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Prime Minister and I: Episode 1

Next in the KBS rom-com lineup is Prime Minister and I, whose light and breezy tone took me by surprise. I knew to prepare myself for the cute, but I didn’t expect it to also stir the heartstrings in the first hour. There’s promise and potential in a story that moves fairly quickly that contains both heartwarming and funny notes. And damn, a prime minister has never looked this good.

Even though Prime Minister and I took in last place at 5.9% against its competitors (Empress Ki [♥] led the pack with 20.2% and A Warm Word followed with 6.8%), maybe a contract marriage is just the kind of hijinks medicine I need.

SONG OF THE DAY

Standing Egg – “Runner’s High” [ Download ]

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EPISODE 1 RECAP

We open at a banquet hall where preparations are underway, leading up to the arrival of our hero, Prime Minister KWON YUL (Lee Beom-soo) and his wife, NAM DA-JUNG (Yoon-ah), who greet the roomful of dignitaries with a smile.

But there’s a different story that lies beneath those adoring smiles as the power couple turns to each other… and exchange looks of distaste.

An imagined Matrix style fight scene points to a more tense and hostile relationship between them. And while the world may regard her husband as a respected public figure, our heroine doesn’t share in that opinion because, well, they’re in a contract marriage.

In order to understand how we got here, we rewind to two months earlier at a restaurant where our heroine Da-jung is chasing another celebrity tipoff. We see Yul sitting in another private room, shocked to be told that the president has nominated him as prime minister-elect.

Though three previous candidates have failed their confirmation hearings, Yul accepts his nomination and is told to keep the news under wraps until the official announcement is made tomorrow.

Meanwhile Da-jung follows the celebrity entourage outside and wonders why the rumored couple hasn’t shown up yet, until she realizes that one of the star’s “girlfriends” is in fact, wearing a wig. She snaps photos of the cozy-looking pair, and then gasps when Yul photobombs her money shot, having heard the clicking of her camera nearby.

Da-jung tries to shoo him away quietly when he marches up to her, demanding to know what she’s doing. Thinking she’s a reporter trying to get first dibs to cover his candidacy, Yul wrenches the camera out of her hands to delete his photos.

Naturally she has no idea what he’s talking about, but that’s when he sees the other paparazzi photos. He asks if she has no shame about digging into other people’s personal lives and calls her life pathetic, leaving her offended in his wake.

However the noise has caught her targets’ attention, and Da-jung is forced to run when she turns to meet their angry stares.

The announcement is made the next day, but there’s one person who watches the news with a stern face. This is PARK JOON-KI (Ryu Jin), whose character description describes him as Yul’s brother-in law and political rival.

Though he says he’s not bitter about being passed over for the job, he definitely harbors those feelings, as evidenced in his determination to find a wrinkle that will stop Yul’s rise to political power.

At the office, Da-jung exclaims at a photo of Yul in the papers, and her editor boss gives her (and us) the backstory on the handsome and sexy politician: Getting his start as a prosecutor, Yul gained public favor working at the National Assembly and earned the nickname “Yeoido’s Lee Byung-heon.” Ha.

Unfortunately his late wife tragically died in a car accident years ago while he was the governor of Jeju Island, leaving him to raise three young children on his own. He’s currently ranked as the most eligible bachelor in the political and celebrity market in the nation.

Da-jung wonders what their small entertainment tabloid publication would gain from chasing after a politician. She’s told that what their readers will be interested in isn’t the economy or politics, but whether there’s more to the relationship with the female secretary who’s worked at Yul’s side for the past decade.

So Da-jung joins the other reporters as they pelt Yul with questions, all hoping to get a remark, when Da-jung calls out a question that stops him in his tracks: “Do you have any plans to remarry?”

That grabs everyone’s attention, and Yul turns around to directly ask her what politics means. He recites a textbook definition back at her, driving the point home that her question has no relevance here, and then finishes, “Is that enough of an answer for you?”

The other reporters snigger at her after he leaves, wondering to themselves what a third-rate celebrity gossip reporter is doing here. But Da-jung is nothing if not determined and refuses to give up.

A minute later we see Da-jung following alongside Yul’s car on her scooter. It doesn’t escape his attention, and he confronts her when they’re both stopped at a red light.

It’s only now that he also recognizes her from the previous night and scoffs when Da-jung admits to it sheepishly. His secretary SEO HYE-JOO (Chae Jung-ahn) asks why she’s following them, and Da-jung hesitates before answering that she’s hoping for an interview.

To her surprise, Yul agrees on the spot, and Da-jung abandons her scooter and helmet right then and there. Haha.

She climbs in cheerily and decides to call him “Prime Minister,” finding the “elect” attachment is too tedious. It’s pretty hilarious how shameless Da-jung is as she freely sniffs him and asks what cologne he uses. Slightly horrified, he answers, “I don’t.”

He finds her superficial questions utterly ridiculous, to which Da-jung explains that she’s just trying to break the ice. So he says he has a question of his own—does she know where they’re headed right now?

