Banchan Brings Two Characters Together In A ‘Crash Course In Romance’

The first time Haeng-son, played by Jeon Do-yeon, meets Chi-yeol, is when she accidentally crashes into his stand-up cardboard figure. The life-size cardboard figure is posed in front of the hakwon (after school academy) where he teaches math. She places a bandaid on the broken cardboard and promptly forgets about him. Since these two are fated to fall for each other in the k-drama Crash Course In Romance, their paths will just keep crossing (gently and dramatically) until they recognize each other’s romantic potential.

Chi-yeol, played by Jung Kyung-ho, is a math genius who makes a fortune tutoring students. People line up to take his class and he’s such an academic star, he’s referred to as the “BTS of education.” He even has his own fans, over-enthusiastic lovestruck schoolgirls that wait for him after class and stalk him. Chi-yeol is well aware of his appeal, which makes him a little insufferable. He’s also lonely, avoiding relationships that would impinge on his ability to maintain his perfectly-planned-out life. He has trouble eating and when he does eat, his system rejects even the tastiest food.

In contrast Haeng-son is all about nurturing relationships and preparing tasty nourishing food. The former national handball player supports her extended family by selling banchan, the delicious side dishes that accompany traditional Korean meals. She lovingly cares for her brother and surrogate daughter, while struggling to pay the bills.

Their paths cross again—and again—by accident. Or is it fate? As it turns out, Chi-yeol finds her banchan delicious and it’s one of the few things he can stomach eating. At the same time Haeng-son’s daughter Nam Hae-e, played by Roh Yeon-seo, could use some help with her math studies. The moms of her classmates recommend Hae-e sign up with the best teacher, which is Chi-yeol. Could there be some kind of banchan-math-class barter in their future?

Jeon Do-yeon’s part in this lighthearted romance may surprise some of her fans as the actress hasn’t chosen a rom-com role in almost 20 years. Jeon recently appeared in the films Emergency Declaration and Beasts Clawing At Straws, as well as the heartbreakingly dramatic TV drama Lost. During her extensive career she has garnered at least three dozen acting awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Far East Film Festival.

Jung Kyung-ho’s extensive acting career has spanned a variety of genres, including the occasional rom-com. He appeared in One More Happy Ending, Hospital Playlist and Hospital Playlist 2, as well as the dramas When The Devil Calls Your Name, Prison Playbook and Life On Mars.

The cast includes some talented supporting actors, including the actresses playing the other moms at Hae-e’s school—Kim Sun-young (The Silent Sea, Backstreet Rookie and Crash Landing on You), Jang Young-nam (It’s Okay Not To Be Okay and The Devil Judge) and Hwang Bo-ra (Hyena and Zombie Detective).

The screenplay for tvN’s Crash Course in Romance was written by Yang Hee-seung and directed by Yoo Je-won, who worked on the dramas High School King of Savvy and Oh My Ghost. The rom-com appears on NetflixNFLX
in the U.S.