'Personal Taste' is a lighthearted romantic comedy where a pretended cohabitation leads to real love between a clumsy designer and a tidy architect.
Personal Taste: When Pretend Love Becomes Real
Introduction
Personal Taste aired from March 31 to May 20, 2010 on MBC, is a refreshing romantic comedy about accidental cohabitation turning into unexpected love. Starring Son Ye-jin and Lee Min-ho, the series blends charming misunderstandings, heartfelt moments, and subtle social commentary—especially through its progressive depiction of LGBTQ+ themes in a mainstream K-drama.
Overview
Title: Personal Taste (개인의 취향)
Year: 2010
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Slice-of-Life
Main Cast: Son Ye-jin, Lee Min-ho, Kim Ji-seok, Wang Ji-hye
Episodes: 16
Runtime: Approx. 70 minutes per episode
Network: MBC
Streaming Platforms: Netflix, Viki
Overall Story
Park Kae-in (Son Ye-jin) is an impulsive, creative furniture designer living in her father’s beautiful hanok, yet her personal life is in disarray. After discovering her boyfriend Han Chang-ryul’s betrayal with her best friend Kim In-hee, she spirals emotionally—and that dysfunction sets the stage for her unexpected journey.
Jeon Jin-ho (Lee Min-ho), a meticulous architect struggling to secure a major bid for the Dam Art Center, manipulates circumstances to become Kae-in’s roommate. To gain access, he pretends to be gay—a ruse that leads to humorous misunderstandings and domestic chaos. Apartment walls thin, and so do the pretenses.
Living together, Jin-ho and Kae-in clash over cleanliness, lifestyle, and personal boundaries—but Jin-ho's honest challenge encourages Kae-in to grow. As she evolves into a more confident version of herself, her initial resistance gives way to deeper connection, especially during practical scenes like shared chores and heartfelt conversations.
Parallel subplots—such as Jin-ho’s rivalry with his ex‑colleague Chang‑ryul, Kae‑in’s professional challenges, and the supportive yet outspoken presence of assistant Noh Sang‑jun—add layers, humor, and emotional texture. The show balances light comedy with emotional stakes, creating organic progress in both characters’ arcs.
As misunderstandings escalate—particularly surrounding Jin-ho’s pretense of sexuality and Kae-in’s trust issues—the show peppers in comedic and heartfelt reveals. Kim Do-bin’s subtle exploration of queer identity and romantic feelings adds depth to the narrative around episode 6, reflecting a changing cultural conversation.
By the finale, sincerity prevails: Jin-ho’s pretense collapses under truth, and both leads confront their feelings boldly. Their journey from roommates bound by misunderstanding to partners bound by affection concludes with a heartwarming declaration: love, grown honest and authentic.
Highlight Moments / Key Episodes
Episode 1 opens with Kae-in humiliatingly discovering her boyfriend and friend’s betrayal at a wedding—chaos ensues, setting her emotional turmoil in motion.
Episode 2 establishes Jin-ho’s entrance: he bumbles into Kae-in’s home pretending to be gay, leading to boundary-crossing and comedic confusion.
Episode 5 explores the “roommate makeover”—Jin-ho coaches Kae-in through chores and presentation, a sequence filled with humor and emotional growth.
Episode 8 breaks emotional ground when Jin-ho’s assistant Sang-jun’s fake management of their “gay relationship” brings both awkwardness and self-awareness.
Episode 12 introduces the subplot of Do-bin’s affection—his quiet emotional reveal adds complexity to Jin-ho’s deception and internal conflict.
Episode 16 (finale) resolves tension: misinterpretations fall away, true feelings emerge, and the pair find love built on honesty and vulnerability.
Memorable Lines
In Episode 2, Kae-in fumes as she says, “You’re not gay—you’re just messy and deceptive.”—capturing her frustration with pretense and intrusion.
In Episode 5, Jin-ho remarks, “You can’t build a masterpiece without structure—even life needs blueprints.”—his architect metaphor highlighting emotional growth.
In Episode 8, Sang‑jun quips after a dramatic misunderstanding, “Sometimes pretending sparks more truth than honesty does.”—a witty twist on identity and performance.
In Episode 12, Do-bin confesses softly, “I’m tired of hiding who I am… even if no one else sees me.”—a moving moment of queer visibility.
In Episode 16, Jin‑ho declares, “I pretended to live here—but I found where my heart belongs.”—a tender closing to their journey.
Why It’s Special
Personal Taste stands out for its bold concept in a conservative era of K-dramas. In 2010, the idea of a male lead pretending to be gay to live with a woman was both unconventional and risky—but it brought fresh energy and surprising sensitivity to romantic comedy. Rather than exploiting the premise for laughs alone, the show uses it to challenge gender expectations and emotional honesty.
The performances of Son Ye-jin and Lee Min-ho are nothing short of compelling. Son's portrayal of Park Kae-in as clumsy yet sincere adds authenticity to the show's emotional beats. Her ability to shift from comedy to vulnerability anchors the drama. Meanwhile, Lee Min-ho, fresh off his fame from *Boys Over Flowers*, delivers a measured, intelligent performance that breaks from his previous “flower boy” image.