Next thing we know, Yul arrives at the police station dragging in a screaming Da-jung behind him. She exclaims that Yul is still the prime minister-elect and therefore has no authority to throw her in jail. To that, Yul sums it up in a few words: “She’s a stalker.” HA.

Back in in his office, Yul interviews a candidate applying to be his aide. This is KANG IN-HO (Yoon Shi-yoon), who explains that he always placed second because he’d rather have someone recognize his worth than just placing first and going on interviews.

In-ho honestly admits that he’s not interested in being any typical aide, but more along the lines of a chief advisor to help Yul become someone greater if that’s what he wants. Yul says that’ll be his job to the president but hires In-ho on the spot anyway, impressed.

But there’s a mysterious aura about In-ho as he casts a dark look back at the office door. Hmm. And it seems Hye-joo has picked up on it too, but she casts her suspicions aside for now.

Da-jung gets dragged out by security guards, indignant to be told that she’s been barred access to the building. Looking at her cleaning lady getup, I do have to give her points for trying.

Another reporter steps up to put her in her place, but she’s not having it and attacks him with her mop before getting dragged out again, all the while cursing up a storm.. Puhaha.

Yul arrives moments later and scoffs to hear Da-jung has tried to drop by again. But before he can dwell on it, he’s met with a visitor in the form of Joon-ki.

Yul is sharp enough to know that his brother-in-law isn’t just here to offer his congratulations, and sincerely tells him that he doesn’t want to have to compete with Joon-ki for the prime minister position.

Joon-ki tells him to withdraw his nomination then and it’s clear that he still blames Yul for his sister’s death seven years ago. This is his last warning, Joong-ki reminds him, or he’ll come to regret it. And we know that those words always hold true in dramaland.

Meanwhile, Da-jung plays a game with her father while she visits him at the hospital. They have an adorable bickering relationship as Dad lectures her about how she’s still single. Da-jung retorts that she’s pretty and popular enough as it is. Cute.

Dad rises from his chair to greet his wife and her mother… a doctor whom Da-jung greets politely. Wait, something’s not right.

Sure enough, the doctor confirms that although Dad is adjusting well enough, dementia is still a degenerative disease. Da-jung rejoins her father and asks why he’s so fixated on her getting married. He wants to be able to see his grandkids get married, Dad answers, so she’ll get married soon, right?

Da-jung promises that she will. But as she massages his shoulders, she thinks to herself sadly that she won’t be able to fulfill Dad’s wish because she wants to stay and take care of him.

Da-jung is given a breakdown on Yul’s three kids from her co-worker Hee-chul (aw, Lee Min-ho): Eldest son Woo-ri is fifteen years old, middle daughter Na-ra is twelve, and youngest son Man-se is seven years old. Ha, you can’t get more patriotic when your kids’ names spell out “Our Nation Hooray!”

Although Da-jung doesn’t feel right about going to such lengths to get a juicy scoop, she can’t go back to her boss empty handed again, so she resorts to find her own way.

Rifling through the garbage outside Yul’s house gets her nowhere, but that’s when In-ho spots her. She pretends to be a curious Japanese tourist, and In-ho humors her by replying in Japanese and displays his impressive fluency in foreign languages until he guesses that Korean is likely most comfortable for her. Ha, busted.

He identifies himself as the prime minister-elect’s aide and figures that she’s a reporter. He lets her off with a warning this time, but then breaks into an amused smile after she leaves.

Yul is still mulling over his brother-in-law’s words when he gets word that little Man-se is missing. We see the little boy bawling his eyes out in front of the convenience store in the company of the jerky reporter who insulted Da-jung earlier.

That’s where Da-jung sees them and another snack is enough for Man-se to temporarily stop crying. When the reporter asks him again about Daddy’s relationship with his secretary, Da-jung marches up to them and tells the boy not to say anything to the bad man.

The reporter laughs when Da-jung chides him for trying to pry information out of a child, but he runs off when she reminds him that Man-se’s father will take issue with it.

Back at the house, Hye-joo worries whether they need to report the incident as kidnapping. At the question if there were any suspicious lurkers around the house, In-ho mentions a young, female reporter. Uh oh.

At the same time, Da-jung walks little Man-se home by the hand with the reminder that he should never follow strangers. She says his family must be worried about him, to which he replies that nobody worries about him at home because they’re all too busy to care. Aww.

He asks what news publication noona is associated with and recognizes Scandal News as that “paparazzi tabloid.” Heh. He assures her that he didn’t tell that man anything because Daddy told him not to trust reporters—he only followed him out earlier to get a free snack out of it.

He runs on ahead to the playground and demands that ajumma buy him another snack. Huh, I’m getting this niggling feeling that he doesn’t get properly fed at home. Da-jung says that she’s not an ajumma and says he can eat when he gets home, which is when Man-se starts whining and breaks down in tears.

