Based on a webtoon of the same name, Cheese in the Trap is a romantic comedy featuring the relationship and the university days of lead characters, Hong Seol (starring Kim Go-eun) and her senior, Yoo Jung (Park Hae-jin), as well as a few other characters surrounding them.
Hong Seol is a diligent girl who works hard not only for her studies but for her family, too. Although her family opens an eatery shop, life is not a bed of roses and she does part-time jobs to make ends meet. During a students' gathering, she met Yoo Jung, who is a senior but their encounter didn't leave a good impression on each other. Yoo Jung is everything Hong Seol isn't; he is good-looking, excel in his studies as well as athletics and most of all, he comes from a wealthy family.
Despite their differences and their opinions of each other, they later became friends and then finally a couple. Many of their friends do not understand why Yoo Jung will fall for Hong Seol, including Hong Seol herself but she is positive that their relationship will work and that most importantly she does like him. However, Yoo Jung doesn't seem as what he looks for he has a dark side with people who hold grudges against him.
Cheese in the Trap may be a romantic comedy but personally I felt it was more of a character study. Needless to say, Yoo Jung is one of them but we also get more than a glimpse of other supporting characters' behaviours when they are tossed with certain circumstances. Jealousy, rivalry competition, envy is amongst the most common emotional traits we see in this drama. But that is not all, there was also the sentiments portrayed by secondary character, Baek In-ho (starring Seo Kang Joo), who has fallen for Hong Seol despite she and Yoo Jung are together. In-ho and his elder sister, Baek In-ha (starring Lee Sung Kyung) are long time friends of Yoo Jung, but there is a (bad) history between them and viewers would come to know how their relationship came about as the story progresses.
Speaking of In-ho, he is the character I loved most in this drama. Used to be a childhood friend of Yoo Jung, he has dreams of becoming a pianist but a fight damaged his hand. Even after recovery, he has lost hope in pursuing his dreams; and Hong Seol (whom he fondly called her "Dog Fur" because of the mass of her hair) was the one who encourages him. In-ho is also the only character whom I felt changes the most from the beginning till the end. I liked the way he was towards Hong Seol - warm, caring and protective.
Yoo Jung, on the other hand, is a guy whom you will like initially but his "hot and cold" behaviours will mess with your mind. Apparently, he had some issues when he was a teenager but I'm not going to delve into that. I had some doubts about him all the while while watching this drama; that is, is he really true towards Hong Seol?
And that ending... I wished I'm able to discuss it with someone. (Well, if you've watched it, do share your views with me via email.) I'm currently watching Cunning Single Lady, an older drama (2014) starring Seo Kang Joo (again). His character here is a rich, easygoing guy who has fallen for a colleague - a divorcee and an older woman who is eight years his senior.
(All pic images credit to Google Images and KDrama Stars)
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I love that first photo you shared. It captures that fun feel. It sounds like there is a lot more to the characters than that which first appears.
Wendy - I loved that first photo too! The drama was filled with complexity - both the characters and the story as well. Still, I enjoyed it a lot!
Ok, I'm adding it to my list. I haven't been watching much drama lately--in fact, I haven't finish Bak Dae, and I was enjoying it. But just like reading, there are marathons and dry spells, so I'll keep this one in mind.
I've also noticed the younger man/older woman premise has shown up on a lot of books lately, too. The age difference varies, but the authors make a point of it.
Jenclair - I've finished watching Cunning Single Lady. Will be posting my thoughts on it soon.
Yes, I did notice the younger man/older woman premise tend to show up a lot in books and movies, too. Perhaps it happens quite commonly in reality too so I suppose there should be stories for them too. I'm fine with it as long as the age gap isn't too wide.