I really do wonder about the poor rabbit..

Thanks for the recap. As i read somewhere.. Eric won. Hehhh...

a few episodes ago someone on this site pointed out the irony of yeoreum feeling like taeha knows her better than anyone, when she says it was her relationship with him that made her less trusting and open. it's all i could think about during this episode, esp when she did she felt most like herself around him. she's right, why hurt all the nice people of the world? they do deserve each other.

i know a lot of people are going to have things to say about this finale. i wish i were more coherent but I'm tired rn, so.

I'm satisfied with the ending. But honestly, I demand more scenes of our lead couple Tae Ha-Yeo Reum. They deserved more lovely cuties scenes after those heart breaking scenes for so many episodes. How come this drama only gave less than 5 min to them for having lovey dovey scenes again….

Anyway, one of best drama this year. Good performances for all casts even supporting roles (Tae Ha-Director Yoon brotherhood is the best….XD). I hope Eric-Yoo Mi has chance to work together again. If we need to wait for years in a drama, what about in the movie? Their chemistry was superb. They don't need any skinships at all to convince the audiences if their characters are in love (or maybe Eric-Yoo Mi fall each other, who knows????).

Love the cinematography and color they used. They know when to shoot in short or long zoom to make us available to see their expressions.

Love the story lines. Thumbs up to the writer who wrote such kind of beautiful notes and sentences. The story is a mix between happiness and sadness, dorky and cutie but so meaningful.

And the OSTs just confirm how this drama really concern to the very detail things. The OSTs just encourage all the scenes and help them to delivered it beautifully.

Congrats for the drama team. I'm really grateful if they consider the DoR season 2.

Waiting other good news from the actors, especially Eric (this guy existence seems could overshadowed everyone.. ) and Jung Yoo Mi (such a great and wonderful actress)..

I just finished the last episode, even though I still do not realize that it’s the end XD
I really liked this drama, even though at times I wanted to shake some characters XD
But it’s also what I like about this story!
Because as Que Sera Sera, I was completely addicted, from the beginning to the end.
I would not say it’s my favorite drama, because I already have too many favorites drama ..
But it is one of the best this year for me, with Gap Dong!
Because he’s the same usual style (love triangle), but at the same time it happens to be different, to pass this barrier. As being a major consumer of dramas, I just saw everything related to love triangles, I like that, otherwise I will not continue to watch dramas, but it’s so nice when a drama comes to detach from these barriers!

The fact that it is more realistic is a + , although of course it’s still a drama, so a fiction.
I love when characters are more complicated than the appearance, it is far from « big bad guy, the poor sweet little heroine with all the ills of the world, which in addition is bullied by the big bad, but falling in love with him because she finds him every excuse in the world. Not to mention the nice guy who loves her, and that is never used in the drama. OH I forgot to mention the wicked stepmother »
In Discovery of Romance, all the characters are more complicated, more “human” and yes even Sol!

They are not inherently evil / bad, but they are not nice to the point of being “perfect,” precisely because they are human, and no human is perfect in this world! We can be nice, nasty, selfish, stupid, hurt someone, etc etc make bad choices, whether consciously or not

One moment you can find a character, endearing, cute, and 10 min after being completely frustrated with his choices.
And there’s no one person who has not made any mistakes, bad choices in his life.

So we can be frustrating, upset, do not understand a character, but at the same time we manage to put yourself in their shoes. “What if it was me?”

There, as viewers it’s a little easier to say, who made a good choice or a bad choice. But in life, when you’re in a situation where you have to make a choice that inevitably hurt someone it’s more complicated.
and I think Discovery of Romance shows that.

Sorry for my english ^^”, it’s even more horrible when I’m excited to write something XD

Thanks DL for the wonderful recaps!

I love the drama but I was disappointed by the ending.

I wish we could have seen more of the OTP together, interacting. But it was good or better than most dramas Ive seen.

What is interesting is that the drama shows a measure of evolution of kdramas, yet there are still many of the same issues and limitationa common to kdramas in general - the same simplistic stereotypical elder generation characters, the same structure, linear eventa and plot flow of a love triangle drama, and the same emotional maturity levels of the characters.

I await the next generation of kdramas that explore life without these traditional elements!

Thanks again DL!

