Lovers in Paris

The drama series Lovers In Paris has really overwhelmed me with its great storyline, dialogues, dramas, and romances combined with witty humour, that I felt obliged to write a review on it. If you have not watch this excellent Korean drama, please do, you won't be disappointed, I was at the edge of my seat while watching it, my heart goes up and down with the drama, I spent my weekends watching it, ~10 hrs each day!

Main Characters
Han Ki Joo (Park Shin Yang)
He is the perfect guy¡­ rich, tall, cute, and a leader. He is smart (his nephew revealed that he excelled academically and was top student at school) and is very confident. Being the Head of GD Motors, which has 20000 employees, he is very very very rich. He likes to solve things with money, especially when helping Tay Young, and is quite stubborn, but that's what attracts me to this character¡­ his stubbornness and his cocky self.

Yoon Sok Hyuk (Lee Dong Gun)
A drummer. He is the nephew of Ki Joo and is of lesser class (in the sense that he is more normal and less 'cold') than Ki Joo because he ditches the riches of the family and does not help in running GD Motors (until wanting to prove himself to Tay Young made him join the company).

Kang Tay Young (Kim Jeong Eun)
The luckiest girl alive. She is loved by Ki Joo and Sok Hyuk. She has a tendency to forget things and has a very charming smile. Her father was a movie director who went to Paris for a week and told her the beautiful times he had in Paris. That was the reason she went to Paris to study. She was intrigued by Ki Joo since the first time they met from as she is always thinking about their encounters together.

Wen Yun Er (Oh Jeu Eun)
The jealous fiance of Ki Joo. She was matchmaked by Ki Joo's father and was to be married to Ki Joo. But since Ki Joo loves Tay Young, she became bitter and set out to win over Ki Joo like a mission.

Baek Seung-kyung (Kim Suh Hyung)
Ki Joo's ex-wife who's the owner of a cinema. She divorced from Ki Joo because he was unable to give her the love she needs, despite that, they are good friends and she still cares for him. I feel that she's really a saint to be able to help Tay Young and give her a job at her cinema.

Episode Summary
Here is a brief summary of the episodes (Contains a lot of spoilers):

Episode 1:
Tay Young is a poor student working part time in Paris but she got sacked from a waitress job and was unable to pay her rent. The landlady threw her out. Without a place to stay, Tay Young went to stay at a friend's place for the time being. Later on, she found a job working for Ki Joo as a housemaid. But they have not met, she interacts with him by writing down notes on post it notes, but it is a one way interaction because Ki Joo does not reply.

Episode 2:
Tay Young helps her friend look after a cigarette stall. A French man who mistook Tay Young for a prostitute knocked the stall over when he was rejected by Tay Young. Ki Joo happened to drive onto that area and was mistaken to be the culprit by Tay Young. Tay Young demanded payment but Ki Joo does not have his wallet with him, so he suggested she drives him home as he had drunk. Funnily, Tay Young forgotten her camera at Ki Joo's place while working there, so she drove to her work place (Ki Joo's home) not knowing that Ki Joo was the owner. There, they realized who each other was and Tay Young got sacked by Ki Joo. Later, Ki Joo employs Tay Young again on the condition that she pretends to be his girlfriend at a party in order to sign a large contract for his company.
Ki Joo and Tay Young dances at the party. After that, Tay Young ended up spending the night at Ki Joo's place, they chat and ate cake as it turns out to be Ki Joo's birthday. You can see in this episode that Ki Joo is intrigue by this chatty girl.

Episode 3:
Ki Joo and Tay Young have to go to Venice to another party by the same host previously. But something bad happens (you¡¯ll just have to watch the series :D) and they ended up being angry at each other. Ki Joo wanted to apologize to Tay Young before he leaves for Korea but they did not meet until back in Korea. (The way they met again at the airport is really cute!)

Episode 4:
Ki Joo asked Tay Young to meet him at 2pm but she turned up at 3pm and he was still there. (Awwww)
After much persistence from Tay Young, Ki Joo finally learnt to say sorry to Tay Young, and even a thank you for coming. On her way out, Tay Young bumped into a waitress who spilled the food onto a woman. Tay Young got repremanded by that woman's boyfriend. Ki Joo came to the rescue by pretending to be her boyfriend and retorting the man. He saw a GD Motors pin on the man's suit and asked him to settle the matter outside, there, Ki Joo tells the man his identity and then told him to get 3 days break and says that he will compensate him for his girlfriend's dress. Tay Young thanked Ki Joo for the help (but without knowing what he actually did to save her from the situation) and they parted ways, thinking that they'll never see each other again.
Ki Joo brought his right hand man to look at cars because he was bored and met Tay Young who was cursing at the company's policy. Her father's camera has been confiscated by GD Motors and she was very upset. She remembered that Ki Joo once said that he sells cars, so she made him accompany her to bargain with GD Motors about the debt that her uncle owes GD Motors. This is another funny incident!
Later, Ki Joo identifies himself to Tay Young and offered Tay Young a job at GD Motors. It's obvious that he wants her by his side since he paid off her debts.

Episode 5:
Tay Young starts working at GD Motors and keeps bumping into Ki Joo. There are a lot of incidents where Ki Joo singled her out at the lift and starts talking to her. This brings about a lot of unnecessary attention to Tay Young because of the difference in their identity.

Episode 6:
Tay Young's uncle got arrested and Sok Hyuk ended up asking Ki Joo to help her. She barges into Ki Joo's office looking very flustered. Ki Joo said to Tay Young that he is busy, and when she says she will come back later, he sensed that she is worried about something and asked if she wants to have coffee with him. When she replied "aren't you busy?", he replied with a "do you always believe what people say or do you always believe what i say?". This is a really cute scene! Anyway, Tay Young ended up finding out that it was Sok Hyuk who asked Ki Joo to help her.

Episode 7:
Ki Joo, Sok Hyuk and Tay Young went to a sauna together. Here's another funny scene as Ki Joo was given a t-shirt and shorts to change into:
Sok Hyuk : Change into this
Ki Joo smells it: Is this clean?
Sok Hyuk: No one died yet by wearing this.
Ki Joo: Are you even sure that its original colour is white?
Later, Ki Joo's dad pressured him to sack Tay Young or he will handle her himself.

Episode 8:
There is a very touching scene of Ki Joo and Tay Young at the swimming pool. Ki Joo sacks Tay Young in order to protect her from his dad's wrath, but he lied to her that he didn't want her by his side. Tay Young ended up lying to Ki Joo that she cannot swim and plunge into the swimming pool. When Ki Joo jumped in to save her, Tay Young swam up and says "I lied, I can swim, but you lied too when you said that you did not want to be with me." and then she walked away leaving Ki Joo by the swimming pool.

Episode 9:
This is one of the best episode! (but yet I like all episodes!) Ki Joo broke off the engagement with Yun Er and drove to Tay Young's workplace (which was a car washing place). They then went off for a meal, he asked Tay Young to stay and eat with him. After this, there was a very funny scene of Ki Joo putting a handkerchief onto a park bench and pulling Tay Young abruptly to sit on it. (THIS WAS HILARIOUS!) In the end, Ki Joo 'forces' Tay Young to allow him to sleep at her place. Another lovely scene between them. Tay Young's uncle and nephew ended up staring at Ki Joo before leaving the house to let them have their 'personal time'. HAHA!

Episode 10:
Ki Joo declared to his dad that he likes Tay Young (in front of Tay Young too), and that he wants to have a relationship with her. Later Tay Young thought he was just using her to break off the engagement but Ki Joo insisted "I like you, I want to be with you, but I only know how to express my feelings like this. Ok I¡¯ve finish talking" and then he left! So Cool!
Later Tay Young called up Ki Joo to hang out with her, he asked her to cook ddokbokki. When he arrived, he bought her a fan (her house has a broken fan, a broken fridge, a broken toilet door, a broken toilet bowl! and many others more which I cannot remember!). He then said that he actually wanted to buy a toilet but didn't know how to so ended up buying a fan. Tay Young asked why not buy a fridge then? He replied "okay I¡¯ll go buy now", she stopped him "I'm only kidding!" and he smiled charmingly "Me too".
Also, Ki Joo takes Tay Young on their first date and their date is VERY VERY CUTE AND FUNNY AND HILARIOUS AND SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ROMANTIC. (You just have to watch it!)

