There was something just so effortless and charming about the setting and the main characters, but they all seemed to be those moms who would usually never get to be in the lead role in most other stories, but here they got the spotlight. This variety of women who live in this small community inside this small town where nothing really happens. Until it does.
It is wonderful to see how they gradually started to bond and form friendships through their unusual business and the circumstances they face because of it, but also gain a certain sexual liberation and ways to show and express their desires, even if society does not want to admit that women over a certain age can have any sorts of desires.
But it was that aspect of the story that made many kdrama viewers did not notice this drama or pay much attention to it. It’s not a romcom, it doesn’t have the typical romance or characters, and it certainly did not feature a young heartthrob in the lead role. And the kdrama space, just like our society tends to put men at the center and their roles in the lives of women which is often why romance is such a focal point in our lives. We are all meant to be in love (with men).
There was plenty of fun to be had since the humor was good and with a heartwarming little romance as a side story which fitted a story such as this But the true love story here is the love between these women and how they grow with each other, and the drama seemed to understand that.
One thing this drama did very well was to show how the image and sense of self of these women within the society was often tied to their husbands and children. The men around them shaped their lives and the narrative that not only the story told, but also the people around them did, through the gossip that spread and how the actions of those men sometimes had greater consequences on the woman, which was something that most of them did not think or care about. So many things became a burden for the woman. And she is admired or pitied because of their behavior. Or their lack of a man, even.
The drama may have shied away a bit or hesitate to go all the way with the sex toy storyline, but it does fit the time and the characters who are the main protagonists of the story. And while the business around sexy lingerie and sex toys certainly liberated them to a certain extent, they were still allowed to be a little prudish despite being allowed to express their desires. But the real liberation within the story was their friendship. Because without it, they were quite isolated.
The romance or love within the story was, again, the love between these women and themselves, even though that story also brought out some rekindled emotions and the fun little flings and flirting. All of them got a man in their lives, for better or for worse, in the end. Because no woman in society is complete without a man. And I felt like the drama understood how that is how society sees the purpose of women. The main romance was very slow, which suited the story very well and never took too much time away from the main plot.
My biggest fail mark within the story is the investigation and the lost child-cold case that was a side story there dragged on a bit and sometimes I felt like that part of the story was hardly more than an excuse to give the main male character (and the only man there who was decent) more to do and fill in some dead time. It all came together in the end, which I was sure it would, and it was done in a kind of predictable way, and I’m still not sure if it added anything to the story or if the drama wouldn’t have worked perfectly without it.
Overall, it was a fun, lighthearted and easy watch where the hours flew by and the screenwriters did a good job of cramming all the character development and the slow-burning romance and wonderful friendship and everything else you could want from a drama like this in 12 episodes – but I will continue to insist that it’s a little too short for a traditional kdrama storyline and the pacing they’re used to having. But neither the character development nor the plot seemed too rushed here and the focus to tell a very funny and heartfelt little story about small town women, their quirky neighbors that make up their community and friendship never truly wavered.
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A Virtuous Show….
DISCLAIMER!!!!!I’m leaving this review here which will be updated later when this drama ends. This is because the rating is currently a 6.4 which is quite ridiculous in my ever so humble opinion.
Episode 1 was really great! The episode excels with its pacing, keeping the story engaging while smoothly introducing the characters and the show’s premise. The rating for this can easily be an 8.5.
Jung Suk’s entrance into this business and the motivation driving her forward is portrayed in a well-crafted manner. The balance between Jung Suk’s storyline and the involvement of the other characters is particularly commendable; although they are important to the narrative, the focus remains on her. However, the other leads get their time to shine without overshadowing the central storyline.
Additionally, the episode lays the groundwork for the main issue that will keep Jung Sook in the business, setting up an intriguing journey ahead. Given the quality of this episode, the 6.4 rating on MDL feels unjustified. The drama is off to a fantastic start, and a low rating doesn’t reflect its promising potential and well-executed introduction.
This drama is an easy watch. It doesn’t feel like an hour went by. It’s very engaging, entertaining and funny. So please give it a try
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A Truly Friendship-centred Drama
At first, A Virtuous Business feels almost felt like a cross between Our Blues and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.It's set in the quaint, rural town of Geumje in 1992, and I love that they bring so many of the characters to life with complex feelings and challenges. Even the side characters grow and change, and aren't necessarily what you'd expect at first. They have their own have hopes, fancies, realizations, and struggles.