That’s when Yul comes running, having searched the entire area calling out his son’s name. His first words are of scolding, and then follows Da-jung, who silently excuses herself.

He calls after her to stop, and while he doesn’t take her to be a kidnapper, he does demand to know how long she’ll plans to live her life this way, wheedling information out of his children. Did she ask the boy about his father’s favorite color or if he were dating and wanted a new mother?

Da-jung is taken aback by the stinging words of accusation and suggests that they leave it at that. But Yul pushes her into a pole and says he isn’t finished talking yet. He tells her to listen up and leans in… and unbeknownst to them, a camera snaps photos of them in this cozy position.

He issues Da-jung a final warning not to appear before him again if she wants to remain a reporter. He turns away at that as angry tears fall from Da-jung’s eyes. Then back at home, Yul quietly tucks his son in bed.

It’s clear that Yul runs a tight ship at home as he lines his children up the next morning to lecture them about not talking to reporters. When Man-se says all he did was eat bread, Yul jumps to the conclusion that Da-jung tried to bribe his children.

But Man-se corrects his father, saying that it was a man who bought him the snacks and the other reporter ajumma chased him away. In-ho smirks, amused.

Speaking of whom, Da-jung screams to her editor that there’s no way in hell she’s going to write a story on Yul, and he can fire her for all she cares. She’s still huffy in her chair when she gets a call.

That takes her and her co-worker Hee-chul back to the prime minister’s office building where the jerky Reporter Byun cackles to hear that she’s here for an interview.

But Da-jung holds her head up high, and In-ho comes to collect her moments later, to Reporter Byun’s amazement. And in the elevator, Da-jung wonders if little Man-se had anything to do with the prime minister-elect agreeing to the interview after all.

Da-jung keeps a close eye on Yul and Hye-joo before the interview, accidentally falling over in her attempt. She then asks for both staffers to step outside for the interview, but fires her first question while they’re still within earshot: “What is your relationship to Hye-joo?”

When Yul asks why he should answer such a question, Da-jung cheerily replies that the people want to know. So is he choosing not to answer or can’t? Yul answers that Hye-joo is his college hoobae and secretary, an answer that Hye-joo seems disheartened to hear.

After getting her main question addressed, Da-jung turns to his likes and dislikes and gasps when they share the same tastes in ice cream and music. He gets increasingly agitated with every question and she asks if he’s expecting some boring political question he gets asked a hundred times over. Well, she has a point there.

She proceeds to ask about his children’s favorite things, their hopes and dreams, and so on, which are all questions Yul can’t give an answer to because he doesn’t know. Aw, there’s something so sad about the realization that you don’t know a single thing about your kids.

Da-jung basically says the same but she understands how that’s possible because her father raised her on his own, too. “It’s hard raising them on your own, isn’t it?”

That finally grabs his attention, and he asks if they’re finished yet. But Da-jung has one last question: “When was the hardest time in your life?” A brief flashback takes us to the day of his late wife’s accident and a moment of Yul crying alone.

Yul rises from his seat, saying that her ten minutes are up. Da-jung follows him out in time to hear that he has something to say to her. She wonders if he’s trying to apologize for last night, but he scoffs that he wanted to remind her to stay away from him.

She presents him with a gift and whispers that they’re boxers, but he tosses it back to her saying he doesn’t wear those. Ha, was that your way to coax another answer out of him? Satisfied, she shoves the box at In-ho and runs off, giggling that the prime minister candidate wears briefs.

Da-jung revels in wrapping up a successful interview in the car with her co-worker. Recalling Yul’s sullen expression, she says there’s something different about him and wonders why he couldn’t give an answer.

At the same time, Yul thinks back to Da-jung’s question about when the hardest point in his life was while looking at a photo taken with his late wife. He puts it away when there’s a knock at the door.

Hye-joo offers him some comforting words for getting through a pointless interview, but Yul answers that it wasn’t that bad. She starts to say something but stops herself, and then sighs outside his office, telling herself that the way things are is enough.

Da-jung stumbles across a headline about Yul’s deceased wife on the internet, which I have to wonder—didn’t your boss already tell you about that? In any case, she berates herself for asking such a loaded question and sits down to write her article.

She giggles at the mere imagination of her titles (“The Prime Minister Who Wears Briefs” “The Prime Minister Who Likes Strawberry Ice Cream”), and now I can’t see Lee Beom-soo the same way ever again.

It’s an online hit with hundreds and thousands of views, her boss rushes to her with piles of money, and In-ho greets her with a tough-guy hug. Hee, it’s a dream, isn’t it? Puhaha, let’s just go with it.

Best of all, Yul comes to offer her a job with a bouquet of roses in his hand and a flirty wink. Hahahaha.

Da-jung wakes the next morning to the sound of frantic knocking at her door. It’s her co-worker Hee-chul, who confirms that she definitely made headlines, and then whips out the newspaper.

And though her face is obscured, there’s no doubt (to them) that it’s Da-jung and Yul on the front page.

