K-Rom-Com ‘True To Love’ Considers The Rules Of Relationships

A man and a woman collide while walking in the park. They’re both attractive and that unexpected touch seems likely to spark romance. Is it love at first sight? Nope. These k-drama characters pass each other by.

These characters can’t even consider romance because other concerns consume their time and energy. According to the drama True to Love, alternately called Bora! Deborah, less than 30 percent of Korea’s five million unmarried adults are currently in a relationship. The distraction of love is a luxury they can’t afford.

However, they shouldn’t give up on love, says Yeon Bo-ra, played by actress/Girls Generation singer Yoo In-Na. It is possible to have it all, she says, if you understand the rules of relationships. Bo-ra, who writes under the name of Deborah, happens to be a dating coach and the author of What You Got Wrong About Your Love Life, a bestselling advice book.

When interviewed for a magazine profile, Bo-ra states that she plans to have it all—love and a career. Privately she’s not so sure about her own love life. She’s dated chicken franchise heir Ju-wan, played by 2PM’s Hwang Chansung, for three years and is still waiting for a proper proposal.

Meanwhile at Jinri Publishing, there’s some discussion about whether to sign Bo-ra and publish her next book of dating advice. Sang-jin, played by Joo Sang-wook, is the CEO and he’s all for signing Bo-ra, but Soo-hyuk, played by Yoon Hyun-min, thinks it’s a bad idea. Soo-hyuk has his own issues with love and doesn’t think much of Bo-ra’s approach.

Soo-hyuk hears Bo-ra discuss love on a talk show and he’s annoyed, which might have something to do with the fact that he’s the kind of bad boyfriend Bo-ra tells women not to date. One who won’t commit. He actually does need some dating advice, but is unlikely to accept it from her. When Bo-ra visits his publishing company it’s bound to be the perfect meet-cute for a hate-to-love romance.

Yoo In-na is comically endearing as the love expert who secretly adores unrealistic k-rom-com scenarios. The actress previously appeared in the dramas Snowdrop, The Spies Who Loved Me and Guardian: The Great and Lonely God. Joo Sang-wook can be seen in the dramas The Alchemy of Souls, The King of Tears: Lee Bang-won and Touch. Yoon appeared in the dramas Men Are Men, HoloLove and Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter. Sojin, leader of the k-pop girl group Girls Day, plays Bo-ra’s best friend Yoo-jung. Sojin also had roles in the dramas Alchemy of Souls, May It Please The Court and Sh**ting Stars.

The ENA drama was directed by Lee Tae-gon, who previously directed Mad For Each Other and Diary of a Prosecutor. The drama airs on Prime Video in the US.