Business Proposal Travel Guide: The Netflix #1 K-Office Rom-Com & Seoul City Tour
Aired on SBS in 2022, Business Proposal is a chaotic romantic comedy that unfolds when the female lead goes on a blind date in place of her friend, only to discover that her date is none other than the CEO of the company she works for. Based on the hit webtoon and web novel of the same name, the series stars Ahn Hyo-seop and Kim Se-jeong, achieving a remarkable peak viewership rating of 11.4% in South Korea.
Notably, immediately after its worldwide release on Netflix, it claimed the #1 spot in the Global Non-English TV category, generating massive international buzz. Armed with lighthearted and delightful energy instead of overly complex narratives, it firmly stamped the powerful charm of K-Rom-Coms into the minds of viewers all around the globe.
The Secret to Global Streaming #1: A Fast-Paced Twist on Tropes
Business Proposal is packed with quintessential romantic comedy tropes (clichés) such as secret identities, contract relationships, and third-generation chaebol heirs. However, instead of dragging out frustrating conflicts or misunderstandings, the show breaks through them with a refreshing, fast-paced narrative.
The cartoonish CG effects, which capture the bubbly texture of the original webtoon, blend perfectly with the actors' effortlessly comedic performances. This synergy creates a powerful rhythm that transcends language barriers, making viewers worldwide laugh, swoon, and binge-watch the series without taking a breath.
A Comic Reinterpretation of Korean Work Culture: 'Nunchi' and Office Life
This drama comically unravels Korea's unique corporate culture, making it accessible and highly entertaining even for foreign audiences. Frequent after-work team dinners (Hoesik), secret romances inside office elevators, and the essential survival skill of 'Nunchi' (the art of reading the room and gauging the mood between bosses and colleagues) significantly heighten the show's comedic appeal.
It showcases the delightful magic of turning profoundly ordinary workspaces—like conference rooms and the commute home—into the most romantic dating spots through the protagonists' rapidly shifting emotions.
The Perfect K-Office Tour Course for Travelers to Korea
Try applying the sophisticated corporate lifestyle and dating courses of the main characters directly to your Seoul city travel itinerary.
Gangnam Teheran-ro & Yeouido Walking Tour
If you want to feel the authentic atmosphere of a major corporation featured in the drama, take a walk through the towering skyscraper forests of Teheran-ro in Gangnam or Yeouido during weekday lunch hours (around 12:00 PM) or clock-out times (around 6:00 PM). You can physically experience the fast-paced, vibrant daily rhythm of K-office workers, complete with their company ID lanyards and iced coffees in hand.
The K-Franchise Cafe Routine
Follow in the footsteps of the characters' simple, post-work everyday dates. Step into popular franchise cafes located in bustling downtown areas, such as 'Mega Coffee', 'Ediya', or 'A Twosome Place', and order the absolute soul-drink of Koreans: the 'Iced Americano'. You can enjoy a pleasant urban break paired with sweet desserts.
Visit a Goobne Chicken Store
Make sure to visit a branch of Goobne Chicken, the real-life filming location and production sponsor representing the chicken restaurant run by the female lead Shin Ha-ri's family. You can taste their signature oven-roasted chicken—with all the grease drained out—paired perfectly with draft beer, allowing you to spend a romantic and fun evening just like the characters in the drama.
Travel Precautions
Major business districts like Gangnam or Yeouido become unimaginably crowded during weekday rush hours (8:00–9:00 AM and 6:00–7:00 PM), especially on public transit. If you want to avoid what locals call the 'Hell-Train' (Jiokcheol), it is highly recommended to plan your visit after 10:00 AM or in the late afternoon.
Additionally, famous restaurants in these office commercial zones get completely packed with corporate workers during weekday lunch hours, often resulting in incredibly long waiting lines. Visiting after 1:00 PM will allow you to enjoy your meal in a much more relaxed environment.
Key Summary
- Aired in 2022, this drama starring Ahn Hyo-seop and Kim Se-jeong recorded a peak viewership of 11.4% and topped Netflix's Global Non-English TV charts.
- Based on a popular webtoon, it received worldwide love by executing familiar rom-com tropes with rapid-fire pacing and witty direction.
- Strolling through the skyscraper forests of Gangnam's Teheran-ro or Yeouido on a weekday afternoon lets you feel the lively K-office vibe straight out of the show.
- We recommend a casual, local-style date like sipping an Iced Americano at a Korean franchise cafe or enjoying oven-roasted chicken.
- When traveling through dense office districts, it is crucial to plan your itinerary carefully to avoid the extreme public transit congestion during rush hours.
▶ Check 'Business Proposal' info on Wikipedia
▶ Visit Korea Official Travel Guide