Meanwhile Yul demands to know who it was and orders that they block the headlines. But this is a tech-savvy era and the public response is virtually immediate as they try to guess who the mystery lady is and one rumor wonders if the school uniform-like outfit points to a minor.

Why shouldn’t I be surprised that Joon-ki was behind the order as he smirks that Yul is now done for? Hye-joo thinks the same, but Yul won’t accuse his brother-in-law without proof.

It’s only a matter of time until the other papers find out that the lady in question is a tabloid reporter, so In-ho suggests that they use the scandal to their advantage for an offensive attack: reveal Da-jung to the public.

It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t make sense—they’ll have to make it that way “because people aren’t interested in the truth.” Their only way now is to say it was a conspiracy plot between Da-jung and Joon-ki.

Yul steps out for some air, and when Hye-joo says they have to act soon, he surprises her by saying that they cannot frame Da-jung, his career be damned. It’s a matter of principle for him, and he believes it isn’t right to bring her down to save himself.

Reporter Byun talks a big game to his fellow journalist, claiming that sure he knows who the girl is but he can’t say who it is. He doesn’t actually know, but then he sees Da-jung and recalls that she was wearing the same outfit as the photo the other night.

He chases Da-jung to the elevator but misses her by seconds, and then searches for her upstairs. She tries to escape notice… which is when a hand pulls her around the corner and Da-jung looks up to see Yul.

COMMENTS

Even with the slew of promotional materials prior to the show’s premiere, I still managed to come into the first episode somewhat blind and found myself pleasantly surprised by the hour. Maybe it’s just me when it feels like it’s been forever and day since I’ve seen a contract marriage hook in the rom-com genre of dramaland, which might be why it feels that much more refreshing.

I like our heroine in Da-jung, and this might be the first time I enjoy watching Yoon-ah in a leading role since her previous projects have left me wanting. Her hilarious shamelessness is accompanied by an active imagination and a kindhearted nature, which shouldn’t surprise me when her name alone means affectionate/warm/gentle, etc. I like that she owns her daytime job as a tabloid reporter and is willing to go the distance whether that requires her going undercover or just shoving a box at someone to figure out what kind of underwear he wears.

I had worried whether the age gap between our leading actors (whose real-life age difference is 20 years) would affect their romantic chemistry. But that worry soon dissipated when seasoned actor Lee Beom-soo showed up on screen, ’cause let’s face it—he could have chemistry with a cactus if the role called for it; it’s like he possesses this mysterious power to make any actor whom he’s acting with considerably better, a quality that I both envy and admire. That isn’t to say that Yoon-ah isn’t standing her own, but it is nice when you can draw from that energy well from your acting counterpart.

While the show isn’t striving to do anything particularly new with some parts that leaves faint reminders of other shows and movies, I do like the mysteries we do have in front of us. Yul’s stone-faced, principled character feels a bit like Captain Von Trapp, but there are hints that he does care for his children despite running a strict household. It was a sad moment when he couldn’t answer any question regarding his children, having realized at that moment that while he’s raised them, he doesn’t know them. I’m sure that there must be more to his late wife’s accident, and I hope for Ryu Jin’s character that he’s more than a bitter brother-in-law or else it would be such a pity of such a fantastic actor.

There’s still a question mark about In-ho (Yoon Shi-yoon), whose alliance I can’t pinpoint just yet. There’s a hidden ambition and drive that lies beneath, which I’m excited to uncover as we move forward. I admit I initially scratched my head when the actor signed on for a second leading role (and the same goes for Chae Jung-ahn), but I’m trusting that they made a good decision and have faith in the story, which looks promising, bright, and heartwarming.

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I enjoyed it a lot!!

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i love it! i think it's going to be one of the year's most entertaining dramas.

and honestly, after the stress of the other drama with it's frustrating love triangle (cough*answer me 1994*cough), i'm looking forward to cheering for a pairing that will be the pairing until the end.

thank drama gods it's not common to most dramas that the characters for the main pairing are unknown.

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really liked it a lot! excited for the episode 2 today!

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@gummimochi
will you be recapping the whole series? or is this a one time thing?

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Ep. 2 was so funny!!! the soundtrack's timing is hilarious! "you raise me UUPPPP" XD

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And the last scene reminds me of the first episode, last scene in Dating Agency Cyrano ;-)

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Cute cute cute! I am loving this so far...go hooked after seeing the 8-min preview.

Also, is there a new DB display/format? Love it!

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Hmm...or maybe not? That was weird, I got sent to another page with a pink header. Oh well :D

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Yeah, something a bit buggy where it sometimes erases the name and mail address and you have to re-enter them, started doing that a few days ago.

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Well, Empress Ki has like what, 50 episodes? This drama is doomed from the start, ratings wise

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I am not so sure. I dropped Empress Ki - not a fan of sageuks, and not a fan of 50 episode dramas. I doubt that this will get the fanatical following that Secrets did, but I think it will end up doing a lot better if it does not stumble on the next few episodes.