Unfortunately, by the end of episode 6, what made it really blossom in the first half becomes diluted by every cliche mystery, melodrama, and romance trope.
It feels like someone made the call to add more "excitement" rather than continue to develop the characters and their personal stories.
This is really unfortunate because they really laid some fertile storytelling ground in the first half, and I was enjoying the warm-hearted friendship, comedy, and everyday challenges of working-class women (and their marriages) in a rural town.
Still, I think the fun premise, great cast, and (mostly) well-written characters make it worth checking out. (Will update next week when the final two episodes come out.)
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Empowering Women, Unraveling Desires & Mysteries in 90s Korea
"A Virtuous Business" centers on themes of women empowerment, human desires, and a missing-children cold case mystery set in the 1990s. The drama’s story, pace, relationships, acting, music, and costumes brilliantly support its message, bringing smiles and evoking nostalgia akin to "Reply 1988" and "Boyhood." It beautifully captures the era's nuances, societal resistance, and family dilemmas—issues we still face today, especially for women. Witnessing the main leads' vulnerabilities, perseverance, and eventual success evoked a personal sense of triumph. This almost flawless drama earns a spot in my personal Hall of Fame, and here's why:❤️Best Parts:
➥ Women Empowerment: This drama shines in showcasing positive female friendships. The four leading ladies, connected by a business idea, navigate everyday challenges with grace and resilience. Despite their different ages, family setups, and personalities, they all yearn for social and financial freedom. The drama sensitively portrays their vulnerabilities, reflecting the societal pressures women still face today. Their personal triumphs are both inspiring and relatable, offering hope and motivation to tackle challenges that have somewhat remained and exist even today.
➥ Human Desires: Our lead women venture into the business of selling adult toys at a time when sex is taboo. Even today, discussing basic human desires openly remains a challenge. This drama endears itself by addressing these topics through a mix of serious and comedic scenes, normalizing conversations about sexual fantasies, acts, and tools. It's a refreshing take that makes you realize this is just another business, and there's nothing to be ashamed of.
➥ Missing Children Mystery: Beyond the themes of women fighting for their rights and dealing with societal issues, there's an intriguing mystery at the heart of this drama. A cold case of fires and missing children brings a detective (our male lead) to town, intertwining his personal conflict with the mystery. The twists and turns are well-executed, and the ending is wholesome, satisfying, mature, and happy!
✘ A Small Miss - Personal Opinion:
While the drama hints at the characters' future paths, which is satisfying, I personally prefer closed endings. Additionally, the second half of the finale felt a bit rushed, which is why I rate it 9.5/10.
❤️ Overall: MUST WATCH!
"A Virtuous Business" is one of the best dramas of 2024 and comes highly recommended!
It is a must-watch for its heartwarming portrayal of women empowerment, human desires, and an engaging cold case mystery. With its brilliant story, relatable characters, and nostalgic charm, this drama captures the essence of the 1990s while addressing issues that resonate even today. The mix of serious and comedic scenes, combined with a mature romance, wholesome friendships and satisfying ending, ensures a delightful viewing experience!
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Jeongsuk-han Sales!!
