Love-hate is in the air for Kang So-ra and Jang Seung-jo

by stroopwafel

ENA’s latest rom-com, Can We Be Strangers, is set to premiere soon, and its latest teaser gives us a more in-depth look at the storyline and the show’s leads. The drama stars Kang So-ra (Revolutionary Love) and Jang Seung-jo (Good Detective 2) as divorce lawyers who are a divorced couple. Drama writers Fate conspires to bring the two divorcees back into each other’s orbits when they end up working at the same law firm.

Several familiar faces in the supporting cast make appearances in the promo video. Jeon Bae-soo (Extraordinary Attorney Woo) will play Seo Han-gil, one of the firm’s managing partners. The other partner, Hong Yeo-rae, will be played by Gil Hae-yeon (Trolley). In the role of Kang Bi-chwi, lawyer and friend to Kang So-ra’s character, is Jo Eun-ji (Human Disqualification). Playing another lawyer at the same firm, Lee Jae-won (Dr. Brain) will take on the role of Kwon Shi-wook.

The promo video shifts between real life and wacky imaginings as Oh Ha-ra (Kang So-ra) and Gu Eun-bum (Jang Seung-jo) are forced to interact. The video begins in an imaginary remote desert, with Eun-bum dangling off a cliff’s edge. Ha-ra’s voice rings out in anger, “You want me to share an office with my ex-husband? You’re a scumbag.” Eun-bum looks hopeful when he sees Ha-ra approach, but unfortunately for him she doesn’t move to help him. She merely asks, “Where’s this month’s alimony payment?”

As he slips and he falls backward into nothingness, we slip back into reality. They’re in court, working as opposing counsel and as Ha-ra muses to herself, “We’ll just have to face off,” we’re back in the desert. The Wild West to be exact, and they’re decked out as cowpeople (which I assume is the correct plural for cowboy and cowgirl). They draw their pistols but before any shots are fired, their boss Han-gil interrupts and in exasperation tells Eun-bum, “Get back together then. Or marry her off to someone.”

Eun-bum gets all bright-eyed and has a eureka moment. He invites Ha-ra out to a restaurant…for a blind date. She’s dumbfounded when she realizes what’s happening, but he just proudly introduces her to her prospective future husband, exclaiming, “Tada! Surprise!” complete with jazz fingers. Bi-chwi advises Ha-ra, “Just kill him.” Ha-ra gives a sly smile and replies, “That would be best.” The screen cuts to a text statement, and is interspersed with moments from their lives. “Divorce is easy. Breaking up is hard. The love and work of divorce lawyers.”

Shi-wook mutters, “Hate is a form of love too. It may run even hotter.” He may be speaking from experience as we see snippets of Bi-chwi and Shi-wook’s office relationship. They argue, and the fight goes from Bi-chwi angrily backing him up against a wall — then grabbing his collar and going in for a kiss.

The camera cuts to another grab, this time Ha-ra grabbing Eun-bum’s wrist. They seem to be in bed together but it’s not clear if this is a pre-divorce memory or a post-divorce reverie. Just as the two are about to kiss, the camera cuts to Ha-ra patting her cheeks in a fervor and calling herself crazy. Yeo-rae asks mockingly in voiceover, “Are you really a veteran divorce lawyer?” In glimpses of the law office and court, Ha-ra seems to have her confidence back and states, “Okay, let’s wrap this up.” The video winds down with a cute montage of the former couple first drinking with colleagues, then again drinking alone. Just when you think the video’s over the camera cuts to Ha-ra looking hungover in bed. She checks her phone’s call log from the previous night and every single call was to Eun-bum. She throws the phone down in horror, once again calling herself crazy.

I’ve enjoyed seeing things from Ha-ra’s perspective and there’s just so much emotion still lingering for her. Her feelings are huge, even if she’s not sure exactly which emotion(s) she’s feeling. Which makes me wonder about why they ended up divorced in the first place. Meddling in-laws? Infidelity? While I like seeing things from Ha-ra’s side, I’m more curious than ever about what the deal is with Eun-bum. He’s such a blank slate in comparison, more reactive and passive, and we haven’t yet seen what his feelings are toward his ex-wife. While she gets riled up on sight, he seems to have no reaction, to the point where it comes off as bit of a facade. I do love a good enemies-to-lovers story, so if this ends up being a lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers story, I’ll be happy.

Directed by Kim Yang-hee (Our Blues) and written by Park Sa-rang, ENA’s Can We Be Strangers will premiere on January 18.

Via Newsen
 
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