K-Drama Review: Discovery of Romance

Hey guys, so I just recently finished this new drama called Discovery of Romance 연애의 발견 . After watching Innocent Man for the second time, I decided to go drama hunting for a newer drama with a lighter theme. I came across Discovery of Romance 연애의 발견 after watching the 2014 KBS Drama Awards the other day. Both actress Jung Yu Mi and actor Eric Mun won best actor and best actress for the miniseries drama category. So I decided to give this new drama a go and decided to watch Discovery of Romance. 

Discovery of Romance is a 16 episodes kbs drama starring Jung Yu Mi, Eric Mun, Sung Joon, Kim Seul Gi and many more supporting casts. This drama is a romantic comedy themed drama which depicts the meaning of romance in the 21st century. It shows us the various parts and puzzles of a love relationship, regardless of its duration and type. 

This drama is about Han Yeo Reum, portrayed by actress Jung Yu Mi, who is caught in between her new love interest, Nam Ha Jin, portrayed by actor Sung Joon; and her past lover, Kang Tae Ha, portrayed by actor Eric Mun.  Ha Jin, who is Yeo Reum's current boyfriend was on a blind date at a hotel one day. Yeo Reum found out about the blind date and went there to catch her boyfriend. However, she unexpectedly met her ex-boyfriend, Tae Ha at the hotel by coincidence. Tae Ha is now the president of a construction company. After coming across Yeo Reum's wood workshop company, he decided to work with Yeo Reum's company for a project. Yeo Reom decided to work with Tae Ha on the project and both Yeo Reum and Tae Ha had to see each other every time they meet up for work. 

Tae Ha now regrets breaking up with Yeo Reum years ago after they dated for 5 years. He finds himself reminiscing the past. He begins falling for Yeo Reum again and realized he had not stopped loving her ever since the break up. Thus, he decided to try to win Yeo Reum back by going against her current boyfriend, Ha Jin. As for Yeo Reum, she is now happy and in love with her current boyfriend, Ha Jin, and does not intend to get back together with Tae Ha despite his confession that he likes her. However, Ha Jin is not aware of the fact that Yeo Reum and Tae Ha had dated for 5 years in the past. Therefore, the interaction and coincidence between Yeo Reum and Tae Ha made Ha Jin suspicious of Yeo Reum. At the same time, Yeo Reum becomes confused and couldn't stop herself from falling for Kang Tae Ha once again despite currently being in a relationship with Ha Jin. 

On the other hand, Ha Jin's childhood past is hidden from Yeo Reum. Ha Jin is actually an orphan who was adopted and had a childhood friend whom he was really close with, Ahn Ah Rim. However, they had to be separated when Ha Jin got adopted by the family who was supposed to adopt Ah Rim. Therefore, Ah Rim stayed back in the orphanage until she graduated high school. Ha Jin has been looking for her and she appears in front of him one day. Ha Jin knew who she was but Ah Rim was not aware that Ha Jin was her oppa from the orphanage. Yeo Reum also became suspicious about Ah Rim and Ha Jin and misunderstood about their relationship. Therefore, the complicated relationship between Yeo Reum, Ha Jin and Tae Ha begins to unfold throughout this 16 episodes romance drama. 

PROS:

1. What I liked about this drama was the interview segment throughout the drama. The interview about the character's view on relationship was a unique part of this drama. It somehow made the drama felt more realistic and different from normal romance dramas. And the ending where it was revealed that the interview was actually part of the writer's job in order to write her book, titled " The Discovery of Romance". This connected the dots and answered the reason why there was the interview part in the drama.

2. Another unique feature of this drama is that the writer allows the viewer to get a glimpse into the thoughts of the characters in the drama. I always enjoy watching drama that shows the inner thought of the characters. Thus, you could always relate and understand better about the true intention of the characters instead of trying to figure out through their actions. 

3. Last but not least, one of the plus side of this drama is the message the writer is trying to show thru this drama. This drama depicts the different type of a relationship. It could be a crush, a one-sided love, a bittersweet past romance, or even a present relationship. The ups and downs of these relationships are shown throughout this drama. In a sense, this drama shows a very realistic truth about dating and relationship. Thus, important life lessons about relationships can be learnt thru this drama. 


CONS:

1. This drama was a little draggy at times, especially half-way through the drama. I wasn't able to watch this drama continuously like some other completed dramas where I could just finish about 10 episodes a day. I felt that it got a bit boring and the story line slowed down after the 6th episode. I also felt that the overall plot was so-so and the progress of the drama got a bit slow towards the ending. 

2. After the first half of the drama, I felt that the drama got a bit messed up as to the relationship and the development between Yeo Reum, Ha Jin and Tae Ha. It became confusing as to who Yeo Reum had feelings for. This drama was quite unpredictable as well, in the sense where I wasn't entirely sure who she would end up with in the end. However, my prediction came true and I was quite pleased with the ending of the drama. 


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