When Coffee House began its broadcast in Korea, it started with a unique premise – two actresses would play opposite Kang Ji-hwan... but just who was the actual female lead was never announced. As you all know, the lead actor/actress announcements are a pretty big deal as Korean dramas usually work on a 2F+2M system. Secondary actors are doomed to become annoying third wheels, vicious mega-bitches, emo princes, forgotten oppas and the like. So to not know the outcome before the beginning? I like the sound of this!
Seo Eun Young (Park Shi Yeon) is a smart and savvy president of a publishing house and book café whose star writer of thriller novels is eccentric Lee Jin Soo (Kang Ji Hwan) When Lee Jin Soo suddently meets ordinary Kang Seung Yeon (Ham Eun Jung) seeking shelter from the rain in her family’s ordinary café, somehow she knows her ordinary life is going to become a lot less ordinary and a lot more difficult being hired as his secretary...she just has no idea how much. She has absolutely no skills as a PA so she goes about making undrinkable coffee, shaving pencils while also becoming his dogsbody for his chores, research and personal amusement - so the first few episodes are hilarious! Throughout the series these two continue to build a bond as her straightforward nature and impertinence infiltrates other parts of his life and she gets to know him soo well that his eccentricities cease to phase her.
Always a part of his life, old friend and boss Eun Young and Jin Soo share fantastic chemistry and underlying sexual tension in their banter and bickering. She’s intelligent, doesn’t take his bullshit and is utterly charming. From the second half onwards the focus is on the relationship between Eun Young and Jin Soo and their complicated past, as well as dealing with annoying git of an on/off fiancé who reminds me of a bulldog. Ugly man get off my screen.
Jin Soo’s chronic Situation-Denial Syndrome causes soo many misunderstandings, jerking of emotions, frustration and regret that towards the end while you don’t lose empathy for him (for the sake of the woman that loves him) but you feel that the shit she’s dealing with is his fault as his actions got them there in the first place. I also didn’t feel enough personal growth in his character through the series - he never really paid the price yet got the girl. Watching this drama you'll find yourself swinging like a pendulum shipping between Jin Soo/ Seung Yeon and Jin Soo/Eun Young. Towards the end you do know who’s going to get her man (but a little part of me hoped the drama would throw a curve ball) and to the one who missed out, the final realisation scene was done soo well that naturally I bawled. I am such a sop. I just loved her too!
The main actors all played their roles well but Park Shi Yeon was the standout here. I never really liked her before this drama as in the past she’s probably more famous for her plastic surgery and relationships making the gossip rounds than her acting but she’s soo natural and vivacious in this drama not to mention her clothes were gorgeous. Spunky girl characters I like!
Coffee House is slick and stylish like a rom-com movie…albeit only one that goes for 18 (enjoyable) hours. Its tone is light and fun without being slapstick or sitcomy and the novelty of finding out the ‘true partner’ makes it engaging to watch. The story itself doesn’t have much re-watching appeal to me but besides bawling my eyeballs out in the final episode (there's my curveball), there’s a lot of laughs to be had in this drama so check it out.
Linwe's Rating: 8/10
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