She Would Never Know: 10 Ways It’s A Binge Worthy K-Drama

She Would Never Know is a 2021 drama that slightly strays away from the typical K-drama structure in the best way possible. Fans shouldn’t fear, though, as the drama still follow many well-known tropes that make it an even more enjoyable watch. The drama generated serious buzz, as it stars a popular K-Pop idol and a veteran actor in the lead roles.

The drama centers around two workplace employees on the marketing team of a cosmetics company. Riddled with supporting storylines, characters, heartache, and romance, a female senior employee and her junior find love. She Would Never Know is a K-drama worthy of a must-watch list.

10 The Rising Actor & The Veteran

Fans of K-dramas and K-Pop will gravitate towards the drama because of the two actors playing the lead roles of Yoon Song-Ah and Chae Hyun-Seung. K-Pop idol-turned-actor, Rowoon, is well recognized as a lead vocalist for the boy group, SF9. His first leading role was in 2019 in the teen drama, Extraordinary You, where he played the main love interest.

In She Would Never Know, he once again plays the male lead and love interest, Hyun-Seung. Won Jin-Ah is a veteran in the industry. Working in both movies and television, Jin-Ah started her career in 2015 and gained recognition for the drama Rain or Shine, also known as Just Between Lovers. Many drama fans recall her romantic role in Melting Me Softly.

9 The Age Gap Relationship

It’s not uncommon in K-dramas to see two main characters fall in love that have an age gap. On many occasions, the male lead is significantly older than the female, like in Golbin. A unique twist to She Would Never know is that the drama instead does a switch and has the female lead be the male character’s senior.

This age gap characteristic pushes forward the show’s storyline, as Song-Ah is hesitant to date someone her junior and doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Her way of thinking leads her to push away Hyun-Seung and his advances. Hyun-Seung sees past their age difference, but it does lead to judgment by the supporting characters and quarrels about their future.

8 It’s Based On A Webtoon

Much like comic books, teen novels, or any other form of written source material, webtoons often get the TV or movie treatment. There are many K-dramas that use published online webtoons and bring to life the characters and stories from paper to the small screen.

She Would Never Know was originally a webtoon from 2017 by Elise (Elize). The slight difference is that the webtoon’s original title is Senior, Don’t Put On That Lipstick. Most internet searches will bring up both the webtoon and drama under both names. Original fans of the webtoon can watch the illustrated pages come to life and fans of the drama can go back and see just how well the show mimicked the webtoon.

7 The Supporting Characters Storylines

Many K-dramas don’t just focus on the two main characters, but the individual stories of the supporting characters. Audiences are in for a fun surprise when they find themselves getting just as invested in the supporting characters as they are with Song-Ah and Hyun-Seung. Not only does the drama have a deteriorating and complex relationship between the marketing department’s boss and his fiancé, but the sweet love story of Hyun-Seung’s older sister.

Above all, there’s a much deeper and profound supporting storyline between one of Hyun-Seung’s sisters, Chae Yeon-Seung (Ha Yoon-Kyung), and her husband. As audiences are introduced to them, it becomes obvious that there’s a hidden story concerning sexual orientation that needs to come to light.

6 The Already Established Storyline

In dramas like The King: Eternal Monarch or Just Between Lovers, the two main characters don’t initially know each other. They have to go through the plot elements of meeting each other and developing a bond. She Would Never Know breaks this plot element and starts out with an already established story.

Hyun-Seung and Song-Ah have been colleagues for some time in the first episode. Song-Ah has been his mentor in the department for what can be assumed for many months and already developed a friendly relationship. There’s no anticipation of when or how the characters will meet and it’s refreshing to see a storyline develop from within, instead of outside elements.

5 The Bad Prior Ex Trope

Female lead characters are often dealt a bad hand when it comes to establishing their stories in K-dramas. A common trope often seen is the female character dealing with a bad breakup, vile ex-boyfriend, or simply down on her luck. This is certainly true for Song-Ah, but it helps establish her strong character.

It’s revealed that Song-Ah was dating the boss of their department in secret and is happy. But Hyun-Seung comes to learn that their boss is marrying a female family member of the company’s owner. Telling Song-Ah the truth sends her into a downward spiral, realizing that her now ex never intended to make their relationship public.

4 The Strong Female Lead

There have been many badass female lead characters in K-dramas through the years. Song-Ah is a new addition to the list for her strong character and resilience, while also having a softer and emotional side. Not only is she forced to realize that the person she thought she loved was betraying her, but she handles it with bravado and strength.

She refuses to be taken advantage of and cuts off all relationship-based communication with her ex. The only problem is that her ex is also her boss. Regardless, she holds her ground and ends it to protect herself. Audiences will praise her as she also comes to protect Hyun-Seung.

3 Not The Typical Love Triangle

At the beginning of the drama, Song-Ah is secretly dating her boss, Lee Jae-Shin (Lee Hyun-Wook). At the same time, Hyun-Seung has always secretly had feelings for Song-Ah, but never acted on them. When learning the truth about Jae-Shin’s soon-to-be marriage, it creates a tense and drama-filled storyline that isn’t the typical love triangle.

Jae-Shin becomes incredibly angry at Song-Ah for breaking off their relationship and jealous of Hyun-Seung, believing they are a couple. The ‘love’ aspect of the love triangle only occurs between Song-Ah and Hyun-Seung, as Jae-Shin often intervenes, still caught up in his love for Song-Ah.

2 The Realistic & Constant Romance

If you’re looking for the ultimate K-drama with swoon-worthy romance and kiss scenes, She Would Never Know is a must-watch. The drama will have even the most seasoned fans blushing. There’s a deep and profound connection between Song-Ah and Hyun-Seung when they decide to give in to each other’s feelings. At the same time, Song-Ah is wary due to being co-workers and the age gap.

Despite the age difference, they understand each other’s wants and desires on a deeper level. Both understand they are adults with careers in the midst of their relationship. Not to mention, the drama has many memorable kiss scenes between the two and cute moments. When Hyun-Seung needs a hug, Song-Ah stands on a bench to at least be face level.

1 The Male Lead Is A Great Guy

Audiences will have a hard time finding a flaw in Hyun-Seung. He’s in no way a bad-boy male character and instead will win over viewers’ hearts with his generosity, understanding, and just by being a sincere, good guy. Hyun-Seung kept his feelings for Song-Ah hidden because of their work relationship, but couldn’t find it in himself to keep the truth about Jae-Shin hidden from her.

Even when Jae-Shin would confront Song-Ah, Hyun-Seung would step in to protect her. Throughout his journey with Song-Ah, he never tried to force his feelings on her and wanted her to come to terms with it on her own. Above all, Hyun-Seung understood that she’s a grown woman with her own choices to make in life.

About The Author

Gabriela Silva
(477 Articles Published)

Gabriela Silva is a List writer for Screen Rant with experience in all things television, film and pop culture. A graduate of Fordham University with previous years experience interning for Cliché Magazine.

With her passion for movies, television and entertainment, she’s interviewed some great actors from Cress Williams of ‘Black Lightning’ to Tati Gabrielle from ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.’

Her love for entertainment reaches a broad range of interests from 90s thriller movies, guilty pleasure teen dramas, action-packed MCU movies to popular K-dramas. You’ll most likely find her binge-watching a new television show or movies on Netflix into the early morning.

More From Gabriela Silva