I don’t usually like to post about dramas while I’m watching them. It’s almost like I’m scared of jinxing it- I rave about how awesome it is, only for something to go wrong and suddenly its not quite as enjoyable. However I have to rave about this drama because currently airing Protect the Boss is so awesome. This show is nothing original, but its done very, very well. It takes a cliche premise and turns it into something thoughtful, clever, witty, funny, romantic, and in-touch-with-reality. There is a brilliant, sly sense of humor to the show- nothing slapstick or in your face but still it manages to be completely hilarious at times. I love all the characters- all of them. The things they do and say, and the way they react, are very human. There are no villains, not even the rich chaebol parents. The bitchy chaebol mothers are so harmless, and so amusing, that I find myself liking even them.

As for the main characters? Na Yoon may be proud and selfish, but she is also vulnerable. I liked her when I saw her crying in the bathroom, and then the ice cream scene? Where she is even shocked she would do such a thing? Priceless. I think she is endearing and I find myself rooting for her to end up with someone, even just a friend. (I actually hope that she and Eun Seol become friends.) Mu Won is ambitious, but at the same time he is not devoid of humanity- he is not cruel and he won’t take things too far. I’m fairly sure he’s been heavily influenced by his mothers own views too. I find him cute, although the fact that’s it Jaejoong may make me biased. Ji Heon is intelligent but doesn’t have the confidence, and is hindered by his condition. Mostly I love that he is not conceited- he knows that he has flaws, and that his money and background do not automatically make him better than others. And Eun Seol, oh Eun Seol. Such a strong heroine compared to our weak (and slightly pathetic) hero. I adore how even though she has two rich men after her, she’s not interested; she’d much rather keep the job she had worked so hard for, and live ordinarily. She is not about to give up her own dreams and ambitions easily. “I like myself” – how often do you hear a drama heroine utter such words?  Ji heons and Eun Seol’s friendship develops so naturally, and is so precious, that I cannot wait to see them become lovers and I can believe in their relationship. It helps that both Ji Sung and Choi Kang Hee are talented, experienced actors who express their characters flawlessly.

The family dynamics are also well done and one of the many things I find myself enjoying – from the immature moments between the chairman and his sister in law, to Ji Heon and Mu Won being childish and play fighting together, to the petty rivalry among them all (and the tough grandma keeping them under check).  The chaebol family are delightfully ordinary behind closed doors. Most of all I love the pacing of the show, how misunderstandings don’t get dragged out for episodes; people will sit down and they talk things out, or argue, even apologize and admit to their mistakes (I grinned like an idiot when Ji Heon’s dad apologised to his son for slapping him. And then when Ji Heon apologised to Eun Seol for grabbing her wrist and dragging her into the car. No hero ever does that and it always looks so painful ¬__¬)  Every thing about this drama is so wonderfully done, so natural and real. The only thing I could pick on is the bland OST- too little songs used too many times – but that’s just one tiny thing. This is truly such an enjoyable drama. I could go on and on about it tbh, I’ve already turned this into a ridiculously long post.

I am hoping desperately this drama stays this wonderful, and doesn’t become an overly melodramatic mess as it moves into its final episodes. Bring on Wednesday (and Thursday).