On the surface this Korean drama story The Interest Of Love seems simple —- entwined love stories between four people working at a bank. However, there are many twists and turns in the tale that will keep you riveted to your screen. This isn't a true romance drama, at least not in the traditional sense. It's not exactly a love story either, but more a story about pursuing love ... or running away from it. Many people watch romantic K-dramas for the escapism of a "soul mates who are meant to be" story or a "love against all odds" story. Instead, here we have a slow-paced drama about longing, obsession, denial, misunderstandings, toxic behavior, and emotional damage, all told in a more realistic way. It may not be everyone's cup of tea but it was mine.
The cast was great! Our two main leads were the always beautiful Moon Ga Young (Find Me In Your Memory, Mimi, Live Up To Your Name, Jealousy Incarnate), Yoo Yeon Seok (When The Phone Rings, Hospital Playlist, Gu Family Book, Phantom Lawyer), Jung Ga Ram (Love Alarm 1 and 2, When The Camellia Blooms), and Keum Sae Rok (Youth Of May, Soundtrack 2, Iron Family). They had some good screen chemistry together and could play dramatic scenes plus romantic scenes mixed with some comedy moments capably well. The Director was Jo Young Min (Do You Like Brahms?) and the script was based on a novel by Lee Hyeok Jin.
The Story:
Sang Su (Yoo Seon Seok) has always been fascinated by his seemingly demure Su Yeong colleague (Moon Ga Young). An attraction grows between them as they work together at KCU Bank; they even brave a first date and then decide to go on a second date — and it goes horribly wrong for our lead characters from there.
After a few moments of Sang Su’s confessing about the wounds of his past, and of his new love for her, this leads to Su Yeong’s worst childhood / teen year demons being triggered. She cannot understand his emotional wounds (or doesn't want to) — she’s too caught up in dealing with her own emotional baggage, and this lack of communication for each other's wounds evolves into becoming the touchstone of their story together.
These two confused potential lovers also work with a rather lively, often tempestuous pair in the financially secure Park Mi Kyeong (Keum Sae Rok) who is more than a bit of a flirt with men, and the rather overly confident Jeong Jong Hyeon (Jung Ga Ram) whose real dream is to leave the banking world behind to become a police officer.
There are the usual cross-feelings between these four employees who see each other every day and have to iron out complex emotions to do their jobs well. Sometimes with perplexing mistakes that could have easily been avoided if they had been less selfish! As time goes on despite some difficulties, like dealing with problematic family members and financial stresses, the four co-workers seem to slowly work things out and it looks like even dreams will be fulfilled.
If you love these actors from other dramas you should definitely give The Interest Of Love a chance. I enjoyed it streaming on Netflix and I would definitely watch it again in future when I miss their characters and their workplace environment. It also has a nice soundtrack and picture perfect cinematography. Enjoy!
