Cover ‘Love Scout’, starring Han Ji-min and Lee Joon-hyuk, has emerged as one of the first breakout hits among K-dramas on Netflix in 2025. (Photo: SBS)
‘Love Scout’, starring Han Ji-min and Lee Joon-hyuk, has emerged as one of the first breakout hits among K-dramas on Netflix in 2025. (Photo: SBS)
1 / 1
New year, new K-drama on Netflix? Why not check out the hit series ‘Love Scout’, a rom-com between a female CEO and her male secretary
Last year, the romance K-drama landscape was buzzing with excitement as a wave of captivating new titles swept across screens worldwide. From the heart-wrenching Queen of Tears, starring Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won, to the enchanting When the Phone Rings, featuring Yoo Yeon-seok and Chae Soo-bin, these series had viewers eagerly glued to their screens, craving every moment of love and drama.
The K-drama scene remains vibrant in 2025, with one of the standout titles being Love Scout, which has captured the spotlight as one of the most talked-about shows this month. Love Scout officially premiered on January 3, 2025, with two episodes released weekly. Comprising 12 episodes, the series is set to conclude in mid-February. Starring Han Ji-min and Lee Joon-hyuk, the rom-com unfolds in the high-stakes world of a competitive headhunting firm. With just four episodes released so far, it’s currently in second place on Netflix Hong Kong, trailing only behind the heavily promoted Squid Game season 2.
Clearly, then, the viewers are deeply invested in how love will blossom between the lead pair amid the challenges they face. Let’s dive into the top five highlights from Love Scout.
Read more: What’s the hype about ‘When the Phone Rings’? Here are the best moments from the K-drama so far
Above Korean version of the ‘Love Scout’ trailer
1. What is ‘Love Scout’ about?
Above ‘Love Scout’ tells the story of Kang Ji-yoon, a female CEO of a headhunting firm and Yoo Eun-ho, her impeccably skilled secretary (Photo: SBS)
‘Love Scout’ tells the story of Kang Ji-yoon, a female CEO of a headhunting firm and Yoo Eun-ho, her impeccably skilled secretary (Photo: SBS)
1 / 1
Love Scout tells the story of Kang Ji-yoon, a female CEO who dedicates her entire life to her job at a headhunting company. When she meets Yoo Eun-ho, a secretary who is not only skilled at balancing work and personal life but is also a single dad, a healing romance unfolds between them.
Building on the success of previous hits like What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018) and Business Proposal (2022), this series explores the theme of workplace romance. It cleverly subverts traditional gender roles, showcasing the dynamic relationship between a powerful female CEO and her male secretary, offering fresh perspectives on love, ambition and personal growth in the modern workplace.
2. Han Ji-min plays the successful CEO to perfection
Above Han Ji-min portrays Kang Ji-yoon, a successful CEO of a headhunting firm who excels in her career but struggles outside of work (Photo: SBS)
Above Han Ji-min boasts over 20 years of acting experience (Photo: SBS)
Han Ji-min portrays Kang Ji-yoon, a successful CEO of a headhunting firm who excels in her career but struggles outside of work (Photo: SBS)
1 / 2
In the series, Han Ji-min portrays the lead female character, bringing over 20 years of acting experience to the role. She first gained recognition for her charming appearance in the classic 2003 historical drama Dae Jang Geum. In recent years, she has regained popularity with hits like Our Blues (2022) and Behind Your Touch (2023). Known for her gentle, approachable and empathetic screen persona, this time, taking on the role of a powerful woman marks a bold and fresh challenge for Han.
3. K-drama’s go-to prosecutor Lee Joon-hyuk becomes a caring father
Above Lee Joon-hyuk stars as Yoo Eun-ho, a dedicated secretary and a single father to a six-year-old daughter (Photo: SBS)
Above Lee Joon-hyuk is known for his compelling portrayals of prosecutors in K-dramas (Photo: SBS)
Lee Joon-hyuk stars as Yoo Eun-ho, a dedicated secretary and a single father to a six-year-old daughter (Photo: SBS)
1 / 2
Lee Joon-hyuk, known for his compelling “prosecutor” persona, has made a lasting impression on audiences. From City Hunter (2011) to Stranger (2017) and Vigilante (2023), his unwavering integrity makes him the ideal embodiment of justice. This time, however, he transitions from a prosecutor to the role of Yoo Eun-ho, a secretary and a devoted single father to a six-year-old daughter, revealing a more tender side to his tough-guy image.
In addition, his character boasts an impressive background—originally the youngest section chief in the human resources department, he unexpectedly finds himself by the female lead’s side, taking on the role of protecting her. Throughout the series, he often appears in sharp suits, adding a dapper touch to the role.
4. ‘Love Scout’ focuses on the competitive headhunting industry
Above ‘Love Scout’ offers viewers more profound insights into the competitive world of headhunting firms (Photo: SBS)
‘Love Scout’ offers viewers more profound insights into the competitive world of headhunting firms (Photo: SBS)
1 / 1
Love Scout centres on the fiercely competitive headhunting industry, opening with a fast-paced atmosphere that showcases the female lead’s work routine—large corporations eager to attract top talent relying on headhunting firms that charge high commissions. As a female CEO of a headhunting company, she must strategise and employ various tactics to persuade outstanding candidates to join her clients’ corporations.
The series provides insights into the headhunting atmosphere, illustrating that companies engage these firms due to the complexities of the high-level talent market. Top professionals often excel in their current roles and do not actively seek new opportunities, requiring specialists to approach them in a personalised manner. Headhunting firms leverage extensive networks and assessment capabilities to accurately identify suitable candidates while ensuring confidentiality. Additionally, internal HR teams often face limitations in accessing talent pools in certain industries, while headhunting firms can recommend the most suitable candidates to businesses.
5. Subtle shifts in gender roles in the workplace
Above ‘Love Scout’ challenges traditional workplace gender norms by presenting the innovative pairing of a female CEO and her male secretary (Photo: SBS)
‘Love Scout’ challenges traditional workplace gender norms by presenting the innovative pairing of a female CEO and her male secretary (Photo: SBS)
1 / 1
In addition to depicting the relatively less-talked-about headhunting industry, Love Scout challenges traditional workplace gender frameworks by presenting a fresh dynamic of a female CEO paired with a male secretary. This arrangement inevitably recalls last year’s highly-discussed Queen of Tears.
Lee’s role, Yoo Eun-ho, is torn between “career development” and “spending quality time with his daughter”. His decision to take extended parental leave ultimately results in his dismissal from the company, highlighting the real-life struggles many working parents face. Meanwhile, Kang Ji-yoon (played by Han), who prioritises her career above all else, is anticipated to reveal a more vulnerable side beyond her work-driven persona gradually. As the narrative continues to evolve, this series promises to captivate audiences even more.
This article was originally published in Chinese by Cathy Huang.
