Overview of Love to Hate You

Profile

• Drama: Love to Hate You
• Director: Kim Jung-kwon
• Writer: Choi Soo-young
• Network: Netflix
• Episodes: 10
• Release Date: February 10, 2023
• Language: Korean
• Country: South Korea

Cast

• Kim Ok-vin as Yeo Mi-ran, a new lawyer at Gilmu, an entertainment law firm
• Teo Yoo as Nam Kang-ho, Korea’s top actor
• Kim Ji-hoon as Do Won-jun, who gave up his dream of becoming an actor to start a management business and guided Nam Kang-ho’s career
• Go Won-hee as Shin Na-eun, Yeo Mi-ran’s housemate and close friend

Supporting

• Lee Joo-bin as Oh Se-na, Nam Kang-ho’s first love, who is called “the nation’s first love”
• Kim Sung-ryung as Choi Soo-jin
• Song Ji-woo as Hwang Ji-ye, a rookie actress acting alongside Nam Kang-ho
•  Han Seo-jun as Yoon Sang-seop, a manager of Nam Kang-ho
•  Choi Yoon-so as Grace
• Jeon Shin-hwan as Lee Jin-seo, Yeo Mi-ran’s ex-boyfriend
• Kim Ye-ryeong as Kim Eun-hee, Mi-ran’s and Dae-jun’s mother
• Kim Do-yeon as drama series director
• Jo Seung-hee as Kim Ji-woo
• Tak Aeon as a stuntman
• Song Jae-hee as a passenger on the plane (ep.5)
• Hong Woo-jin as Yeo Dae-jun (ep.8)
• Yeon Jung-hoon as a celebrity (ep.9)
• Eugene as celebrity (ep.9-10)
• Lee Yu-ri as celebrity (ep.9-10)

Synopsis

Yeo Mi-ran (Kim Ok-vin) is a determined attorney, leading a carefree life on her terms. She recently broke up with her boyfriend because they both caught each other cheating in a hotel, though Mi-ran has no regrets about it. Mi-ran doesn’t get along with her father because he is highly sexist and insists on belittling her and her mother constantly.

Yeo Mi-ran is moving into a new apartment with her best friend Shin Na-eun (Go Won-hee). She is forced to quit her job after discovering that her boss is two-timing his girlfriend with Na-eun. After shifting, she is forced to look for a new job, which she finds at the Gilmo Law Firm because their top client, Choi Soo-jin (Kim Sung-ryung), wants a female lawyer to handle her divorce proceedings.

Gilmo is an all-male law firm where Yeo Mi-ran’s ex-boyfriend also works. One day during the company outing, Mi-ran finds herself with Korea’s top actor Nam Kang-ho (Teo Yoo). She had previously witnessed him speak unfavourably about women, and hence, as revenge, she tripped him when he was walking past her. Kang-ho suspects her and to save her job she tells him that she tripped him to get his attention being his fan.

When Mi-ran is going home, she accidently gets into Kang-ho’s vehicle thinking it must be from her office. To save herself from another embarrassing situation, she keeps quiet and when they reach his house, she sees a young girl to whom Kang-ho gives money. Mi-ran’s overactive imagination makes her think that he must be an abuser.

One day, she is asked to go to Kang-ho’s place to deal with the fan clubs that have gathered outside. Though it is after her working hours, Mi-ran agrees because she wants to investigate him. Kang-ho gets attracted to Mi-ran when she handles those fans assembled outside with a mixture of her martial arts and characteristic sass.

Mi-ran wants to handle more of his cases, and Kang-ho seemingly agrees. He is also rather interested in her, though he hasn’t acknowledged it yet. Kang-ho has signed on for an action film, and he needs to learn some street-fighting style, he asks for Mi-ran’s help as he has already witnessed her skills. She agrees as this would give her a chance to investigate him further.

She snoops through his phone and discovers his chats with a girl named ‘Princess’. However, she soon discovers that she is his niece and he is an indulgent uncle and not a predator. It is at the time when Kang-ho discovers that it is her birthday and he takes her out for dinner and drinks, where he gets to know more about her. Kang-ho’s fascination keeps growing as he cannot believe that a woman like her exists who doesn’t post pastel-tinted pictures of herself on her birthday.

Right before they leave, he offers to hug her as a gift because she is his fan. He kisses her, and Mi-ran also gives in to the moment and she tells him that she is not his fan and does not even like him since she heard his comments all those days ago.

A Strong Rumour Against Nam Kang-ho

Kang-ho has a rumour going on about him that he is gay, potentially damaging his career. His ex-girlfriend, his first love, agrees to reveal their dating history so that his name is cleared, as she wants to get back together with him. However, Kang-ho rejects her.

