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When Business Proposal dropped on Netflix and SBS, it took the romantic comedy world by storm. Based on a wildly popular webtoon by HaeHwa, the series follows an ordinary food researcher who goes on a blind date disguised as her wealthy friend—only to discover her date is actually the CEO of her company. That classic fake-dating trope works because of exceptional chemistry among the actors.
Knowing the faces behind the characters elevates your watch. The four lead actors—Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Se-jeong, Kim Min-kyu, and Seol In-ah—carry a tight 12-episode arc that balances high-stakes corporate comedy with genuine emotional beats. Let's look past the surface and break down the cast, their backgrounds, and the breakout roles that shaped their careers.
Ahn Hyo-seop as Kang Tae-moo
Ahn Hyo-seop plays Kang Tae-moo, the cold, hyper-rational CEO of GO Food who is obsessed with efficiency and deadlines. Tae-moo's initial rigidity melts away as he navigates a fake relationship with his employee, Shin Ha-ri, leading to some of the most memorable comedic and romantic beats in modern Korean television.
Career Background and Breakthroughs
Before landing Business Proposal, Ahn built a steady resume in historical and medical dramas. He trained as a K-pop idol under JYP Entertainment before pivoting to acting, a background that helped him secure roles in Dr. Romantic 2 and Lovers of the Red Sky. His portrayal of Tae-moo earned him multiple accolades, including the Best Couple Award (with Kim Se-jeong) at the SBS Drama Awards.
Character Dynamics and Performance Style
Ahn's performance relies heavily on micro-expressions. He shifts from an unapproachable executive to a deeply affectionate partner with subtle changes in posture and tone. Notice how his stiff walk and clipped speech during early office scenes contrast sharply with his relaxed, vulnerable demeanor during the private dates with Ha-ri.
Kim Se-jeong as Shin Ha-ri
Kim Se-jeong stars as Shin Ha-ri, a senior food researcher who takes her friend's place on a blind date to sabotage it. Instead, she gets entangled with her company's CEO. Ha-ri's quick thinking, double life as "Shin Geum-hui," and absolute loyalty to her family anchor the show's comedic heart.
Musical Roots and Acting Transition
Kim first gained widespread public attention through the survival reality show Produce 101, finishing second and debuting in the project girl group I.O.I, followed by Gugudan. She transitioned smoothly into acting, proving her dramatic chops in School 2017 and her physical prowess in the demon-fighting thriller The Uncanny Counter.
Improvised Comedy and Physicality
Much of Ha-ri's charm stems from Kim's willingness to lean into slapstick and over-the-top facial expressions. Her transformation into the unhinged "Geum-hui" involves specific vocal ticks and chaotic energy that elevate the standard rom-com heroine trope. For more on her musical and television journey, you can check her profile on Soompi.
Kim Min-kyu as Cha Sung-hoon
Kim Min-kyu portrays Cha Sung-hoon, Tae-moo's loyal secretary and best friend. Sung-hoon is professional, grounded, and fiercely protective of his boss. His quiet demeanor hides a sharp wit and a deep moral compass, making him the perfect counterpart to Tae-moo's intense personality.
Rise Through Supporting Roles
Kim spent years carving out a niche in historical and action-oriented television, landing memorable parts in Because This Is My First Life and the historical drama Queen: Love and War. His breakout came with the political thriller Snowdrop, where he played a complex North Korean agent.
The Iconic Glasses Removal Scene
Sung-hoon's romance with Jin Young-seo forms the secondary couple arc, which often rivals the main couple in viewer popularity. One specific moment—where Kim removes his glasses before kissing Young-seo in an alleyway—became a viral cultural touchstone across TikTok and Instagram.
Seol In-ah as Jin Young-seo
Seol In-ah plays Jin Young-seo, Ha-ri's wealthy best friend and marketing team lead for a marine company. Young-seo refuses an arranged marriage, hires Ha-ri to ruin the blind date, and promptly falls head over heels for the man across the hall: Secretary Cha.
Early Career and Variety Show Success
Seol started with minor roles in projects like Strong Woman Do Bong-soon and School 2017. Before Business Proposal, she gained recognition for her work in the weekend family drama Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life, which earned her an Excellence Award at the KBS Drama Awards. She is also known for her sharp comedic timing and athletic background.
Chemistry and Empowered Romance
Young-seo breaks away from the meek second-lead trope common in older K-dramas. She pursues Sung-hoon with directness and clear boundaries. Seol's energetic delivery and natural rapport with Kim Min-kyu made their storyline a masterclass in supporting-character writing.
The Supporting Ensemble
While the main four steal the screen, the supporting cast provides the social context and workplace chaos that drives the plot forward.
Lee Deok-hwa as Chairman Kang
Veteran actor Lee Deok-hwa plays Chairman Kang Da-goo, Tae-moo's grandfather and founder of GO Food. He orchestrates the blind dates to force his grandson into marriage, acting as an enthusiastic matchmaker who watches morning soap operas for dating inspiration. Lee's decades of experience bring warmth and comedic timing to the patriarch role.
Kim Kwang-kyu and Jung Young-shin as Ha-ri's Parents
Kim Kwang-kyu plays Ha-ri's father, Shin Joong-hae, who runs a failing fried chicken restaurant. Jung Young-shin plays her mother, Han Mi-mo, who works tirelessly alongside him. Their family dynamic grounds the show, highlighting the financial pressures and everyday warmth of working-class Seoul life.
Choi Byung-chan as Shin Ha-min
Played by former VICTON member Choi Byung-chan, Ha-min is Ha-ri's younger brother. He serves as an observant sibling who sees right through Ha-ri's chaotic cover stories, adding a layer of sibling bickering that feels authentic to Korean family life.
Behind the Scenes and Production Impact
The success of Business Proposal wasn't accidental. Directed by Park Seon-ho, the production team leaned heavily into the webtoon aesthetic, using bright color palettes, animated text overlays, and visual gags that mirrored manhwa panels.
Why the Adaptation Worked
Many webtoon adaptations struggle because they try to force static drawings into realistic television structures. Business Proposal embraced the heightened reality of its source material. The actors played their ridiculous situations with total sincerity, turning potential cringe into genuine charm. You can read more about how production companies pitch and adapt webtoons on The Hollywood Reporter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Business Proposal?
The series streams globally on Netflix, where it consistently ranks among the platform's most-watched non-English television shows.
Is Business Proposal getting a second season?
No second season is planned. The 12-episode run adapts the core narrative arc of the original webtoon cleanly, wrapping up the main and secondary couples' storylines without loose ends.
Were any of the cast members idols before acting?
Yes. Ahn Hyo-seop trained as an idol singer under JYP Entertainment before switching to acting, and Kim Se-jeong debuted successfully in the K-pop groups I.O.I and Gugudan.
Who sings the OST for the series?
The original soundtrack features tracks by popular Korean artists, including MeloMance, VICTON, and standing egg, alongside vocals from lead actress Kim Se-jeong herself.