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Empress Ki has a good plot. The scenes with Ji Chang Wook is very much entertaining. If they will able to keep up with the pace they have right now, they will continue to rule in the rating's game.

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The ratings for Empress Ki keeps going up, it's going to be a monster in the ratings in the long run.

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Agreeing with you. Empress Ki is at Episode 14 now and it is a real gem - pretty spectacular, interesting and impressive acting by the casts. I think it will continue to captivate audiences for the next 15 episodes, at least, and maintains its high ratings.

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I was surprised I didn't find Yoona annoying. Adorable first episode.

Thanks for the recaps!

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Yes, I was pleasantly surprised too!

Also, the line "...when seasoned actor Lee Beom-soo showed up on screen, ’cause let’s face it—he could have chemistry with a cactus if the role called for it..." makes me want to watch LBS acting as a crazy man who falls in love with inanimate objects.

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This drama was absolutely a breath of fresh air. There was a lot of burden as well as expectations for this drama, but in my honest opinion, the drama delivered and surprised us all. I'm already loving the heroine. She's a tad of the cray side, sure, but she's super entertaining to watch. Yoona, I must say, improved a lot since Love Rain. I think she was more confident in this role than all her previous one, thus allowing her to be a lot more natural in her acting. No words needed for Yoon Shiyoon and Lee Beomsoo, they're awesome as per usual. I'm looking forward to the rest of this drama. The premise is promising, and the humour is just right. I absolutely loved that scene when Yoona started singing Tian Mi Mi out of the blue hahaha. Oh and how she just ditched her bike in the middle of the road lol.

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LOL at da jung humming a chinese song, but when in ho talked to her in chinese... she's like 'huh?!' and responded in japanese. LOL

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I liked how the Japanese sounded...both on her and YSY.

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After al the current and recent shows, I am ready for something actually fun and funny, and it looks like this, along with Pretty Man, might actually supply that.

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I literally could not stop laughing. This show took my by surprise!
Love how Yoona imagined the strawberry and briefs!

Show, DAEBAK!

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The boxer-briefs part had me in stitches. Da Jung is rather cunning.

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This was a fun first ep.
I haven't seen Yoon-ah since Love Rain where I thought she did a really nice job compared to her previous acting roles.
Hope this continues to be recapped, G - it was a good read! ?

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watched love rain because of the cast - yoona and jang geun suk, and both did great!

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I Yoonah in Love Rain, she had an awesome chemistry with Jang Geun Suk. And she did fine in LR except for her crying scenes (especially with the present time of the story) I think she really needs to work on it & watch herself cry in the mirror a lot, because I just don't feel about it when she's crying. But with comedy yes she's good.

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*I like Yoonah

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She was adorable in Love Rain. I think she ought to seriously drop her GG spot these days and concentrate on an acting career.

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I, too, am surprised how much I enjoyed the first episode. I'm not about to sing its praises just yet, because I felt the same way when Mirae's Choice premiered, and look where that got us.

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Loving this show!!

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I agree. It was a pleasant surprise. Much better than I expected.

I was also worried about the chemistry between the leads due the the age gap, but they're great actors and played their roles well.

Looking forward to episode 2.

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I keep seeing Lee Jia ah (?) in the Yoona screen caps. Am I the only one??

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Thanks GM for the recap.

Totally with you here:

'She giggles at the mere imagination of her titles (“The Prime Minister Who Wears Briefs” “The Prime Minister Who Likes Strawberry Ice Cream”), and now I can’t see Lee Beom-soo the same way ever again.'

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Just watched the episode and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks again GM for doing the recap and giving me the incentive to watch it! P.S. Agree that the chemistry is there but I think both of them are making it happen. Hurrah for a drama with things that come together just in time for the end of 2013:)

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It surprised me..I hope it's going to be lots of FUN?

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I'm really glad I watched this drama.. so far I'm hooked. Here's to hoping it'll stay great :)

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Heechul??? i supposed they purposely give that name..
Joon Ki?

lol..

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Translation?

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Heechul from ''war of words'' said something reg typical SMdrama.

my guess this is the fun way, they get back to heechul

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I really enjoyed the first episode and I'm looking forward to todays... I'm so ready for a light-hearted, heart-warming, FUN drama, which I'm hoping this is. Thanks so much for recapping! I was hoping it would be recapped here!

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Will watch this and camp with you guys next time!
I'll start to watch Empress Ki too... My body is aching for a sageuk drama.

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I really like Yoon-ah in the part so far, I agree I was left somewhat dry with her earlier roles , but I find her really endearing here

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Thanks for the recap gummimochi :)
I just hope that this drama will do well and not sucked up like the previous one on this time slot xD
please-kbs-mon-tues-drama-no-more-frustrated-scenes xD

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this was a great ep thanks for recapping!!

and is it just me, or is the db main website being funky?? D:

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It is being funky - I am getting occasional 405 errors also, which usually indicates an error in the php code that the server does not like.

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Loved first episode and i just watched second episode that in my opinion was even better. Yoonas acting is so on point, she has really good comedic timing. And Lee Boom Soo is so sharp in this role, he is giving me so much feel.

Spoiler alert- [spoiler deleted -gm]

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this one looks promising... looking forward to the next episode. thank god the other dragging dramas are done...and gone.

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I was giggling non-stop when she started writing her article LMFAO!!! Dajung's imagination is off the rocket and I love her for that. It's a great start however I am apprehensive..... I hope it wont become some melo that Chae Jung Ahn will conspire w Ryu Jin to take down LBS cos love become hatred bla bla bla (oh gosh I can be a makjang writer... somebody hire me!).

Loving the easy storytelling and the heartiness of it all. I want to see more of the kids :)

PS: Funny how the 3 SM Actresses are heading their own specific dramas around the same time eh? Ara, Yoona and Yeonhee

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Loving it to bits as much as needed! Not obsessed yet but wanting it more! Really a breath of fresh air <3

And I have to say the first eps that makes me sit quietly and giggling is the adorable YooNa, she did a fantastic job delivering Da Jung character and her punkiness, I don't care whatsoever I wear what the f I like, I know who I am and I don't need anyone bind a cuff on me attitude ! Oh and I love how Da Jung is so realistic about her doesn't wanna get married only to take care of her dad*, but have that confident and not sitting whining abt her sob dad.

All attractive traits that I wanting it a lotttt from a super heroine! (my secret engrafted wish for Heirs heroine :( )

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Gummimochi, so glad you are recapping this show! It looks like it will be light, harmless fun.

I love that the heroine will do what she has to to get the job done, but still maintain her scruples.
She looked like sweetness and light in her bright colors compared to the “serious” people in their somber dress.

I am excited to see Yoon Si-yoon back on the screen. Does anyone else thing he looks like a younger, less athletic So Ji-sub?

The youngest son, Lee Do hyun seems younger here then when he was playing the big brother in Master’s Sun. The camera loves this little guy.

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AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! I've been waiting for this. Thank you <3
The premises seem promising aaaaaaand... Yoon Shi Yoon <3
Ole, Enrique!

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I read an article that Yoon Shi Yoon lost about 15 pounds for this role? But he looks chubbier...I LOVE IT!

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It definitely looks like he lose weight, but the chubbiness effect could be from his haircut.

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YES! Empress Ki ♥♥♥ tbh i watched thinking i'd hate the drama but oooh, i was pleasantly surprised!

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Loved the first episode! Can't wait for more :)

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well I'm skipping this one
not fun enough to watch .

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Woori Nara Manse!
Our national hooray!

Cool way for naming your children. Hahahaha...

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funny ! please recap it

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Wow episode 2 was even better!!!

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Oh, I am excited at the promising start of this rom-com! I love the cast, and although I know that second lead syndrome won't lead to a YoonShiYoona shipping, still, how cute are they together.

And what is it exactly that Lee Beom Soo has that makes him 10 times secier than just his appearance? I think he and Yoona (whose acting I prefer to her Girl's Generation performances) will have, already have, bubbly chemistry as Prime Minister and Prime Wife.

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Yeah, even with the real-life age gap, they really have some chemistry going on. I loved that very last scene when LBS pulled Yoona into that secluded corner and the way they looked at each other. The directing was nicely done there, letting a beat rest a moment longer to get some feeling going.

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Yup. All those viki comments can say whatever they want but lee bum soo is such a great actor that the man exudes charisma and sexy. So although not a typical hottie most girls would fawn over, he's got that energy every time he's acting on screen that you feel compelled to watch him.

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I know there were a lot of raised eyebrows when this pairing was announced but I’m sure the naysayers can’t deny that these two have chemistry now that the 1st episode is out.

Hmm. Have to check out the comments at viki. I tend to turn off the comments when I watch there because they’re distracting (and some commenters are just royal trolls).

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Same here. I turn off the comments because they divert my attention away from the drama and affect the way I think about it too.

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I loved him in Salaryman for the same reason. i think he does rom com really well - the rom is mmmmm and the com is sophisticated and well delivered

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Seriously. Remember Versailles Yoo? Best persona ever, lol.

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So glad that DB is recapping this. Thanks, gummi! Hope you recap the whole series.

I initially didn't think that I would like this as much as I thought. It got me interested because of the premise (hello contract marriages) and because the magnetic Lee Beom-soo is in it. I haven't watched Yoon-Ah in anything so I had no opinion about her. But she was really endearing and bubbly in this. I love how her character has an over-active imagination. Hahaha. That cartoon of LBS in briefs was hilarious! Can't wait to see their romantic journey together and I'm sure there'll be a lot of hijinks and heartwarming moments along the way.

It's been awhile since I've enjoyed a really good and LOL-inducing romcom so, hopefully, this drama sustains this level of lightness and quirkiness.

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I watched this one two, and as seems to be the consensus liked it much more then expected. I'm actually looking forward to ep 2.

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for me it was disappointment :(

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It's kind of weird, but when you shorten the PM's name as Yul, it reminds me of Yuri (SNSD), whose nickname is Yul too. Since fans like to pair Yoona and her , when I read this I can't help but think of that. Kinda embarrassing

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Hey Gummimochi! Looks like we meet again after Mirae's Choice, hehe. Will you be doing recaps for the rest of this series or will it be just a one-episode thing? I hope you continue.

Anyways, I loved this episode. Very solid with all sorts of funny, cute, and heartwarming stuff. Contract marriages are like my favoritest things ever in dramaland so I knew I would have fun watching this.

I like Yoona's character...she has enough pride and self-preservation to stop from going overboard on things. Like, whenever she was busted, she doesn't still try to play dumb and continue with what she's doing in the name of a relentless tabloid reporter. She owns up to her actions and I really liked that. Yoona's acting also seems fairly decent (although she does overact in some parts).

On the other hand, Lee Beom Soo is total ah-mazing. I mean, there was no doubt about his acting skills but like some comments mentioned, he has such great acting quality that it also elevates the others around him. I loved all his interactions with every character. He infuses so much life into them too that alone, they didn't seem to do much for me, but with Beom-soo, I have an added interest in them. Also, how frigging amazing were his hilarious cartoon poses?? I died laughing.

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Yes, about Lee Beom-soo. He's just an amazing actor. And he has such impeccable comedic timing, too. I never thought I'd ever have an ahjusshi crush but Lee Beom-soo just floats my boat. :D

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With one stare Lee Beom-soo could have chemistry with a sofa. Man, he is wearing that suit!

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I never laughed so much while watching an unsubbed video. HAHAHA Lee Bum Soo and briefs. Da Jung's imagination is something. She tends to daydream a lot and it's hilarious. On another note, Yoona seemed more comfortable with her role this time I am not cringing. I just hope they do not remove the comedy and make it into a melodrama. I like it warm, lighthearted and easy to watch. Will definitely continue watching this. Thanks for the recap.

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Loved the first episode. Lee Bum Soo is such a great actor!!!! His female junior worries me a bit. She has a Judas feel about her, someone who might want him to go to the highest ranks of power and who will become angry with him if he does anything too impractical. She has a certain cutthroat campaign manage quality that could go bitter if she gets angry with him.

I understand she likes him but if she doesn't go bad, I'm thinking she and Yoon Shi Yoon's character would make a great secondary couple to foil the first. I like the subtle introduction of the age dynamics....heroine wearing the school uniform and folks being all aghast!, aghast I tell you!!!!

Thanks for recapping.

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Didn't expect much, but loved the fresh and breezy first episode.

Not a fan of Yoon-Ah after Love Rain, but love Girl Generation. She was surprisingly good and funny!

Lee Boom Soo was amazing. They have great chemistry together and comedic timing. Loved the cartoon of the Prime Minister in BVD's. Please recap.

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Yay, you're recapping this? :)

I was hoping this would be good, because the premise pushes so many of the right buttons for me, and it was - but I wasn't expecting it to be so FUNNY! I laughed out loud more than once. And yet there were also beats of real heart and emotion, which is awesome. I hope it continues like this, because I am in serious need of a good rom-com these days. I feel like we haven't had one in a while.

Also, this has the potential for an epic OTP, which I did not expect, because I usually find Yoona annoying/a bad actress, but I actually really like her here, and OMG that chemistry. And Lee Bum-soo is just as amazing as expected.

All in all, I really enjoyed this premiere, and I hope it stays this good.

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4 more kids and we could have a von-trapp situation.

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What i think works for yoona's character is the fact that she's got a great attitude. Let's face it, an ahjussi talks condescendingly to you saying you're using cheap antics and questioning your way of living after you just saved his son from a mean reporter. Not only that, you can just imagine where yoona's coming -- her dad's got alzheimers and he's been staying in the hospital so i can imagine all those hospital bills she has to pay off.
Okay, candy issue aside, i really love the fact that she's so shameless, but not to the point where you feel she's being walked all over. ie. Even after he totally slams her down with the definition of what politics is (again, speaking in that condescending tone) while embarrassing her in front of a slew of reporters (whom also make fun of her), she's all "you think that's gonna bring me down" and just doesn't give up. But more importantly, she walked into that building with her head held up high and smiley for the interview even AFTER he made her cry with the accusations.
Coupling those traits with her crazy imaginations and just the right amount of bubbliness (without getting annoying, i give yoona credit for), I think that makes her character very watchable. Even fun.

Not going to talk about lee bum soo's amazing acting/onscreen presence since yall have beat me to it, but just wanted to take a second to mention that yoon shi yoon (in ho) and the prime minister's secretary are the characters that didn't really click with me in this first episode. I really do hope there's more to the secretary than the typical one-sided love for the boss. I can maybe see how in ho's intentions might not be as genuine for the prime minister at the beginning but i could see how that could all change once he realizes how great the prime minister is. So they can develop a bromance/bodyguard type relationship like K2H, yes? Surely Yoon Shi Yoon wouldn't just pick any random role.

