Official Trailer
Rating: 8.7/10 | Genre: Drama, Comedy | Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 16 | Status: Ended
Starring: Kim Hyang-gi, Cha Hak-yeon, Kim Jae-hyun, Demian, Kim Dong-kyu
I just finished “Absolute Value of Romance” in like two days and I’m still thinking about it, so yeah, it’s good. Really good, actually. This show had no business being as entertaining as it was. It’s this weird mashup of a rom-com and a drama that somehow works perfectly, and I’m genuinely mad there’s only one season because I would watch these characters forever.
The premise sounds kind of gimmicky on paper. Girl writes secret romance novels about her hot teachers. One of them finds out. Chaos ensues. But the execution is what makes it shine. It never feels like it’s winking at the camera or taking itself too seriously. It just lets these weird situations happen and trusts the cast to make it funny and genuine at the same time.
Season 1
So we’re introduced to Eui-ju, played by Kim Hyang-gi, and she’s this perfect balance of relatable and entertaining. She’s quiet and awkward in real life but has this whole secret persona as a steamy romance novelist. Her life is basically unraveling when she uses her four hot teachers as inspiration for characters in her debut novel. The book becomes this massive hit, and obviously this can’t stay secret forever.
Woo-su, played by Cha Hak-yeon, figures it out pretty quickly. He’s the cold, sharp teacher who’s been Eui-ju’s nemesis since forever. He’s mean but in a way that actually makes sense for his character instead of being annoying. When he finds out her secret, instead of going full villain, he makes a deal with her to keep quiet. That’s where the real story kicks off.
What works really well is the slow burn of their relationship. They’re forced to work together, and you can feel the dynamic shifting. Woo-su starts showing he’s not just an ice block. Eui-ju gains confidence. But it never feels rushed or forced. The show takes its time letting them get to know each other in ways that matter.
The other three teachers are great too. Da-ju brings this chaotic energy that’s so fun to watch. Gi-jeon is gruff but has a good heart. Dong-ju is sweet and kind of a mess. They’re all well-written enough that they don’t just feel like love interest cardboard cutouts. They’re actual characters with their own stuff going on.
There are maybe a couple of episodes in the middle where the pacing gets a little clunky, and some of the subplots feel like they’re just spinning their wheels for an episode or two. But nothing ever drags long enough to make you want to skip ahead. The show course corrects pretty fast.
The chemistry between the cast is honestly the glue holding everything together. Kim Hyang-gi carries a lot of weight here and she’s great. She makes Eui-ju feel real instead of just quirky. Cha Hak-yeon does this excellent job of making Woo-su slowly crack open without it feeling like character assassination. Their scenes together near the end of the season are actually really touching.
The ending wraps things up in a way that feels satisfying without being too neat. It doesn’t tie everything into a bow, but it gives you enough closure that you’re not frustrated. Though honestly, after sixteen episodes with these characters, I’d take thirty more if they gave them to me.
If you like romance with actual plot and comedy that lands, this is worth your time. It’s not trying to be the deepest show ever made, but it knows exactly what it is and executes it really well. Have you watched it yet, or am I the last person to discover this show?
Episode Guide
Season 1 (16 Episodes)
Episode 1: Episode 1 (7.5/10)
Eui-ju is a quiet student by day and a bold romance writer by night. Her future seems uncertain as the man she wronged becomes her homeroom teacher.
Episode 2: Episode 2 (6/10)
A sweet scene between teachers ignites Eui-ju's creativity. She casts them as leads in her new novel. During PE class, Gi-jeon makes her heart skip.
Episode 3: Episode 3
Eui-ju hides Woo-su's glasses after stepping on them by mistake. Given his demerits and tough task, she trashes them, thinking he's picking on her.
Episode 4: Episode 4 (7/10)
Once she realizes the glasses were special, Eui-ju digs them out of the trash but still gets a detention. She posts her F4-inspired web novel online.
Episode 5: Episode 5 (7.5/10)
We Were Friends" goes viral. Riding the high, Eui-ju writes the steamiest cliffhanger yet, unaware someone is standing right behind her.
Episode 6: Episode 6 (6/10)
Woo-su demands she delete everything. Now forced to write the novel on his terms, Eui-ju hits a wall. Meanwhile, the principal has plans of her own.
Episode 7: Episode 7 (8/10)
On the EBC filming day, Da-ju urges Eui-ju to film Woo-su's class secretly, but she gets caught. She collapses and Woo-su carries her to the hospital.
Episode 8: Episode 8 (8/10)
Eui-ju wonders why Woo-su allows her to keep writing her novel. One offhand remark from him sets her heart racing.
Episode 9: Episode 9 (8/10)
As Eui-ju denies Woo-su's words made her flutter, a Fields Medal winner visits him. Misunderstood as liking Dong-ju, Eui-ju grows awkward with Go-ya.
Episode 10: Episode 10 (9/10)
Feeling inadequate, Eui-ju writes Deul-i as a villain in her novel. Woo-su considers a research proposal in the US, and the prospect makes Eui-ju sad.
Episode 11: Episode 11 (8/10)
Ji-a is captured by loan sharks. Woo-su gets in trouble trying to rescue her. Just as things look hopeless, someone arrives to save them both.
Episode 12: Episode 12 (8/10)
Dong-ju's secret is revealed. Eui-ju reconciles with Go-ya, and encouraged by her advice, decides to confess feelings.
Episode 13: Episode 13 (7/10)
Eui-ju's hesitant to confess. She realizes she's just a student to Woo-su. When Ha-su discovers her novel, her heart races with fear of being exposed.
Episode 14: Episode 14 (8/10)
The entire school finds out about the novel. Word reaches Young-hee, and Eui-ju must bring her parents to school. She tells her parents the truth.
Episode 15: Episode 15 (8/10)
Eui-ju is crushed after seeing how well Woo-su treats Deul-i at her guest lecture. After class, Eui-ju poses a life-defining math problem to Woo-su.
Episode 16: Episode 16
Eui-ju rushes to the hospital after hearing that Woo-su had eye surgery. She finally learns the truth behind the promise made ten years ago.
Where to Watch
Stream on: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads