Business Proposal ruled over Monday and Tuesday nights until the 12-episode series successfully ended its run on April 6. Now that Shin Ha-ri (Kim Se-jeong), Kang Tae-mu (Ahn Hyo-seop), Jin Yong-seo (Seol In-ah) and Cha Sung-hoon (Kim Min-kyu) are off the air, our Monday and Tuesday nights will sadly never be the same.
Show Recommendations
The adorable and hilarious antics of the fabulous foursome kept us wanting more but since all good things must come to an end, we’ll have to look elsewhere for more entertainment. Here are our recommendations for what to watch if you loved Business Proposal. (Read our full review here.)
If you loved the whole contract relationship plot that kept Shin Ha-ri and Kang Tae-mu tied to each other in the earlier part of the series, you’ll find more recommendations in this Gwenchanoona article Saranghae for Show.
If you enjoyed the whole workplace setting dynamic, you’ll find a lot more office romances in this Gwenchanoona article Saranghae, Sir.
And if you loved the second lead love story between Jin Yong-seo and Cha Sung-hoon, then you’ll find more k-dramas with great second couples in this Gwenchanoona list, Second Lead Couples We Stan.
More Ahn Hyo-seop
If you’re missing our beloved archaeopteryx already, you’ll be happy to know that Ahn Hyo-Seop has already had several dramas up his sleeve.
Lovers of the Red Sky (2021)
Adapted from the eponymous novel by Jung Eun-gwo, Lovers of the Red Sky is an SBS supernatural romance sageuk (historical show) set in the fictional Dan Dynasty. Before Ma Wang (God of Death) was sealed into a royal painting, he cursed the children of the royal painter and the shaman. Thus, the fates of Ma Wang, the painter’s daughter Hong Cheon-gi (Kim Yoo-jung, Love in the Moonlight), and the shaman’s son Ha Ram (Ahn Hyo-seop) become intertwined.
Years later, Ha Ram becomes blind but grows up to become a respected royal astrologer. He meets Cheon-gi, the first female painter of that era. Aided by Samshin (the goddesses of life), could they overcome the curse and the demon himself? Lovers of the Red Sky fans love its retelling of Korean mythology and stunning visual art (and no, we’re not just talking about Ahn Hyo-seop’s abs and pretty red eyes).
16 episodes, available on Viu (Viu Original)
Dr. Romantic 2 (2020)
Ahn Hyo-seop joins the sequel of this hugely successful medical drama fronted by Han Suk-kyu (Tree With Deep Roots) as “Kim Sabu” or Teacher Kim, a legendary surgeon who now runs a shabby hospital in a small town.
In this season, Ahn Hyo-seop transforms into a gifted but cynical doctor, whose views on life are challenged by Kim Sabu and fellow resident Cha Eun-jae (Lee Sung-kyung, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo).
16 episodes, available on Viu and Netflix
Abyss (2019)
A tvN crime fantasy rom-com, Abyss tells the story of a glowing orb called “abyss” that could bring one back to life, but not necessarily his or her appearance. Prosecutor Ko So-yeon (Park Bo-young, Strong Woman Do Bong-soon) is resurrected by the abyss and starts to work as a lawyer. She meets conglomerate heir Cha Min (Ahn Hyo-seop), who has died in an accident but is also brought back to life. Together, they attempt to uncover the mysteries behind their resurrection and So-yeon’s death.
16 episodes, available on Netflix
Top Management (2018)
Based on a web novel of the same name by Jang Woo-san, Top Management is a YouTube Original fantasy romance about a new manager, Yoo Eun-sung (Seo Eun-soo, Missing: The Other Side), in charge of a revamped K-pop group named S.O.U.L. She can see the future, but her ability has not helped her graduate from being an idol trainee. Will she succeed in her new job this time around, or will love lines get entangled with the idols she is supposed to manage? Could she help S.O.U.L.'s recruit from Mongolia, soloist musician Hyun Soo-yong (Ahn Hyo-seop), adjust to the boyband setup? Will the team's visual, Woo Yeon-woo (Cha Eun-woo, True Beauty), and the rest of the members get along with Soo-yong and recover from an incident back then that tore their group apart?
If you love Ahn Hyo-seop's Kang Tae-mu playing the piano or Ahn Hyo-seop himself singing MeloMance's "Love, Maybe" with Kim Se-jeong, you will see his K-pop idol roots in full display in this light youth series—most notably, in his "Spring" duet with Z.HERA. Bonus for K-pop fans: each episode of the series is named after a K-pop track!
16 episodes, available on YouTube Premium (YouTube Original)
Thirty But Seventeen/ Still 17 (2018)
Woo Seo-ri (Shin Hye-sun, Mr. Queen) remembers herself "yesterday" as a 17-year-old violinist about to study in Germany, but a tragic traffic accident has left her in a long coma. In the present time, she wakes up as a 30-year-old woman, to her utter shock and disbelief.
Realizing she has been in the hospital for 13 years, now without a job and a family, how can she survive the modern day with the mentality and skills of a teenager? Luckily, she gets help from the new family occupying her home: Gong Woo-jin (Yang Se-jong, Dr. Romantic Seasons 1 and 2), his nephew Yoo-chan (Ahn Hyo-seop), and his house helper Jennifer (Ye Ji-won, Dinner Mate).
32 half-hour episodes, available on Viu.
More Kim Se-jeong
What’s not to love about Ha-ri (we’re still laughing about her Samantha and Rachel bit)? Kim Se-jeong’s performance truly made her an unforgettable character. Lucky for us, the talented young actress has already starred in several k-dramas.
