Romance Is a Bonus Book () is a 2019 South Korean television series starring Lee Na-young and Lee Jong-suk. It aired from January 26 to March 17, 2019 on tvN.
Synopsis Cha Eun-ho is a successful author and a chief editor at a book publishing company. Kang Dan-i is a mother and former successful advertising copywriter. When Cha Eun-ho was a child, Kang Dan-i saved him from an accident and was injured. Kang Dan-i had Cha Eun-ho help her while she was recuperating in hospital and later on was in bedrest for one year. By helping her acquire books to read from the library, Cha Eun-ho himself became interested in writing. The two youngsters stayed close friends well into adulthood. However, their friendship was strained after Kang Dan-i started dating a selfish, inconsiderate man. Although he disapproved of her choice in a partner, and she too expressed doubt at times, Kang Dan-i stands by her decision to marry this man.
Now in the present, Cha Eun-ho enlists Kang Dan-i to help him find a housekeeper - but he has no idea Kang Dan-i is the one doing the work and taking payment. Her husband has cheated on her, and she is now divorced and unemployed, but he is also unaware of her living situation and the hardships she is facing as a divorced single mother with a large gap in work experience trying to re-enter the professional world. Eventually Kang Dan-i is no longer able to keep her secrets from him, and Cha Eun-ho lends her a helping hand. Their lives become even more intertwined when Kang Dan-i applies to be a temporary task support worker at his publishing company. Although Cha Eun-ho is initially worried about how she will perform, Kang Dan-i surprises him and other senior executives with her creativity and hard work.
The rest of the series is about the personal and professional challenges they face as they slowly start to realize their true feelings for each other and navigate this next stage of their lives.
Cast Main characters Lee Na-young as Kang Dan-i (37 years old) A former advertising copywriter and a current unemployed divorcee who later joins the publishing company as a temporary task support team member. Lee Jong-suk as Cha Eun-ho (32 years old) A successful writer who is also the publishing company's youngest editor-in-chief. He is a long-time friend of Kang Dan-i and harbours romantic feelings for her. Jung Yoo-jin as Song Hae-rin (29 years old) The Lead Content Development Editor and trainer of the new recruits, including Kang Dan-i. She has long-standing feelings for Cha Eun-ho, her former trainer, but he does not reciprocate those feelings. Wi Ha-joon as Ji Seo-joon (29 years old) A freelance book designer the publishing company is looking to hire, who also happened to cross paths with Kang Dan-i and later develops feelings for her. He and Cha Eun-ho have a turbulent relationship related to the conspiracy behind famous author Kang Byeong-jun's retirement and their feelings for Kang Dan-i.
Supporting characters People at the publishing company Kim Tae-woo as CEO Kim Jae-min. He is a bit over-eager, but an overall well-meaning boss. Kim Yoo-mi as Director Go Yoo-sun. She discourages Kang Dan-i's efforts to become a part of the marketing team and keeps her busy with menial tasks around the office. Jo Han-chul as Bong Ji-hong. He is married to Seo Young-ah. Kim Sun-young as Seo Young-ah the marketing team manager who is married to Bong Ji-hong. Kang Ki-doong as Park Hoon, a talkative and eager-to-please new recruit on the marketing team. Park Gyu-young as Oh Ji-yool, a superficial and spoiled new recruit on the editorial team, with an overbearing mother. Lee Kwan-hoon as Lee Seung-jin Choi Seung-yoon as Bae Kwang-soo Lee Ha-eun as Chae Song-ee
Others Lee Ji-ha as Hae-rin's mother Oh Eui-shik as Hong Dong-min (Kang Dan-i's ex-husband) Lee Ji-won as Hong Jae-hee Hwang Se-on as Kim Na-kyung Noh Jong-hyun as Oh Ji-yool's ex-boyfriend
Production The first script reading was held on October 26, 2018 with the attendance of the cast and crew.
This series marks Lee Na-young's return to small screen after nine years
On January 21, 2019, a press conference was held to promote the series with the attendance of lead cast.
Lee Jong-suk finished filming his scenes for the series on February 27, 2019 due to his military service enlistment on March 8.
Original soundtrack
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Viewership
+ Average TV viewership ratings Original broadcast date Title Average audience share(AGB Nielsen) Nationwide Seoul 1 January 26, 2019 A Big Sister I Know, Kang Dan-i() 4.280% 2 January 27, 2019 You Were Hiding In My House?() 4.420% 5.466% 3 February 2, 2019 People Calling Me By My Name() 4.385% 5.355% 4 February 3, 2019 Everybody Turn Their Backs On Me() 5.155% 5 February 9, 2019 I'm Curious Too, About My Feelings () 4.436% 5.601% 6 February 10, 2019 I Think I Already Knew It From The Beginning () 5.064% 6.468% 7 February 16, 2019 Tell Him I'm Waiting Here () 4.962% 6.073% 8 February 17, 2019 The Hot Touch Was A Dream() 5.378% 6.857% 9 February 23, 2019 That Old Book Is Like The First Time Reading() 5.8% 10 February 24, 2019 There Are Days Like This() 5.822% 7.139% 11 March 2, 2019 We Have To Be Together, Why Do You Want To Break Up?() 5.029% 5.963% 12 March 3, 2019 How About A Title For Your First Date?() 5.238% 6.396% 13 March 9, 2019 Did It Hurt Because Of Me?() 5.329% 6.336% 14 March 10, 2019 You Know Me, Right?() 6.345% 7.753% 15 March 16, 2019 I Should Have Known If You Didn't Say Anything...() 5.018% 6.166% 16 March 17, 2019 As If I Had Met You In a Book and Received Warm Comfort..() Average
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref. 2019 55th Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Actor Wi Ha-joon 21st Mnet Asian Music Awards Best OST "Take My Hand" (Jannabi)
Notes
References
External links