She Would Never Know
She Would Never Know is a South Korean romantic drama television series that premiered in 2021, centering on an office romance at a cosmetics company where a confident junior employee pursues his senior colleague amid professional and personal challenges.[1] Starring Won Jin-ah as the ambitious marketer Yoon Song-ah and Rowoon (Kim Seok-woo) as the earnest rookie Chae Hyun-seung, the series explores themes of unrequited love, workplace dynamics, and self-discovery in a "noona romance" narrative.[1] Supporting cast includes Lee Hyun-wook as Yoon Song-ah's ex-boyfriend Lee Jae-shin, Lee Joo-bin as her colleague and rival Lee Hyo-joo, and others such as Lee Kyu-han and Wang Bit-na.[1][2] Directed by Lee Dong-yoon and written by Chae Yoon, the 16-episode series aired on JTBC from January 18 to March 9, 2021, on Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. KST.[3][4] It is an adaptation of the 2017 web novel Senior, Don't Put on That Lipstick (Korean: Sunbae, Geu Lipstick Bareujimayo) by author Elise, which follows a similar story of romantic pursuit in a corporate setting.[2][5] The drama received positive reception for its heartfelt portrayal of relationships and strong performances, particularly from the leads, earning an average rating of 7.4/10 on IMDb from over 2,700 users and 7.9/10 on MyDramaList from more than 26,000 users.[2][4] It also garnered attention for its realistic depiction of the cosmetics industry and emotional depth, contributing to its popularity both domestically and internationally through streaming platforms like Netflix and iQIYI.[1][5]Background
Development
JTBC scheduled "She Would Never Know" as a Monday-Tuesday slot drama, capitalizing on the growing popularity of workplace romance genres in Korean television. The project was formally announced in May 2020 with the confirmation of leads Won Jin-ah and Rowoon, marking the beginning of public pre-production efforts. Supporting cast members, including Lee Hyun-wook and Lee Joo-bin, were added in August 2020, further solidifying the ensemble focused on office dynamics.[6] Screenwriter Chae Yoon adapted the story from the 2017 web novel "Senior, Don't Put on That Lipstick" by Elise, emphasizing realistic depictions of corporate life and the nuances of an age-gap romance between colleagues. Revisions were made to enhance visual storytelling, transforming the novel's internal monologues into tangible scenes of workplace interactions and emotional growth suitable for the screen. Director Lee Dong-yoon, known for his work on "20th Century Boy and Girl," envisioned a grounded narrative that avoided fantastical elements, instead highlighting authentic character development and chemistry among the cast.[7][8] Filming took place primarily in Seoul, utilizing urban locations to replicate the environments of a cosmetics company, including office sets and marketing team scenarios. Production adhered to strict COVID-19 protocols, such as mandatory testing and social distancing on set, which were standard for Korean dramas during the pandemic. Shooting was observed in public areas as late as November 2020, with principal photography wrapping in December 2020 to allow for post-production ahead of the January 2021 premiere.[9] A key production challenge involved integrating corporate sponsorships from beauty brands into the narrative without compromising authenticity, as the story's cosmetics industry setting naturally lent itself to product placements while maintaining focus on interpersonal relationships and professional ambitions.[8]Source material
She Would Never Know is adapted from the web novel Senior, Don't Put on That Lipstick (Korean: Sunbae, Geu Lipstick Bareujimayo), written by Elise and first serialized on November 13, 2017. Published in book form by Graebooks, the novel spans 42 chapters and centers on themes of unrequited workplace romance within a cosmetics company, where the protagonist navigates emotional complexities in her professional environment.[10][11][12] The source material gained significant traction on platforms like Naver Series, where it holds a 9.2 rating from readers, and KakaoPage, attracting readers before the drama adaptation boosted its visibility further. Its exploration of mature relationships and office dynamics contributed to its appeal among romance genre enthusiasts.[10][13] A webtoon version, adapted for visual storytelling by writer Cafelatte and illustrator JINHA, premiered on Naver Webtoon on January 4, 2021, and concluded on December 12, 2021, aligning with the drama's broadcast schedule. This adaptation features 50 episodes, emphasizing the novel's romantic tension through illustrated panels and character expressions.[14] While faithful to the core narrative of the novel, the drama condenses several subplots to accommodate its 16-episode structure, introduces enhanced visual depictions of cosmetics marketing scenarios not as prominent in the text, and modifies arcs for supporting characters to improve pacing for television audiences.Cast and characters
