When I decided to get acquainted with Park Bo Gum, I watched a number of trailers and "Encounter" was the one that attracted my attention. Needless to say that it was a very wise choice!
Released:2018-2019
Episodes: 16
Cast: Song Hye Kyo, Park Bo Gum, Jang Seung Jo
Kim Jin Hyuk(Park Bo Gum), a carefree and happy young man who loves photography, enjoys a trip in Cuba. Cha Soo Hyun(Song Hye Kyo), the daughter of a politician and the ex-wife of a rich heir, is also in Cuba for a business trip. These two completely opposite persons have a brief and unexpected encounter which leaves them with a warm memory. They meet again in Korea when Jin Hyuk starts working for the Corporation where Soo Hyun has a managing position. Although they share mutual feelings, Soo Hyun has a very hard time to accept them due to their age difference and her sense of duty towards her family. However, her compromised life, which up to now she had accepted with no second thoughts,starts to seem suffocating. Jin Hyuk's love and patience help her cope with her inner struggles and lead her to life changing decisions.
This drama was a very good opportunity for me to recognize Park Bo Gum's charm. He is indeed a talented and charismatic actor and played Jin Hyuk's character exquisitely.He gave an aura of Prince Charming who was too good to be true. I will say once more that Hye Kyo is not my cup of tea since she gives a cold and distant vibe in every character she plays. Nevertheless, for the role of Soo Hyun this specific quality was probably necessary and the good chemistry between them was a big surprise for me. The process of falling in love, unfolds in the most natural and sweet way and makes the viewer waiting in anticipation for the next episode. Up until the last minute we are not sure whether we will have a happy ending or not.
While in most rom coms the older and rich CEO is usually a man and the poor young employee who falls in love with him is a woman, in this series the situation is completely the opposite. Initially, I considered this detail as a drawback but I ended up to enjoy the storyline and I strongly recommend it for those in search of good fairytale rom coms.