A Business Proposal

In the romantic comedy drama "A Business Proposal," Sari is a food analyst working at a large corporation, driven by a strong focus on her career and her financial struggles. Despite her sharp mind and quick wit, Sari finds herself short on cash, a problem that her father, who is eager for her to find a suitable husband, is only too happy to remind her of. Desperate to get out of her father's nagging, as well as her own dire financial situation, Sari makes a deal with an old friend, Seo Yeon Joo, to pretend to date her boss, Hwang Jae Young - a man she loathes and has always seen as an unpleasant figure within the company's ranks. The plan, concocted by Seo Yeon Joo, an expert in manipulating people to her advantage, is a simple ruse: pretend to go on a blind date with Jae Young, and in return, Seo Yeon Joo will ensure that Sari gets a promotion and a fat paycheck. The deal made, Sari, donning a glamorous new look courtesy of her friend's efforts, agrees to attend the blind date at Jae Young's luxurious mansion. As she enters the mansion, however, her nerves quickly dissipate, giving way to a mix of surprise and trepidation upon seeing who's waiting for her: none other than her boss, Jae Young, looking every bit as handsome and refined as she'd imagined - but with a certain edge to him that she hadn't quite put her finger on. Jae Young, it seems, is a man of his word. He is determined to marry the right woman, one who shares his ambitions and societal standing. However, what he needs is a more refined and polished partner, one who can complement his high-society status without sacrificing her own dignity and self-respect. He has chosen to go blind for love, a move that seems both desperate and admirable at the same time. Upon their initial meeting, it quickly becomes apparent that Sari and Jae Young are an unlikely match - at least, on paper. She's a no-nonsense food analyst, while he's a high-stakes business tycoon with an affinity for the refined life. However, their animosity towards each other seems to stem as much from their professional disagreements as it does from their differing personalities, and Sari can't help but notice that, beneath his icy demeanor, Jae Young seems to possess a certain warmth and kindness. Despite their growing animosity, the pair is forced to continue working together while they pretend to be a couple, attending a slew of social events as well as more formal business gatherings. As they navigate this web of pretenses and societal expectations, Sari begins to see Jae Young in a new light - one that strips away the surface level of his pretentious nature and reveals the complexities and vulnerabilities lurking beneath. Meanwhile, Jae Young, too, starts to realize that Sari isn't just a beautiful but insipid socialite - she's sharp-tongued, clever, and unafraid to challenge his own assumptions about the business world. He begins to question his original motivations for marrying and the societal pressures that led him to believe he needed a partner like Seol Ga-Young. Throughout the film, the lines between reality and pretense begin to blur, and the pair start to uncover new layers of each other's personalities and motivations. What starts as a simple ruse between employer and worker becomes a journey of exploration, one that forces both Sari and Jae Young to question their own ambitions and desires. As their connection deepens and the stakes rise, Sari finds herself drawn into the high-pressure world of high society, navigating a complex web of relationships, expectations, and power dynamics that threaten to upend her entire life. Meanwhile, Jae Young is compelled to confront the darker aspects of his own personality, to reconcile his desire for the perfect partner with his growing feelings for the one woman who seems least likely to play along - and the more he delves, the harder it becomes for him to define who he truly is. In the climactic final act of the film, everything comes to a head. Sari and Jae Young must navigate a series of tense confrontations with their friends, family, and colleagues as they grapple with the harsh realities of their situation. Will their relationship endure the strain of exposure, and what will happen to their lives when the pretentious veil is finally lifted? Ultimately, "A Business Proposal" offers a refreshing reprise on the classic 'fake relationship' trope, one that's both witty and nuanced in its portrayal of two people trapped in a world of expectations and societal pressures. The chemistry between its leads is palpable, and the performances by Kim Se-jeong and Ahn Hyo-seop capture the essence of Sari and Jae Young's complex, often fraught interactions with each other. The movie concludes on a hopeful note, hinting that, despite the ups and downs of life, love can often be discovered in the most unexpected places - and sometimes, it's only when we strip away the pretensions that we discover the true depths of our own humanity and hearts.