Main roles
Yoon Song-ah, portrayed by Won Jin-ah, is an ambitious and professional cosmetics marketer at KLAR Cosmetics, known for her perfectionist and workaholic nature. She is deeply passionate about her career, driven by aspirations to launch her own brand, while navigating family pressures from her widowed mother, who relies heavily on her emotionally and financially, and a younger brother who adds to her sense of responsibility. Song-ah enters the story in a toxic, secret relationship with her superior, marked by imbalance and emotional strain that influences her guarded approach to younger suitors.[11][8][15] Chae Hyun-seung, played by Rowoon, serves as an idealistic and dashing junior marketer who joins Song-ah's team, immediately drawn to her as his senior colleague. His persistence in pursuing a romantic connection stems from genuine admiration, tempered by vulnerability rooted in past experiences, including a previous long-distance relationship that ended due to challenges and family dynamics involving two protective older sisters who have endured personal hardships. Hyun-seung's traits—brightness, adorability, and a serious demeanor beneath his charming exterior—fuel his determination to transform their professional mentorship into love, despite the age gap.[11][16][8][17] Lee Jae-shin, enacted by Lee Hyun-wook, is Song-ah's older boyfriend and the ambitious director of the marketing team, whose controlling tendencies manifest in their imbalanced relationship, often prioritizing his own needs while keeping their affair hidden to avoid workplace scrutiny. Inwardly pained and reserved, his backstory reveals a difficult past that contributes to his manipulative behaviors, including entanglements that complicate office dynamics. Jae-shin's professional drive mirrors Song-ah's, but his subtle expression of emotions through restrained gazes and actions underscores his complex motivations.[4][18][8] Lee Hyo-joo, brought to life by Lee Joo-bin, is the wealthy granddaughter of the cosmetics company founder and a rising photographer, initially presenting a hard exterior that hides her soft heart and adds layers of romantic rivalry through her obsessive engagement to Jae-shin. Her unstable traits evolve as she confronts privilege and emotional dependency, intersecting with the central romance by heightening tensions around Jae-shin's divided loyalties and indirectly challenging Hyun-seung's pursuit. Hyo-joo's backstory of familial expectations amplifies her role in the narrative's exploration of love and self-growth.[8][19][4] The dynamics among these characters center on an age-gap office romance, where Song-ah and Hyun-seung's mentorship evolves into mutual affection amid professional challenges, contrasted by Jae-shin's possessive hold and Hyo-joo's rival claims that test boundaries and foster personal development.[11][8]Supporting roles
The supporting roles in She Would Never Know enrich the central narrative by underscoring themes of familial bonds, workplace camaraderie, and subtle rivalries, often serving as catalysts for the protagonists' emotional and professional development without dominating the storyline. These characters interact with the leads to highlight conflicts around romance, career ambitions, and personal insecurities in the competitive cosmetics industry. Kim Ga-young, portrayed by Kang Hye-jin, is Yoon Song-ah's steadfast colleague and friend, a department store salesperson who injects levity and unwavering support into Song-ah's tumultuous personal life and office challenges.[6] Her interactions provide comic relief during tense moments, such as advising Song-ah on relationships and workplace stresses, thereby facilitating subplots on female friendship and resilience.[11] The Chae family members offer pivotal emotional grounding for Chae Hyun-seung's arc, emphasizing sibling support amid his unrequited affection for Song-ah. Chae Ji-seung, played by Wang Bit-na, is Hyun-seung's poised older sister and CEO of a wedding dress design firm, whose elegant demeanor and practical wisdom guide her brother through romantic setbacks and family discussions.[6] Complementing this, Chae Yeon-seung, enacted by Ha Yoon-kyung, serves as the middle sister and a devoted housewife, contributing heartfelt, everyday perspectives on marriage and loyalty that subtly influence Hyun-seung's growth.