A Virtuous Business

It has been a while since there has been a heart warming show about friendship and love in a small town. Those who enjoyed insights into human relationships in Our Blues will enjoy this well made series that confronts some prejudices and deals with adultery divorce and single motherhood. Not familiar with the original series on which it is based, but it is quite unusual for a Korean series to talk explicitly about sexual issues and body parts although it is handled gingerly here.

The premise is when a woman has to sell adult toys and clothes to make ends meet she forges some friendships with a bunch of diverse ladies. There is also a detective looking for his birth parents. Who doesn't love a birth secret? The central romance evolves quite thoughtfully and is convincing. It's not just about the central couple, the other characters all have their stories. The early 90s look is well recreated. Must praise the ensemble cast who aren't afraid to look unglamorous here. The versatile Kim So Yeon plays the total opposite of her Penthouse character. Similarly Lee Se Hee of Young Lady and Gentlemen plays a totally different character a bubbly hairdresser. A 180 difference from her nanny role in YLAG and she is almost unrecognizable. Great support from the excellent Kim Sun Young of CLOY who is such a brilliant actress. The larger than life Jun Young Joo adds theatrical presence. But really enjoyed the lovely Kim Sung Ryung who is familiar as the beautiful mother of the leading men in many a series from Inheritors on. She is actually a great actress. Yeon Woo Jin as the leading man is quite suited to the role. Actually liked him in this show more than some of his previous roles because his understated manner is right for the character.

One of the good shows to include in your must watch list for 2024.

Did that catch your attention? Most unusual for a KDrama, a sex theme, so there is a one and only sex scene in the first episode. Watched this because of the actor, Lee Se-hee, from, "a Lady and a Gentleman", (well worth a look if you like pure soap), but she is only 5th billing on this series. But Kim So-yeon has top billing for this series and carries it with aplomb, will try and find another KDramas with her in it, quite impressed. Set in 1992, before cell phones and the internet became popular and landline telephones are the norm, very refreshing. Orphan children and looking for their birth parents is a common theme in KDramas and this one is no different.

I have a weakness for Japanese TV shows and quirky k-dramas and I really wanted to like this new Netflix series. I expected a risque comedy, but it's neither risque nor a comedy. It's a weird soapy mish-mosh with a clogged kitchen sink thrown in. Yet somehow, the lingerie business theme becomes more of a tangent, which is a shame because that stuff is cute and hilarious. Anyway, the first 4 episodes are slow paced but amusing and I anticipated some crazyfun was about to break loose. But nope, we're at episode 8 and the last 4 episodes were stretched all over the map. And never legitimately funny. Scenes were edited and thrown together in a forced, plodding and disconnected way. I still can't make any sense of the female lead because her acting keeps vacillating from deep frozen damsel-in-distress to disruptive emotional volcano. Sometimes she even reminds me of a mask wearing Kabuki character. The one character I do like is Detective KIm. Kim is slowly becoming the super-glue that holds the hapless Kabuki style heroine, her backwater town, its puerile police force, and the entire series together. So I plan to keep watching. At least to see how things turn out for all the lingerie ladies.

Korean Drama '' A Virtuous Business '' is a business drama about female friendship and endurance.

The drama has a band of interesting characters that have nice chemistry between them, and their friendship bonds were the highlight of the drama, rather than the romance, which was okay but was left half-baked in the end. The family drama was enjoyable as well and gave some sweet and emotional moments to the plot.

In addition, the theme was original but well handled. The performances were all great as well, by everyone in the cast.

Finally, the settings, costumes, and makeup were all spot on for the time period in which the drama was taking place.

So, overall, seven out of ten.

Just four ordinary women with real-word problems! The concept of woman selling lingerie in a small town in the 90s is one of the best ideas ever...so unique! The seeming of lingerie isn't always a focal point of each episode; however, I like that the writers focuses on the everyday ups and downs of these woman. I enjoy watching the relationships and friendships in the drama blossom.

I feel that the characters are relatable and their problems are ones that many viewers can connect with. The group of women with their diverse backgrounds bring so much to look forward to.

It's a perfect k-drama for ladies who don't want the typical love story and who want something not so cliche. The ML is amazing to watch and brings his own dilemma to the already well-written drama.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll get angry, you'll be surprised and you'll want more!