines! I could use some more Dalja's Spring in my life.;)

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Same here! I'm in.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Same exact thought...even though Taebong didn't work anywhere near the company

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

That was my first thought also, has a similar set up to Dalja's Spring save for the main love interesting in the workplace. But hey, I'm down for the possibilities.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I guess they ran out of Japanese manga plots to copy.

Personally, I thought Dalja's Spring was much better than I Need Romance #2. I don't even recall for sure if I watched the first one.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I thought I was the only one who noticed. Dalja's Spring it is.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Ohhh. My radar is flashing too! We all know what drama to thank for all those noona romances which are going to flood our screens in the next months. ^^
Jaded untrusty careerwoman, I can take. Just don't have her ice cold like in I do, I do: It killed all the fun.
So, which guy am I supposed to root for? I always pick the one who will have his heart broken in those series...

0
9
reply

Required fields are marked *

We all know what drama to thank for all those noona romances which are going to flood our screens in the next months.

I wonder if that drama's going to set off a trend for mind-reading dramas too?

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

@Mystisith - re: "Just don’t have her ice cold like in I do, I do: It killed all the fun."

THIS.
I soooo wanted to like *I do, I do* and unfortunately Kim Sun Ah's character was so stiff that I was actually yelling at my monitor, "For God's sake ... have an emotion! Just one ...any one."

It was really a buzz-kill -- I mostly fast-forwarded through the show, which is a shame because I LIKE Kim Sun Ah - she usually brings a 'modern grown woman' element to her roles in a barren land of saccharine-sweet Kdrama doormats. (le sigh)

As for Round 3 of *I Need Romance* ---- please, for the love of Pete! ....do not have the male lead be somehow -- her 1st love. The previous two have covered this trope to the hilt. done..... move on. ;)

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I think it wasn't as much about a "first love" as about being with soemone who knows you best (includind things one prefers to be silent about) because you were together for so long vs finding thrill in a new relationship. On one hand I would welcome a change in the plot as well, on the other hand I rooted for the "old love" twice... Or at least I was against the "new love" in the first season.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree with you. That is also how I see it. It would be nice if they went in a different direction with the third season but, if not, hey--at least the relationship dynamics aren't the same each time. And lol, I think after a while I was against the new love in the first season as well.

As for I do, I do -- I liked that character. I didn't think she was ice cold at all! To me she was such a big softie and just seemed unapproachable and cool on the surface. Hmmm...

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Totally agree with you both about I Do, I Do. I was hyped about Kim Sun Ah back in dramaland and her performance was so bland. I know she was playing that way for the character, but there was absolutely no light or life in the performance. I'm not an actor, but I've seen performances where the ice queen popped and even when Kim Sun Ah was supposed to melt a bit or show some humanity, she didn't. I watched the drama all the way to the end because I thought her spark would come through at some point and . . . it . . . just . . . never . . . DID! total waste of time for me that was.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I loved Ji-an, I thought she was a great character. It was the mouth breathing guy running around flipping his heels in the air that I disliked. He would drive me crazy, it's a wonder she didn't stab him with a stray stiletto.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I liked Kim Sun Ah in Scent of a Woman, but disliked her in I Do, I Do. Both were noona romances, but the former drama was so much better than the latter.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I Adore her character! Why? beacuse I finally got to see a female lead character like her's in K-Drama land. I also enjoy the role reversal. Normally it's the leading men that are ice cold (and we enjoy the hell out of it, for example the recent master's sun). I got tired of seeing only the leading men acting cold and taking control. It was time for us women to take control, and I enjoyed the hell out of it. Heck, I would watch another drama her acting cold as ice, maybe even colder. I acutually want her to play a villian (Although i won't be able to hate her, haahaha).

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree I am down for more roles likes this for women. This is one of the "problems" with role subversion. Not really a problem, but female characters embued with the traditional male tropes generally are not well received.

I however personally did not find Ji an cold, just a person with walls.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I hope we get a different ending this time.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

OMG! I was so furious with how INR 1 ended and hated what they did to 2nd lead in INR2 . Do I really want to get into a 3rd installment? I don't know. It's the same production team and in my opinion, they keep getting the final couple all wrong!!!! May need to tap out of this one.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

love noona romances but I couldn't finish either I need romance I disliked the characters so much so im ify about this one also

0
8
reply

Required fields are marked *

too bad. i loved the first INR! it is still on my all time favs list. the second one not so much.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Opposite for me; couldn't get into the 1st INR and really liked the INR2012 - liked the flawed leads, as well as the 2nd male lead.

