Romance in the House Review: Kim Ji Soo, Ji Jin Hee, Son Na Eun, Choi Minho and Yoon Sanha lead a K-drama about broken family drama, redemption and love

Characters living a hard life because of broken families and financial struggles are quite often seen in K-dramas. Their tales of redemption and hard work touch the hearts of many. What makes these stories enjoyable to watch is the characters’ ability to find humor in the bleakest of situations.  There is a new Kdrama on the block detailing the life of a woman and her two children after she divorced her husband for failing to make sound financial decisions and keeping the family out of trouble. Starring Kim Ji Soo, Ji Jin Hee, Son Na Eun, SHINee’s Choi Minho and ASTRO’s Sanha, Romance in the House opens with a familiar premise: a struggling single mother and her children, navigating life’s challenges with resilience. The plot thickens when the estranged, financially successful husband re-enters their lives, creating a whirlwind of emotions and suspicions.

Romance in the House Review: Kim Ji Soo, Ji Jin Hee, Son Na Eun, Choi Minho and Yoon Sanha lead a K-drama about broken family drama, redemption and love

What is the plot of Romance in the House?
The plot of Romance in the House is simple. Or maybe not so much. In the first two episodes, we see that single mother Geum Ae Yeon (played by Kim Ji Soo) and her two children Byeon Mi Rae (played by Son Na Eun) and Byeon Hyeon Jae (played by ASTRO’s Sanha) live in a rental unit, trying to make their ends meet. Ae Yeon left her husband Byeon Moo Jin (played by Ji Jin Hee) a decade ago after he continuously failed to make profitable business investments. Mi Rae does not appreciate the fact that her father failed at his duties and her mother had to struggle to keep a roof over their heads. She considers her father as good as dead.

Mi Rae strives hard to get a good job and take some weight off her mother’s shoulders. As a result, she overworks herself and does not have time to mingle socially. As fate would have it, her father makes a sudden comeback as a billionaire and everyone wonders how he chanced upon the riches.

He buys the villa that houses Mi Rae’s flat and Mi Rae decides to move out with her family. The transaction of Moo Jin buying the villa is not without suspicion. The previous landlord died in a house fire. In episode 1, we see a mysterious man approaching the previous landlord, and the scene reeks of foul play. Cut to a week later, the villa is purchased by Byeon Moo Jin and thus begins a series of unwanted interactions between Moo Jin and his family. He says that he wants to reconcile with his family, but it is easier said than done.

We see a possibility of romance between security guard Nam Tae Pyeong (played by SHINee’s Choi Min Ho) and Mi Rae. After she collapsed at work, he took her to the hospital and looked after her. He would then continue to notice Mi Rae and help her without her noticing it.

K-Drama Review
Romance in the House promises a tale of second chances and first love, peppered with intrigue and mystery. With Moo Jin’s return, several questions are raised. The first one is, how did he end up with so much money which is more than enough to buy a villa and make expensive purchases for his new apartment? The next is, what was he doing all these years?

Each episode of Romance in the House is about an hour long. Some might argue that a good 15 minutes can be chopped off because certain scenes feel repetitive and stretched without adding relevant meaning to them. There are comic scenes few and far between. With a total of 12 episodes to its name, Romance in the House promises a quick start and end to its storytelling, hopefully giving enough content for the viewers as the story progresses.

Kim Ji Soo delivers a commendable performance as the strong-willed mother, Geum Ae Yeon. Her portrayal of a woman balancing financial pressures with maternal responsibilities is both relatable and inspiring. Ji Jin Hee, as the ex-husband, Byeon Moo-jin brings a certain charm and complexity to his character, leaving the audience questioning his intentions. The dynamic between the former couple is the heart of the drama, filled with tension, regret, and a hint of unresolved love.

Son Na Eun and Sanha, as the adult children, bring youth and energy to the narrative. Na Eun’s portrayal of a career-oriented woman facing unexpected life changes is intriguing. Yoon Sanha’s character, the younger, more carefree sibling, adds a touch of comic relief.

The drama excels in its portrayal of the complexities of family relationships. The script effectively balances the emotional turmoil with moments of humour, keeping the audience engaged. The initial episodes have successfully established the characters and the central conflict, leaving viewers curious about the unfolding story.

What to expect from Romance in the House episode 3?
At the end of episode 2, we saw that an elderly man remembers seeing Moo Jin with the previous landlord a day before the fire. Moo Jin tries to convince the landlord to sell the villa, but the landlord does not agree. In the teaser for episode 3 of Romance in the House, we see that Moo Jin continues his attempts to reconcile with his estranged family. Mi Rae strongly opposes any advances from her father and wonders if her mother might take him back. The mystery and intrigue around Moo Jin’s life is just about picking up. Nam Tae Pyeong might just be the heir to the company Mi Rae works at.

Overall, Romance in the House is a promising start to a potentially compelling drama. With a strong cast and a well-crafted premise, the show has the potential to capture the hearts of viewers and become a beloved addition to the K-drama landscape.

Watch the trailer for Romance in the House here: