K-Drama 'Kiss is Just a Kiss' Captivates Global Audience with Explosive Romance

Jang Ki-yong and Ahn Eun-jin reunite on screen in the drama 'Kiss is Just a Kiss'. At the drama's press conference, Ahn Eun-jin drew attention with her slimmer appearance, while director Kim Jae-hyun revealed that they filmed the kiss scene over 20 times, sparking interest.

The second episode of SBS's Wednesday-Thursday drama 'Kiss is Just a Kiss', aired on the 13th, showcased the story of Gong Ji-hyuk (played by Jang Ki-yong) and Go Da-rim (played by Ahn Eun-jin), who fall in love with a 'natural disaster-level' kiss but unintentionally part ways. However, the drama didn't end with their separation. The two protagonists unexpectedly reunite, delivering a fast-paced narrative with kisses, breakups, and reunions in just two episodes, thrilling viewers with a full dose of dopamine.

The episode recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 4% and a peak rating of 5%, according to Nielsen Korea. Although the drama started with a 4.5% rating on its first broadcast on the 12th, it saw a slight decline in the second episode. Despite this, the global popularity of 'Kiss is Just a Kiss' in its first week is remarkable. According to FlixPatrol, as of November 13, the drama ranked second globally on Netflix, indicating that the explosive romance between Jang Ki-yong and Ahn Eun-jin has captivated audiences beyond South Korea.

After the 'natural disaster-level' kiss that concluded the first episode, the dynamics between Gong Ji-hyuk and Go Da-rim changed dramatically. The two fell in love as if dynamite had exploded in their heads and hearts. The obstacle in their love story is Go Da-rim's ex-boyfriend, Kim Jung-gwon (played by Park Yong-woo), who, blinded by jealousy, clings to Go Da-rim, saying, "I'll book a separate room." Gong Ji-hyuk intervenes, knocking Kim Jung-gwon down, showcasing the surprising change that 'love' brought to his goal-oriented life.

Gong Ji-hyuk and Go Da-rim leave the party together. Go Da-rim feels guilty, thinking she caused Gong Ji-hyuk to fail in scouting Kim Jung-gwon. However, Gong Ji-hyuk only has eyes for Go Da-rim. He proposes, "Shall we extend our couple status for one more day? I want to be with you tomorrow, personally!"

During their date the next day, Go Da-rim gifts Gong Ji-hyuk a four-leaf clover and shares stories about her childhood neighborhood and the grandfather tree. Gong Ji-hyuk continues to impress by saving Go Da-rim from drowning, leading to another electrifying kiss as they fall deeper for each other.

However, an unimaginable trial befalls Go Da-rim. Her younger sister disappears just before her wedding, and loan sharks storm the wedding venue, causing their mother to collapse. Upon receiving a call from her friend Kim Sun-woo (played by Kim Moo-jun), Go Da-rim rushes to Seoul without even saying goodbye to Gong Ji-hyuk. Gong Ji-hyuk desperately follows her but ultimately loses her in the crowd, marking a heart-wrenching separation.

In Seoul, Go Da-rim juggles multiple part-time jobs to cover her sister's mishap and her mother's surgery expenses. She often reminisces about the dream-like days in Jeju and Gong Ji-hyuk, who seemed like a prince on a white horse. Gong Ji-hyuk, too, struggles as he searches for Go Da-rim. To protect his mother from his selfish father, he reluctantly joins his father's baby products company.

Go Da-rim, disguising herself as a mother, applies for a position in the Mother TF team at the baby products company. Despite being single and childless, she is willing to do anything for her livelihood. Unbeknownst to her, this is the very company where Gong Ji-hyuk works, and the Mother TF team is the department he will oversee. The episode ends with Gong Ji-hyuk and Go Da-rim facing each other as interviewer and interviewee, unaware of each other's presence.