INR2012 had the best written 2nd male lead/romance in all the romcoms I've seen; while a good guy, not a pushover or a bore like the 2nd lead in "Best Love" which I never understood the appeal of (snore - boring).

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Me too. The crudeness of the female lead character was so off-putting. I kept wondering how they could ask us to believe that either of the male leads liked her. Especially the character played by the fab CJH.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I liked the first INR but the 2nd had a very unlikeable lead character

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am the reverse..I liked the second INR more and rooted for the male lead's character (Lee Jin Wook) though if he kept up the nonsense I would have given up on him. It was kinda fun knowing that the first and second males leads are beat friends in real life. Mush have fun on that set!!

For the first INR, I loved the second lead male's character(Choi Jin Hyuk) and not the first lead male's character (Kim Jeong-hoon).

I'll be curious to see who they cast in this as it seemed to make everyone a bit more famous.

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Same here. I was rooting for CJH in INR 1.. I also like the 2nd lead on INR 2. Let's see if I'll have the second lead syndrome in the third..

I started to like Choi Jin Hyuk because of INR 1. I hope he gets a lead role soon. :-)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

INR2012 had what a good romcom requires - a lot of fun, cute moments broken up by periods of tension/emotion/conflict.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Have they finished casting for INR3? If not, can we have Choi Jin Hyuk return as lead? XD

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yay! I'm so glad there's going to be a season 3!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Color me excited!!!!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I was happy with the result in the first I Need Romance, but wished Kim Ji Suk won the girl in the second. It really just depends on the actor/character for me haha. But I have liked both versions so far, so I will definitely check this one out.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

yes!! I loved the first two!! Actually i liked the main couple more in the second season, and the two best friends (and their stories) of the first season.
I hope they do well with casting :)

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

It sounds similar to Dal Ja's Spring plot with the marketing tv setting. The fact that she doesn't believe in love should be interesting.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

As a fan of both series I am happy. Give me even more romance! ;)
INR and INR2012 had the same scheme of breaking up-having a new romance-finding your way back with the old love. The third season seems a bit different. That's interesting. I wonder whether the typical girls-besties group will remain as usual, or maybe we'll look at some dignified gentlemen this time?
I am looking forward for a nice, light but realistic story of likable characters. Cheers for the Writer-nim!
*goes to listen to Donde Estas Yolanda from INR*

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Pretty much like my queen

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

We could only hope. My Queen was pretty good.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Please no. If the late-thirties colleague turns out to be the long-lost love she thought had spurned her (near death! amnesia! conniving mean girls! missed connections!), I will laugh, and not in a nice way.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yaaaaaaay. I loved the first season! I didn't think the second season was different enough from the first (and it relied a little too much on cliches) but otherwise it was a good watch. They seem to be trying to differentiate this one from the other two a little more so that sounds good. I also hope there will be more focus on the friendship in Season 3 (which was a little lacking in Season 2, imo). Anyway, I'll definitely check it out.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am psyched! I enjoyed season one and loved season two to bits and pieces. I am looking forward to what the producer and writer has to offer for 3! Excited. Will keep a look out for this!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am cautiously excited. The first INR was just I.T. for me. Loved it to pieces.

Season two had some good elements but both lead characters annoyed me. She was unreasonably stubborn & annoying and a selfish "rhymes with witch" to the cute, nice & perfect second male lead. I know the female lead never appreciates the nice guy but she took things too far--like when she folded up & threw away his only picture of himself from childhood. He was stupid and selfish and did not have any real redeeming qualities other than the fact that he was nice to her friends b/c that whole I'm leaving you because I love you motif just did not cut it or explain away his otherwise emotionally unavailable & uncompromisingly self-absorbed personality.

Sooo, if we get more of the original INR with that same spirit of freshness and heart, I'll be glad to jump on the bandwagon!

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Actually liked that Jung Yumi's character was flawed (and wasn't the typical, boring "nice girl") and her character recognized that she had those flaws which made it even better.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

funny that I like INR2 more than the 1º.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Sounds just like Daljas Spring! That's ok though, since I loved Daljas Spring :)

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I was wondering when they would come out with a 3rd one, i thought it would have been this past summer because thats when the others came out 2011 and 2013.

I'll watch, but was disappointed with the way both 1 and 2 ended so wont hold out hope. It seems this series always pairs the heroine with her 'first love' no matter how much of a jerk he is or how sweet the other guy - whom she falls in love with btw- is. It never works out with the second guy, and she always ends up back with the guy that hurt her.

