K-Drama Review: “How To Be Thirty” Teaches That Love & Career Perspectives Should Make Us Happy

how to be thirty

Squeezing sensible yet quick love and life stories in less than 20 minutes, How To Be Thirty might be the realistic romantic treat you need!

From sweet to sane romantic narrative, the series is packed with pragmatic lessons specifically catering to single people.

  • Main Cast: Jung In Sun | Kang Min Hyuk | Ahn Hee Yeon | Song Jae Rim | Cha Min Ji | Baek Sung Chul
  • Streaming Sites: iQIYI
  • Romance/Addictive Meter:
  • Overall Rating:
  • Rewatch Value:
  • K-Dramas of Similar Vibe: I Need Romance | Reply 1997 | She Was Pretty

how to be thirty kdramadiary


Featuring the story of a webtoon writer Seo Ji-won who reunites with her first love Lee Seung-yoo, their picture-perfect romantic story failed to continue. While their mutual romance is true, the start of their relationship was built in a lie.

How To Be Thirty Peak Points

Realistic Romance Stories

Incorporating genuine career, love and life stories of the featured characters in the story, How To Be Thirty is a quick drama anthem that single people can relate to. More than that, the focus on bringing the idea of love perspectives growth based on experiences.

Seo Ji Won, as the focal character, presents a picture of a woman of fortitude. She is a reminder that no matter how guarded we can be after failed past relationships, it does not make us immune to going through the same ordeal.

Her relationship with Lee Seung-yoo traced her developed mindset in qualifying the love she needs versus the love she deserves. Displaying the change of how she handled the love heartbreaks in her 20’s and 30’s is a ruminative takeaway in the series. The smart picture of letting her meet a love rival who resembled her all-out loving 20’s self was a fresh and reality-biting scene.

Ran-ju’s love tale equalizes the disappointing main romance story with how it gifted an unassuming-let’s-love-because-we-feel-it story. Likewise, Ah-young’s tenacity to move past through the knots of her failed romance inspires women of how love can be taken in many forms even without a man involved.

Friendship Stories

How To Be Thirty relays the importance of having lifetime friends. Even a small number suffices what matters is they’re a functioning support system. Just like how Ji-won, Ran-ju and Ah-young are to each other.

At the same time, meeting unexpected new connections might come just when we need it. Like how Ji-won finds a comforting friendship with Do-hoon. Someone she never thought would click well with her as a friend.


How To Be Thirty Series Musings *Spoiler Alert

Honestly, the last two kakao TV dramas I saw did not make me happy. Thus, the reviews are not in yet. *chuckles Thankfully, How To Be Thirty did not bring me down despite not achieving a happy-ever-after between the main love pairing.

Its message is that beautiful romance built in half-hearted intention makes you ponder on the kind of romantic relationship you need as you age along. Albeit Seung-yoo’s explanation of his viewpoint, the whirlwind romance he felt even if 100% true does not justify that he did not end the relationship first before embarking on a new one.

But that does not make his mercurial young girlfriend’s actions valid. Her stubbornness to hold on to a relationship that she’s only left in love with might ring a bell to anyone who experienced the same love loop when they were young.

Easy to watch but with make-sense love arguments, the series also featured stunning lines. In particular, I like the line Do-hoon said about the difference between the ’20s and ’30s when it comes to love. That ’30s can still work after a breakup. Somehow, it sums up the message of the series which tackles career or love problems for single people in their ’30s.

If you like quick romance stories that won’t take much of your time, How To Be Thirty is a perfect fit. Global fans can watch it on iQIYI.

how to be thirty

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Photos/Videos: iQiyi

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