Another special aspect is the hanok setting—Kae-in’s traditional Korean house not only creates a unique visual aesthetic but also serves as a metaphor for her character: outwardly chaotic but inwardly structured. The drama cleverly juxtaposes architecture with emotional blueprints, making “design” a recurring symbolic theme.
The show also gained attention for introducing an LGBTQ subplot through the character of Director Choi Do-bin. Though not without flaws, the handling of his quiet affection and loneliness opened discussions among Korean and international fans about representation, identity, and narrative inclusion in mainstream media.
The script’s blend of romance and comedy is particularly skillful. It never lets the romantic tension become overwrought, and comedic moments arise naturally from character quirks. Assistant Noh Sang-jun provides comic relief without reducing the emotional stakes, and each character serves a purpose in the overall story arc.
Finally, the soundtrack deserves mention. Soft acoustic tracks, including Younha’s “Can’t Believe It,” elevate emotional scenes without overwhelming them. Combined with stylish cinematography and intimate camera work, the music helps frame the slow-burn transformation of two strangers into partners.
Popularity & Reception
Upon its release, Personal Taste enjoyed moderate domestic ratings, but it built a significant international fanbase, particularly in Southeast Asia and among early Hallyu fans in the U.S. and Europe. Its availability on streaming platforms like Netflix and Viki contributed to its growing overseas popularity, years after its original broadcast.
Online forums at the time—such as Soompi and Dramabeans—buzzed with praise for Son Ye-jin’s comedic chops and for Lee Min-ho’s “grown-up” role post-'Boys Over Flowers'. Many international fans cited the drama as their introduction to Korean romantic comedies that tackled themes of gender identity and emotional trauma.
Critically, the drama received a mixed but generally favorable response. Some Korean viewers were uncomfortable with the premise, while others appreciated its emotional depth and romantic pacing. Over time, retrospectives have highlighted it as “ahead of its time,” especially for its balance of tropey humor and character realism.
Social media posts and fan edits still circulate, especially around Jin-ho’s architectural metaphors and Kae-in’s awkward but lovable moments. On TikTok, clips of their first kiss scene and makeover montages have been repurposed into “wholesome romance” content, appealing to a new generation.
Cast & Fun Facts
Son Ye-jin (Park Kae-in) brought immense warmth and emotional nuance to her role. Known for melodramas like 'A Moment to Remember' and 'The Classic', this role marked one of her rare forays into light comedy. She embraced the clumsy, eccentric nature of Kae-in without turning her into a caricature, revealing layers of insecurity, resilience, and charm.
To prepare for the role, Son Ye-jin reportedly consulted with real-life furniture designers to understand Kae-in’s world better. Her connection to the hanok setting was also deeply personal; she mentioned in interviews that she grew up visiting her grandparents’ traditional house, which informed her spatial comfort on set.
Lee Min-ho (Jeon Jin-ho), who had shot to fame the previous year in 'Boys Over Flowers', faced skepticism about taking on a more subdued and realistic role. But his portrayal of Jin-ho—a reserved, methodical architect—won over fans and critics alike. His chemistry with Son Ye-jin was noted for its slow build and emotional authenticity.
Interestingly, Lee Min-ho took architecture references seriously. He met with real architects and studied their daily routines to embody Jin-ho’s personality. Even his walking posture and clothing choices in the drama reflected the discipline and neatness of his profession.
Kim Ji-seok (Han Chang-ryul), playing Kae-in’s ex, added a touch of arrogance and vulnerability. At the time, Kim was often typecast in supporting roles, but his performance in this series helped him transition to more leading parts in later years, including 'Another Oh Hae-young' and 'Monthly Magazine Home'.
Wang Ji-hye (Kim In-hee), as the manipulative ex-friend, played her part with icy precision. This role built her reputation as a go-to “antagonist” actress in K-dramas, later seen in series like 'Hotel King' and 'Protect the Boss'.
Director Son Hyung-suk, known for 'My Princess', brought a romantic visual sensibility that emphasized warm lighting and personal space—crucial for a story about cohabitation and hidden emotions. He often used narrow framing and soft focus to create intimacy between the leads.
The original source material was a novel of the same name by Lee Sae-in. The adaptation deviated in tone and pace but preserved the central premise of cohabitation and emotional miscommunication. Fans of the book often praised the series for expanding Kae-in’s arc more deeply.
Conclusion / Warm Reminders
Personal Taste is more than just a romantic comedy—it's a quiet exploration of trust, identity, and the courage it takes to be seen. With heartfelt performances, a charming “fake roommate” setup, and surprisingly progressive undertones, it captures a timeless emotional truth: we all crave authenticity, especially in love.
Whether you’re drawn to interior design, soft-spoken architects, or the joy of watching two mismatched people slowly fall for each other, this series has enduring charm. It’s also a gentle reminder that even a contract or misunderstanding can blossom into real connection—an idea worth remembering in both life and love.
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