The series follows the bittersweet relationship between a banchan shop owner whose daughter enters the war of Korea's college entrance exams, and a top hagwon instructor.[1][3]
A former national handball player who now runs a banchan shop. After her mother's death, she gave up her sports career to take care of her young niece and disabled younger brother.
A celebrity math instructor at The Pride Academy, a popular private education institute, who has an eating disorder, and who regularly visits Haeng-seon's shop.
Haeng-seon's adopted daughter and niece who was abandoned by her mother—Haeng-seon's sister — when she was a child, and was raised by Haeng-seon thereafter. She is the class president of class 2-1 of Woorim High School.
Directed by Yoo Je-won, Crash Course in Romance consists of 16 episodes. Each episode title refers to a mathematical concept.[39]
No.
Title
Original release date
South Korea viewers (millions)
1
"You and I, the Intersection of Two Universes" Transliteration: "Neowa Na, Du Uju-eui Gyojiphap" (Korean: 너와 나, 두 우주의 교집합)
January 14, 2023 (2023-01-14)
0.971
Choi Chi-yeol is the star instructor at Pride Academy, a premier hagwon in mathematics. Parents queue up to secure a seat in his classroom. Not Nam Haeng-seon however, single mother and owner of a banchan shop. She trusts the ability of her daughter, Nam Hae-yi, to learn what she needs as a diligent self-motivated high school student. But when Hae-yi expresses interest in extra help in math, Haeng-seon snaps into action. Meanwhile, Chi-yeol and Haeng-seon have become bitter enemies, although they don't even know each other's name.
2
"Probability of Encountering Your Enemy at Your Worst" Transliteration: "Wonsureul Winamudarieseo Mannal Hwakryul" (Korean: 원수를 외나무다리에서 만날 확률)
January 15, 2023 (2023-01-15)
1.461
Chi-yeol is hospitalized for malnutrition. Dong-hee, his manager, searches for better food for him and discovers Nation's Best Banchan. The lunch box he buys there agrees so well with Chi-yeol that he visits Nation's Best Banchan and meets Nam Haeng-seon, the woman he'd hoped never to see again.
3
"Number of Outcomes Where Dislike Becomes Like" Transliteration: "Dangshin-eui Maeum-i, Naege Misoji-eun Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 마음이, 내게 미소지은 순간)
January 21, 2023 (2023-01-21)
1.354
Haeng-seon is now determined to be the kind of mother who cares for her daughter's education. She queues daily in front of Pride Academy. She's also the only person who can save Choi Chi-yeol from malnutrition. Haeng-seon and Chi-yeol already rub each other the wrong way. Can the two work together?
4
"Revolt of the Arithmetic Sequence" Transliteration: "Dangshin-eui Ondoga, Na-eui Maeum-eul Nok-in Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 온도가, 나의 마음을 녹인 순간)
January 22, 2023 (2023-01-22)
1.819
Hae-yi is enrolled in Chi-yeol's lectures. Thanks to them, she gets the top mathematics grade at her high school. Seeing her happy makes Haeng-seon proud. Hae-yi also passes the Medical College All Care Class test and so is eligible to join the All-Care Class, almost guaranteeing admission to a top medical school. Hae-yi enjoys her good fortune briefly then Haeng-seon hears something shocking.
5
"The Secret Probability Distribution of X and Y" Transliteration: "X-wa Y-eui Bimil Hwakryul Bunpo" (Korean: X와 Y의 비밀 확률 분포)
January 28, 2023 (2023-01-28)
2.242
Chi-yeol, star instructor, and Haeng-seon, banchan chef, agree to exchange talents. He will tutor her daughter Hae-yi; she will supply him with two meals a day. The arrangement is kept secret to avoid offending other children's parents, particularly the moms.
6
"There Are No Correct Answers in Life, Only Best Answers" Transliteration: "Insaengen Jeongdab-i Anin Yeoreo Gae-eui Mobeomdaban-i Iss-eul Ppun" (Korean: 인생엔 정답이 아닌 여러 개의 모범답안이 있을 뿐)
January 29, 2023 (2023-01-29)
2.660
Chi-yeol and Haeng-seon's secret arrangement is discovered by Dong-hee, the trusted assistant with whom Chi-yeol shares everything and Yeong-joo, Haeng-seon's best friend and co-worker at the banchan shop. Both feel betrayed.