This is one of the few I consider a version of good adaptation from an original work. It did the storylines right and made things optimistic leaving a more warm, feel-good vibe to take home instead. The acting was what carried the original 'Brief Encounters' and woori Kdrama has equally top-notch performances. Kim Sun-young especially brought me to tears. The child actors were all adorable. The soulful music added to the melodrama tenfold. All the main cast got their moments to shine. Kim Won-hae is Kim Won-hae is perfect especially when he gets to be a diva. For once its satisfying Im Chul-soo does not just his usual bumbling bit but also some solid melodrama support. While a fairly faithful remake(covering most of the major storylines with revisions and some omissions) of the british series they're separate enough while maintaining the essence with improvements on some sticky bits. Most of the characters lose their grey depth for tropes but its dealt with well. Theres something of the original's older couples and marriages kept intact though which I'd have preferred more of. Loads of comedy slapstick, some deadpan...And they've added a lot more to the enterprising sales spirit of the main four and not made the business out to be a cakewalk that could be done offscreen in the backdrop of their life stories that it was in the UK with Ann Summers coming across as Tupperware. Thats why I'm evaluating this as a remake as the original does leave me a bit confused with what they wanted to convey and some of the choices(which might have been planned for more seasons) and the lack of details outside a general women's lives and period drama for 1980s. Here the situations and scope are defined okay but at a basic level which is fine. The adult market of 90s korea is hard to find out about but what little I could dredge up on seemed fairly dicey and involved arrests, protests, av and somewhat blackmarket dubiety. If this were set in 90s Japan, or used that as the basis, it could have gone very differently based in this aspect. Theres several throwbacks to 1990s Korea and references to foreign movies peppered in which I adored. Especially the way some of it is utilized viz Seo Taiji and the Boys. Like with Golden Kamuy theres some anachronisms that I excuse for creativity using available material. I also felt some similarities to Casa Amor the movie somewhere. The addition of the historical adoption scandal thats in the limelight past few years as an aside- a random red herring didn't quite go down that well even if they used the storyline for the ML and his relation with FL. One overall difference that isn't well done is how instead of building up all the stories slowly, story arcs come at one point alone. And some plot choices required bit too much of suspension of disbelief starting with the main detective. Cho Sun-ae's story was an interesting perspective but negated due to its timing but say, if foreshadowed earlier... Or been linked to Young-boks... And Young-bok's- if her life story was explored more(already the groundwork seemed there like with the 'noona' thing; and things that seemed bit 'off'- most of which was well grounded acting by the couple combining the comic and tired and the tragic sides of their lives). Or if they had a different angle than the original's accident(I personally disliked that one thing in Brief Encounters because it leads to a depressing ending)...
With many of the conversations dropping stories of daily life offhand, depictions, attitudes, etc I was reminded of certain books and pondered over impressions I recalled of grannies and others. The small town setting especially brought out various cross sections in one place. Mainly how the idea of being open about sex is a paradox. Most women with close friends/acquaintances or kind of groups, have always been overly free and open in talking sex lives /menopause /childbirth /"gossip", trying out traditional methods especially foods, traditional medicine, rituals, etc just like the women of Geumje long before the sales came to town. Their objection to the business and product perception is a sort of prejudice. And coz its out on the outside. Heo Young-ja and her original counterpart(who was more far more puritanical) are this cornerstone and the foil in this somewhere. The chains to be liberated from societal, not being seen as one's own person. Casa Amor was in 2015 and yet be it the 1980s or 1992- UK or Korea, its universal and timeless. Theres always the taboo, prejudice, a backlash from some section no matter how much times change and laws change and all. Even relationships, marriages, frustrations, compromises, gossip, blame-game - constants.
Jeong-suk learning from the mistakes of those before her with similar predicament, availing of that divorce option available to her without being bound by society's judgement trusting her own judgement set things in motion. It was one of the most cathartic moments in the drama without a doubt. Instead of moping about the travails of being divorced or single mothers Jeong-suk and Ju-ri living their lives as they want- that felt real good. I was satisfied with how Geum-hui and Young-bok's stories went overall. I just wish we had more of Ju-ri. Loved her to bits. And Dae-geun! I also wish we could have seen Seo-yeon's story from the original, even if abridged, as it was quite a vital angle. This is the third major issue that they play it too safe with the plot. They could have changed far more of the storylines from the original than keeping some that were fairly unecessary. Could have had more tales of the townswomen(the side characters were really lively) too. But I kindof get paring some things down for what they wanted to focus on for the 12 episodes. The compatible relation shown between FL and ML was sweet. The FL for the most part is very much a Yamato Nadeshiko as is her meaningful name a Korean-equivalent pun for, but she gets to show a lot of steel and innate leadership/managerial skills.
Theres some clips from trailers and makings and interviews that make me feel they've cut out some scenes from the final version. Maybe making it 16 epsiode to explore more and un-rush some things would have been better though things were kept crisp with just 12 and tied plotlines up neatly enough. Theres an epilogue for the guys stories that should be a cut scene from before the opening of the new shop 4 years later. Do-hyeon returned as Geumje's police chief, Won-bong and Jong-sun get a quintessential romcom fall-and-catch scene(Jong-sun got the full-time assisstant job at the pharmacy the past few years) and Dae-geun's now a pro photographer. The titledrop comes at last with their new business's name at the very end- and its really punny Virtuous Sales aka Jeongsuk Han's Sales...
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Long live women's power
"Long live women's power." This kdrama was absolutely amazing from the first episode to the last. Starting from friendship, family values, relationships, the actors reflected all of them with all their emotions on the screen. I really liked the writer because all the characters were very good in their own right.All the couples had a great relationship. My favorite couple was Kim Do Hyeon and Han Jeong Suk ?
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Simpatico e oltre i soliti stereotipi
Terminato anche questo piccolo gioiellino... Un drama che merita sicuramente di essere visto perché fa tanto riflettere su una realtà che ancora oggi comunque crea sempre problemi... l'emancipazione femminile... Queste 4 donne ci hanno fatto sorridere a crepapelle, ci hanno emozionato e fatto piangere... Ognuna di loro ha avuto il suo Happy ending nonostante le difficoltà incontrate.... Un amicizia così tra donne e' un sogno... Pura e sincera ??Ma posso dare 8.5 ...
Sono delusa dal finale e dalla sua poca accuratezza... Quando ci azzecco su alcune dinamiche nei drama ci rimango male soprattutto perché desideravo il contrario ...
L'incendio un semplice incidente e l'abbandono avviene per una famiglia chiusa nella sua mentalità e nulla più... Raccontato in due minuti ...
L'ex migliora amica la fa franca si tromba il marito dell'amica rimane pure incinta e nessuno le dice nulla e non viene scoperta... Bell'affare ... L'ex marito dopo il matrimonio ciao ciao scompare pure per il figlio....
Il detective doveva stare via max 2 anni e ne sono passati 4...si rivedono come se niente fosse e anche il saluto di partenza non c'è stato... Un abbraccio un bacio nada ....
Magicamente dopo 4 anni aprono il loro primo negozio .... Questo salto temporale ....bhaa nel mezzo come sono andate avanti se chi vendeva questa merce era stato arrestato???
A me piace quando tutto si apre e si conclude con un senso...
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Enjoyable!
I haven't watched the drama this was based on, so this review is solely on the kdrama.I was surprised to see a drama with this kind of subject matter being made into a kdrama. Seeing that Netflix was presenting it in the U.S. made it more plausible because the Netflix kdramas have always been riskier than the dramas I've seen from other platforms. Surprisingly, I think the topic was handled pretty well in this drama (though the drama takes a pretty big shift in story about halfway through and is mostly about interpersonal drama). There were some genuine laughs in the beginning when the women first start selling the products and, while some jokes were cheesy, I enjoyed it.
The cast is 100% the reason I gave this a chance because the main actresses have majorly impressed me in other dramas. There's even brief appearances from Ra Mi-ran, one of my all time faves. Also, the guys were all great. The kids did a good job, too!
This drama worked the best when it was centered on the women's individual growth. I enjoyed Jung-sook's story the most when she was getting rid of the crappy husband who was just dragging her down and making peace with her mother's treatment of her. I felt like Ju-ri was primarily a woman that supported her friends when they struggled with confidence, especially when it was something they'd been shamed for. Young-bok was also a really loyal friend and her family situation was so sad. Geum-hee was actually my favorite character and I loved every single scene she was in. The actress was phenomenal and I loved that this show subverted the assumption that the oldest woman in the friend group would be the most conservative. Her story is partially why I kind of felt like the business aspect could've been stronger.
I'd wished, for all that she suffered in continuing it, that Jung-sook had a more personal reason for joining the business. Geum-hee has this storyline revolving around her husband initially shaming her for wanting anything sold by that kind of company and she basically ignores him and wears the lingerie anyway. It was about her overcoming that desire to just do whatever her husband wanted. For Jung-sook, it was just a cash grab, yet she suffers more than anyone else for the job. I don't know if the original drama gave the MC more of a personal reason to keep doing it, but it was just a bit of a missing piece to me.
The story of the detective looking for his mother was interesting. For such a small town, I didn't expect 2 random plots of people in the town being sociopathic monsters. That joke on tiktok about kdramas being (kinda) sunny/happy until they insert a random kidnapping/murder plot came to mind with the random man trying to kidnap Jung-sook. I wished they hadn't laid the "reveal" on quite so thick, but it was nice that the detective had a happy conclusion to his story.
