A Pleasant Surprise from Channel A Dramas, Landing High on Netflix Compared to other terrestrial broadcasters or comprehensive programming channels, Channel A produces significantly fewer dramas. Because of this, it is common for even drama fans to miss the fact that a new drama has started on Channel A. However, the atmosphere is different this time. As soon as the new weekend drama The Baby Has Arrived (literal translation) was released on Netflix, it vomited a spirit (showed impressive power) of rising to 5th place in 'Today's Top 10 Series in South Korea.' It is even more surprising because this achievement was made solely through word of mouth and the ripple effect of the OTT platform without much special promotion. I also discovered it by chance while browsing Netflix, and the moment I clicked, I started binge-watching it in one breath due to the unstoppable immersion. It is the protagonist of a pleasant surprise that feels like discovering a hidden gem.
Verified Web Novel Original, The Taste of Rom-Com Added to a Solid Narrative The original work of this drama is a web novel of the same name that was serialized with great popularity on Naver Series. Since it is a work that has already been loved by numerous readers and verified for its fun and mass appeal, there were many fans looking forward to it from the moment the news of the drama adaptation was heard. I was curious about how the fast-paced development unique to web novels and the bouncing lines would be implemented in video, and the drama adapted this very smoothly according to the grammar of the romantic comedy genre. The fluttering situations imagined through text have been revived more vividly meeting the actors' acting and direction. If you have read the original, there will be fun in comparing the synchronization, and if you are encountering it for the first time as a drama, you will fall deeply into the unpredictable story.
The Aesthetics of Slowness in K-Romance? Now 'Sudden Acceleration' is the Trend! One of the biggest reasons overseas fans love Korean romance dramas is the "aesthetics of slowness." Unlike Western dramas where characters have a "some" (flirting phase) and lead straight to a kiss or bed as soon as they meet, Korean dramas require numerous exchanges of emotions and narratives to pile up before they even hold hands once. The method of creating excitement through eye contact and subtle atmosphere rather than physical contact is counted as a unique advantage of K-Romance. However, recently, a wind of change is blowing in this trend as well. As the content consumption speed of viewers becomes faster, "sudden acceleration" developments that capture attention with intense incidents from the beginning are increasing. The Baby Has Arrived is a work that actively reflects this latest trend.
Sleeping Together First, Dating Later? Stealing Attention with an Unconventional Opening The early development of the drama is truly unconventional itself. As can be seen from the title, it starts with a setting where the male and female protagonists spend the night together and unexpectedly conceive a child before they even properly know each other. This is a structure that completely overturns the traditional introduction-development-conclusion of Korean romance dramas. However, the interesting point is that after this shocking opening, the drama returns to the development method of the rom-coms we are familiar with. Despite having established the most intimate relationship first, the appearance of the two meeting again at the company, acting distant, and blushing at even a single touch presents ironic fun. It opened the door with provocative material, but the sensibility filling the inside still follows the standard of fresh and sweet K-Romance, so you can enjoy it without resistance.
Like Ill-Fate, Like Destiny, A Series of Piling Coincidences What cannot be left out in a romantic comedy is the fateful meeting of the protagonists, or a relationship that started as an ill-fated one. This drama also depicts the meeting of the two protagonists, Hee-won (played by Oh Yeon-seo) and Doo-joon (played by Choi Jin-hyuk), like a mischievous prank of fate. Typical clichés continue, such as causing a major accident of pouring a drink on Doo-joon's expensive suit at a flashy party, or Doo-joon's car splashing water on Hee-won standing at a bus stop. The appearance of Doo-joon handing over a check out of apology and the flustered Hee-won is a typical cliché, but thanks to the actors' sly acting, it approaches pleasantly without being stale. The process where these coincidences pile up and eventually lead to inevitable love is one of the biggest joys of watching a rom-com.
Infertility Diagnosis and Miraculous Pregnancy, A Dramatic Twist The biggest conflict and core event of this drama is "pregnancy." The female protagonist Hee-won is a character who had previously received a diagnosis from a doctor that natural pregnancy was almost impossible. To her, who was frustrated by the fact that she could not have children and had emptied her mind, the baby that came through a one-night mistake with Doo-joon is truly a being like a "miracle." On the other hand, for workaholic Doo-joon, who had no thoughts of dating let alone marriage, this situation is like a bolt from the blue. Hee-won, who believed 'there is no way I'm pregnant', and Doo-joon, who unexpectedly became a father. The appearance of the two embarrassed and conflicted in front of this unbelievable reality triggers chewy tension and curiosity about future developments for the viewers.
Parachute CEO and Section Chief with a Secret, Risky Office Life The relationship that was thought to end as a one-night deviation continues into the space called the company. Kang Doo-joon has been appointed as the new CEO of the liquor company where Hee-won works. A situation where the woman carrying his child becomes a subordinate, and the man she spent the night with becomes her direct superior, facing each other every day. The office life of the two sharing a secret that must not be caught is risky, like walking on thin ice. The tension when private emotions and secrets pop out in a public work space, and the exchange of glances unbeknownst to others, maximize the beauty of office romance. Watching how the vertical relationship of Section Chief and CEO is overturned and changes due to the medium of the "child" is also a big viewing point.
She Who Calmed the OCD CEO, A Narrative of Mutual Salvation Kang Doo-joon, played by Choi Jin-hyuk, is a seemingly perfect second-generation chaebol, but internally, he is a figure harboring hidden pain. He is the owner of a sensitive personality who suffers from severe insomnia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and cannot even remember when he last slept comfortably. However, strangely enough, on that night with Hee-won, he sleeps soundly without waking up once for the first time in his life. In a sense, Hee-won is the only sanctuary and cure for Doo-joon. Doo-joon's emotional line of being attracted to Hee-won not just out of responsibility for the child but as an existence that fills his deficiency adds depth called "mutual salvation" to this drama. This setting where they become miracles to each other solidly supports the probability of the romance.
Trusted 'Rom-Com Artisan' Oh Yeon-seo X 'Melodramatic Eyes' Choi Jin-hyuk's Chemistry The number one contributors driving the drama's popularity are undoubtedly the two lead actors. Oh Yeon-seo breathed life into the character Jang Hee-won with her unique easy-going and lovely comic acting proven through Jang Bo-ri is Here! and Mad for Each Other. Her acting, unafraid of looking silly, pleasantly persuades even settings that could be somewhat forced. Here, Choi Jin-hyuk, who has a heavy voice and heart-fluttering physique, perfectly digests the role of the "Tsundere" CEO who is prickly but warm to his woman, sniping at women's hearts. The chemistry between the two, who fit perfectly not only in visual combination but also in acting rhythm, prevents the corners of the mouth from going down while watching. Just seeing the two actors flying around as if wearing their own clothes after a long time is reason enough to binge-watch.
Ratings Jumped Twofold! The Weekend Dark Horse Soaring on Word of Mouth The drama, which started quietly with a 1% range rating in the first episode, recorded 1.9% in just two episodes, showing an upward trend of nearly doubling. Considering it is a cable channel with a small viewership pie, and a weekend night time slot, this is a very encouraging figure. This also implies that viewers who flowed in through OTTs like Netflix are leading to "Bonbang Sasu" (tuning in to the live broadcast). Although somewhat childish clichés are mixed in, the power of direction that packages them sophisticatedly and develops them with speed is significant. For viewers who want to recharge excitement while laughing lightly on a weekend evening instead of watching complex stories that give headaches, The Baby Has Arrived will be the perfect choice. I look forward even more to the chaotic romance of how Hee-won and Doo-joon will protect the baby and grow their love.
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