I wouldn't be surprised if this happens in 3 as well.

0
7
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree. I felt like both season 1 and 2 could've ended differently. I really loathed the characters of season 2. I didn't get how 10 years knowing someone wasn't enough to tell you that it was time to let him go.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I don't know why so many dramas use that "been a couple since the stone age" trope. Time after time I see one where they have been going out for 5, 7, even 10 years yet they still cannot figure out if they even like each other or not.

K-dramas don't seem to be big on letting anything go - whether it is first loves, lost siblings, revenge, or whatever they just keep it going for years, in some cases for decades. Seriously, nobody in their right mind marathons a torch for 25 years, like in Scandal.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Seriously. First Love, fighting for your relationship, sticking to what you know is nice and all but I also want to see heroines that are able to move on (even if they don't necessarily end up with the 2nd lead).

0
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

Right? Comfort is nice in a relationship but it's not synonym of love. You have to take some risks sometime and acknowledging than that old love wasn't meant to be. >.>

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

True, but I think that's a lesson many k-dramas already tell us many, many times. In INR, it feels like they are going the opposite way in saying, you know sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants and if it's that first person--that makes you upset and want to pull your hair out sometimes--go for it & try to make it work. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, I think a lot of people can relate to something like that. And love comes with lots of problems and arguments and misunderstandings; it's not always pretty or sweet and I appreciate that the show delves into that w/o having the usual conventions like crazy and/or warring families or birth secrets or I dunno...evil corporations, lol. It's kind of more realistic and makes you think--it is a bit disenchanting, even haha.

But, who knows how the 3rd season will go...maybe in a different direction. I always like the friendship in the show, though. So nice to see girls in k-dramas actually be friends--I feel like it doesn't happen often, such a shame. Where be the sisterhoods?

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

While I really liked the 2nd lead in INR2012 and that romance, I could see why Jung Yumi's character went back to her long-time love.

Her big issue was him not being able to commit to her and until she found out that it was him, in a misguided way of protecting her (due to his family's hereditary health issue), she erroneously thought that he didn't really love her when he did.

It's really tough to get past all that history, along with the love that was there, but misunderstood.

The fact that she really started to fall in love in Kim Ji-suk's character made her breaking up w/ him that much more emotionally compelling.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I really didn't mind the main couple on INR2 but 'the Illness was the source of our problems' was such a big cop-out to me... Miss Writer, are you telling me all their issues of lack of trust and lack of communication (which was a refresingly realistic part of the drama) were all because of some fantasy-like illness that belongs in a drama? So when she finds out, poof, all the problems are magically gone? Although I don't think it's far-fetched that she went back to her first love, the execution left a lot to be desired for me :/

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Nothing will "soothe my hurt feelings" about the ending of the first I Need Romance. It was just wrong, Wrong, WRONG!. Was I yelling? Sorry. (goes off to grumble alone over a two-year-old drama like a crazy person)

0
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

It's okay, Trotwood, lol, many of us will never get over the ending of Big, and most of us have at least one show or movie that has traumatized us for life!

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

For me, it was "Feast of the Gods" - totally unrelated to the romance tropes, but yeah - even k-dramas can cause PTSD :D

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

If it makes you feel any better, I'm right there yelling with you, even two years later, if someone reminds me of the ending to INR 1.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

me 3 .... really dislike the 1st male lead in INR1!! I didn't bother to watch the last episode when I read from somewhere that she going back to him. So far INR1 & Big is in my top 3 of the kdrama with ending that I am pissed with. :P

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yell all you want @trotwood, there are a lot of kdrama viewers who feel the same way. It was completely wrong.

On the other hand, though I'd seen him in dramas before, INR was what solidified my love of CJH.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I hope the romance is not "too" pure. I'm getting a little tired of romances where there is nothing happening and there are an abundance of 30 year old virgins.

0
6
reply

Required fields are marked *

I second that. Bring the heat.

0
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

It's not like the two previous seasons vere chaste... This seems to be the most liberated series I have seen of kdramas for the 5 years of my mania.

Yeah, and what's wrong with 30-year-old virgins? LOL They are people too.

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Nothing wrong with them, but I don't think real-life 30- YOVs are "shocked" when a member of the opposite sex hugs them. Or dates someone for several months without even kissing them.

I think I've been watching too many daily dramas recently.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I don't know much about daily dramas, but INR is rather daring, so far there has been no scene of the type you've described. Just think of the first episode of the second season. It's telling.