She suits short hair: lovely and refreshing. :)

Thanks for the recaps!

Loved the ending although I kinda wished they gave more scenes and airtime to our OTP. Their last scene proved how much I actually want them to get together early on in the drama.

Overall, this is a very well written drama about the reality of relationships.

Dramallama pointed 'the on going burning smell whenever Eric is around'. The man is BURNING HOTTTTTT!!!!!

thanks for the tears drama will miss you.
can we have the rediscovery of romance next?

Thanks for recap. Sol and jo hoo watched my favorite bollywood movie!
It was like i love romance 2 with less after make up time

I like that you were thinking the same thing I was: they needed more interviews in the middle of the drama. Since it was a rom-com, that might have lightened the tone a little. I loved the realism and ambiguous aspect of the drama, but I also liked the happy ending. Because I watch these dramas to be entertained and feel hopeful, dammit.

Oh man Eric and Jung Yumi is SO cute together!!!! :) :) Im so sad it ended :'( I want to see more of them :/

Thanks to Dramallama and Lollypip for the recaps!

This drama wasn't the easiest watch, as other have said, but I'm glad I stuck to it. It has turned out to be one of my favorite dramas of the year because of the writing and the characters. Yeah, the characters aren't always likable, but they feel real. Except Yeo Reom's mom. I still don't really get her. But I did love the scene where she and Yeo Reom visit her husband's grave--her dryness and Yeo Reom's excellent look of bewilderment.

The acting and writing together were wonderful. This was one of the few dramas that I actually wanted to go back and watch certain scenes not because of their swooniness (I am a romcom girl at heart) but because of the actors' ability to draw me into thinking more about the situation.

And just want to tip my hat to the things that kept me going during those frustrating watches:

Eric's smoking hotness *fans self*
Seul Gi love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The cute and sweet ending made the whole watch worth it. I've already rewatched it three times, something I don't usually do.

This drama was so good. I came in with no expectations at all, but am just so pleasantly surprised by all it managed to do.

Sure, things got a bit slow in final week, but the drama was really well paced. There was enough conflict to sustain all 16 episodes and it never felt contrived. Kudos to the writer for crafting all the characters so carefully and with so much depth. I loved the main pairing to bits and pieces, but Ha-jin and Ah-rim's story took me by surprise. I was crying with them as Ha-jin read Ah-rim's farewell letter, and I hope they well get the closure they both need, although the drama has chosen to leave that open.

I really enjoyed the messages about romantic relationship. I tend to agree with the writer's P.O.V, or at least the messages she is leaving throughout the drama a lot. The final scene was great as a reminder that love probably doesn't last forever, but we go into each relationship with all our heart, and full of hope, otherwise, we probably wouldn't even be able to sustain anything for more than a little while.

Eric and Jung Yumi are such talented actors. I've never been a fan of either one, but this drama has completely convinced me. Their ability to convey hurt, pain and the giddyness of falling in love made me fall in love with them and the drama.

I am sad to say goodbye to this drama, but looking ever so forward to Nodame Cantabile!

Thanks for the recap dramallama. I prefer the title translation Discovery of Love because it seems more befitting than Discovery of Romance for the considering the content and subject matter explored. Likewise, I want to commend DOR for its writing as well. I agree with you that at times: "It was controversial, real, and quite frankly, aggravating, but that’s what made it different and realistic." and that "The interview format was something really new and used quite well in this drama..."

As actors and actresses, I hold Eric Moon, Jung Yu-Mi, Sung Joon, Kim Seul-Gi, Yoon Hyun-Min, and Yoon Jin-Yi in high regards for having the courage to tackle and portray fractured and imperfect characters like these.

Food for Thought:
• Whether you feel it immediately or not, your life is constantly being shaped by the choices you make.
• The past is unalterable yet one can invariably gain insight and learn from it.