7
"The Very Average Laws of Attraction" Transliteration: "Sarange Ppajineun Aju Botong-eui Beopchik" (Korean: 사랑에 빠지는 아주 보통의 법칙)
February 4, 2023 (2023-02-04)
2.433
Hae-yi is ranked first in the September mock test. Haeng-seon invites Chi-yeol to celebrate, leading to a jokgu match. Chi-yeol injures his wrist. Strange feelings for Haeng-seon impel him to do something unusual for him.
8
"Chance Becomes Fate through Inductive Reasoning" Transliteration: "Inyeon-i Unmyeong-i Dwineun Gwinapjeok Churon" (Korean: 인연이 운명이 되는 귀납적 추론)
February 5, 2023 (2023-02-05)
3.010
Chi-yeol learns that Haeng-seon is the daughter of a canteen owner who helped him mightily as a student. Deeply moved, he decides to repay Haeng-seon for the kindness of her mother. He secretly buys the Nation's Best Banchan building and cuts her rent in half. Haeng-seon delivers lunch boxes to Chi-yeol's office and finds out he may have a girlfriend
9
"The Butterfly Effect of Our Relationship" Transliteration: "Uri Mannam-eui Nabihyogwa" (Korean: 우리 만남의 나비효과)
February 11, 2023 (2023-02-11)
2.505
Chi-yeol and Haeng-seon are caught together standing in front of her shop by parents of the All Care Class. Their secret tutoring scheme is exposed. A 'one hit scandal' shakes the Pride Academy community. Online and offline, Haeng-seon is shamed and blamed.
10
"Emotion, the Variable That Alters Relationships" Transliteration: "Gwangyereul Bakkuneun Gamjeong-iraneun Byeonsu" (Korean: 관계를 바꾸는 감정이라는 변수)
February 12, 2023 (2023-02-12)
3.232
Chi-yeol does a math talk show. Haeng-seon happens to attend. A couple of guests ask Chi-yeol about the scandal and Haeng-seon is blamed. Unable to hear criticism of Haeng-seon, Chi-yeol confesses his feelings for her in front of everyone. The arrow of criticism shifts from Haeng-seon to Chi-yeol. His students protest and he's forced to suspend his teaching. He hopes that taking a break will clear his mind. Then Hae-yi makes a sudden public confession: Haeng-seon is not married. She is not her mom but her aunt.
11
"The Functional Relationship of Our Love" Transliteration: "Uri Sarang-eui Gwangyehamsu" (Korean: 우리 사랑의 관계함수)
February 18, 2023 (2023-02-18)
3.076
After Hae-yi's confession, Haeng-seon and Chi-yeol confess their feelings for each other. The one-time scandal is now a romance. Hae-yi is comforted by her friends and applauded in class.
12
"Point of Intersection between Comedy and Tragedy" Transliteration: "Huigeukgwa Bigeuk-eui Gyochajeom" (Korean: 희극과 비극의 교차점)
February 19, 2023 (2023-02-19)
3.328
Haeng-seon and Chi-yeol have their first fight. They have no opportunity to reconcile due to conflicting schedules. Choi Chi-yeol prepares a deluxe date for Haeng-seon, assisted by Dong-hee, who does something quite astonishing during the date. The school's pupils prepare for midterms.
13
"How We Approach an Unsolvable Conjecture" Transliteration: "Mijee Daecheohaneun Uri-eui Jase" (Korean: 미제(謎題)에 대처하는 우리의 자세)
February 25, 2023 (2023-02-25)
2.855
The Pride Academy schedules a camp to mark Chi-yeol's comeback. Chi-yeol is reluctant but lets Dong-hee persuade him to participate. He's so busy now that there are days when he and Haeng-seon barely see each other. Then mid-terms come. Hae-yi is severely disturbed by the reading exam and disappears.
14
"Find the Unique Solution" Transliteration: "Ojik Hana-eui Haereul Guhara" (Korean: 오직 하나의 해를 구하라)
February 26, 2023 (2023-02-26)
3.646
Hae-yi is found in a coma. She's been hit by a car. The police suspect her of self-harm but Haeng-seon thinks there must be another explanation. She finds a strange mark on Hae-i's hand. She and Chi-yeol search for clues. Hae-yi's birth mother suddenly shows up.
15
"The Result of Coincidence and Necessity" Transliteration: "Uyeongwa Pilyeon-eui Gyeolgwagap" (Korean: 우연과 필연의 결과값)
March 4, 2023 (2023-03-04)
3.755
Hae-yi's birth mother acts the role of caring mother to the hilt, disturbing everyone. Chi-yeol discovers the truth about Dong-hee on a visit to his rooftop apartment. Dong-hee attacks Haeng-seon in Hae-yi's hospital room. Hae-yi makes a shocking decision.
