Why You Should Watch: Prime Minister and I

I haven't seen a really good romantic comedy since All About My Romance and that one was a true rom com that wasn't too angsty nor over the top with the comedic antics. It was perfect which is what I have seen so far in Prime Minister & I. It does tug at your heartstrings, but also manages to keep in the funny alongside it. I think I will keep this one until the very end. Warning: Major spoilers ahead.

What's It About? Prime Minister Kwon Yul (Lee Beom Soo) works well at his office, but he struggles to raise his three children alone. Nam Da Jung (Yoona) is a reporter full of enthusiasm at work, but she always ends up missing big scoops. Nam Da Jung comes to Kwon Yool and his three kids similar to a Christmas present. cr. Wikepedia 

 Why Should You Watch? Do you miss when romantic comedies truly were romantic comedies? Emphasis on the comedy end. This year has been filled with many (great) melodramas, but it seems like rom coms have been in short supply well at least the ones that have really done well. I am a sucker for a great romantic comedy and luckily this drama is one so far. With 4 episodes down, this drama is fast paced and has already set the tone for the remainder of the episodes. We already have our two leads, Kwon Yul and Nam Da Jung, who obviously bicker due to their different personalities and our second leads in Yul's long time secretary Seo Hy Joo (Chae Jung Ahn) and his newly appointed aide Kang In Ho (Yoon Shi Yoon) who are both in a bit of a grey area, In Ho more than Hye Joo. The premise isn't anything different and can be seen as your typical opposites attract drama with the poor girl-rich guy plot and while the latter may be very true, it's nothing to that extent. Right off the bat we can already see that this isn't that typical kind of drama, the writer has a refreshing take on a normal drama plot. Right off the bat we know why Da Jung works the job that she does and she's well aware of how it makes her look in others' eyes, but as long as she take care of her father then she's okay. Yul may seem like the typical drama male lead with his stiff nature and attitude, but he's far from your everyday ass of a male lead. Yes, he can be an ass sometimes, but he's not mean just to be like that. He's actually very sincere in the things he does and says, he just has some communication problems. 

One element I did notice and is very rare for this kind of plot is that the reasons for the marriage aren't very superficial. Da Jung wants to keep a promise to her ailing father while Yul thinks about his kids and has some presidential pressure. They are also very understanding of each and have a mutual respect for each other, it's quite refreshing to see this being a staple in their budding relationship, they're very honest and make no point in lying to the other. It will be one of their strong points in the coming future episodes when it's time to test their relationship against the obstacles our antagonists will throw their way. We only know of one actual villain and I do appreciate how he actually has his very [valid] reasons for disliking our hero. Seeing your sister in a [possibly] neglectful marriage then for her to die would make someone not happy with the widowed husband. Not saying it's okay to take revenge out him since there are other reasons for his hatred, Joon Ki (Ryu Jin) isn't completely hateful. Meanwhile Hye Joo is beginning to cross that line from sanity to very delusional territory with her 'love' for Yul, she's sneaky and conniving, I just hope they don't make her into a certain second lead the same actress played earlier this year. *cough*When A Man Loves*cough, sorry I had a badly written drama stuck there for a second. The mysterious aide will stay just that until they reveal his true intentions, until then we will just judge him based on his random side eyeing of Yul and soft heart towards Da Jung. 

As mentioned before, I know there were concerns about the 20 year age gap between Lee Bum Soo and Yoona, but after 4 episodes I can honestly say I don't see it. Both actors have amazing chemistry and that measly number doesn't even matter anymore. I should also take the time to reassure you that Yoona's acting has greatly improved, she seems to really be learning from her costars and it is definitely working. Each episode has gotten better. Sometimes all it takes is to have that one very great actor as your costar. Both have very good comedic timing and appear to be very much in sync with each other. You would think they've known each other for a while, but they haven't which says lots about each of them. 

This also promises to be a good family drama in the coming episodes, so we'll see more of his 3 kids and how Da Jung can earn their trust, well the two older ones since Man Se loves her to bits already. No complaints about the child actors since I've already seen them act and know they are good at what they do. 

All in all, if you're looking for a light and fluffy drama to balance out those not so fluffy dramas you're watching then I highly recommend this one. There's angst, but not overwhelmingly so that it snuffs out all the funny parts. No OST has been released, but Taemin of SHINee will release a song called "Footsteps" soon. You can hear it towards the end of episode 3.

Where to watch in case you want to check it out: 

Viki 

Drama Fever

Also, if you are ever in the need to talk about Prime Minister & I, stop by the official Soompi thread and join in the conversation!

More Stills

Instant glue: Best forced skinship. Ever.