Discovery of Romance (aka Discovery of Love) gave us plenty of Food for the Journey. Main Takeaways from the culmination of 16 episodes:

"If you love someone tell them because hearts are often broken by words left unspoken." ~Unknown

"I fall, I rise, I make mistakes, I live, I learn, I've been hurt but I'm alive. I'm human, I'm not perfect but I'm thankful." ~Unknown

"Love is not just about finding a good partner. It is also about being a good one." ~Unknown

"Never take someone's feelings for granted because you never know how much courage that they took to show it to you." ~Unknown

Value and appreciate the people who sacrifice their 'something' for you. Because maybe that 'something' was their everything." ~Unknown

"I trust you" is a better compliment than "I love you"...because you man not always trust the person you love but you can always love the person you trust." ~Unknown

"Time decides who you meet in your life. Heart decides who you want in your life. And your behavior decides who will stay in your life." ~Unknown

"A relationship is not based on the length of time you spent together; it's based on the foundation you built together." ~Unknown

"Relationships last not because they were destined to last. Relationships last long because two people made a
choice to keep it, fight for it, and work for it." ~Unknown

"A great relationship is about two things, first find out the similarities. Second, respect the differences." ~Unknown

"You don't love someone because they're perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they're not." ~Jodi Picoult

"The best thing in life is finding someone who knows all your flaws, mistakes, & weaknesses, and still thinks you're completely amazing." ~Unknown

"I'm not a perfect person. I make a lot of mistakes. But I really appreciate those people who stay with me after knowing how I really am." ~Unknown

"Don't look for someone who will solve all your problems...Look for someone who...

Aw, the last pic is SO cute :D

I hate the ending!i hate everything in this drama..its my opinion..Hate it..

"the ongoing burning smell whenever Eric is around"

It took me a second, but lol so true

This is seriously my second favourite Korean drama (after Reply'97). Not that other K-dramas are not as good or this drama does not have major flaws but I simply love that this drama is purely about romance without asserted family, job, alien, or psychology issues (well, there are mom and ahrim's issues but those are either small/designated to be catalyst for Taeha-Hajin-Yeoreum's reactions)

Correct me if I am wrong but this drama is the first to do so.

DoR joins "Coffee Prince", "The Man Who Can't Marry" and 'Miss Korea" on my list for best K-romcoms.

Like the others - it had the combination of good writing/dialogue (the dialogue was realistic), acting and direction with the emotional/dramatic scenes being heartfelt (and not forced or sappy like too many K-romcoms) and broken up with comedic bits that are a lot of fun (DoR basically bumps off INR2012 - DoR does a better job w/ the overall storyline; the whole couldn't continue w/ the relationship due to secret family illness was a little to makjang).

Unfortunately, only CP out of the 4 managed to find a large audience w/ the other 3 being criminally underappreciated (seems like much of the Korean audience goes more for soap-operish, sappy type of romcom w/ the one-note characters, cliche-filled scenarios and sloppy, trite dialogue).

There has been much commentary about how so-and-so character (all of the 3 leads) was unlikeable, etc. - but that's really misguided (interesting to note how some really disliked YR, while other disliked TH or HJ the most - that's a sign that the writer was doing her job) since none of them were really bad, but just had flaws like actual people (note all the K-romcoms on my list were devoid of the 1-dimensional "evil" character and that pretty much all the characters, both lead and supporting had their good and not so good points and were overall likeable).

In particular, both viewers and characters in DoR (including YR herself) referring to YR as a "b!tch" was a bit unfair.

Aside from not telling HJ who TH was from the start (let's not forget that TH kept YR in the dark about AR) - YR didn't do anything that really deserves that description.

YR from the start had no feelings towards TH other than hatred (altho that 'hatred' really masked the fact that she did still have feelings; if she had been truly over TH, she wouldn't have such deep feelings, even if "hatred" for TH) and she would defend HJ whenever TH would make a disparaging remark about HJ (in contrast, HJ would remain silent when AR made similar remarks about YR, altho he did raise a protest when it came to the "scary unni" remark).

YR went into that work relationship w/ TH solely to earn $$ so that she could get married to HJ and had, at the time, no inclination of having a relationship w/ TH other than a professional one and maybe getting back at him a bit.

As it turned out, there was misunderstanding about their past and TH having changed for the better which restoked the passion/love that YR and TH had for each other.

YR understandably had to break it off w/ HJ - it wouldn't be fair to HJ or a good foundation for a marriage if YR's heart was with another.

While YR and HJ loved each other, it was more of a "comfortable" love w/ each not really knowing the other (which is why they evaded fights/hashing out the issues) and hence, keeping secrets; tho at the end, YR did know more about HJ than HJ...