0

I was thinking Ann was referencing the general state of G rated romance that been going on in dramaland for way long, and how likely INRS3 could follow in that pattern. I was just watching trailers for Heirs and was thinking wow, look at all those pretty pretty boys and bummer, they are going to totally waste all that pink lipstick.

0

"..an abundance of 30 year old virgins..."

Hehe, that is actually all true, if you believe in dramaland. Time after time you see that silly scene where some 28-30 year olds faints at the sight of some guy changing his t-shirt, or gets a severe panic attack if some guy gets closer than 5 feet away. It is even more stupid when said heroine has like 4 older brothers.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I don't trust this writer after the previous two seasons. She lost her touch in S2 already, sure the main couple didn't annoy me as much as S1 but the girlfriends trio, the subplots and the story in general was so uninspired, not to mention the whole Noble Idiocy/Illness thing. I think I'll pass on this one :/

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm all for it as long as they cast it right. Both times, the leading lady did NOT pick the right guy for me but I'll probably still watch it! Again, only IF they have the right cast. I preferred the original cast first but loved the 2nd leads in the 2nd version.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I didn't watch either series, but this conversation suggests that a big hit concept for next summer would be "Vampire Prosecutor III: Noonas of Darkness."

0
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

HA! Great idea!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm drooling. The stains may not leave...

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

You are hilarious....I'm glad there was no coffee in my mouth.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'd be on-board for watching that!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Nah, we have not recycled the Food Fad era yet, so I suspect next will something along the lines of "Vampire Diaries III - Kimchi of the Succubus"

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Whoa January dramas already in the works?? Time is flying ;;;

But anyway, could not get passed the fifth episode of INR 2, it definitely was not my cup of tea. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the first season (mostly because of Choi Jin-hyuk, of course), although I'm still bitter about that ending. I guess this means it could be hit or mess. Guess we'll see.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks for the update JB.

Feel a bit conflicted re: a part 3 of INR.

I have nothing but good feelings for Season 1 but I wanted to throw the remote at the writers for messing with my heart and head many times during Season 2.

Don't want to go on the same emotional roller coaster ride again in Season 3 so will be cautious this time around.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

hmmmm was going to watch, but noona romances are not my thing

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

As long as we don't get another pathetic heroine (yes I am looking at you I Need Romance 1).

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Pathetic heroine includes about half of all k-dramas :(

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

So excited. I loved both series, though I felt the second was more realistic and fun. This channel is doing everything right.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Cooooool! I will be down for this.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

haha great to hear that, but both Season 1 & 2, I get 2nd male lead syndrome, will S3 repeat again ;)

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I would love to see a drama where the second lead gets the girl. I was really hoping in the first INR that the writers/producers would be brave enough to let the 2nd guy win and I was bitterly disappointed when that didn't happen. But it appears from all the comments that I wasn't alone so i will take comfort in that.

That inspires me to ask my fellow beanies: WHAT DRAMAS ARE OUT THERE THAT ARE WORTH WATCHING WHERE 2ND LEAD GETS THE GIRL?

I've been watching dramas for 4 yrs now and can't recall any but I'm sure the experts here know of a few.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

My wishful thinking that Lee Si Young will be cast, man I miss her in drama ;__; just watched Killer Toon and it was awesome and scary. I need some fluff from her now lol

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Same! I really Miss her! But now she's a boxer as well and I'm wishing her the best of luck in that too!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

YAY! FINALLY! I Loved the other two. I also happened to root for the right guy the second time (that guy was SO HOT I couldn't have done differently), and in the first one I was really unsure...
But I love when I don't know for who to root. :D
I love this show 'cause it's heartwarming... The friendship is always so well done and it's one of the focal point. I also like that it has a mature, and somewhat us-telefilm tone (but with a "Korean point of view")

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I hate both the first and the second.

The first, I hate the female lead
The second, I hate the female and male lead, I hate dysfunctional/crazy/non-sensical relationship.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Ooh, I am looking forward to this! I really liked S1 & S2, so I hope S3 will be just as good, if not better

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I hope Nam Sang Mi gets cast in INR season 3!

But there will be lots of kissing and making out scenes....so maybe she wouldnt accept the role... i mean tvn is much bolder than the free to air broadcast stations like SBS, MBC, KBS...

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I hope there isn't a boyfriend that she's been together with for 30 years who's afraid of commitment. While I liked that in the first one, I really didn't appreciate it in the 2nd one, even though I did love me some Lee jin Wook!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

ha ji won and taecyon .... me wishful thinking

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yay! I loved the first two.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I loved season 1 (except the confusing OTP) and hated season 2. I will watch season 3 tho.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *