Sensibly, The Interest of Love opens with a modest narrative decorated by the characters’ raw and deep-seated emotions.
Drawing a realistic story focusing on workplace relationships, The Interest of Love episode 1 delineates two distinct employees of different positions with varying views on love.
Lyris watches The Interest of Love on Netflix
Opening Week Rating:
The Interest of Love Opening Week Story
“We do discriminate based on your account balance and monthly expenditures. During the Joseon era, the social class determined your status. But in 2022, your status in Korea is determined by your wealth. Such social status ranking exists for both those visiting the bank and those working at the bank. It also exists between me and her.”
The first episode opens with Ha Sang-su (Yoo Yeon Seok) glancing at the hardworking Ahn Su-yeong (Moon Ga Young).
Looking like he has something to say, he appears entranced by his co-worker. When she notices his inquisitive glances, he then looks away and pretends to do something while she simply smiles.
During the lunch break, the bank clerks are talking about Ahn Su-yeong who is having her meal somewhere alone.
Meanwhile, Ha Sang-su is eating with his co-worker So Gyeong-pil (Moon Tae Yoo) when Ahn Su-yeong’s name comes up in their conversation. He was teased about having a crush on her and reminded of how she is his immediate supervisor when he was a rookie.
“Ma’am, I think this is all you’ve received so far. Please get some ramen and water with this and then talk to your son again, okay?”
Returning from his lunch break, Sang-su spots Jeong Jong-hyun (Jung Ga Ram) conversing with an old lady. She is having trouble with her money, saying that his son has not yet transferred the money for her rent. Sang-su recognizes the lady and she asks for his help.
Discovering that her low bank account balance, he secretly takes all his money out of his pocket which Jong-hyun notices. Sang-su then asks him if he had lunch and hands his corporate card to buy himself good food.
“I’m sorry. I was busy, so I asked him to do it for me. “
While attending to her current customer, Ahn Su-yeong has another impatient client waiting in line. Annoyed by the low interest he can get in his chosen plan, he raises his voice to Su-yeong and protests by tearing his form and throwing it in her face. Sang-su then gets in the middle and blocks the torn pieces of paper.
After a dispute with a customer comes another problem. This time, it is Sang-su, who accidentally mixes up two clients’ credit cards that bear the same name.
Seeing Su-yeong swamped with customers, he offered a hand and cater to them. Talking to the customer, Sang-su compliments his client’s outfit and the customer mentions that he is going to Jeju.
But since he is preoccupied with her issue, he did not notice that there are two cards – one is for a regular customer while the other is for a VIP.
He was reprimanded for giving another client’s card to a VIP customer. And since the customer is originally Su-yeong’s, she apologizes. Because of that, the two are forced to go on an impromptu trip to Jeju.
While running to the airport for the flight, Sang-su is obviously glad that he is going on a trip with Su-yeong.
Thankfully, the client is understanding and they exchanged the correct card.
“I don’t like undefined relationships.”
Making him smile from ear to ear, Sang-su discovers that Su-yeong has no boyfriend. Delighted by their abrupt trip, Sang-su thanked her for coming with him. She then replied that she had fun as well.
Grabbing the opportunity to invite her to dinner, Sang-su succeeds. He asked if they could do it again because he thought that it will be nice to see her one more time but Su-yeong responds that she does not like undefined relationships.
Sang-su agrees to her statement and sets the next date for their dinner date.
“Every single man must have had feelings for her. But anything that couldn’t instantly meet her emotional needs was considered utterly useless. She discarded everything that she deemed as useless.”
Stuck at work, Sang-su finishes his task and got off late, making Su-yeong wait for hours at the restaurant. Regrettably, when he got there, she has already gone home. He cannot even text her that he is on his way since his phone is smashed.
The next day, he apologizes for not making it to dinner and she is visibly annoyed and walks out.
Giving coffee as a peace offering, Sang-su’s apology is still rejected by Su-yeong.
Every day, he gives her different things and put them on her table to show his sincerity but she only ignores them.
When he has had enough of her frigid response, he drunk texts her only to regret it in the morning.
“My feelings for Su-yeong were like the withdrawal mistake I’d made. I shouldn’t have given her my heart, but I did it anyway.”
During the team dinner, the employees are asking Su-yeong’s type between Jong-hyun, who has an idol star look, and Sang-su who looks like a classical movie actor. She answered she does not like classical films.
On the other hand, Jong-hyun was asked about his type and he gives the same answer. Having a similar response, the employees ask if they are dating but they collectedly deny it.
After the meal, Sang-su comes up to Su-yeong and he expresses his concern about her being interrogated by their team leader and assistant manager earlier.
She looks displeased and starts walking away when Sang-su shouts that he likes her and he means it.
Out of spite, Su-yeong responds that she and Jong-hyun are dating, shocking Sang-su to the core.
The Interest of Love Opening Week Musings
Leisurely opening to its initial episode, The Interest of Love has left so many details of the two main characters hanging. Being dialogue-driven, the story moves at a rather slow pace.
Due to this, some viewers that are not fond of characters having extra conversations might find this drama monotonous. But for those who want a moderate watch, you will enjoy the meticulous exchange of thoughts.
The authenticity and naturalism factor speaks of Director Jo Young Min’s forte as seen in his previous project Do You Like Brahms?.
As the drama was originally promoted as Ha Sang-su and Ahn Su-yeong having varying perspectives on love, their differences are already apparent.
Sang-su expresses his feelings through actions but with a hint of ambiguity, while Su-yeong has fears of opening up and getting attached.
I will not be too surprised if her seemingly distant attitude towards people and her potential lover, stems from her relationship with her family. After all, it appears that she is dodging her mom’s numerous calls so there is definitely something going on. However, I will still leave different possibilities open.
Moving forward, once a new face comes into the picture, it will hopefully heat things and bring more tension and excitement.
Witness how the four KCU employees navigate their relationships in The Interest of Love. Fans can watch it on Netflix.
Photos | Videos: JTBC
