Crash Course in Romance

Crash Course in Romance (Korean: 일타 스캔들) is a 2023 South Korean television series directed by Yoo Je-won, and starring Jeon Do-yeon and Jung Kyung-ho. It aired on tvN from January 14 to March 5, 2023, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:10 (KST) for 16 episodes.^[5][6] It is also available for streaming on Netflix in selected regions.^[7]

Crash Course in Romance
Promotional poster
Hangul	일타 스캔들
Literal meaning	One Shot Scandal[1]
Revised Romanization	Ilta seukaendeul
McCune–Reischauer	Ilt'a sŭk'aendŭl
Genre	Romantic comedy[2]
Written by	Yang Hee-seung[1]
Directed by	Yoo Je-won[3]
Starring	Jeon Do-yeon Jung Kyung-ho
Music by	Lim Ha-young
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of episodes	16
Production
Producers	Jo Moon-joo Jeong Se-mi Lee Yoo-bin
Running time	70 minutes[4]
Production company	Studio Dragon[3]
Original release
Network	tvN
Release	January 14 (2023-01-14) – March 5, 2023 (2023-03-05)

The series was a commercial hit and became one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean cable television history.^{[citation needed]}

Synopsis

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]

Cast

Main

• Jeon Do-yeon as Nam Haeng-seon^[8][9]
  • Lee Yeon as young Haeng-seon^[10]

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.

• Jung Kyung-ho as Choi Chi-yeol^[8][9]
  • Kim Min-chul as young Chi-yeol^[11]

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.

Supporting

People around Haeng-seon

• Roh Yoon-seo as Nam Hae-yi^[12]

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.

• Oh Eui-shik as Nam Jae-woo^[13]

Haeng-seon's younger brother who has Asperger syndrome.

• Lee Bong-ryun as Kim Young-joo^[14]

Haeng-seon's friend who works at her shop.

• Kim Mi-kyung as Jung Young-soon^[15]

Haeng-seon's mother.

People around Chi-yeol

• Shin Jae-ha as Ji Dong-hee / Jeong Seong-hyeon^[16][17]

Chi-yeol's manager.

• Kim Da-huin as Jeon Jong-ryeol^[18]

Chi-yeol's friend who is a teacher at Woorim High School.

People in the apartment

• Jang Young-nam as Jang Seo-jin^[19]

Seon-jae's mother who is an attorney.

• Lee Chae-min as Lee Seon-jae^[20]

A student at class 2-1, Hae-yi's best friend who has a crush on her.

• Kim Tae-jung as Lee Hee-jae^[21]

Seon-jae's older brother who gave up higher studies and stays at home.

• Kim Sun-young as Jo Su-hee^[22][23]

Su-ah's mother who is obsessed with her studies.

• Kang Na-eon as Bang Su-ah^[24]

A student at class 2-1 who has a rivalry with Hae-yi.

• Hwang Bo-ra as Lee Mi-ok^[22][25]

Dan-ji's mother.

• Ryu Da-in as Jang Dan-ji^[22][26]

A student at class 2-1, close friend of Hae-yi and Seon-jae.

• Lee Min-jae as Seo Geon-hu^[27]

A student in class 2-1 who is an ice hockey athlete. Later, he is diagnosed with a serious shoulder injury and has to stop playing.

People in the hagwon

• Heo Jeong-do as Kang Joon-sang^[28]

The director of The Pride Academy.

• Ji Il-joo as Jin Yi-sang^[28]

An instructor at The Pride Academy.

Extended

• Yoo Jun as Lee Young-min^[29][30]

A student in the intensive class at The Pride Academy who falls from the roof and dies.

• Choi Hee-jin as Young-min's mother^[31]
• Lee Do-hye as Jeong Su-hyeon^[32]

Chi-yeol's student who dies by suicide.

• Jung Han-seol as Detective Bae^[30]

A detective who handles the case of Young-min's death.

• Kim Joon-won as Lee Seung-won^[33]

Seon-jae and Hee-jae's father.

Special appearances

• Yoon Seok-hyun as Song Jun-ho^[34]
• Bae Yoon-kyung as Hong Hye-yeon^[35]
• Lee Sang-yi as YouTuber "Mr. Popular"^[36][37]
• Bae Hae-sun as Nam Haeng-ja, Hae-yi's biological mother^[38]

Episodes

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]

Media

Original soundtrack

Part 1

Released on January 15, 2023^[42][43]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Gypsophila" (안개꽃)	Oh Dong-jun	Oh Dong-jun	Lee Ju-hyuk	3:32
2.	"Gypsophila" (안개꽃; Inst.)		Oh Dong-jun		3:32
Total length:					7:04

Part 2

Released on January 22, 2023^[44][45]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"It's Sunny Today" (오늘은 맑음)	Jung Gu-hyun Aseul	Jung Gu-hyun	Grass	3:06
2.	"It's Sunny Today" (오늘은 맑음; Inst.)		Jung Gu-hyun		3:06
Total length:					6:12

Part 3

Released on January 29, 2023^[46][47]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"The Opposite Side" (반대편)	Hong Ye-jin	Hong Ye-jin	Lee Juck	4:10
2.	"The Opposite Side" (반대편; Inst.)		Hong Ye-jin		4:10
Total length:					8:20

Part 4

Released on February 5, 2023^[48][49]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"At Night" (간밤에)	Dailog	Dailog Hen	Giriboy	2:52
2.	"At Night" (간밤에; Inst.)		Dailog Hen		2:52
Total length:					5:44

Part 5

Released on February 12, 2023^[50][51]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Alright"	Jin Dong-wook	Jin Dong-wook	Ha Hyun-sang	3:22
2.	"Alright" (Inst.)		Jin Dong-wook		3:22
Total length:					6:44

Part 6

Released on February 26, 2023^[52][53]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Love Code [1+1=1]"	MaO Naiv	Naiv	Vincent Blue	3:37
2.	"Love Code [1+1=1]" (Inst.)		Naiv		3:37
Total length:					7:14

Tie-in publishing

The series' original script was published into two books; each covers eight episodes.^[54]

Year	Title		Author	Publisher	Published date	ISBN
	English	Korean
2023	1ta Scandal: Yang Hee-seung and Yeo Eun-ho's script book 1	일타 스캔들: 양희승·여은호 대본집 1	Yang Hee-seung and Yeo Eun-ho	Wisdom House	April 12, 2023	979-1-1681-2597-1
	1ta Scandal: Yang Hee-seung and Yeo Eun-ho's script book 2	일타 스캔들: 양희승·여은호 대본집 2				979-1-1681-2598-8

Reception

Viewership

Season		Episode number																Average
		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
	1	0.971	1.461	1.354	1.819	2.242	2.660	2.433	3.010	2.505	3.232	3.076	3.328	2.855	3.646	3.755	4.329	2.667

Crash Course in Romance : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)

Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.^[55]

Average TV viewership ratings

Ep.	Original broadcast date	Average audience share (Nielsen Korea)[55]
		Nationwide	Seoul
1	January 14, 2023	4.044% (1st)	4.315% (1st)
2	January 15, 2023	5.819% (1st)	6.076% (1st)
3	January 21, 2023	5.038% (1st)	5.253% (1st)
4	January 22, 2023	7.559% (1st)	8.109% (1st)
5	January 28, 2023	9.145% (1st)	10.450% (1st)
6	January 29, 2023	10.978% (1st)	12.030% (1st)
7	February 4, 2023	9.730% (1st)	10.799% (1st)
8	February 5, 2023	11.823% (1st)	13.571% (1st)
9	February 11, 2023	10.409% (1st)	12.106% (1st)
10	February 12, 2023	13.501% (1st)	15.958% (1st)
11	February 18, 2023	12.468% (1st)	14.643% (1st)
12	February 19, 2023	12.997% (1st)	15.159% (1st)
13	February 25, 2023	11.359% (1st)	12.913% (1st)
14	February 26, 2023	14.296% (1st)	16.977% (1st)
15	March 4, 2023	15.507% (1st)	18.405% (1st)
16	March 5, 2023	17.038% (1st)	19.797% (1st)
Average		10.731%	12.285%
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]

Accolades

Awards and nominations

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee	Result	Ref.
Baeksang Arts Awards	2023	Best Actor – Television	Jung Kyung-ho	Nominated	[61]
		Best New Actress – Television	Roh Yoon-seo	Won	[62]
Brand Customer Loyalty Awards	2023	Best Actor – Drama	Jung Kyung-ho	Won	[63]
Scene Stealer Festival		Scene Stealer of the Year	Hwang Bo-ra	Won	[64]

Listicle

Publisher	Year	Listicle	Placement	Ref.
Time	2023	The 10 Best Korean Dramas of 2023 on Netflix	Included	[65]

Notes

1. 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]