Love to Hate You

Love to Hate You directed by Kim Jung-kwon is one of South Korea’s most talked about and viewed Rom-Com opened up the year, starring Kim Ok-bin, Teo Yoo, Kim Ji-hoon, and Ko Won-hee.

The series consists of 10 episodes with the first episode to have aired on the 10th of February 2023 and can be watched on the streaming platform Netflix.

We follow the lives of Nam Kang-ho played by Teo Yoo, an A-list actor who’s famous in South Korea for his romantic roles but secretly distrusts all women, and Yeo Mi-ran played by Kim Ok-bin, who’s an attorney that despises losing to men and, love means nothing; that is until they’re forced to date each other.

The two are complete opposites constantly trying to catch the other out and expose their lies, whilst putting on a brave face on and off the job, and it’s because of this sudden obsession to expose the other that they begin to see one another for who they truly are.

Kim Ok-bin is known throughout South Korea for her roles which are often more serious and action-packed, in a way, she’s looked at as the next Michelle Yeoh, so being involved in a less stern role is not only new for her but is an also new challenge that she has decided to take on and her delivery was spot-on.

I found myself laughing up a storm in the twilight hours of the night watching this series one episode a day, unlike that particular Sunday when I found myself binging four episodes one after the other.

There’s no denying the chemistry between Teo Yoo and Kim Ok-bin, when they’re together you become completely glued to the scene because you don’t know what’s about to happen, it’s like playing Russian roulette with the audience’s emotions and investment into the show.

You will be utterly enthralled by not only the romance happening between Nam Kang-ho and Yeo Mi-ran but other plots going around that can affect our favorite love birds, both being the best friends of each, Do Won-jun played by Kim Ji-hoon and Shin Na-eun by Ko Won-hee.

Not everything is perfect with roses and sunshine even for the most beloved actor in South Korea the man has been on constant medication for anxiety ever since his heartbreaking break-up with his ex Oh Se-na played by Lee Joo-bin, who chose to let him go for the further benefit of her career.

It’s only because of how their relationship came to an end that Nam Kang-ho began seeing women in a different light and distancing himself from opening his heart to anyone else.

This caused the actor to rely on medication as without them he’d have anxiety and panic attacks whenever he’d have to kiss, let alone hug any woman, whether it be a fan or another actress.

Yeo Mi-ran on the other hand is the woman she is today, determined not to rely on any man ever since the traumatic experience she went through as a child when an older man around their neighborhood would constantly harass every young girl passing by a tiny passage on her way back from school.

She decided to take matters into her own hands after seeing that no one would take their cries seriously and began training herself in martial arts, eventually, she returned to that same passage where the old man would be waiting and gave him a beating that he’s fragile bones would never forget.

Ever since then, she’s been fearless, willing to take on any challenge and stand up for the disadvantaged, going so far as to expose married men that had been cheating on their wives.

What I found interesting about the difference between Western and South Korean rom-com is the way they use, sound effects, visual effects, and facial expressions to create genuine, hilarious moments, which this series uses with absolute perfection.

Let alone being a rom-com, the series addresses many topics that many would consider taboo, especially in South Korean culture. For example, the obsessive

So my question is, is it okay to change your culture that has blessed your country to what it is today for an individual’s selfish desires, or is one’s selfish desires worth the risk to change your culture even though you know the horrible results and consequences that come with such change?

Love to Hate You may be my first K-Dram rom-com but it’s worth watching. It wastes no time getting straight to the point from the beginning and doesn’t shy away from the comedic element, using whatever means necessary to leave you tearing up.

Whilst also tackling tough subjects that you would normally find hard to discuss with anyone, letting you think about it and leaving you to come up with your conclusion of whether it’s right, wrong, or simply none of your business.

I give Love to Hate You a 4.2 out of 5 rating.

Do you have a recommendation for any South Korean rom-com out there that you think I’d love, please leave a comment down below.

Thank you for reading another review from, LSR.

Until next time, stay blessed.