Actor Kim Hyang-gi has been crowned the romance queen.
In episodes 11-12 of the Coupang Play OTT series ‘The Absolute Value of Romance’, released on the 15th, the story of Yeo Eui-ju (Kim Hyang-gi) unfolded as she faced her feelings honestly and showed heartfelt care for friends.
In these episodes, Yeo Eui-ju drew attention with thoughtful consideration for her isolated classmate Jia (Yoon Hye-rim). When Jia was absent, Eui-ju went to a shelter to ask about her whereabouts, met Ga Usu (Cha Hak-yeon) who had also come there, and the two set out together to find Jia.
Later, Eui-ju found Jia at a part-time job, being handed tips and drinks, and offered a sharp yet caring admonition. When debt collectors began to harass Jia, Eui-ju showed courage by stepping in without hesitation. With help from Ga Usu, she rescued Jia safely and melted the ice around Jia, delivering warmth to viewers.
Eui-ju's efforts did not stop there. As soon as she heard Jenny (Gladys Bay) report that the debt collectors had taken Jia again, she ran to Ga Usu and the trio of handsome teachers to ask for help and actively drove the case toward resolution. In the process, she witnessed a surprising burst of action from Yoon Dong-ju (Kim Dong-gyu), the Korean language teacher who had once been her ultimate bias, which added fun to the series and drew laughs from viewers.
The process of mending a friendship also stood out. To Choi Go-ya (Kim So-hee), who had been keeping watch in front of her house out of concern, she suddenly shouted “I like math!”, then confessed her feelings toward Ga Usu and how she had been feeling, cleared up the misunderstanding with Go-ya, and reaffirmed their strong bond. With support from Go-ya, she decided to convey her heart to Ga Usu, who might be leaving for the United States, and, right after the after-school class, called out to him in a ‘straight-ahead ending’, pushing anticipation for the next episodes to a peak.
Kim Hyang-gi continues to earn praise for a committed performance that anchors the series without losing focus within the teen-comedy genre. Her subtle facial acting, which changes with the events of each episode, captures the character's growing pains in full. Even without flashy adornment, her performance conveys the character arc completely, turning ‘The Absolute Value of Romance’ into a record of growth that goes beyond a simple youth drama. Expectations are rising over what color the next youthful page of Yeo Eui-ju, written by Kim Hyang-gi, will be filled with.
‘The Absolute Value of Romance’ is released every Friday at 8 p.m. through Coupang Play.