The storyline I was most moved by was Young-bok's and her husband's trouble with the law. It was actually heartbreaking with how clear it was her husband loved his family but couldn't do anything to support them. It was a bit of a sad ending for them overall (unless I missed something?) because, as I understand it, he still didn't have a job? Maybe he became a stay at home dad?
Overall, I enjoyed this show for the most part. Admittedly, it was still a bit hard for me to see So Yeon Kim in this kind of role. I don't expect her to just play a villain in everything, but I also felt like this character wasn't given a ton for the actress to really dig into. Her character's motivations start with trying to make money to take care of her son and shift halfway through to trying to take care of and help the detective. I thought she did a great job in the scenes where she was bonding with the other women.
The scenes centering the friendship between the women were my favorite part of this drama. Its a recommend and the second most enjoyable Netflix kdrama I've seen.
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Sama kaya posternya, ada sekumpulan buibu yang mau cari tambahan uang akhirnya coba jadi sales. Tahun segitu sales tuh susaaaaah banget ternyata. Jualan door-to-door dan dapet banyak hinaan saking tabunya produk 18+. Akhirnya jumpalitan bikin strategi, dari isi survey-bundling sama tiket film (dewasa, uhuy)-bikin deskripsi produk dll.
Walau ada plot hole kaya gimana tuh kelanjutan suaminya yang slengki tapi yaudah aku maafin karena fashionnya lucu-lucu banget. Nontonnya ngga pake mikir, seru dan hangat banget persahabatan mereka????
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Girl's Girl Kdrama of the Decade!
A beautiful drama about a friendship of four amazing women! ??♀️?I loved how eccentric this drama felt and how the writers pulled off the clichés in a fresh and enjoyable way. The "virtuous business" theme gave it a unique touch, making it stand out on its own.The lineup for this drama was unexpectedly impressive. Kim So Yeon playing the coy yet brave Han Jeong Seuk was such a refreshing change from her previous roles. I’d say the same for Yeon Woo Jin! I’m so glad this drama really highlighted their versatility, especially acting-wise.
I also loved how the drama took the time to introduce each character’s backstory and narrative in a way that didn’t stray from its synopsis. It helped emphasize values of friendship, love, and family out of all. The plot itself felt fresh and new to me. It’s an educating K-drama, shedding light on stigmas from the 1990s while keeping things engaging and meaningful.
I had just wished the main leads had more screen time in the later episodss sigh...
Overall, this was a guilty pleasure of mine and was watching this along side other kdramas hahaha?
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film un peu décevant
un début qui semblait prometteur... mais au fur et à mesure l'histoire perd de son intérêt. quand à l'épisode final, il est très décevant ! Heureusement les acteurs sont agréables. La bande son est quant à elle est assez inexistante. je suis vraiment déçue par ce film qui partait d'une idée très originale et qui aurait pu contenir aussi des scènes comique tout en parlant d'un sujet important. j'ai quand même passé un agréable moment en le regardant grâce au jeu des acteursVond je deze recentie nuttig?
Quiet Sales
The premiere episode of "A Virtuous Business" sets the stage for an intriguing and refreshing story set in the early 1990s. The show dives into the lives of four women, known as the *Bangpan Sisters*, who find themselves in an unconventional line of work—selling adult products door-to-door in a conservative rural village. This unique premise immediately stands out, offering a blend of comedy and heartfelt moments, all while tackling societal norms of the time.The episode introduces us to Han Jung-sook, a housewife struggling with financial pressures. Her character brings an emotional depth to the story as she navigates her responsibilities as a mother and wife, while also rediscovering her own potential. Kim So-yeon's portrayal adds a level of authenticity, drawing viewers into Jung-sook's quiet yet powerful transformation. Her entrance into this sort of business and her motivation are portrayed nicely.
Alongside her, we meet the other Bangpan Sisters, each with their distinct personalities and motivations. Though the focus is currently on Jung-sook, they got to shine too.
The show’s humor is well-balanced with moments of reflection, as the characters face the realities of stepping into a business that challenges traditional values. The cinematography, capturing the rural 90s aesthetic, adds a nostalgic charm to the show, while the writing is sharp and witty, delivering social commentary in a subtle, humorous way.
PS: People review bombing this because it challenges your narrow worldview is like throwing a tantrum over a mirror showing you exactly how small-minded you really are.
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