Episode 11:
Yun Er planned for Tay Young to be embarassed at a party where Ki Joo was. A business aquaintence of Ki Joo harassed Tay Young but Tay Young endured it. Ki Joo ended up bashing the guy up and grabbing Tay Young away, he then screamed at her
Ki Joo: What are you doing? Are you stupid? Why don't you talk? Don't you have a mouth? Why didn't you tell him to remove his hands?
Tay Young: I wanted to but I couldn't, he was your friend and I cared for you.
Ki Joo: He is not my friend, I don't have friends like him. Why didn't you tell him that I am your boyfriend?
Tay Young: How could I? Like this? (She was wearing cargo pants) I couldn't tell people that you were my boyfriend, what would they think of Han Ki Joo? At the expense of my pride I could not let you loose yours.
THEN HE KISSES HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Episode 12:
After kissing, they both went back to the swimming pool. Ki Joo asked Tay Young not to bother about anything and just follow him. Sok Hyuk was hurt that Ki Joo and Tay Young are together, he asked Ki Joo at the hockey ring if he is willing to give up everything for Tay Young, Ki Joo says that he can loose everything but he cannot loose Tay Young.
The rest of the day was a torture to Tay Young and in order to cheer her up, he decided to sing a song for her.
Ki Joo (in front of the piano): I know the manager of this place and I told him that I need to sing. I'm in a relationship and my girlfriend had a tough day so I am singing her a song. I'm not good at it but to those who doesn't want to hear it please leave. (Tay Young stands up to leave) Oh there, you in pink, sit down (LOL!)
Then he starts with a NA BI YA....NA BI YA.... (Tay Young starts to stand up again)
Ki Joo: Oh wait wait, just warming up (Tay Young sat down again)
AND THEN HE SINGS WITH THAT CHARMING VOICE!

Episode 13:
Ki Joo has something important to tell Tay Young, but Tay Young don't want to get into his car and went to take the bus. Ki Joo chased the bus and left his car behind and went up the bus with her. (So cute!)
When they finally stopped and got off the bus, Ki Joo asked her to marry him,
Ki Joo: "I give you 3 choices, first if it's a yes, we get married. Second, if you decline, we'll get married. Thirdly if you wish to think more about it, I give you one day then we get married tomorrow." (I love this!)
Tay Young chooses engagement instead which made him happy too.

Episode 14:
This episode so adorable!
It includes Tay Young teaching Ki Joo how to text message, Ki Joo and Tay Young went to try out their wedding suit and dress, and also getting a wedding ring. When Tay Young's mouth was wide open at the amount of pretty dresses, Ki Joo commented "Close your mouth". (LOL) And also, Tay Young tried on this dress that has a revealing half back, Ki Joo said he wants whole back to be revealed. She protested and Ki Joo commented that it's sexier, she then say she's already sexy and made moaning sound to prove it. That was hilarious.
There was also a part where Tay Young commented she wants to be an actress, Ki Joo says no and replied "haven't you look in the mirror?" (Note this phrase, Ki Joo always tease Tay Young with it!)

Episode 15:
Ki Joo brought Tay Young to her father's grave and said to her dad that he will always take care of her and never make her cry. This is so sweet.
The rest of the episode are full of more sweet scenes with them in their "honeymoon"

Episode 16:
Ki Joo's dad invites both Ki Joo and Tay Young for dinner, despite Tay Young's attempt, the family was very cold to her. There was a funny scene of Tay Young acting out of how to introduce herself which she has done in a contest and Ki Joo commented it must be a contest for big mouth.

Episode 17:
Ki Joo has a hard time at work and Tay Young tried to cheer him up by singing for him at her party. Later when he sends her home,
Ki Joo: Finally I heard you sing. But did you have to sing it so badly?
Tay Young: But I think Mr Han (Han Sajang in Korean, i think it means Boss or COE) was the one who enjoyed it the most.
Ki Joo: Mr Han Mr Han, how long do you have to call me that?
Tay Young: Then what should I call you?
Ki Joo: So young, call me OPPA (direct translation is brother but according to Korean people, it's an affectionate way of calling ones boyfriend)
Tay Young: Aik, so gross, (she hesitate for a while), OPPA.
Ki Joo: Oh don't say anymore
Tay young: why not? Oppa, Oppa, Oppa
Ki Joo: Ahh so disgusting
Tay Young: Oppa!
Ki Joo laughed and Tay Young says "Now that's what I want, Oppa's dimples." (aww so sweet!)

Episode 18:
The truth was told to Tay Young on why Ki Joo is being forced to wed Yun Er. Tay Young wants to protect Ki Joo, she made a romantic dinner, and asked for a dance just like Paris. In the end she says she loves him. But after later she broke up with him. :(

Episode 19:
Ki Joo cries in front of his "sister" that he doesn¡¯t know what to do now that Tay Young has left him.