It is at that time that Kang-ho’s manager Do Won-jun (Kim Ji-hoon) comes across pictures of Kang-ho and Mi-ran kissing. Do Won-jun discovers the complete details of their relationship and comes up with a plan to fade the rumour away while also bringing the two of them closer to a fake dating contract.

Kang-ho and Mi-ran: Fake Dating

Kang-ho agrees with the fake dating contract for obvious reasons, whereas Mi-ran agrees not just for the money but also to humiliate Kang-ho, as she thinks of him as an obnoxious man. Shin Na-eun is aware that this is a contract and she meets Kang-ho’s manager Won-jun to discuss that they should not take this forward but ends up falling for him as he is handsome.

Meanwhile, on the set of Kang-ho’s film, they need a new female stunt double, as the one they have is pregnant. Kang-ho asks Mi-ran, and she enthusiastically agrees. Kang-ho is getting more attracted to Mi-ran as she is different from his first love and a fellow actress Oh Se-na (Lee Joo-bin), who is weak in acting and always looks scared. Mi-ran ends up injuring herself while protecting Kang-ho from a stunt going wrong.

Mi-ran’s Feelings for Kang-ho Take a Shift

Kang-ho confesses his feelings to her thinking she is sleepy. The next day, Mi-ran accidently lets it slip that she heard him and they have a deep conversation where Mi-ran admits that she can’t date him because of her general distrust of men.

The next day, during a congratulatory dinner for Mi-ran’s mother, Kang-ho proclaims that he respects Mi-ran. That day, Mi-ran tells Kang-ho that she wants to try dating a man she likes. They spend the night together, with Kang-ho telling her that he loves her and will wait for her to say it. Now Kang-ho and Mi-ran are dating for real and he arranges a party for everyone.

Do Kang-ho and Mi-ran Get Back Together?

At the party, Gilmo Law Firm’s top client, Choi Soo-jin finds herself a bit ostracized when everyone avoids her due to the rumour about her being unfaithful in her marriage. Won-jun, Kang-ho, and Mi-ran stand by her and try to inculcate her into the party. Things take a sharp turn when a video about Mi-ran is leaked that disparages her for her dating history.

Mi-ran is at risk of losing her job due to the scandal and Kang-ho is on the verge of losing his brand deals due to Mi-ran’s past. So, Mi-ran decides that they should break up to avoid further trouble, but Kang-ho suggests that they continue dating in secret. However, when even that is revealed, Kang-ho organizes a press conference where he publicly asks Mi-ran to marry him. However, Mi-ran rejects the proposal saying that, though she is not ashamed of her past, she doesn’t want to cause trouble for him.

Ending Explained

As the couple starts to rebuild their lives after the breakup, public opinion starts turning in their favour. Kang-ho and Mi-ran got back together and meanwhile, Do Won-jun and Shin Na-eun have started dating. Choi Soo-jin has her name cleared from the rumour about her marriage. Everyone is moving to a happier tomorrow, except that Mi-ran refuses to marry Kang-ho because she doesn’t like the “marriage system” of Korea.

Theme

‘Love to Hate You’ is a binge-entertaining drama that includes comedy, romance, drama, and current controversial topics. Beyond its romantic facade, the drama delves into a deeper exploration of feminism. The modern women of the drama are portrayed as resilient individuals who must navigate a growing misogynistic culture in Korean society. Through the characters of Yeo Mi-ran and others, the script highlights the challenges women face as they try to prove their capabilities, their independence, and challenge traditional gender roles.

Awards

No information is available.

Interesting Facts about Love to Hate You

1. This series marks the reunion of Kim Ji-hoon and Lee Joo-bin after working together in Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area.
2. The series premiered on Netflix on February 10, 2023, and was available for streaming worldwide.
3. On 15 November 2021, Go Won-hee joined the cast of the drama.
4. The series is directed by Kim Jung-kwon, written by Choi Soo-young, and produced by Binge Works.
5. If you liked watching “Love to Hate You”, then “Mad for Each Other” is another binge-worthy K-drama for you.

FAQs

1. Who is the writer and director of ‘Love to Hate You’?
   The drama is directed by Kim Jung-kwon and penned by Choi Soo-young.
   
2. What is the genre of ‘Love to Hate You’?
   The drama falls into the comedy, law, action, and romance drama genres. 
   
3. How many episodes are in ‘Love to Hate You’?
   The drama has concluded a successful 10-episode run.
4. Is the K-drama ‘Love to Hate You’ worth watching?
   ‘Love to Hate You’ is a comic and addictive drama. It’s about leads who have deep prejudices against the opposite sex and get into a love battle. The binge-entertaining show is a must-watch.
5. What is the Instagram ID of Kim Ok-vin?
   kimokvin is the Instagram ID of Kim Ok-vin.
6. What is the Instagram ID of Teo Yoo?
   teoyoo is the Instagram ID of Teo Yoo.