^ Totally blanked on "Reply 1994" and "1997" also on my list for top K-romcoms, but at the same time, tend to separate out the cable/tvN shows from the network shows.

Another thing about YR - one could totally see how she was the way she was - due to her mother's relationship w/ her father, her relationship w/ her mother (kinda cold and business-like) and her relationship w/ her father (seemed like YR had that emotional bind w/ her father that she didn't have w/ her mother which is why her father's death really rocked her world, and the only other person who was as close was TH - which is why that was a double blow when YR ending up losing both).

Happy for the mother and Dir. Bae as neither seemed to have had happy marriages.

While the Sol and JH pairing was inevitable, a part of me wishes that the writer did not fully go down that path (besties finally becoming lovers had been done to death) - and the 2 were better as bickering besties, rather than the nauseating lovebirds (as cute as they were).

Think it would have been more interesting if JH had an inkling of feeling something more towards Sol when the other 2 suitors appeared and that they explored it a bit, but ultimately decided that they were better off as besties (was rooting for Dir. Yoon even tho I knew it wasn't going anywhere).

I'm glad that the writer did not have TH fall in love w/ AR b/c that would have made things a bit icky and that that we see the 2 together again w/ their future ambiguous.

Do they just restart their brother/sister relationship after years of being apart or does this become something else (while the 2 saw themselves as bro/sis growing up, after so many years apart, the 2 have changed so much that they didn't recognize each other)?

One thing great about DoR was that pretty much all the characters changed and developed over time and the change was believable.

Regarding the acting, I know that Eric had been criticized for his acting in the past ("MW the Spy"), but he really did a good job here displaying emotions.

The wonder a good script/dialogue and a good PD can do for an actor (same went for KTH in "My Princess", Lee Yeon-hee in "Miss Korea", Go Ah-ra in "Reply 1994" and YEH in "Coffee Prince"); speaking of "Reply 1994" some connections to DoR.

1st time seeing Kim Seul-gi and Yoon Hyun-min in anything and was glad for the intro - both have talent (both acting and comedic) and in particular, can see big things in KSG's future.

Can totally see KSG following in the footsteps of Gong hyo-jin in being a romcom queen (playing more quirky roles) who is also noted for her acting.

As for Jung Yumi, another excellent performance (she can do so much w/ the slightest change of expression).

Usually, actors look a bit ridiculous in flashbacks, but JY's younger YR did really seem more innocent/freshfaced and not hardened w/ life's experiences that we see w/ the later YR.

From the start, I found certain...

This is quite a painful ending to watch for me since I was rooting for Ha Jin to actually end up with YR. But the more I thought about it, the more I felt bad for him because I felt like YR was just using him to practice the way she tames men. Well at least it had that kind of feel to it especially in the beginning where she would refuse to say sorry even when she was in the wrong, and she would never call first after a fight because she learned from KTH's relationship not to do that. Anyways, DoJoon and Sol couple made me happy in the ending at least and I loved how DoJoon got the guts to actually call out YR for being a "bitch" to his friend (Ha Jin). It was true, she treated the nice guy (which I know is an endangered species in this world) like dirt. She has this logic of push and pull in a relationship which is fine but she did more pushing than pulling for sure. She pushed Ha Jin to the point where he wasn't acting the way he would and would get into fist fights with KTH over YR. I could tell the guy really fought for YR both figuratively and literally speaking. And the most ironic thing I found was that YR should know best out of the entire char how much it feels like to love the person more than your significant other loves you. She knows this but despite knowing this pain she still continues to still have "accidental" feelings for KTH. I wish she was more honest just the same as how HJ should have been more honest with her too. He was to forgiving and she was too indecisive. I kinda wish in my own creation imaginary drama world haha that she would not end up with any of the guys. Two timing and getting no one in the end was the lesson I would have wanted in this drama but I know I'm too much of a downer. Just a thought though.

I LOVE this drama. For once we didm't have "bad" people and "good" people. They were just people, flawed. Just as we are...
Yeo Rim is a human being, she is not perfect. She suffered a great loss, she was neglected by her then bf. She has the RIGHT to be upset and "vengeful" when she met him again. Still her vengence didn't go that far... and it was mostly self defence with Tae Ha pushing her. She didn't WANT Tae Ha back in her life after all.
The only one really bugging me was Ha Jin who kept meeting his "sister" without explaining homself to Yeorim.

People should learn to accept that feelings cannot be controled. You can control your actions, but not your heart.
Also the misoginy of some comment is appealing. I suppose these people would judged a victim of rape as the "one who wanted it."

I was so hoping that they would NOT get together at the end. After all the ups & downs, I was just SO over it, and wanted THEM to be, too.

But they got together. She tracked him down. It ended cutely. But what a monumental waste of time for them (it took a year).

And what a revelation the guy who played Ha Jin was. Just to watch his emotions flit over his face was amazing - without even saying a word - he's just so natural.

Now I intend to watch everything he's ever done. As well as Que Sera Sera, which has the same two leads, Eric and Yu-mi, as Lyn (up there) recommended.

DRAMALLAMA wrote: ***Yeo-reum claims that she’s become nicer and urges him [Tae-ha] to change his mind: “We’re both bad people. Why hurt all the better people of the world?”***

However, in the version I saw, it was hilariously translated as: "You're a jerk. I'm a bitch. Why bother drying up other people's blood?" Which was one of the highlights of the finale for me! I'm hoping I can work that phrase into a conversation somehow! ;)

Just because YR said at the end "you're jerk, I'm bitch…" some people make this conclusion as the reason they deserved each other. YR/T, yes they aren't perfect person, same as Ha Jin, Sol and Joon Ho and others too. But they realized their mistakes, they made proper apologies, they grows mature through their mistakes that's why they deserve second chance, especially when their heart still belongs to each other. So, when someone said TH/YR shouldn't end up together, I think we, as the viewers becoming mean to both characters as we know exactly how they're still in love yet hoping the two separated.

This series is such a gem! Great cast (especially Kim Seul-gi, Eric), fantastic directing and production. The finale wrapped up everything neatly. My favorite parts in this finale were:
- when the writer explained to Director Yoon that she interviewed her characters. During the series, I was wondering whether the series was going for "The Office"-esque of interview. I liked how the writer "shined" in the finale - glad to see how it all worked out for her.
- Yeo-Reum using her new "tricks" with Tae-ha at the end of the finale to show she's on the same level as him now. All the characters truly matured :)

I watch this drama because of eric, he is so hot!! But dont like drama story... too boring, but I still wants to see eric's face....lol

Thanks for all the recaps!

Without doubt, my pick for best drama of the year.

Low TV ratings, plenty of frustrations, but the fact that this is No1 on mobile/Internet, and the fact there it inspired SO DEEP discussions is a sign of its beauty.

Thanks Eric, Yoo MI, Writer Nim and all the cast:))))!

Luv Luv Luv this drama. I haven't seen Eric in his previous shows but I'm glad I watched this one. Jung yumi is always pretty. There were dragging moments but over - all, it's relatable, refreshing and realistic. I'm a woman, friend, lover and wife in my 30 ' s, there are many situations in this show that I kinda went thru myself. But I'm still not sure if YR had sex with K went she came over when she was drunk? Did I miss it?

One of my favorite rom-com. This is one of the best written love story. The story of how a girl try to find her true love. So, I guess it will be better to put the tittle 'Discovery of Love' rather than 'Discovery of Romance.' One thing is clear, Han Yeo Reum, the girl from unhappy family (due to her mom and dad had bad relationship in the past), try to find her happiness from other people arounds her and it effects her personalities. She always try to get people attention because she doesn't get much from her family. Joon Ho and Sol were and always her best friends. However, once she met Kang Tae Ha as her first love, the guy becoming her 'everything'. She shared everything with him. No wonder, until all these years, even just by looking her face, Tae Ha could predict what's in her mind. She lets Tae Ha knows every single things about her and not allowed others come to know even when she meet another guy (Nam Ha Jin). Nam Ha Jin and Yeo Reum really did effort to show their happiness by showing affections, but both never realized that relationship isn't all about skinship. Relationship is about trust, comfortable, sharing your happiness and sadness together. This is why at the end, Nam Ha Jin told her he never felt happy and insecure during their relationship. I could see Yeo Reum actually good girl. First, when she said she wanted to get revenge to Tae Ha once she knows this guy fall for her again, but she didn't do any strange actions. Second, she accepted Ha Jin's proposal and try not to leave him because she knows Ha Jin is the type of guy who is really sensitive and can't see the separated between them. Third, she choose to break up with both because she realized how bad her attitude towards both of them. Yeo Reum's heart belongs to Tae Ha. and vice versa.. Glad they end up together, because it's so painful to watch two person in love so deeply but couldn't be together for whole episodes…Thanks to @Dramalama and @Lolypop for this recap… Hope to see another collaboration from Eric-Yoo Mi in the future.

