Exploring the Romantic Comedy "Dare to Love Me"
In the vibrant world of South Korean television, romantic comedies often capture the hearts of millions. One such series, Dare to Love Me (Korean: 함부로 대해줘), arrived on the KBS2 network in mid-2024. Based on the popular Naver Webtoon by Sun Woo, the series promises a unique "Confucian romance" that blends traditional values with modern life.
Despite its high production value and a significant budget of ₩14 billion, the series became a notable talking point in the industry due to its unexpected viewership trends. While it offered a fresh take on the genre, it faced significant challenges in the competitive prime-time television landscape.
Key Facts
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Original Source: Naver Webtoon by Sun Woo
- Lead Actors: Kim Myung-soo and Lee Yoo-young
- Original Network: KBS2
- Total Episodes: 16
- Production Budget: ₩14 billion
- Streaming Availability: Netflix and Viki (in selected regions)
Series Overview and Production
Dare to Love Me tells a story centered around the intersection of different lifestyles. The production was led by director Jang Yang-ho and written by Park Yu-mi. The series features a rich musical landscape, with the opening theme "It's Alright" performed by Lee Chang-sub.
The production was handled by Fantagio, with Kim Sang-hui serving as the Executive Producer. The series aired every Monday and Tuesday at 22:10 KST from May 13 to July 2, 2024.
Cast and Characters
The drama features a compelling cast that brings the webtoon's characters to life, ranging from modern office workers to traditional figures.
Main Characters
- Kim Myung-soo as Shin Yoon-bok
- Lee Yoo-young as Kim Hong-do
Supporting Cast
- Bae Jong-ok as Jang Camille, the CEO of a luxury fashion brand.
- Seonwoo Jae-deok as Shin Soo-geun, Yoon-bok's grandfather and the head of Seongsan Village.
- Park Eun-seok as Lee Joon-ho, the owner of Seongsan-kwan restaurant.
- Lim Young-joo as Oh Yoon-ah, Yoon-bok's bodyguard and secretary.
- Han Gi-chan as Kim Hong-hak, Hong-do's younger brother and Yoon-bok's only friend.
- Kim Si-hyun as Lee Hyang-gi, Hong-do's senior and a top performer at her company.
- Seo Byeok-jun as Lee Do-young, Hong-do's ex-boyfriend.
- Lee Beom-kyo as Park Yoon-hee.
- Lee Myung-ho as Frankie Leroit, Camille's Chief Marketing Officer.
- Jo In as Shin Bok, Yoon-bok's sister.
Viewership and Ratings Performance
While the series was highly anticipated, its performance on the Nielsen Korea ratings scale was unprecedented. Dare to Love Me recorded the lowest average ratings ever for a Korean drama airing during prime time on free television.
The series premiered with a 2.3% rating, but subsequent episodes largely stayed within the 1% range. Its final average rating of 1.3% surpassed the previous record of 1.4% set by the 2022 KBS2 miniseries Love All Play. This performance led KBS2 to suspend its Monday–Tuesday prime time drama slot, moving the following drama, Perfect Family, to Wednesdays and Thursdays.
| Episode | Broadcast Date | Average Audience Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 13, 2024 | 2.3% |
| 2 | May 14, 2024 | 1.5% |
| 3 | May 20, 2024 | 1.5% |
| 4 | May 21, 2024 | 1.4% |
| 5 | May 27, 2024 | 1.4% |
| 6 | May 28, 2024 | 1.1% |
| 7 | June 3, 2024 | 1.1% |
| 8 | June 4, 2024 | 1.1% |
| 9 | June 10, 2024 | 1.0% |
| 10 | June 11, 2024 | 1.0% |
| 11 | June 17, 2024 | 1.0% |
| 12 | June 18, 2024 | 1.4% |
| 13 | June 24, 2024 | 1.3% |
| 14 | June 25, 2024 | 1.3% |
| 15 | July 1, 2024 | 1.0% |
| 16 | July 2, 2024 | 1.4% |
| Average | - | 1.3% |
Original Soundtrack (OST)
The musical score for the series was composed by Baek Eun-woo and includes several parts featuring various artists:
- Part 1: "It's Alright" by Lee Chang-sub
- Part 2: "I hope" by CHAEIPAPA
- Part 3: "I'll let you go" by Ji Soo-yeon (Weki Meki)
- Part 4: "One Last Dream" by MJ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of Dare to Love Me based on?
The series is based on the Naver Webtoon of the same name, written by Sun Woo.
Where can I stream Dare to Love Me?
The series is available for streaming on Netflix and Viki in selected regions.
Who are the main stars of the drama?
The drama stars Kim Myung-soo and Lee Yoo-young in the lead roles.
How many episodes are in the series?
The series consists of 16 episodes.
What was the production budget for the show?
The production budget for Dare to Love Me was ₩14 billion.