Amid the wave of romantic dramas flooding the small screen with sweet love stories, The practical guide to love it’s carving out its own space by offering a more grounded perspective on relationships. Rather than focus solely on dreamy romance, the series resonates strongly with viewers in their 30s who are dealing with career pressures, marital expectations and mature choices in love.
According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode that aired on February 28 had an average nationwide rating of 3.1% – a good start for a brand new series. The encouraging figure signals promising momentum for the drama since its first broadcast.
In the series, Han Ji Min plays Lee Ui Young, a modern woman in her thirties who has achieved professional stability but finds her love life at a standstill. No longer believing in fate, she takes a practical approach to romance by going on blind dates with the serious goal of finding a life partner.
However, things quickly get complicated when she finds herself torn between two very different men. Song Tae Seob, played by Park Sung Hoon, represents stability and maturity — the ideal “safe choice” for marriage. Meanwhile, Shin Ji Soo, played by Lee Ki Taek, brings youthful energy and unexpected emotional sparks.
Trapped between logic and emotion, Ui Young must confront not only the two men but also her own doubts about happiness. What begins as a series of calculated matchmaking attempts gradually becomes a journey of self-discovery and a redefinition of love in adulthood.
Han Ji Min’s return to the romantic comedy genre – his forte – was met with rave praise. Known as a “queen of chemistry” in Korean dramas, he once again demonstrates his ability to make characters feel authentic and relatable. Viewers especially talked about her extraordinarily youthful appearance. Now in her 40s, the actress continues to amaze radiant skin, soft features and a naturally vibrant aura, showing little sign of time passing despite more than two decades in the industry.
Online reactions following the first episode were largely positive, with many praising it humor, relatable plot and on-screen chemistry. Some viewers prefer the calm and constant dynamics between Han Ji Min and Park Sung Hoon, while others are intrigued by the emotional tension brought by Lee Ki Taek’s character.
With a promising 3.1% rating right out of the gate and strong word-of-mouth momentum, The practical guide to love looks set to be one of the season’s standout romantic dramas.
