The Interest Of Love is an exploration of love and how every individual goes through its experience differently. It moves at a relaxed pace and is more character driven than plot. It is like an acquired taste — it might take some time to make you like it. I enjoyed it for the most part but it certainly didn’t leave me satisfied.

ABOUT

The drama unfolds against the backdrop of a bank. The four main characters work there in different roles. We see how they evolve as individuals and how their relationships evolve with time.

REVIEW

The show explores human nature, embracing its many complexities. The characters are flawed. The drama has an indie like feeling — muted colours, softer vibes and scenes weaved with ordinary daily-life moments. The soundtrack is amazing! It is a true slowburn romance. The show generally has a serious tone but it is imbued with humour and light hearted moments too.

At the center is the relationship between Ha Sang Soo (Yoo Yeon Seok) and Ahn Soo Young (Moon Ga Young). He is a college graduate while she comes with a high school diploma. They have known each other for few years now and have feelings for each other that they never confessed. Their whole journey with each other can be summed up as one step forward, two step backwards. The angst and tension is delicious. I was rooting for them for a long time despite getting frustrated with their actions at times. The chemistry between Yoo Yeon Seok and Moon Ga Young is electric.

The Interest Of Love has love square in its truest form. Soo Young starts dating Jung Jong Hyun (Jung Ga Ram), the security guard at the bank and Ha Sang Soo starts dating a colleague and his junior from college, Park Mi Kyung (Geum Sae Rok), who comes from a rich family. Mi Kyung is a very confident woman and a colorful character. It’s hard to guess if she is actually as good as she seems to be.

Soo Young’s relationship with Jong Hyun feels so listless and pointless. The most annoying character is Jong Hyun who keeps sabotaging his career and studies as he focuses all attention on his love life — to a woman who is clearly doing it half heartedly. I have no idea why she kept getting back together with him.

The relationship between Sang Soo and Mi Kyung has a strong energy that Jong Hyun and Ga Young lack. It helps that Mi Kyung is very candid and like a sunshine.

Sang Soo and Ga Young constantly emotionally cheat with each other on their respective partners. But it is played gracefully and you do want to cheer for them. I love their moments together but miscommunication and misunderstanding and hesitation keeps coming between them. The show highlights how personal, social and professional factors can affect relationships.

Soo Young starts with being enigmatic and we gradually see her layers. She has an understated sense of humor too. Sang Soo is an introvert and a warm hearted person. But he is not perfect. He struggles to choose between practical and emotional paths.

THE MINUS POINTS

A slowburn romance works if the payoff is satisfying but here there is no satisfying conclusion for people rooting for the main couple. Soo Young becomes increasingly frustrating by the end where it is really difficult to understand her actions. Last few episodes feel like we are moving in circles.

PERFORMANCES

Yoo Yeon Seok is fabulous and his understated approach to the part is a joy to watch. Moon Ga Young once again impresses with her mature performance. Geum Sae Rok has a vivacious appeal and she really leaves a strong impression. The supporting cast is great.

IN A NUTSHELL

Interesting exploration of a slowburn, angsty romance; coupled with an understated, indie-like vibe. But the drama disappoints in its last act.

MY RATING: 7 out of 10.