[6] Together, these roles amplify family dynamics as a source of stability, contrasting the leads' professional uncertainties.[11] Within KLAR Cosmetics, key figures shape the career-driven tensions central to the plot. As the company's director and heir, Lee Jae-woon, brought to life by Lee Kyu-han, embodies relaxed competence and wit, influencing team hierarchies and injecting humor into subplots of corporate growth and interpersonal rivalries among colleagues.[6] Additional team members, such as Kim Min-sung (Kim Seo-ha) and Lee Se-rim (Park Han-sol), round out the ensemble by depicting collaborative efforts in marketing campaigns, underscoring themes of collective professional evolution.[11] Guest appearances, including brief promotional cameos by actors like those in ensemble office scenes, further enhance the drama's realism by illustrating the broader industry network, though they remain peripheral to the core conflicts.[3] Overall, these supporting characters bolster the main storyline by weaving in layers of relational depth, ensuring the focus stays on the leads' romance while exploring ancillary themes of solidarity and ambition.Episodes
Synopsis
She Would Never Know centers on the professional and romantic entanglements at Klar Cosmetics, where ambitious marketer Yoon Song-ah navigates a demanding career with a focus on her dream of launching her own brand.[11] As a senior employee, she embodies dedication and perfectionism in the competitive world of cosmetics marketing, often prioritizing work ethics amid office politics.[20] Her junior colleague, Chae Hyun-seung, a bold and charismatic researcher, enters the scene with an immediate crush, persistently pursuing her despite the age gap and her initial rejection, transforming their dynamic from mentorship to something deeper.[1] The narrative unfolds through the evolution of their relationship against a backdrop of workplace challenges, including team rivalries and personal baggage from past experiences. Subplots highlight Yoon's struggles with toxic influences in her life and her pursuit of self-growth, paralleled by Chae's unwavering support and career ambitions within the firm.[2] Lipstick emerges as a recurring symbol of empowerment, representing themes of identity and breaking free from restrictive dynamics in both professional and personal spheres.[11] Overall, the series explores age-gap love, the intricacies of workplace romance, and ethical boundaries in corporate settings, emphasizing personal development and mutual respect as the characters confront their insecurities and aspirations. The story resolves with a tone of maturity, underscoring growth without dramatic upheavals. Adapted from a 2017 web novel by Elise, it mirrors the source's focus on realistic office relationships and emotional healing.[8]Episode list
The series consists of 16 episodes, broadcast on JTBC from January 18 to March 9, 2021, airing Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. KST. Each episode advances the central romance between Yoon Song Ah and Chae Hyun Seung amid workplace challenges and personal secrets, building tension through escalating conflicts and revelations. The following table lists the episodes with brief summaries of key events.[21][11]| Episode | Air Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 18, 2021 | The episode introduces Yoon Song Ah, a dedicated marketer at a cosmetics company, and her new junior colleague Chae Hyun Seung, who join forces on projects. Hyun Seung quickly develops a romantic interest in the confident and capable Song Ah. Unbeknownst to him, Song Ah is secretly dating their brand manager, Lee Jae-shin, adding layers of complication to their professional dynamic.[21][22] |
| 2 | January 19, 2021 | Tensions rise when Song Ah becomes furious with Hyun Seung after he inappropriately touches her lips during a work moment, leading to a heated argument. In the car afterward, they clash further over her personal relationship, with Hyun Seung probing into her life. This confrontation highlights the growing friction between the senior and junior colleagues.[21] |
| 3 | January 25, 2021 | Song Ah seeks advice from Hyun Seung on handling her relationship issues, prompting him to suggest they start dating instead. She firmly refuses and tells him to stay out of her private matters. The exchange underscores Hyun Seung's unrequited feelings and Song Ah's commitment to her current partner.[21] |
| 4 | January 26, 2021 | Hyun Seung comes to Song Ah's rescue during a difficult situation, strengthening their bond despite ongoing tensions. Later, Song Ah confronts Jae Shin about their relationship, asserting her independence and demanding more respect. This pivotal moment marks a shift in her personal dynamics.[21] |
