The Practical Guide to Love Episode 1-2 Review: Directed by Lee Jae-hoon, the Korean drama 미혼남녀의 효율적 만남 is led by Han Ji-min as Lee Ui-yeong and Park Sung-hoon as Song Tae-seop. Joining them are Lee Ki-taek as Sin Ji-su, Jung Hye-sung as Jung Hyeon-min, Kim So-hye as Sim Sae-byeok, Shin Jae-ha as Kang Do-hyeon, Lee Mi-do as Jung Na-ri and others. The k-drama examines modern dating in a realistic and slightly sarcastic manner, focusing on blind dates, work romances, and the subtle pressure of marrying in one’s 30s.
The Practical Guide to Love Episode 1 Recap
In episode 1 of The Practical Guide to Love, we are introduced to Ui-yeong, who muses about the changes in modern dating. She finds it amusing how people now prefer to do things efficiently, checking their dates through apps and making quick judgments about a person’s worthiness to date. But instead of following this modern approach, Ui-yeong decides to do something a bit more conventional: a blind date. But before we are presented with the blind date, we are taken a month back in time to see Ui-yeong’s life.
We find Ui-yeong again, and this time, she is living with her aunt. Her aunt says that Ui-yeong is no longer attending weddings, and it is probably because Ui-yeong will never walk down the aisle herself. The wedding money is an important aspect of Korean weddings. The wedding is not just about love; it is also about money. Her aunt is not joking, and we can feel the pressure on Ui-yeong, but it is not very obvious.
Ui-yeong is not useless and unlucky, as we find out in the workplace. We find out that Ui-yeong works in the purchasing section of the hotel. Her job is to find 80 cod fish for an event hosted by the hotel for the British Embassy. The fish is hard to find, and another hotel is trying to steal the same prize. Ui-yeong outsmarts the rival hotel, and they get the fish without relying on luck.
However, the pressure is still on, and it is still with Kang Do-hyeon, who is Ui-yeong’s junior and classmate from college. Ui-yeong rejected Do-hyeon’s confession. We find out that Ui-yeong rejected Do-hyeon because she didn’t have strong feelings for the other guy, and they were poor. On a work trip to Boseong, Ui-yeong tries to get closer to Do-hyeon, as she is trying to find out if she has real feelings for Do-hyeon. Ui-yeong even dresses up to prepare herself. Her plans go awry, though, as Do-hyeon confesses to Sae-byeok, another co-worker.
Ui-yeong’s breakdown in the tea fields, after witnessing Do-hyeon confessing to Sae-byeok, is the most emotional part of the episode. However, by the end of The Practical Guide to Love Episode 1, Ui-yeong agrees to go on a blind date, and it is the same as the first time Ui-yeong met Tae-seop. He says that he hopes to marry someone someday, and Ui-yeong is visibly uncomfortable.
The Practical Guide to Love Episode 2 Recap
In episode 2 of The Practical Guide to Love, Tae-seop delivers a bombshell regarding marriage, which causes a chill in Ui-yeong. She leaves the second blind date and goes straight home, though she ends up utilising the advice given by Tae-seop on how to remove stains from clothing.
Tae-seop then becomes the main character, and it turns out that he is not as perfect as he seems, with his fancy car just a company car, which he ends up sleeping in due to too much on his plate. He has a woodworking business, with his days filled with other things he has to attend to. He then sees his ex-girlfriend, Hyun-ju, at a wedding, suggesting that he has had a broken relationship before. He wants to be with Ui-yeong, though he ends up with a back injury due to his busy schedule.
Ui-yeong and Tae-seop are destined for each other, as fate brings them together again despite the fact that Ui-yeong asks Tae-seop whether she should just cancel the blind date. Tae-seop, as always, remains committed, saying he will call her after he returns, and Ui-yeong makes the decision to thank him for the advice he had given on how to remove stains from clothing, though he does not end up calling her right away. She then ends up going for another blind date with Jeong-woo.
Everything then goes awry as Tae-seop appears at the same blind date, and the evening ends with everyone going out together, with everyone dropping pretences. Jeong-woo appears too casual, which is quite a difference from Tae-seop, who always remains serious. Later on, Ui-yeong, who has had a few drinks, finds herself attracted to Jeong-woo, though she remains guarded. On the following day, Ui-yeong finds herself exhausted from the blind dates, with one blind date having been too far, so she ends up going for a shopping spree. On the other hand, she finds herself receiving many blind date requests on her phone, making things more complicated for her.
The Practical Guide to Love Episode 1-2 Review
The first two episodes are simple, yet they are realistic. The drama is not about plot twists or fairy tale romance. It is about awkward blind dates, misunderstandings, and the pressure of being in a marriage, which can weigh heavily on people in their 30s. It is something you can actually relate to.
Episode 1 of The Practical Guide to Love is about nudging you towards the emotions. Ui-yeong appears to be strong and confident at work, yet around matters of the heart, she is another person. Her scene in the tea fields is quite touching. It is about nudging you towards the fact that regret can come out of the blue. Han Ji-min is wonderful as Ui-yeong, with her soft and vulnerable demeanour. Park Sung-hoon is equally wonderful as Tae-seop, with his calm and unassuming charm. His practical approach towards love, almost like a businessman, is not so romantic, yet it is realistic. Tae-seop’s character is an interesting contrast to Jeong-woo’s.
Episode 2 is a touch different. It is a touch awkward, mostly because of the blind dates. Tae-seop is the practical man, perhaps too practical. Jeong-woo is the exact opposite, with a lighter and freer spirit. It is about the awkwardness of modern relationships.
Korean drama The Practical Guide to Love is not about being the most explosive, yet it is so realistic. It is about the characters pulling at their own identity and the romance and possibility. It is about the blind dates, the choices they make, and the directions they can take. It is about the characters. It is about Ui-yeong and where she is going next.
Also Read: No Tail to Tell Ending Explained: How Did Eun-ho Save Si-yeol? Did They Get Their Happy Ever After?
