Between Twenty Five Twenty One and Business Proposal, my weeks really are set.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m kind of picky when it comes to romances. I watch a lot of shows involving romance (duh, kdramas), and I enjoy many of them, but mostly because they’re light and fun and because I appreciate the relationships in the show outside of the romance. This is the case with me and Twenty Five Twenty One. Back Yi-jin is nice and all, but come on, when you give me such a deliciously complex relationship arc between two girls, you can’t expect me to care about the guy. I love the progression of Hee-do and Yu-rim’s relationship, and I really hope the show doesn’t forget about them now that their tension is resolved.

I find romantic shipping to be one of the most boring parts of fandom, and it frustrates me that that’s pretty much 90% of what fandoms focus on. There are many reasons I’ve stepped away from fandom lately, and this is definitely one of them.

But then a show like Business Proposal comes around and reminds me that hey, this romance thing can be fun!

This is another show that has a strong relationship between two friends, but there isn’t tension between them, so their relationship doesn’t distract me from the romance brewing between Ha-ri and Tae-moo. This show is employing some of my favorite tropes (hidden identity! Contract relationships!) and is doing it in a way that strikes such a great balance. I’m not a big fan of enemies-to-lovers types of romances in dramas because they can come across as icky (although I do sometimes enjoy it in my books), and I never want the tension between the characters to become too fraught, especially when there is a power imbalance between the two like there is here.

I like male leads who like and respect the female lead, along with a liiittle bit of tension and conflict that just helps keep things from being boring. Business Proposal is absolutely excelling at this, and I LOVE IT. Every time it seems like it’s going to cross a line and make me dislike Tae-moo or the situation between them, it just… doesn’t. Tae-moo’s “revenge” manages to stop just short of it bothering me, and he realizes he’s being a petulant child and stops and apologizes. Him technically taking advantage of his power over her as her boss by sneakily trying to take her on dates is more sweet than anything, and it consistently backfires on him in hilarious ways. I’m amazed that the show is able to strike this balance so perfectly for me, and I really hope it continues until the end, because I actually think these two are really cute together. Don’t let me down, drama! Please!

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    I’m not into 2521 but agree with everything about BP, the romance line between boss/employee is sometimes tricky but drama is doing a fine job! The funny thing is I liked the first ep of 2521 but not the 3 that came after and dislike the first of BP but found the others very amusing.

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      Ep 1 of Business Proposal didn’t quite click with me but it’s really settles into its groove! Or maybe I have settled into its groove? Either way, I love!

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    I agree with everything you said. To be honest, the romance in 25 21 is the least interesting part of the drama for me. The enemies to friends though? Bring it on. Additionally, the parent/child relationships are interesting. We’re seeing so many different examples, both easy and complex, and I’m really liking how we see the way different families navigate the various outside forces impact them.

    Business Proposal? Just fun. Smartly done fun.

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      The parent/child relationships are interesting… but adult Hee-do drives me crazy! The actress they chose is just such an odd choice for the part. Absolutely nothing like Kim Tae-ri!

      Ep 1 made me think Business Proposal was just silly, but it quickly became apparent that it really IS smart. I love this writer.

      I miss you, egads 🙁

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        Adult Hee-do is the one wrong note in this drama. She’s so not Hee-do-ish. I have to remind myself when she comes on that this is adult Hee-do. Maybe she got a head injury and that explains the personality change and lack of memory.

        I miss you too. I hope you are doing okay.

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          I’m doing really well! I hope the same goes for you. It’s always nice to have some good dramas to combat a drama (and general life) slump!

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    Yes, while 2521’s romance storyline is sweet, I am more invested in the friendships,and the process of growing up, the many lessons being learned along the way. To me, a happy ending for this show does not have to be all about the couple getting together or who ends up with whom, but that they ended up to be happy and strong adults able to face any crisis along the way.

    OTH, Business Proposal’s romance (×2) is front and center, tropey but compelling, definitely funny not cringey. Happy ending here has to be all about Grandpa enjoying a family day with his great grandkids from HR and TM, and from SH and YS.

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      Completely agree! Everyone is so worried about 2521’s ending, but I’m not at all. I think they’ve made it clear that it’s about their journey, and I am anticipating seeing the reunions between the adult versions of the characters as well.

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    Completely agree with what you just said! I haven’t live-watched dramas in a while and I’m having a blast from Sat- Tues. Usually I watch one rom-com at a time, but like you said 25 21 is all about the different relationships and friendships that it becomes bearable to watch so much sweetness back to back!

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      4 days in a row of joy! Isn’t it great?!

      2521 makes me feel all the feels, and BP makes me laugh my butt off. A perfect combination!

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    Both dramas fill me up!

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    Mondy, please be proud of me! My Twitter friend is obsessed with Kim Minggyu and wants to watch more of him so I recommended BTIOFL and now she’s in love with the drama as well! Hahahahahaha~

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