Crash Course in Romance () is a 2023 South Korean television series directed by Yoo Je-won, and starring Jeon Do-yeon and Jung Kyung-ho. It aired on tvN from January 14 to March 5, 2023, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:10 (KST) for 16 episodes. It is also available for streaming on Netflix in selected regions.
Synopsis The series follows the bittersweet relationship between a banchan shop owner whose daughter enters the war of Korea's college entrance exams, and a top hagwon instructor.
Cast Main Jeon Do-yeon as Nam Haeng-seon Lee Yeon as young Haeng-seon A former national handball player who now runs a banchan shop. After her mother's death, she gave up her sports career to take care of her young niece and disabled younger brother. Jung Kyung-ho as Choi Chi-yeol Kim Min-chul as young Chi-yeol A celebrity math instructor at The Pride Academy and popular private education institute who suffered an eating disorder. He regularly visits Haeng-seon's shop.
Supporting People around Haeng-seon Roh Yoon-seo as Nam Hae-yi Choi So-yool as young Hae-yi Haeng-seon's adopted daughter and niece who was abandoned by her mother, as well as her sister when she was a child. Hae-yi was raised by Haeng-seon afterwards. She is the class president of Class 2-1 of Woorim High School. Oh Eui-shik as Nam Jae-woo Haeng-seon's younger brother who has Asperger syndrome. Lee Bong-ryun as Kim Young-joo Haeng-seon's friend who works at her shop. Kim Mi-kyung as Jung Young-soon Haeng-seon's mother.
People around Chi-yeol Shin Jae-ha as Ji Dong-hee / Jeong Seong-hyeon Chi-yeol's manager. Kim Da-huin as Jeon Jong-ryeol Chi-yeol's friend who is a teacher at Woorim High School.
People in the apartment Jang Young-nam as Jang Seo-jin Seon-jae's mother who is an attorney. Lee Chae-min as Lee Seon-jae Hae-yi's best friend who is a student in Class 2-1 and has a crush on her. Kim Tae-jung as Lee Hee-jae Seon-jae's older brother who gave up higher studies and stays at home. Kim Sun-young as Jo Soo-hee Su-ah's mother who is obsessed with her studies. Kang Na-eon as Bang Su-ah A student at class 2-1 who has a rivalry with Hae-yi. Hwang Bo-ra as Lee Mi-ok Dan-ji's mother. Ryu Da-in as Jang Dan-ji A student at class 2-1, close friend of Hae-yi and Seon-jae. Lee Min-jae as Seo Geon-hu A student in class 2-1 who is an ice hockey athlete. Later, he is diagnosed with a serious shoulder injury and has to stop playing.
People in the hagwon Heo Jeong-do as Kang Joon-sang The director of The Pride Academy. Ji Il-joo as Jin Yi-sang An instructor at The Pride Academy.
Extended Yoo Jun as Lee Young-min A student in the intensive class at The Pride Academy who falls from the roof and dies. Choi Hee-jin as Young-min's mother Lee Do-hye as Jeong Su-hyeon Chi-yeol's student who dies by suicide. Jung Han-seol as Detective Bae A detective who handles the case of Young-min's death. Kim Joon-won as Lee Seung-won Seon-jae and Hee-jae's father.
Special appearances Yoon Seok-hyun as Song Jun-ho Bae Yoon-kyung as Hong Hye-yeon Lee Sang-yi as YouTuber "Mr. Popular" Bae Hae-sun as Nam Haeng-ja Hae-yi's biological mother
Episodes Directed by Yoo Je-won, Crash Course in Romance consists of 16 episodes. Each episode title refers to a mathematical concept.
Production The series marked the third collaboration between director Yoo Je-won and screenwriter Yang Hee-seung after High School King of Savvy (2014) and Oh My Ghost (2015). It was reported that filming began in the summer of 2022, and ended on February 5, 2023.
Media Original soundtrack Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Tie-in publishing The series' original script was published in two books, each covering eight episodes. YearTitleAuthorPublisherPublished dateEnglishKorean2023 1ta Scandal: Yang Hee-seung and Yeo Eun-ho's script book 1 Yang Hee-seung and Yeo Eun-hoWisdom HouseApril 12, 2023 1ta Scandal: Yang Hee-seung and Yeo Eun-ho's script book 2
Reception Viewership
+ Average TV viewership ratings Original broadcast date Average audience share(Nielsen Korea)Nielsen Korea ratings:
Nationwide Seoul 1 January 14, 2023 2 January 15, 2023 5.819% 6.076% 3 January 21, 2023 5.038% 5.253% 4 January 22, 2023 7.559% 8.109% 5 January 28, 2023 9.145% 10.450% 6 January 29, 2023 10.978% 12.030% 7 February 4, 2023 9.730% 10.799% 8 February 5, 2023 11.823% 13.571% 9 February 11, 2023 10.409% 12.106% 10 February 12, 2023 13.501% 15.958% 11 February 18, 2023 12.468% 14.643% 12 February 19, 2023 12.997% 15.159% 13 February 25, 2023 11.359% 12.913% 14 February 26, 2023 14.296% 16.977% 15 March 4, 2023 15.507% 18.405% 16 March 5, 2023 Average In the table above, the represent the lowest published ratings and the represent the highest published ratings. This series aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC, and EBS).
Ranking During its airing, Crash Course in Romance generated significant buzz in the data world. According to Good Data Corporation, it ranked first with a Topicality share of 23.8% in the Top 10 TV Topicality Ranking in the drama division for four consecutive weeks. In the performer category, the casts were in Top 10. Specifically, in the 1st week of January, Jung Kyung-ho was 1st and Jeon Do-yeon 2nd; the next week they stayed 1st and 2nd, with Roh at 10th. By the 3rd week, Roh Yeon-soo rose to 7th. In the 4th week, Jeon dropped to 3rd, Roh was 8th, and Shin Jae-ha debuted at 14th. The 5th and 6th weeks saw Jung 1st, Jeon 2nd, Roh between 6th and 8th, and Shin moving up to 5th. In the 7th week, Jung fell to 2nd, Jeon to 3rd, Roh 5th, and Shin 6th. By the 8th week, Roh topped the chart, followed by Jung 2nd, Jeon 3rd, and Shin 4th.
In the OTT media service drama rankings, Crash Course in Romance secured the top spot for three consecutive weeks. According to the weekly integrated content ranking chart of Kinolights (February 4–10, 2023), a content viewing and analysis service, the series which first aired on January 14, took the lead among dramas. In the first week of March, the drama rank second, still took lead among dramas.
Cultural impact The series influenced Korean fashion. Gmarket and SSG.com announced on March 13, 2023, that the flower-patterned blouse of Nam Haeng-seon (played by Jeon Do-yeon) in the drama was gaining popularity. It was named "Southbound fashion". According to Gmarket sales data, the sales growth rate of retro fashion such as lace/ruffle blouses (67%), chiffon blouses (62%), and printed blouses (92%) was high during the airing of the drama. Pattern/print blouses (20%), jeans (15%), and lace/ruffle blouses (10%) also sold well on SSG.com.
Accolades Awards and nominations Award ceremony Year Category Nominee Result Baeksang Arts Awards 2023 Best Actor – Television Jung Kyung-ho Best New Actress – Television Roh Yoon-seo Brand Customer Loyalty Awards 2023 Best Actor – Drama Jung Kyung-ho Scene Stealer Festival Scene Stealer of the Year Hwang Bo-ra
Listicle Publisher Year Listicle Placement Time 2023 The 10 Best Korean Dramas of 2023 on Netflix
Notes
References
External links