16
"You and I, the Union of Two Universes" Transliteration: "Neowa Na, Du Uju-eui Hapjiphap" (Korean: 너와 나, 두 우주의 합집합)
March 5, 2023 (2023-03-05)
4.329
Hae-yi's decision makes Haeng-seon uncomfortable but she decides to respect it and prepares to let her go yet, some time later, Hae-yi still lives with her aunt. She does well on college entrance exam D-day. Her graduation is celebrated. Haeng-seon and Chi-yeol work towards a happy future together.
Production
The series marked the third collaboration between director Yoo Je-won and screenwriter Yang Hee-seung after High School King of Savvy (2014) and Oh My Ghost (2015). It was reported that filming began in the summer of 2022, and ended on February 5, 2023.[40][41]
In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest published ratings and the red numbers represent the highest published ratings.
This series aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC, and EBS).
Ranking
During its airing, Crash Course in Romance generated big data buzz. According to Good Data Corporation,[a] it ranked first with a topical share of 23.8% in Top 10 of TV Topicality Ranking in drama division category in four weeks in a row. Jung Kyung-ho ranked first in the performer category for five consecutive weeks, while Jeon Do-yeon, Shin Jae-ha, Roh Yoon-seo, and Lee Chae-min ranked 3rd, 6th, 10th, and 14th respectively.[57]
In the OTT media service drama rankings, Crash Course in Romance secured the top spot for three consecutive weeks. According to the weekly integrated content ranking chart of Kinolights (February 4–10, 2023), a content viewing and analysis service, the series which first aired on January 14, took the lead among dramas.[58] In the first week of March, the drama rank second, still took lead among dramas.[59]
Cultural impact
The series influenced Korean fashion. Gmarket and SSG.com announced on March 13, 2023 that the flower patterned blouse of Nam Haeng-seon (played by Jeon Do-yeon) in the drama was gaining popularity. It was named as "Southbound fashion". According to Gmarket sales data, the sales growth rate of retro fashion such as lace/ruffle blouses (67%), chiffon blouses (62%), and printed blouses (92%) was high during the airing of the drama. Pattern/print blouses (20%), jeans (15%), and lace/ruffle blouses (10%) also sold well on SSG.com.[60]
^Good Data Corporation (굿데이터코퍼레이션은) is an online public opinion analysis service. It analyzes online information and public opinion by field, and provides TV topical broadcasting program, online topic ranking, and quality evaluation of performers and marketing effect analysis. TV topicality survey target series that were being aired or scheduled to be broadcast. Unlike the audience rating, which measures only the viewing time for the broadcast time, TV topicality is to diagnose the evaluation by examining, indexing, and analyzing the netizens' reactions that appeared in online news, blogs, communities, social media, and videos for one week after each program was broadcast.[56]
^Park Ah-reum (December 13, 2022). "'일타스캔들' 전도연X정경호가 만났다는 것만으로도" (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jang Ah-reum (January 14, 2023). "신예 김민철, '일타스캔들' 정경호 아역 캐스팅" (in Korean). News1 Korea. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023 – via Naver.
^Choi Hee-jae (December 9, 2022). "노윤서, 전도연X정경호와 호흡…'일타 스캔들' 출연 [공식입장]" [Roh Yoon-seo, Jeon Do-yeon X Jung Kyung-ho and breathing… Appearing in 'Crash Course in Romance' [Official Position]] (in Korean). Xports News. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kang Da-yun (December 12, 2022). "이채민, '일타 스캔들' 출연 확정…전도연·정경호와 호흡 [공식]" [Lee Chae-min confirmed to appear in 'Crash Course in Romance'… Breathing with Jeon Do-yeon and Jung Kyung-ho [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abc"인물소개 (4)" [Introduction (4)]. tvN. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
^Park Ah-reum (November 29, 2022). "김선영 '일타스캔들' 합류, 극성 엄마 된다[공식]" [Kim Sun-young joins 'Crash Course in Romance', becomes a polar mother [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hwang Hye-jin (December 2, 2022). "'김용건 며느리' 황보라, 학부모로 컴백…'일타 스캔들' 캐스팅[공식]" ['Kim Yong-gun's daughter-in-law' Hwang Bo-ra, comeback as a parent… Casting for 'Crash Course in Romance' [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Joon-hyun (January 10, 2023). "신예 류다인, '일타 스캔들' 출연 확정…"좋은 연기 보여드릴 것"" [Rookie Ryu Da-in Confirmed to Appear in 'Crash Course in Romance'… "I will show you good acting"] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023 – via Naver.
