Second Shot at Love Kdrama Review: This is a South Korean romantic comedy series starring Sooyoung Choi, Gong Myoung, and Jo Yun-hie. The story of the Second Shot at Love Kdrama is about a woman who doesn’t think she has a drinking problem.
One day, she bumps into her old high school best friend, now cold and distant, and sets out to discover what changed him. This series was released on 12 May 2025 and is currently streaming on Viki.
Plot Summary
Han Geum-Ju (Sooyoung) is a 10-year veteran car mechanic for a top Korean automobile company. She is good at her job and enjoys socializing with people from her work. She enjoys drinking alcohol and considers herself a sensible drinker.
One day, she reunites with her first love and friend, Seo Ui-Joon (Gong Myung), who has returned to his hometown from Seoul. Seo Ui-Joon worked as a medical specialist at a prestigious university hospital in Seoul, but, for an unknown reason, he has returned to his hometown and begun to work as a director at the public health center.
Unlike Han Geum-Ju, Seo Ui-Joon hates alcohol. Meanwhile, Han Geum-Ju gets the dishonor of being labeled an alcoholic, and she challenges herself to quit drinking.
A Lighthearted Take on a Heavy Topic
Second Shot at Love Kdrama Review: Second Shot at Love takes on a serious topic—alcoholism—but presents it in a light and entertaining way. This mix of humor and drama means the show could go in many directions, but so far, it handles things with care.
Alcoholism is a real issue in many places, especially South Korea, so the show has a big responsibility. It gives us a look at both sides of the story—how Geum-Ju’s drinking affects the people around her and what leads her to drink in the first place.
In the first episode, we see how her behavior impacts her mother and possibly her first love, Seo Ui-Joon. It’s also clear that her father and sister have been enabling her for a long time, even before her fiancé cheated on her.
One of the more interesting dynamics is between Geum-Ju and her ex-fiancé Ju-yeop. He allows her to drink but also nags her about it, seemingly to control her and make her more submissive—a hypocritical and toxic behavior.
Even with all this emotional weight, the show knows how to balance things. After intense scenes—like Gwang-ok hitting Geum-Ju during a family memorial—the mood quickly shifts to lighter, funnier moments, like Geum-Ju waking up at Ui-Joon’s place.
The cast does a great job of keeping things relatable and fun. The characters are flawed and messy, but they’re also likable. Second Shot at Love manages to handle a tough subject with just the right mix of heart and humor.
A Family Drowning in Alcohol
While Second Shot at Love is marketed as a romantic comedy, by episode 4, it’s clear that the show is much heavier than it first appears. At its core, it’s about a family struggling with deep-rooted alcohol dependency—something that’s treated like the “elephant in the room.”
This isn’t just about one person’s drinking problem—it’s a full family issue. Alcohol is part of their daily lives, passed down from generation to generation. The father introduced drinking as a norm, the sister drinks recklessly, and the grandfather likely had the same problem. Even the male lead, based on flashbacks, seems to have a troubled past with alcohol—possibly linked to a tragic event.
Social pressure and emotional struggles only make things worse, and the show shows how drinking has hurt their lives—lost businesses, unplanned pregnancy, broken relationships. Yet, the family acts like it’s normal just because they’re family.
Many viewers are frustrated with the mother for being cold and violent, but she’s surrounded by people dependent on alcohol. She’s angry, yes, but also exhausted. Her outbursts may be wrong, but it’s also her way of coping when no one else takes responsibility.
At this point in the show, none of the characters are especially likable. They feel selfish, emotionally closed-off, and unwilling to change. You want to sympathize with them, but it’s hard when they keep making the same mistakes.
Second Shot at Love may be labeled as a romantic comedy, but it dives deep into the dark reality of addiction, family dysfunction, and emotional damage. Unless the characters start changing soon, this drama risks feeling more depressing than heartwarming.
Verdict
Second Shot at Love successfully blends humor with serious social issues, offering a fresh take on a heavy topic. While it has its flaws and messy characters, the show’s balance of comedy and drama keeps it engaging and thought-provoking. Worth watching if you like romcoms with depth.
Trailer
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