In this edition of our drama review, we are talking about a 2026 romance that beautifully explores finding love later in life, settling into adulthood, and making difficult choices. Let’s dive into ‘The Practical Guide to Love’.
Written by Lee Yi-jin and directed by Lee Jae-hoon, ‘The Practical Guide to Love’ follows the story of a career-driven woman who, after years of putting work first, begins questioning whether she has neglected her personal life. Pressured by her family to settle down, she embarks on a journey through blind dates, unexpected connections, and a heartfelt love triangle that teaches her as much about herself as it does about romance.
Searching for Love
Lee Ui-yeong (Han Ji-min) is a respected team manager at a prestigious hotel. Having dedicated most of her adult life to building a successful career, she suddenly realizes that romance has quietly taken a back seat.
As her mother’s constant reminders about marriage become harder to ignore, Ui-yeong decides it’s finally time to open herself up to dating. Initially, she believes that one of her co-workers, who also happened to be her college classmate, still harbors feelings for her. However, after discovering she completely misread the situation, she decides to broaden her horizons and begins accepting blind dates.
Her first meaningful encounter is with Song Tae-seop (Park Sung-hoon), the calm and dependable CEO of a woodworking company. Thoughtful, mature, and sincere, Tae-seop immediately leaves a positive impression on Ui-yeong. Their date goes smoothly until he asks whether she is dating with marriage in mind, a question that catches her completely off guard and leaves both of them uncertain about where they stand.
Although she hopes to hear from him again, Tae-seop’s demanding work schedule delays his response. Believing that he may have lost interest, Ui-yeong agrees to another blind date.
This time, she meets Shin Ji-soo (Lee Ki-taek), a free-spirited man whose blunt and carefree personality is the complete opposite of Tae-seop’s. Their first meeting starts off awkwardly, with Ji-soo coming across as rather rude. Frustrated, Ui-yeong drops her polite facade and speaks her mind, a side of her personality that unexpectedly charms Ji-soo and transforms the date into a surprisingly enjoyable experience.
Following Her Heart
As fate continues bringing the three together, Ui-yeong finds herself genuinely caring for both Tae-seop and Ji-soo.
Each man offers her something different. Tae-seop provides stability, warmth, and quiet reassurance, while Ji-soo encourages her to embrace spontaneity and express herself more honestly. Through their growing relationships, Ui-yeong begins to understand what she truly values in a partner and, more importantly, what kind of life she wants to build.
Both men are open about their feelings for her, making her decision increasingly difficult. Yet the drama never treats the love triangle as a simple competition. Instead, it becomes a journey of self-discovery, allowing Ui-yeong to establish healthy boundaries, understand her emotional needs, and gain confidence in making choices for herself rather than meeting other people’s expectations.
A Comforting Slice-of-Life Romance
‘The Practical Guide to Love’ is a refreshing romance that explores dating and relationships from the perspective of adults who have already established careers and life goals. Rather than relying on dramatic misunderstandings, the series focuses on honest conversations, emotional maturity, and the challenges of balancing work, family expectations, and personal happiness.
One of the drama’s greatest strengths is its grounded storytelling. The characters feel authentic, and both the main and supporting couples experience relatable struggles as they navigate love later in life.
Han Ji-min delivers another warm and nuanced performance, perfectly capturing Ui-yeong’s gradual emotional growth. Park Sung-hoon and Lee Ki-taek bring contrasting yet equally compelling love interests to life, creating a love triangle that feels heartfelt rather than frustrating.
If you’re looking for a gentle, mature romance filled with charming characters, meaningful conversations, and plenty of heartwarming moments, ‘The Practical Guide to Love’ is an easy drama to recommend.
The series is available on Viki, and you can watch the trailer below.
