Monthly House | Series Review

We all knew that what makes a house turn into a home is love. Once a house is filled with love, it naturally becomes a home to its inhabitants. No matter how big or small your property is, whether it is own or leased if one feels at ease and safe, it’s always home. This is a well-known notion that we tend to overlook because of our busy lives, and I’m glad that Monthly House reminded us of this simple, yet powerful fact.

As a romcom, it ticks many boxes in the trope-y territory, but it’s not overwhelming in general. It’s light and funny. Characters had their fair share of traumatic pasts and lingering insecurities. Most of them, I must say, also had their fair share of idiotic decisions or just plain stupid actions that complicated the uncomplicated world they live in.

We met our main couple as a “landlord” kicking out his non-paying “tenant” thus laying down the foundation of an enemies-to-lovers story. Soon enough, this evolved into an office romance real quick as the “landlord” also turned out to be the tenant’s boss in her new workplace. It’s always fun watching these familiar tropes done right, and with Jung So-min and Kim Ji-suk taking the lead, we all know the wacky will be there.

Taming the Dragon

Gaeryong Yoo Ja-sung (Kim Ji-suk) is a well-known real estate businessman, and just like every other male lead in a rom-com, he also has a sad past which motivated him to rise from dirt and build a name for himself. He now owns massive properties and recently ventured into the publishing industry to – guess what – promote all his houses for sale. This is where he meets our lovely heroine again. Na Young-won, a promising magazine editor who just lost both her job and her apartment. Thankfully, her sunbae Yoo Ui-joo (Chae Jung-ahn) offered her to work for Monthly Magazine Home. She got accepted right off the bat – without even looking at her portfolio. The catch? She would work directly under the CEO as his personal promo writer featuring the properties of his company. And to the horrors that be, Young-won immediately realized that this CEO is the same man who ruthlessly kicked her out of her home! Fun!

Long story short, the two got closer as they work together. Ja-sung even offered Young-won to stay in one of his empty apartments (that had a drama of its own later on). Young-won also subscribed to Ja-sung’s online channel wherein he gives tips to his audience on how to someday be a homeowner. The journey of these lovebirds seemed typical for a K-drama but I’ll take it. It’s funny and Ja-sung’s annoying antics made me like him even more.

What I don’t like, however, was the series of noble idiocy that we had in the drama. I understand that if only they made smart decisions, the drama could have been a 12-episode show. I was already annoyed as Ja-sung for breaking up so suddenly with the clueless Young-won at a time when they’re happy and secured with each other. I thought one noble idiot is enough for a drama, but man, Young-won proved to be worse. LOL. She left the man she loved out of guilt from her father’s mistakes. I can see where she’s coming from, but the father backstory was just added literally at the end of the drama which bothered me. And then, the couple had to be separated for three years without communication. I’m not sure how to approach this thought, but I viewed it as Young-won didn’t really make a move to look for Ja-sung or meet up with Ja-sung at all. Their reunion was pure coincidence. And then there was no definite confirmation that they got back together. So I’m not sure what to feel about it.

Monthly Magazine Family

The drama is filled with colorful supporting characters as well. First up is Ui-joo sunbae, whom I initially thought was a mistress. Am I too judgy? All the hints point out to her being an old man’s lover, but I’m glad that she’s not! And she’s perfect for Nam Sang-soo (Ahn Chang-hwan)! Kekeke uri Soojoo couple~

The second lead in this drama was supposed to be Photographer Shin Gyeom (Jung Gun-joo) but I didn’t feel he was a threat at all. Except for the self-inflicted pain that Ja-sung had to go through after he knew about Gyeom’s feelings for Young-won. Gyeom is such a cute dongsaeng – grew up as a nice, rich kid who looks after Young-won noona and Ja-sung hyung. Yes, he may like Young-won on a personal level, but I still see it as a motivational love, if something like that exists. It’s not just a simple office crush, but it’s not as deep of a love that he’s going all-in with her.

Chief Editor Choi Go (Kim Won-hae) is the source of all things slapstick in the drama, and that’s what Kim Won-hae is best at. He drives the sitcom and manages to execute the drama when the scene calls for it. The plot twist I didn’t expect was Mi-ra (Lee Hwa-kyum) and Chan (Yun Ji-on)! I was busy secretly shipping Mi-ra with Gyeom, that I ignored all the hints they gave us with Chan! They’re cute, though! Rooftop romance potential, too. 🙂