| 5 | February 1, 2021 | Song Ah discovers that Jae Shin has signed her up for a career opportunity in Europe without her full consent, complicating her plans. Meanwhile, Hyun Seung faces changes at work with a new supervisor assigned to him. These developments force Song Ah to weigh her professional ambitions against her personal life.[21] |
| 6 | February 2, 2021 | Song Ah ultimately declines the Europe opportunity to focus on her current responsibilities and relationships. Hyun Seung steps up unexpectedly by serving as a model at a high-profile VIP event for the company. His initiative impresses the team and subtly advances his connection with Song Ah.[21] |
| 7 | February 8, 2021 | Song Ah and Hyun Seung work late into the night on a project, leading to awkward moments that reveal their underlying chemistry. The news of Jae Shin's impending wedding breaks publicly, shocking Song Ah and straining her secret relationship further. This revelation creates a major turning point in the narrative.[21] |
| 8 | February 9, 2021 | Hyun Seung struggles to conceal his deepening feelings for Song Ah amid the workplace chaos. Jae Shin's father meets with Lee Hyo Ju, imposing strict demands related to the wedding plans. These events heighten the emotional stakes for all involved characters.[21] |
| 9 | February 15, 2021 | After a stressful presentation, Hyun Seung falls ill with a fever, prompting concern from Song Ah. Her mother visits unexpectedly and demands more quality time, pulling Song Ah in multiple directions. The episode explores her balancing act between career, romance, and family obligations.[21] |
| 10 | February 16, 2021 | Song Ah takes time off work to care for her ailing mother, prioritizing family during a vulnerable period. Meanwhile, a rival company attempts to poach Hyun Seung with an attractive offer. This subplot tests his loyalty to the team and his feelings for Song Ah.[21] |
| 11 | February 22, 2021 | A competing brand copies one of Hyun Seung's innovative ideas, sparking outrage in the marketing team. Song Ah steps forward with a creative counter-plan to protect their product line. Her leadership in this crisis solidifies her professional reputation and draws Hyun Seung closer.[21] |
| 12 | February 23, 2021 | Lee Jae-woon and Song Ah work to dispel damaging rumors circulating about their personal lives and the company. A prominent beauty influencer posts a scathing review of their latest product, threatening sales. The team rallies to mitigate the crisis, highlighting workplace solidarity.[21] |
| 13 | March 1, 2021 | Song Ah opens up about her career uncertainties to trusted colleagues, reflecting on her growth. She receives yet another tempting offer for the Europe position, reigniting debates about her future. This internal conflict ties into broader themes of ambition and sacrifice.[21] |
| 14 | March 2, 2021 | Song Ah commits to navigating significant changes in her work environment, focusing on team stability. Hyun Seung grapples with a critical quality control issue that jeopardizes a product launch. Their collaboration during this setback deepens their mutual respect and unresolved tension.[21] |
| 15 | March 8, 2021 | Song Ah returns to her team alongside Hyun Seung after a period of absence, eager to reintegrate. His unusually cold demeanor unsettles her, though she begins to understand the reasons behind it. The episode builds toward emotional reconciliation amid lingering doubts.[21] |
| 16 | March 9, 2021 | Song Ah makes determined efforts to rekindle her connection with Hyun Seung, addressing past misunderstandings. He hesitates, fearing a repeat of previous relational mistakes. Chae Ji Seung provides crucial advice that helps resolve the central romantic arc.[21] |
Music
Original soundtrack
The original soundtrack for She Would Never Know consists of eight vocal tracks released progressively during the drama's airing in 2021, featuring contributions from established Korean artists and ties to the series' cast.[23] The OST emphasizes emotional ballads that underscore the themes of romance and familial bonds, with lyrics often reflecting longing and support in relationships.[24] The track list is as follows:| No. | Title (English/Romanization) | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lean On Me (나는 그래) | Kim Jong Wan of NELL | 4:01 |
| 2 | I Feel You (만져져) | Sandeul (B1A4) | 4:52 |
| 3 | Pit-A-Pat (설레) | Eunha (VIVIZ) | 3:39 |
| 4 | To You (너에게) | Kim Tae Woo | 3:40 |
| 5 | I Live in Your Eyes (너의 눈에 내가 들어와) | Yu Sung Eun | 4:26 |
| 6 | Daydream (백일몽) | CHEEZE | 3:48 |
| 7 | Nevertheless (그래도) | Rowoon (SF9) feat. Won Jin-ah | 3:59 |
| 8 | My Family (가족) | Davichi | 3:55 |