Classic Kdrama 101: Personal Taste

Lee Min Ho is the reason many viewers became fans of "Personal Taste." But whether or not you are a fan of his, missing this drama would be a mistake.

"Personal Taste" is a lovely story about gender confusion and trust.

As to Lee, his performance in this drama is as good, if not better, than the avenger he plays in "City Hunter," the warrior he plays in "Faith" or the spoiled rich boy he portrays in "Boys Over Flowers."

And he is well matched by actress Son Ye Jin.

Park Gae In, played by Son, is a furniture designer who trusts too much. She gets used and abused by her no-account boyfriend, Han Chang Ryul, played by Kim Ji Seok, and her childhood friend Kim In Hee, played by Wang Ji Hye. Is her willingness to trust based on her belief that everyone is trustworthy or is it because she thinks so little of herself?

That's the real question in this drama.

She meets Jeon Jin Ho, played by Lee Min Ho. He's a confident determined architect who is hyper-focused on his goals. The way they meet does not incline them to like each other. But fate has other plans. As an architect he wants to study the house she lives in. So, he manages rent a room from her, which she agrees to because it will solve her money problems. At first, she does not want a male roommate, but because she mistakenly assumes he is gay, she relents.

Jeon Jin Ho on the other hand is not the kind of person who trusts easily. He's reserved, carefully considering what he will do and what he will wear. He's not easy to like. And yet, because of Gae In's trusting nature, she welcomes him into her home, even feeling sorry for the problems he must face because he is gay.

They become friends and change each other in positive ways. She learns to love herself. He learns to let go a little.

This drama is not just about whether you should trust people. It's also about how difficult it is for men and women to get to know each other.

Both lead actors are wonderful in this drama and encourage viewers to root for them. You want to keep bandaids in your bag just in case Park Gae In hurts herself. And you love to hate both the supporting actors, Kim Ji Seok and Wang Ji Hye.

Have you seen this drama? Did you like it? If not, there's still time to catch up on this drama before Lee's new series, "The Heirs" begins.