By: Cameron Tyo
January 3, 2024
Spoiler Alert: This review could contain brief spoilers for the show What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim.
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim is a 16-episode-long rom-com detailing a slowly blossoming relationship between Vice Chairman Lee Young-joon (Park Seo-joon), who continues running his family’s company, and his secretary of nine years, Kim Mi-so (Park Min-young), who has decided to resign from her job. This all occurs as after her notice that she will resign, Young-joon realizes he has feelings towards her and might not be able to have the opportunity to be in a relationship with her once she leaves.
Throughout each episode, many events unfold not only to show how Young-joon tries to win over Mi-so but also for the supporting cast surrounding them like the other employees of the Yumyung group working under Young-joon’s branch such as Park Yoo-sik (Kang Ki-young), Young-joon’s best friend from university, Go Gwi-nam (Hwang Chan-sung), Kim Ji-a (Pyo Ye-jin), Sul Ma-eum (Kim Ye-won), Bong Se-ra (Hwang Bo-ra), Jung Chi-in (Lee Yoo-joon), Lee Young-ok (Lee Jung-min), Park Joon-han (Kim Jung-woon), Yang Cheol (Kang Hong-seok), and even intern Yun-sun Bae (Bae Hyun-sung).
Furthermore, there is an overarching kidnapping arc that tries to add substance to an overall show that doesn’t have much of a plot but really doesn’t need one, especially when the kidnapping arc has a predictable outcome. That and the fact that Lee-young’s brother Lee Sung-yeon (Lee Tae-hwan) is also in love with Mi-so partly due to things relating to said kidnapping arc. The show thrives amongst its heartwarming and comedic scenes, executed by the principal and side characters alike. For example, you have scenes where Young-joon tries to make Mi-so his girlfriend by taking her on an extravagant date at an amusement park, followed by a private boat ride with a viewing of fireworks, which he pays for, ending with giving her a ginormous “Hard-work” cow that I now really want. All of this was done because he gave her a questionnaire at a restaurant in the form of a survey to get free food to find out what she likes. He’s trying to be sly, but it doesn’t end up working as his plan gets found out.
Young-joon, as a person, tries to change his selfish ways but, for the most part, ends up failing, still believing that any woman would like him for his perfect everything. He learns to do things unassuming of a rich man, like eating at less fancy restaurants, attempting to collect clams, and just living a less lavish lifestyle overall. This is all to relate more to Mi-so and to get the blessings of her family, who some feel uncountable of the two dating for the big gap in socioeconomic status, etc.
Talking about more about comedic moments, I loved the interactions between Young-joon and his friend Yoo-sik, who had some of the most exaggerated facial expressions I have ever seen, which I couldn’t but have to cackle a little at all the time. That and the fact that he always seems to get into trouble when trying to pursue his ex or when his secretary causes a problem for him, which seemingly happens every day. He acts as an excellent sidekick to the main lead.
There are also many comedic moments, especially when focusing on side-character relationships. You have Bong Se-ra and Secretary Yang who is always super quiet but is coincidentally always there for Bong when she starts to get ridiculed or gets herself in an awkward situation. Chief Section Bong would like to keep this a secret and will do anything to keep it as such, like pretending to injure Yang in the staircase when further coworkers walk down it. You also have that of Go Gwi-am and rookie secretary Kim Ji-a, who aren’t exactly fond of each other at the beginning as Ji-a realizes that Gwi-am is living a frugal lifestyle, which he doesn’t want people in the company they work at to realize so he can maintain a good image at the company Throughout the series, their relationship changes in many different ways, showing the complexities of a relationship. The other group members also have unique quirks that they show off at company gatherings, etc.
Plus, you had the moments in between when Young-joon would use his power to cancel appointments or reschedule them so that he could find time to hang out with Mi-so.
Before I finish, I would also like to mention some heartwarming moments. After the kidnapping arc finished, I loved seeing Young-joon apologizing to each other over the misconceptions that spawned from the entire scenario. I loved the many times when Young-joon ended up clinging to Mi-so accidentally through things like falling on her because of a bus breaking or grabbing her too vigorously to prove a point, causing her to fall on top of him.
There are many moments where the two main characters just get a chance to talk to each other to learn more about each other with the show’s OST in the background—speaking of the OST. I thoroughly enjoyed it and added five of the songs on Spotify. It did well at creating a romantic atmosphere through its catchy melodies and cute lyrics. I thought the show was paced well. While yes, the show mainly focused on the relationship between the two leads. Something was constantly added to the equation for this relationship to bloom in a way much akin to how it could in the real world.
I mentioned acting before, but everyone else did a great job at portraying who they were meant to be. Park Seo-joon did a great job at portraying a narcissist who had an aura about him, trying to keep his emotions stoic despite the fact he is hiding emotions and trauma away from the people he loves. Park Min-young portrays a preppy young secretary super well. The acting of coworkers of the company creates a crazy office space, and the family members of the two leads portray how one might feel given a situation in which their son, daughter, or sibling is in a relationship.
Overall, What’s Wrong with Secretary is a very well-done rom-com. It’s pretty fast-paced, given the fact that there is minimal plot mixed in with definite heartwarming and comedic moments. The show concludes all plotlines satisfyingly, making you feel like you’ve gone on a journey with everyone in the show. You’ll cringe, laugh, smile, and cry. I recommend this series if you are in the mood for a feel-good show.