^Park Soo-in (February 9, 2023). "이상이 '일타스캔들' 특별출연, 전도연·정경호와 호흡" [Lee Sang-yi made a special appearance in 'Crash Course in Romance', working with Jeon Do-yeon and Jung Kyung-ho] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023 – via Naver.
^Ahn Eun-jae (February 27, 2023). "일타스캔들' 노윤서 납치 진범은 신재하…자체 최고 경신 15.8% [N시청률]" ['Crash Course in Romance' Noh Yoon-seo kidnapped Shin Jae-ha... 15.8%, the highest self-renewal [N viewer rating]] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Naver.
^"일타 스캔들 미리보기" [Ilta scandal preview]. CJENM (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2023-12-23. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
^"일타 스캔들 OST Part 1" [Crash Course in Romance OST Part 1] (in Korean). YG Plus. Studio MaumC. January 15, 2023. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023 – via Melon.
^"일타 스캔들 OST Part 2" [Crash Course in Romance OST Part 2] (in Korean). YG Plus. Studio MaumC. January 22, 2023. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023 – via Melon.
^"일타 스캔들 OST Part 3" [Crash Course in Romance OST Part 3] (in Korean). YG Plus. Studio MaumC. January 29, 2023. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2023 – via Melon.
^"일타 스캔들 OST Part 4" [Crash Course in Romance OST Part 4] (in Korean). YG Plus. Studio MaumC. February 5, 2023. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023 – via Melon.
^"일타 스캔들 OST Part 5" [Crash Course in Romance OST Part 5] (in Korean). YG Plus. Studio MaumC. February 12, 2023. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023 – via Melon.
^"일타 스캔들 OST Part 6" [Crash Course in Romance OST Part 6] (in Korean). YG Plus. Studio MaumC. February 26, 2023. Archived from the original on March 5, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2023 – via Melon.
^Baek, Seong-won (2023-02-28). "TV-OTT 통합 마성의 드라마 일타 스캔들 무삭제 대본집 출간" [TV-OTT Unified Magical Drama Ilta Scandal Uncensored Transcript Book Published]. 문학뉴스 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
"Ep. 1". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). January 14, 2023. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
"Ep. 2". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). January 15, 2023. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
"Ep. 3". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). January 21, 2023. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
"Ep. 4". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). January 22, 2023. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
"Ep. 5". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). January 28, 2023. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
"Ep. 6". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). January 29, 2023. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
"Ep. 7". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 4, 2023. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
"Ep. 8". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 5, 2023. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
"Ep. 9". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 11, 2023. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
"Ep. 10". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 12, 2023. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
"Ep. 11". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 18, 2023. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
"Ep. 12". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 19, 2023. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
"Ep. 13". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 25, 2023. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
"Ep. 14". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 26, 2023. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
"Ep. 15". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 4, 2023. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
"Ep. 16". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 5, 2023. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
^"조사 Flow". Good Data Corporation (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
^"'일타 스캔들' 4주 연속 TV·OTT 통합 드라마 화제성 1위" ['Crash Course in Romance' No. 1 on TV and OTT integrated drama for 4 weeks in a row]. Star Today (in Korean). February 20, 2023. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
^Yoon In-sun (February 17, 2023). "영화 '슬램덩크' 장기흥행 돌입, '일타 스캔들'도 OTT 드라마 3주째 정상" [The movie 'Slam Dunk' has been in a long-term box office, and 'Crash Course in Romance' has also been normal for 3 weeks in OTT dramas.]. Business Post (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
^"'나는 신이다' 넷플릭스 공개 일주일만에 OTT 통합 콘텐츠 1위" ['I'm God' Ranked 1st in OTT integrated content in a week after Netflix release]. 싱글리스트 (in Korean). 2023-03-13. Archived from the original on 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
^Cho Yeon-kyung (April 7, 2023). "제59회 백상예술대상, TV·영화·연극 최종 후보 공개" [59th Baeksang Arts Awards, TV·Film·Play Finalists Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023 – via Naver.
^Park So-young (May 2, 2023). "송혜교x유재석→아이브, 브랜드 대상..코쿤x고윤정도 '쾌거' [브랜드 대상]" [Song Hye-kyo x Yoo Jae-seok → Ive, Brand Grand Prize.. Cocoon x Go Yoon-jeong 'Splendid Achievement' [Brand Customer Loyalty Awards]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023 – via Naver.