The Uncanny Counter (2020)
The mission of hunting down evil spirits that plague Seoul has fallen to a rather unique group of individuals called "counters." Do Ha-na, played to action-star goodness by Kim Se-jeong, is their resident sensate who can read memories through touch.
Despite her incredibly tragic backstory involving the loss of her own family, Ha-na has still opted to use her powers for good, and finds the courage to be part of a ragtag team who she eventually considers her new family. She's an active mentor to the new recruit So-mun (Jo byeong-ku), and introduces him to the more fantastical side of the world where evil is wrought by demons and the weak are fair game for possession. She also cautions him as he learns to use his own newfound powers, reminding So-mun of the dangerous consequences that belie counters who go against their missions.
16 episodes, available on Netflix
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I Wanna Hear Your Song (2019)
How can an insomniac fall asleep? She apparently needs a lullaby from a tone-deaf pianist. Of course, the insomniac could only be Hong Yi-young (Kim Se-jeong) and the pianist, Jang Do-hoon (Yeon Woo-jin, Thirty-Nine). Yi-young also happens to be a timpanist involved in a murder case but has lost her memory.
Do-hoon, meanwhile, attempts to find the truth about the crime. Could Yi-young be the key or a distraction? Song Jae-rim (Moon Embracing the Sun, How to Be Thirty) joins the duo as Nam Joo-wan, a charming conductor of the orchestra in this KBS2 mystery rom-com (though Yi-young insists "this is not a love story").
32 half-hour episodes, available on Viu.
*Trigger Warning: Self-Harm, Suicide, Murder
School 2017
Kim Se-jeong stars in this 7th drama of the School Series with Seol In-ah taking on a supporting role. The entire School Series doesn’t deviate much from its main plot of following high school kids as they navigate the stressful world of high school and growing up. The entire anthology has launched the career of many of the biggest names in Hallyu. (Read the article here.)
16 episodes, available on Netflix
More Kim Min-kyu (Kim Min-gue)
When Secretary Cha took his glasses off before kissing Yeon-so, we heard a collective excited gasp across the world. It’s looking like Kim Min-kyu earned himself millions of new fans with this new drama and millions more because of that scene. While waiting for his latest project, you can see some of his other dramas.
Queen: Love and War (2019)
Kim Min-kyu plays emperor Lee Kyung who is assassinated on his wedding day and miraculously resurrects after his dead queen’s hidden twin sister, played by Jin Se-yeon, tends to him. It’s the usual royal politics, love story against all odds, and a bit of psychic fantasy, in this 2019 sageuk. Kim Min-kyu plays the innocent and noble king who struggles between the memories of his dead almost-wife and her very real and beguiling doppelganger. It’s not a heavy watch as far as sageuks go and the love story is tender and sweet.
16 episodes, available on iQiyi.
Perfume (2019)
Kim Min-kyu plays a supporting role in this fantasy romance drama starring Go Won-hee who plays a middle-aged housewife. She gets an instant youthful makeover and a second chance at life with the help of a mysterious perfume. In her new career as a model, she meets a surly fashion designer played by Shin Sung-rok and Kim Min-kyu, who is totally believable as Yoon Min-seok, a world-famous idol who claims he only needs three seconds to make someone fall in love with him. (We believe you Yoon Min-seok!)
32 half-hour episodes, available on Viu.
In Because This Is My First Life (2017), Kim Min-kyu takes on a small role as a cheeky yet aggressive barista who tries to charm the female lead away from her contract husband. By itself, Because This Is My First Life is already a great watch and Kim Min-kyu is just the cherry on top. He also has a supporting role in Snowdrop (2022) and minor roles in Rain or Shine/Just Between Lovers (2018), So I Married an Anti-fan (2021), Backstreet Rookie (2020), and the critically acclaimed Signal (2016). Finally, he shares his glorious singing voice in the music game show I Can See Your Voice Season 4 episode 3 and the Encore Concert.
More Seol In-ah
The feisty chaebol heiress is out to make it on her own and we can't help but root for her thanks to Seol In-ah's great portrayal of Yong-soo. The actress seems to have a penchant for choosing strong, resilient characters.
Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life (2019-20)
If you want to see more of Seoul In-ah, then you definitely shouldn’t miss the 100-episode weekend drama Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life where she plays a central character. It’s a story of three families whose lives intersect because of a tragic incident. Family issues, infidelity, secret identities, and a whole lot of makjang can be expected in this well-rated drama.
100 half-hour episodes, available on Viu.
Sunny Again Tomorrow (2018)
If 100 35-minute episodes are still not enough, then you’ll find Seol In-ah in 121 episodes of another weekend drama Sunny Again Tomorrow. She plays a hardworking employee who decides to start her own fashion company after being fired from her job. Of course, with 121 episodes to fill, there will be a lot of other characters, family drama, backstabbing, deceit, and all the other elements of a traditional soap opera.
121 episodes, available on YouTube KBS World
Seol In-ah also has minor roles in Record of Youth, Mr. Queen and Special Labor Inspector Jo. We just hope her increased popularity because of Business Proposal, she will have bigger roles in the future.
Wild Card Watch
Loved Business Proposal but want something completely different? Try Thirty-Nine! The female-centric melodrama starring Son Ye-jin, Jeon Mi-do, and Kim Ji-hyun as lifelong best friends aired to its highest ratings on March 31, becoming one of JTBC’s top 10 dramas of all time. While celebrating love and friendship, Thirty-Nine also explored such heavy themes as adoption, infidelity, terminal illness, and death, showcasing its lead cast’s top-tier acting talent.
12 episodes, available on Netflix
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