The new JTBC weekend drama 'The Practical Guide to Love' is off to a powerful start, sweeping the weekend primetime slot as ratings soared to a peak of 4 percent from its very first episode.
Actor Han Ji Min made a lively debut as a dating novice navigating the ups and downs of blind dates. The first episode of JTBC’s Saturday-Sunday drama 'The Practical Guide to Love' (written by Lee Yi Jin, directed by Lee Jae Hoon, produced by SLL), which aired on February 28, followed Lee Ui Young (played by Han Ji Min) as she abandons her long-held belief in “organic romance” and shifts toward “intentional dating” after running into the harsh realities of modern relationships.
The premiere recorded 3.4 percent viewership in the Seoul metropolitan area and 3.1 percent nationwide, with peak ratings climbing to 4.3 percent.
Lee Ui Young, a senior manager on the purchasing team at The Hills Hotel, was introduced as someone who appeared to have mastered both her career and love life. Demonstrating sharp competence at work by deftly resolving a supply issue, she also shared subtle romantic tension with Kang Do Hyun (played by Shin Jae Ha), her former university junior and current colleague. However, her seemingly perfect routine quickly unraveled when Kang Do Hyun revealed he had feelings for Shim Sae Byeok (played by Kim So Hye), Lee Ui Young’s junior and an intern, and asked for her help in winning her over. Realizing that his past kindness had been strategic rather than romantic, Lee Ui Young was left speechless and devastated.
Reeling from the disappointment, she confided in her childhood friend Lim Seung Jun (played by Joo Yeon Woo) about the challenges of dating. He suggested blind dates as a practical alternative, advising her that when two people meet with love in mind, all that matters is whether they are compatible as individuals. His reasoning shook her long-standing commitment to spontaneous romance. Ultimately, she recalled a previous matchmaking offer from the hotel’s general manager, Eun Jung Seok (played by Kim Won Hae), and promptly secured the date. Her last-minute crash course in dating preparation added a layer of comedy.
Fully prepared, Lee Ui Young met Song Tae Seop (played by Park Sung Hoon), who appeared immediately captivated by her. As their conversation flowed and he hinted at a second date, she began to feel a budding sense of excitement. But the warm atmosphere took a sharp turn when Song Tae Seop bluntly asked, “Would you be open to a relationship with marriage in mind?” Confronted with the weight of marriage at what was meant to be a simple date, Lee Ui Young’s flustered reaction heightened anticipation for what comes next.
The drama draws attention by portraying Lee Ui Young as a consummate professional at work but a complete beginner in love, charting her evolving values along the way. Han Ji Min’s nuanced performance deepened immersion in the character, while the narration revealing her inner thoughts resonated with viewers. Director Lee Jae Hoon’s bright visual style, combined with writer Lee I Jin’s tightly woven storytelling, has drawn praise for delivering a textbook romantic comedy.
Online reactions, including on YouTube, have been equally enthusiastic. One viewer joked, “I almost missed the plot because I was too busy looking at Han Ji Min’s face,” praising her visuals. Another commented, “Kang Do Hyun is so frustrating, I wanted to jump into the TV,” showing deep emotional investment. Others noted the realism of the marriage question arising on a first blind date, while some related strongly to the portrayal of a highly competent career woman who struggles in love. Many expressed eager anticipation for the second episode, saying they are anxious to see how Lee Ui Young will respond.
SEE ALSO: Han Ji Min highlights honesty as the key charm of her character in ‘The Practical Guide to Love’
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