Review | Netflix K-drama review: Love to Hate You – Kim Ok-vin, Yoo Teo in pleasing romcom that works best when it embraces the stereotypes it seeks to lampoon

Most Korean drama romances start out on the wrong foot, and Love to Hate You is no exception – a man-hating lawyer and an actor allergic to women become an item

The Netflix series makes a big show of sticking it to the patriarchy early on but, ironically, improves once it relaxes into old-fashioned romcom stereotypes

Reading Time:4 minutes

Kim Ok-vin as man-hating lawyer Yeo Im-ran in a still from Korean drama series Love to Hate You on Netflix. Yoo Teo co-stars.

Published: 7:15pm, 15 Feb 2023

3/5 stars

Someone once said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Clearly this person has never watched Korean dramas.

Characters in K-drama romances always get off on the wrong foot. But time, and a litany of contrivances, conspire to turn those first impressions around as enemies steadily turn into lovers.

Netflix stayed true to this time-honoured tradition with its latest original Korean drama series, Love to Hate You, starring Kim Ok-vin (Arthdal Chronicles) as a feisty, man-hating lawyer and Yoo Teo (Dr Brain) as a dreamy romantic screen star who can’t stand women.

This bubbly romance series hews exceptionally close to the formula. So close in fact, that over the first few episodes some aggressive pantomime and a rather grating theme song may give viewers a bad impression.

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