Thuy Phan

One of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever watched. Every single time Shin Ye-eun (who played Yeongseo) was on camera, I couldn’t help but smile, she was definitely my favorite character on the show.

Virtuous Business really surprised me. It’s not your usual kdrama at all—instead of just romance or over-the-top plot twists, it’s filled with friendships, slice-of-life moments, and a friend group that honestly makes me jealous. I found myself wanting a “ride-or-die” crew like theirs—people who stick with you no matter what life throws at you. The show goes all-in on topics that feel taboo, especially for a kdrama set in the ’90s. It touches on women’s sexual interests, the challenges of being a businesswoman back then, single mothers, divorce, women as breadwinners, abortion, casual relationships, even the choice not to have kids, and issues with the criminal justice system. It’s so real and raw, capturing the struggles and joys of the rising “modern” women, and honestly, it’s one of the most natural-feeling dramas I’ve ever watched. I love that it shows romance and affection in different forms. From a kindled romance between a married couple to single mothers finding love to the platonic affection and love for their friends and family. It is so heartwarming to watch. Every episode draws you in without dragging, and it flows so well you just get absorbed in their world. The emotions feel incredibly real—you’ll laugh when they laugh, cry when they cry. Their struggles hit close to home, and their victories are just as satisfying. It’s genuinely one of the best kdramas I’ve seen in a long time. The story is emotionally intelligent and mature, and I ended up loving it way more than I expected. I originally had the show on to keep me occupied while I was eating dinner. However, my mind was blown away barely one episode in. If you want a drama that’s thoughtful, realistic, and just hits differently, Virtuous Business is absolutely worth the watch. I am 100% adding this to my rewatch “feel-good” kdrama list once the show is finished.

One of the best GLs I’ve ever seen. It being a GL aside, the show is very well produced with great sets, costumes, music, side stories, and plots. The show drew me in with the first episode, especially with the mystery and action right off the bat. The acting is amazing and the chemistry between the two female leads is off the chart. Zhang Nan and Sun Yihan are such a good looking couple, and I was rooting for them from the start. You feel the pain from Zhang Nan from all the betrayals she experiences, as well as the anger and then her happiness once she finds peace. Same with Sun Yihan also - the distance and coldness she expressed, but her actions spoke the opposite. My only wish was for the show to be longer, because I binged it within a day. Also, the fact that the actresses SANG the songs makes it even better - the talent is surreal. I’m very happy I found this show, makes me really hopeful that perhaps in the future, we’ll be seeing more GLs and strong female leads.