In ‘Drunk in Romance,’ Kim Se-jeong and Lee Jong-won have met a perfect happy ending.
ENA's Monday-Tuesday drama ‘Drunk in Romance’ (directed by Park Sun-ho, written by Lee Jeong-shin) concluded on the 10th with a positive response. Chae Yong-joo (played by Kim Se-jeong) and Yoon Min-joo (played by Lee Jong-won) took a step forward into the next chapter to find ‘themselves.’ The ending of the TF team, who each achieved different growth, left a lingering excitement beyond mere anticipation.
On this day, Chae Yong-joo confronted a malicious company hired by Baek Mok-joo (played by Baek Seong-cheol). The two resolved the issue with their ace-like performance, bringing the incident to a close. The remaining task for the TF team was to regain the lost public sentiment for Together. Approaching with a sincere apology and compensation, the TF team proved the quality of Together to consumers with their international blind beer competition gold medal history. Thanks to everyone's efforts, the first batch of Together was sold out, and the last task left for Chae Yong-joo, who successfully launched the new product, was the closure of the Busan branch. When Kang Beom (played by Ryu Won-woo) asked if she would naturally return to Busan with her senior, Chae Yong-joo fell into deep thought.
Despite the sell-out of Together, Chae Yong-joo felt surprisingly calm, realizing that she had done everything she could at Jisang Liquor. The Busan branch manager encouraged her to find a new journey, supporting Chae Yong-joo's new life dedicated to Jisang Liquor.
Kang Beom also confessed his hidden feelings to Chae Yong-joo, who was concerned about him following her to Seoul, saying he wished for her happiness. Thus, Chae Yong-joo laid down the heavy burden of the Busan branch. She decided to leave Jisang Liquor. However, her mind was still complicated, not knowing the answer. Yoon Min-joo offered heartfelt encouragement, saying, “You’re lost because you haven’t faced yourself. Even the way you’re wavering is you, Chae Yong-joo. I love that Chae Yong-joo.”
After her resignation was accepted and she received farewells from her colleagues, Chae Yong-joo appeared to leave Jisang Liquor lightly, but it was only in Yoon Min-joo's embrace that she burst into tears over the memories that flashed by like a passing parade. To Chae Yong-joo, who said it was all over, Yoon Min-joo replied, “It’s not over; you’re moving on to the next chapter,” cheering for Chae Yong-joo, who stood at a new starting line.
Returning to the life of a brew master, Yoon Min-joo shared and enjoyed beer with others through a one-day class. He became a sometimes grumpy, sometimes affectionate son with his father, Yoon Chang-seok (played by Lee Gi-young), with whom he thought he could never get close. Yoon Min-joo's family had a harmonious appearance different from before.
Chae Yong-joo started a new life as a bottle shop introducing beers from a small brewery. Kang Beom became a proper manager, and Shim Ra-o (played by Ha Min-hyuk) was struggling with the emergence of MZ juniors who surpassed him. Bang Ah-reum (played by Shin Do-hyun) embraced Oh Chan-hwi's trauma, and Oh Chan-hwi promised the ordinary and everyday family life that Bang Ah-reum longed for, as they were about to get married.
Bang Ah-reum, who aimed to resign after marriage, expressed a new determination to strive for the youngest female executive in the planning team. “Live today in the name of Yong-joo, in the name of Min-joo, and in your name. For us, who shine beautifully and brilliantly,” the narration of Chae Yong-joo and Yoon Min-joo painted the ending of the TF team, who achieved different growth, leaving a lingering impression and smiling with anticipation for the next chapter of their youth.
‘Drunk in Romance’ was filled with a variety of stories, from the fateful romance of Chae Yong-joo and Yoon Min-joo to the growth of the youth at Jisang Liquor and the warm daily life of the residents of Baegok-ri. It delivered cheerful laughter, excitement, warm empathy, and comfort, warming the hearts of viewers. Above all, the passionate response poured in for the romance that Chae Yong-joo and Yoon Min-joo, who lived in completely different worlds and ways, wrote together as they immersed themselves in each other's worlds.
The brilliant performances of Kim Se-jeong and Lee Jong-won, who completed the chemistry of the ‘Juju Couple,’ shone brightly. Kim Se-jeong perfectly portrayed the vibrant and energetic side of Chae Yong-joo, gradually finding her true self, showcasing her versatile charm. Lee Jong-won was also loved for delicately depicting Yoon Min-joo's kind side, who sensitively noticed others' emotions while dealing with past wounds and caring for those around him.
The presence of Shin Do-hyun and Baek Seong-cheol, who played a crucial role in the synergy of youth, cannot be overlooked. Shin Do-hyun skillfully unraveled the complex aspects of Bang Ah-reum, who hid anxiety behind perfection. Baek Seong-cheol also made a strong impression as Oh Chan-hwi, a youth with wounds and pain. The cast, who filled the dynamic scenery of the liquor company and the vibrant village of Baegok-ri, was also special. Actors such as Jeon Gyeong-hyang, Lee Gi-young, Baek Hyun-joo, Jang Hyuk-jin, Park Ji-a, Jang Won-young, Kim Won-sik, Kim Joong-hee, Ryu Won-woo, Ha Min-hyuk, and Seo Yi-yeon received praise for their flawless performances that brought laughter and reality to the drama.
