REVIEW: ‘Love Scout’ Episodes 3-4

Love Scout Episodes 3-4 surprisingly keep things moving while focusing more intently on building the relationship between Kang Ji-yun (Han Ji-min) and her new assistant,  Yu Eun-ho (Lee Joon-hyuk). Considering the conflict they found themselves in previously, there is an understanding that quickly builds between them. It is a reminder that, unlike their less mature rivals, these two characters are adults and behave like adults, and it is refreshing not to see their earlier miscommunications dragged out unnecessarily.

Love Scout Episode 3 opens with a flashback, showing us the source of conflict between Kang Ji-yun and her competitor, Kim Hye-jin (Park Bo-kyung). In the previous episode, Ji-yun was referred to as a murderer, but Episode 3 shows the complexities of the situation. It also further demonstrates the differences between Ji-yun’s and Hye-jin’s moral codes, with Ji-yun sticking to a more ethical code even if it means devastating consequences.

After a headhunting case leads to suicide, Ji-yun tries to do the right thing and have the company take responsibility. Hye-jin would rather have the company lay low and deflect. How could the company assume responsibility for what transpired, after all, once their part in the process was over? Unfortunately, the situation escalates to the point where their CEO and boss commit suicide, culminating in Hye-jin projecting the blame onto Ji-yun and making it her mission to ruin the young woman’s life.

In many ways, Ji-yun’s and Hye-jin’s situation mirrors Yu Eun-ho’s, where a presumed betrayal leads to extreme actions taken in the name of company loyalty. However, in Episode 4, a conversation between Seo Mi-ae (Lee Sang-hee) and Eun-ho after another encounter with Hye-jin punctuates the similarities even further. After the CEO’s suicide, an investigation was not too far behind. It is revealed that someone knew about a fraudulent company and that person was never discovered. Instead, Ji-yun was successfully used as a scapegoat.

This exchange provides further understanding of Ji-yun, not just for the audience but also for Eun-ho. Despite their initial differences at the beginning of the series, there are similarities in their experiences that connect them. While Ji-yun’s preference to work hard and keep to herself makes more sense, Eun-ho is determined to bring balance to her life. And we see his progress in Love Scout Episodes 3-4.

Love Scout Episodes 3-4 successfully proves why Eun-ho is the bestest boy.

Eun-ho continues to work his hardest to prove he has what it takes to be an assistant to Ji-yun. This culminates in bonding moments between the two. After Ji-yun’s near collapse at the beginning of Episode 3, they go out to grab some spicy tteokbokki. It’s a simple enough outing, but it breaks the ice between the two well, with poor Eun-ho suffering from his inability to handle spice and Ji-yun dying with laughter. It’s the start of many moments in Love Scout Episodes 3-4 highlighting the natural chemistry between actors Han Ji-min and Lee Joon-hyuk.

This ease transitions itself into the office as Eun-ho works his magic with potential work prospects and his colleagues. Utilizing his HR experience, he provides wisdom and peace in the workplace and, ultimately, starts to make Ji-yun’s job a lot easier with his meddling. His influence resonates throughout. Whether it’s motivating an unconfident sous chef to pursue what makes her happiest to easily deciphering what will make clashing colleagues bury the hatchet, Eun-ho gets to the heart of every matter.

This includes Ji-yun as well. During one of the more intimate moments between the two, Eun-ho points out her inability to take care of herself. And it’s true. She’s incredibly awful at taking care of her own needs, but part of how Eun-ho learns is through how Ji-yun responds. For some people, the most basic actions of self-care are the hardest. And her honesty influences his approach to her throughout Love Scout Episodes 3-4 by finding moments to let her rest and even get her out to socialize with her employees.

These moments solidify not only how Ji-yun is beginning to heal but also how impactful Eun-ho’s actions are. Whether it’s cleaning her office and making it more organized for maximum success or letting her take a brief moment to sleep in her car, Ji-yun is given moments to breathe and relax. These are subtle changes, and actor Han showcases this through Ji-yun’s body language throughout Love Scout Episodes 3-4. With more time together, it remains to be seen how much Ji-yun will change with Eun-ho around.

While the final moment of Love Scout Episode 4 features the two up close and semi-personal, the romance is slow in coming. The same can be said for one other potential couple that’s starting to get a little more camera time. By that, I mean single mom Jung Soo-hyun (Kim Yoon-hye) and Ji-yun’s colleague, Woo Jung-hun (Kim Do-hoon).

Kdrama Romance may be on the horizon in Viki’s Love Scout.

Prior to Love Scout Episodes 3-4, not much attention was paid to Jung-hun except that his attitude was more relaxed than Ji-hun. In the latest episodes, Jung-hun is explored a little bit more. The care he shows towards Ji-hun is subtle, and their relationship is proven to run deeper than anticipated, with Ji-yun giving him more purpose with his job at Peoplez. But, soon, he may have someone else to care about with his more recent run-in with Soo-hyun.

Soo-hyun may not be amendable to his charms just yet. Played with brilliant awkwardness by Kim Yoon-hye, the young mother nurses a giant-sized crush on Eun-ho that just won’t quit. The two seem like the most perfect fit. That’s at least what it’s seemed like since the show’s first episode. But as Eun-ho continues to focus on his new job and on Ji-yun, he’s being pulled further away from Soo-hyun’s trajectory. We haven’t yet seen as much of Soo-hyun’s personality quite yet, so it remains to be seen whether or not she’ll let go of her crush so easily.

As it remains, though, the breadcrumbs of a future secondary relationship between Jung-hun and Soo-hyun are being sprinkled throughout the storyline. The chemistry isn’t quite there yet between the two characters, though both are equally adorable and charming in their own right. While not as seamless of a pairing as Eun-ho and Ji-yun, the potential is there. It just depends on which way the writing goes and whether or not their inclusion in the storyline is finessed in a little smoother than in these two episodes.

Love Scout Episodes 3-4 move the plot forward in surprisingly subtle ways while allowing for more character exploration and growth between Ji-yun and Eun-ho. The natural chemistry between the actors makes it all the more believable to see how and where a romance would go. The tiny cliffhanger at the end of Episode 4 sets the stage for some drama between the two, and it’s sure to be fun to see how that plays out.

Love Scout Episodes 1-4 are streaming on Netflix in select regions and on Viki, and new episodes are released weekly.