thank you for the recaps, I'll miss this drama!!
I loved the ending!

Finale!!! Yeee….Tae Ha and Yeo Reum at the end….how I wish they have more lovely moments. Anyway, love the series, I enjoyed it a lot. I'll miss all the casts, especially Eric. God…he looks hot as hell in the last episode. I can't imagine if he wore this kind of style from the beginning of episode. I think I can't take it…Too hot too handle…I bet Yoo Mi also suffering from his hotness too …LOL...

tho its ending a bit (very a bit) disappointed but still, i love this drama so much and it makes me find another model-actor to love. Sungjun is the best with his explosiveness mad at Eric kkkkk
hope they meet again in another project. love Sungjun, Eric and Yumi

That was a nice drama,but I really wished that she ends with hajin! Not taeha!!he was so bad to her in their last relationship,hoe can she trust her again !!anyway maybe he changed !but she could be happy with hajin more,and I think they look better together than she and taeha.don't think so??
I'm sad for hajin.I will marry you oppa.don't be sad:'(
Hehe^^

Kang Tae Ha is the most well written male lead character ever in k-drama. Started from jerk, childish, dorky and teaser but becoming mature, lovely and protective guy at the end...

I wanted her to be alone and live with her 100 cats "ajumma wiz the cats"...she doesn't deserve either of those guys

Can I be completely unconventional and say that the led couple actually really REALLY ticked me off in this drama. Don't get me wrong, I really loved the drama. But, I felt the ending would have been better if she was with neither and spent some time reflecting on herself.

Honestly, the only reason she didn't work with Ha Jin is because she lied continuously through her teeth about her past with Tae Ha, assuming that he would get all jealous and stupid about it. But, Ha Jin and Yeo Reum didn't end because there was "no love left", its because she wasn't honest. If he had been told in the earlier episodes they could have worked on strengthening their relationship despite everything and Ha Jin would have gotten over the fact that he was just an ex-lover. What she did to Ha Jin was completely unfair and kind of cruel. The counter argument to this is that he was going after Ah Rim. But was he really, there may have been some leftover feelings of puppy/first love. However, from my perspective it was mainly a guilt thing which caused him to look for her and keep going back. After all he spent most of episode 15 and 16 completely depressed over Yeo Reum but I didn't see that reaction with Ah Rim. Which can only lead me to the conclusion that he loved her far more than he was interested in his "first love".

(part 2 of my ramble to come)

Really I'm pissed. Why!? CAN I HAVE JUST ONE GOOOD DRAMA where the SECOND LEAD get's the girl!? Like please!!!!! Until that happens all these dramas are cliche. CLICHE CLICHE CLICHE!

Just watched "Discovery" and read your review. Amazing how viewpoints differ. Never felt Yeo Reum grow at all. Her smugness at the end, looking so confident when she approached heart-wounded Tae Ha, was stupifying. And when she insists she didn't really mean to find him we know she is still lying to stay on top--spinning nonsense about coincidence being better than fate--when their meeting was neither one of those. As for the drama, yes I get it, that's what the writer considers 'real' relationships to be…yet the bleak landscape of love pictured here, with a "bitchy" female lead, her cold mother, and equally selfish, diva bestfriend distanced me so much that I felt sorry for ALL the males in this drama. I'm so lucky not to have friends like ANY of the women in this story. The writer clearly does. I guess all of us have different "Discoveries of Love"--this one made me feel hollow.

God!!!!!i really wanted yeo reum,to end up wit ha jin......:-(buh i knew her fate was wit tae ha....such a downer