Kim Ok-vin (left) and Teo Yoo (right) in ‘Love to Hate You.’ Photo: courtesy of Netflix.
There’s a gripping moment in the opening of Love to Hate You where Kim Ok-vin’s character strides confidently through empty city streets at night, earphones plugged in. Suddenly, a bike messenger whooshes by to rob a drunk man. But before he can act, Kim enters the scene, unleashing a flurry of precise punches and kicks. In this moment, she’s more than just a hero. She’s a force of nature, shattering expectations and setting the stage for a drama that’s all about female power and strength.
One of the most compelling aspects of Love to Hate You (2023), directed by Kim Jung-kwon, is that it tackles societal sexism head-on. Yet, what makes it so interesting is that beneath its sharp wit lies a tender, unconventional love story. What begins as a familiar dance of disdain gradually blossoms into something refreshingly real—a romance that leaves you breathless and maybe even a little changed.
The plot follows Yeo Mi-ran (Kim Ok-vin), a feisty lawyer and an MMA-trained powerhouse who’s spent her career fighting to dismantle the patriarchy. Witty and sharp, she’s all about justice, women’s rights, and unapologetically owning her desires. Her life takes a complicated turn when she joins an elite law firm that caters to celebrities. Suddenly, she’s thrust into a world of glamor, scandal, and Nam Kang-ho (Teo Yoo)—a hot movie star and household name renowned for his swoon-worthy portrayals, who happens to be one of the firm’s top clients.
Mi-ran soon discovers that Kang-ho’s on-screen charm belies his misogyny, making her eager to give him a piece of her mind, especially when he enlists her help in learning fight moves for the role of his dreams. Little does she know, a picture is about to ignite controversy, forcing them to pretend to be in a relationship. And while they are faking this romance, their initial animosity blossoms into something more meaningful.
It’s a beautiful journey of growth, respect, and empowerment. Kang-ho’s initial biases slowly melt into admiration for Mi-ran. He finds himself enamored with her bold and blunt nature, her ability to stand up to men, and her unapologetic confidence. He also realizes that, unlike other women, she’s the only one who makes him feel comfortable. Mi-ran keeps capturing his imagination, which is punctuated by the way he looks at her every time—curious, impressed, almost in awe. That look becomes a reflection of how he’s changing as a person: he’s not just falling for her, but also learning to respect her. When Mi-ran’s mother, who has long felt unseen and unappreciated in her marital life, gets emotional at Kang-ho’s words of respect for her daughter, it’s a reminder that mutual respect in a relationship can be incredibly powerful, and that validation can profoundly impact those around you.
One conversation between Kang-ho and Mi-ran after she saves him from an accident is so simple yet so powerful, reflecting the typical expectations that often suffocate women. Kang-ho’s question, “Why did you, a woman, have to do that?” is met with Mi-ran’s quick response: “If someone saves you from danger, are you really going to argue why a woman came to save you?” Her words slice through the noise of assumptions that women are weaker or less capable. And as Kang-ho grapples with the implications of her words, they challenge his own biases, paving the way for a deeper connection.
Mi-ran sets a precedent as a woman who is unabashedly herself, even when her sexual life becomes a public spectacle and she’s called a hypocrite who loathes men but loves sex. The societal hypocrisy is, in fact, clear here: while men are often not questioned for philandering, women like Mi-ran are shamed for the same. When her ex tries to malign her for her past relationships, she assertively says, “I’ve lived my life on my own terms,” clapping back at a society that is often trying to limit a woman’s freedom of choice.
Kang-ho, however, proves to be a great guy who loves Mi-ran above all else. Beneath the surface of his fame lie complex vulnerabilities, challenges, and personal struggles. When his agency tries to control the narrative around his relationship with Mi-ran, it reveals the harsh realities of stardom. In Korea’s entertainment industry, dating scandals can be career-defining, and the pressure to conform to a certain image is intense. This scrutiny forces celebrities to calculate every move they make. Even so, amid all the chaos, Kang-ho and Mi-ran’s relationship becomes a source of healing and growth for both of them.
Love to Hate You is also about beautiful friendships, such as Mi-ran’s steady bond with her best friend, Shin Na-eun (Go Won-hee), and the unlikely camaraderie between Kang-ho and his manager, Do Won-jun (Kim Ji-hoon). While the world is busy judging Kang-ho and Mi-ran, Won-jun and Na-eun’s constant support proves to be the rare kind of non-judgmental friendship that offers a contrast to the criticism that surrounds them. So, if you haven’t watched them yet, you’re definitely missing out. Love to Hate You is an excellent K-drama, a scathing critique of gender stereotypes, a thoughtful story about human connections, and a beautiful romance that feels remarkably real when different individuals challenge each other’s perspectives.
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