K-drama Deep-Dive Review: A male secretary in the lead? About time
We’ve seen male secretaries, personal assistants, and right-hand men countless times in K-dramas, but they’re usually just that—the assistant. Love Scout breaks that mould. This time, the male secretary isn’t just an assistant; he’s the main lead. This fresh perspective makes the drama stand out while still staying grounded in familiar storytelling.
Eunho: The Perfect Secretary, but Not by Choice
Eunho, the secretary, works for Jiyun—she is the CEO of a talent acquisition firm. I was excited to dive into this setup, but alas, it was more of a backdrop than a deeply explored premise. Still, it was interesting to see how they zeroed in on the candidates they were scouting for.
The background of Eunho’s character is something we hear about all too often in the working world, and if you’ve never experienced it, consider yourself lucky—being side-lined and unfairly treated in an organization. He was deeply involved in a project, and his team lead relied on him so much that when he had to take a break—a crucial one, to care for his ill daughter—he ended up taking a full year off. But when he returned, he found himself pushed aside, no longer valued in the workplace.
And that’s exactly how he was forced out. He was falsely accused of wrongdoing and outright fired. A classic case of a company wanting someone gone but not having the guts to do it properly. If I were him, I’d have sued for wrongful termination—but that’s not where the drama is going, so never mind.
Eunho was then hired as Jiyun’s secretary because he was, quite literally, the perfect fit—something Jiyun desperately needed after struggling to retain an assistant. The connection happened by chance. Jiyun’s best friend, the company’s CFO, was having dinner at Eunho’s home (he’s her husband’s good friend) when she took a frantic phone call about the hiring crisis. As she paced the small apartment for privacy, she unknowingly walked through a checklist of the ideal candidate.
Someone who understands the industry? Check—she later learned Eunho worked in HR. Organised and meticulous? Check—his wardrobe was spotless, with clothes neatly hung and colour-coordinated. Great at schedule management? Check—a whiteboard displayed to-do lists, meal plans, and a fully mapped-out calendar. A sharp memory, quick reflexes, and the ability to handle chaos? Check—when his daughter tripped while holding a glass of juice, Eunho caught her midair, settled her at the table, and wiped the spill in one smooth motion. She muttered under her breath, “Jackpot!”.
Jiyun: A Powerhouse in Business, A Mess Everywhere Else
Jiyun, on the other hand, is a total mess. Sure, she excels at her work—she built her search firm into one of the most reputable in the industry, even making headlines as a top player. But take a look at her office, and unless you thrive in chaos yourself, you’d wish you could jump into the screen and tidy up for her.
Jiyun dismissed Eunho immediately (thanks to an earlier encounter), but he was desperate enough to make it work. And good thing too—the first thing he did was swap her office door for a swing door. She had no trouble getting into her office—just push the door in. Getting out? Another story. She kept walking straight into it, unable to push it open. Clearly, she saves her brainpower for bigger things.
That’s where the meticulous Eunho came in. After observing her habits, he reorganized her space to be efficient, functional, and workable for her. As someone who thrives in chaos, even I let out a sigh of relief.
Surprisingly Engaging for a Workplace Drama
As someone who prefers to keep work dramas in the office rather than on screen, I was surprised by how engaging Love Scout turned out to be. Its focus on executive search work—along with the inevitable office politics—kept me hooked. Jiyun navigates both her rival and her so-called supporter, who clearly has his own agenda, making the drama even more compelling.
What’s especially intriguing is the deep dive into different careers and personalities. We see Jiyun scouting candidates for roles like a chef whose hand condition threatens his ability to perform the intricate work his craft demands, a lawyer struggling to balance her career with single parenthood, and—something I had never even heard of before—a luxury goods expert. Apparently, there are professionals so well-versed in high-end bags that they can identify materials, stitching techniques, and even the feel of leather with precision.
Love Scout delivers a refreshing take on workplace dynamics, blending romance, career struggles, and sharp character contrasts. While the executive search world was more of a backdrop than a deep dive, the drama still hooks you with its character-driven storytelling and the unexpected charm of a male secretary leading the show.
But beyond the workplace setting, Love Scout plays with deeper themes—power struggles, personality clashes, and what it really means to win or lose. And as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that some battles aren’t fought in boardrooms but in the choices we make every day.
There’s a lot more to unpack, and I can’t wait to dive into it next.
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