What i HOPE remains (if the show starts to go downhill in execution and plot) is that the contract marriage antics STAY. because let's face it, we've been burned by too many shows lately. The ones we continue to watch are the ones with the little nuggets that keep us going. I can definitely see how things could get pretttty dramatic down the road (what with all the stakes and all) but i hope that this show never forgets it's strong point is probably going to be the relationship between Da Jung and the prime minister's kids. I hope the show keeps the cute and doesn't dwell too much on the seriousness. That doesn't mean it can't get emotional (which we've seen when da jung asks prime minister questions about his kids and he learns he knows nothing about them), but let's not get so crazy to the point where we have to suspend belief. I mean, im already suspending belief over the fact that they'll be in a contract marriage, but that's something i'm willing to get over for what's waiting on the other side.
Prime minister and I are off to a great start. ;)

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Yes to the bromance. Lee Jae Ha and Eun Shi Kyung's epic bromance is still my all-time favorite so I'd be happy if PM Yul and In Ho will have a relationship similar to that. I'm quite intrigued with In Ho's character and his backstory. What's with the side eye, In Ho? Hope it's not a birth secret (that he's his long lost brother and he's out for revenge - please don't go makjang on us).

I'm also looking forward to Da Jung's interactions with the kids and although it's still early, I'm readying my heart for some warm heart tugging moments when those scenes air. Nothing like warm fuzzies to help soothe the spirit during this winter season.

Prime Minister & I, I'm ready for you. Please don't let me down.

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Jae Ha and Shi Kyung beats all k-drama bromances out there. Nothing is quite like risking your own life to save your king.
<3 <3 <3
I'm really excited for the winter shows that will be airing, i hope lots of them give me warm fuzzies during this cold, snowy winter.
Prime Minister and I, Let's eat, and hopefully You from another star will be nice rom-coms to watch with a cup of hot chocolate snuggled in a fleece blanket wearing fuzzy socks by the fireplace.

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I know! My Monday-Saturday is pretty much set with the winter drama that's coming out. Just waiting for "You From Another Star" and my drama watching week is locked in. It's actually very rare that I have live dramas I'm excited to watch every day of the week.

I need to check out Let's Eat, too, since I've been hearign a lot of good things about it. Argh! and I still need to watch Nine and Heartless City! Ah, who needs sleep, right?

Hey, how did your finals go? Or you're still having your finals week and you're just sneaking in to comment? :D

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haha, i have all my finals tomorrow(the horror), and i really should be studying but k-dramas tend to keep you from that.. Procrastination at its best.
Of course, now i'll be going back to studying after watching ep.2 of prime minister. :) Thanks for asking!
Really good to see hearties every now and then.

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I'd say Shi-kyung and Jae-ha's bromance is one of the best bromances out there.....'cause y'know, there's also Heung-soo and Nam-soon from School 2013. :D

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I really like it that the prime minister has so much to work on. He really does need to get to know his kids better and one does wonder why his brother in law never warmed up to him. Must be something else going on there.

It really surprised me that sweet innocent Yoon Si Yoon has it in him to play a scheming politico so well. He has a good pragmatic edge to his political managing which feels as if it could be incredibly scary. I so love to see that he isnt only stuck playing "cute innocent."

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OMG, a big YES to the bromance. I also loved Shi-kyung and Jae-ha's bromance in King2Hearts. And totally agree that the drama should stay light-hearted but still pack an emotional punch. Cause if it's way too light-hearted, then it will go the Cyrano Dating Agency way in that I start to not feel the romance between the leads as much as I wanted to. I want things to be a bit grounded.

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I am hoping that Yoona's character turns out to be a not-so-candy Candy Girl. You know - one that actually has a brain and refuses to get drug around by hairless apes and weird stuff like that.

So far I am in love with Yoona, which is a problem because I am also in love with IU in Pretty Man. :(

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why did u stop recapping 'Pretty Man'?

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Usually when they stop recapping at episode 1 it's usually...
(1) Just a first impressions sort of thing
(2) Don't have enough time amidst other shows they're recapping
(2) Show is decent, but probably not enough to make it to the recap list
(3) Recappers have no interest in recapping it.

I think for pretty man it's mostly the first 3.

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Quite often the first show is recapped, but that is no guarantee that the whole series will be. The folks here only have so much time in the day and cannot possibly recap every show.

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I agree with what windsun said. They cannot possibly recap every drama. There are dramas enjoying high viewer ratings in Korea & were not recapped here like Secret, Empress Ki. So I guess its also base on the likes & interest of the bloggers.

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It's a little Sound of Music, isn't it? Captain Von Trapp.....

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Speaking of broadway musicals, WHAT is the song in the first seconds of the episode? (It's driving me bats.)

Please?

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"I've Got Plenty of Nothin'" from Porgy and Bess

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