SBS “Business Proposal” has a speedy development, comic imagination, and rediscovery of Kim Se-jung as an actress.
SBS Monday-Tuesday drama “Business Proposal” (directed by Park Sun-ho, written by Han Seol-hee, and Hong Bo-hee) is clearly drawing attention from viewers every week amid more-than-expected reactions. Since the drama’s first airing on February 28th, it has become a strong contestant in the Monday-Tuesday night time zone in just two weeks (four episodes), drawing a curve of rising ratings every episode. No one even expected the drama to create such a sensation right from the beginning.
Although the original web novel gained quite a popularity, and the webtoon of the same name also received a strong response on the Internet, there was naturally no high expectation for the drama considering its simple theme and the absence of top star cast with great recognition. However, with the start of the first episode, “Business Proposal” is attracting young viewers. How could “Business Proposal”, which seemed to be nothing special, quickly settle down as a popular drama?
[Secret to popularity #1] It’s a familiar topic, but it’s definitely funny.
The basic story of the drama “Business Proposal” is not much different from the romantic comedy that the audience has seen so far. Comic romance, the hot and capable chaebol CEO Kang Tae-moo (Ahn Hyo-seop) and the ordinary woman Shin Ha-ri (Kim Se-jung) who is an employee at the bottom of her company and still struggling to pay back her student loans, forms a big framework for the story.
At the request of her friend Jin Young-seo (Seol In-ah), the daughter of a chaebol family, she went out to a blind date instead of her and succeeded in capturing the hearts of viewers with the comical progress. If one looks at these contents alone, it is bound to be an obvious composition and the story of this drama is already predictable.
Nevertheless, strangely, such a story makes everyone watch “Business Proposal” because of its clear advantage of “It’s fun even though it’s obvious.” As all kinds of details burst like mines during the story of “Business Proposal,” it prevents the audience from looking away thanks to the fast-paced and fast story development.
[Secret to popularity #2] Webtoon-like CG with various imaginations… “Drama in a Drama”.
Another main point that plays the role of seasoning the fun of “Business Proposal” is the webtoon-like CG. In line with the setting of a webtoon drama, various colorful visual effects are added into the right place and are actively used as a comedy factor. In the drama, an archaeopteryx symbolizing Kang Tae-moo suddenly pops out of Shin Ha-ri‘s cell phone, while her friend Jin Young-seo can be seen wearing various costumes and cheering for Hari is what make the drama charming.
In addition, the virtual drama <Be strong, Geum-hee>, which appears out of nowhere in the drama, performs well as a hidden helper to increase the intensity of comedy in “Business Proposal”. The parody of all kinds of dramas played by the characters, including Seo Kwon-soon, a regular actor of KBS’ long-lived series “Love and War,” inspires the tension over the current situation which Shin Ha-ri and other characters are facing in “Business Proposal.”
The scene of the “Pork cutlet slap,” which is the parody of the so-called “Kimchi Slap,” a symbol of the classic K-drama and lines such as “That man is my lover. Why can’t you say it?” from “Lovers in Paris” have succeeded in drawing laughter from viewers, adding greater strength to the laughter of “Business Proposal.”
[Secret to popularity #3] Kim Se-jung stood tall as the main actress.
The performance of Kim Se-jung, who leads the drama, which may simply be just a “Cinderella Story,” is also an indispensable secret to the popularity of “Business Proposal.” Starting with “School 2017”, Kim Se-jung has been building her career slowly but steadily before clearly imprinting her presence as an actor with OCN’s “Uncanny Counters” last year. With that momentum, this work has clearly changed the public’s stereotype of this “former idol” as she showcases her better acting skills.
Instead of sympathizing with others, he dressed up as a bold heroine who stands up on her own. On the other hand, she thought it wouldn’t hurt when she saw the man with who she had a crush on choosing his girlfriend over her. Her tearful line (3rd episode) “It hurts,” has made many viewers sympathize with Shin Ha-ri‘s heart. In addition, Seol In-ah, who worked together with Kim again since “School 2017,” is also receiving strong support from viewers by steadily playing the role of Jin Young-seo, who is easy-going and humble.
Of course, there is definitely regret in “Business Proposal“. Many characters appear at work and family surrounding the main characters, but most of them cannot escape from the category of supporting characters. Even though there are prominent veteran actors such as Lee Deok-hwa, Kim Kwang-kyu, and Jung Young-joo, considering their abilities, they should have more screentime and effect on the main plotline. Nevertheless, looking at “Business Proposal” so far, it is playing its role as a good treatment to fight the sad atmosphere on Monday.