Episode 20:
Tay Young went to Paris for 2 years and Ki Joo became successful in his business, he then went on leave for to go to Paris to look for Tay Young. He worked as a mechanic in Paris while trying to find out where Tay Young is. In the end they met each other at the fountain where Tay Young always made wishes and got married.

The ending is a bit confusing for me at first, but after looking at it again and again I finally understand.

The sudden change in characters are actually different from Tay Young and Ki Joo, the lady (who looks like Tay Young) is an aspiring screen writer who came across a newspaper announcing Ki Joo and Tay Young's marriage. Later she ended up meeting her "prince charming" in a similiar way Tay Young met Ki Joo.

Some people says that the woman in the newspaper doesn't look like Tay Young, I do think it's because of the angle the paper is being viewed at that makes it look kind of skewed. I have below an image from a screenshot of the newspaper and another picture from sbs.co.kr proving that the woman being married to Ki Joo in the newspaper is Tay Young who we have been watching since episode 1 (both have same clothes and the same background, same pose, everything is the same except the first is skewed!).

So it is a happy ending, but a confusing one. Tay Young and Ki Joo did get married!

Thoughts:

About Park Shin Yang : At first I was really skeptical in watching this series because I have never heard of Park Shin Yang. Moreover, you have to admit that he is not one of those drop dead gorgeous guy that you swoon over at one look. Yet, his acting skill is really commendable, he is able to portray a guy who has absolute confidence yet is also vulnerable when it comes to love. His every single gesture, facial expressions, tone of his voice never fails to bring me into deep thoughts, wondering what the character Ki Joo is thinking of with every look. After viewing just one episode of the series, I totally warmed up to both Park Shin Yang and Han Ki Joo.

About Kim Jeong Eun: A great actress. She is really good at portraying a motivated woman who speaks her mind. I saw her in All About Eve and felt so relieve that she was given a chance to act in Lovers in Paris, else her acting talent would have been wasted! As I did not have a deep impression of her in All About Eve.

I love Lovers in Paris. It entertained and touched me from the beginning till the end. The conversations between Ki Joo and Tay Young (sorry to always focus on them but they are really the main force that drive the show) are very funny, witty and so adorably romantic, great writing by the writers of the show. I really enjoy the way Ki Joo always tells Tay Young to look in the mirror when she jokes that she's pretty. (so cute!)

The actors (Park Shin Yang and Kim Jeong Eun) has so much chemistry between them, so much so that I was disappointed to know they are not truely a couple in real life (how guilible of me)!

This is one of the few dramas whereby the main characters reveals their feelings for each other early in the series. Thus we don't need to wait for 20 episodes before they both hug and finally get together. (I absolutely hate waiting!) Instead, in this series, we slowly see their love grow, we get to understand totally why they are absolutely in love with each other. How they are willing to sacrifice for each other and always doing things to make each other happy. Who wouldn't warm up to this couple?

I really do enjoy the whole series and do not regret buying the DVD. The soundtrack is superb.

Before this drama, I was passionate with "All About Eve", but now I strongly feel that Lovers in Paris definately surpasses (by a huge margin) "All About Eve" and other dramas I have watched which also includes "Full House", "Beautiful Days", "Hotelier" and "Successful Story of a Bright Girl". It is that good!

My Favorite Scenes:
ALOT.....basically ALL OF TAY YOUNG AND KI JOO's scenes are my favourites, here are a few

-> Ki Joo asks Tay Young to call him OPPA
-> Ki Joo dances with Tay Young in Paris
-> Ki Joo won the 3 wishes for Tay Young to fufill
-> Ki Joo kisses Tay Young (2 times!)
-> Ki Joo and Tay Young went on their honeymoon
-> Ki Joo helped Tay Young do overtime at work
-> Tay Young tried to hide from Ki Joo because she has a messy hairstyle from doing overtime
-> Ki Joo running away from the engagement and staying overnight at Tay Young's place
-> Tay Young cooking for Ki Joo
-> Ki Joo and Tay Young choosing their engagement wear
-> The swimming pool scene
-> Ki Joo singing for Tay Young
-> Tay Young singing for Ki Joo
-> And so many more... (if I were to put them, all this review will be so much longer)