Noh Jung-eui dreams of campus romance in Crushology 101

7 March 29, 2025March 29, 2025

Noh Jung-eui dreams of campus romance in Crushology 101

by solstices

Heart-fluttering courtship is in the air with the two latest teasers for MBC’s upcoming webtoon adaptation Crushology 101. In this light-hearted campus rom-com, Noh Jung-eui takes a 180 degree turn from her lonely outcast in The Witch, stepping into the shoes of an affable second-year college student who can’t help but go starry-eyed at all the pretty boys around her.

Said heroine is Ban Hee-jin, who jovially introduces herself as just “Bunny.” With decent grades, a well-liked personality, and a loving family, Hee-jin is competent in all aspects except one — love. With little dating experience, and a kind heart that got trampled on by her ex who was ugly on both the outside and the inside, Hee-jin resolves to only date someone good-looking henceforth.

Sighing wistfully that she wants to experience the cherry blossoms with a pretty boyfriend, Hee-jin laments her fate to her friends: “I’m telling you, handsome guys don’t have any interest in me!” But she’s about to be proven wrong, and we get a montage of the four candidates who are striving to earn Hee-jin’s affection.

There’s the capable student rep Hwang Jae-yeol, played by her Hierarchy co-star Lee Chae-min, who boldly approaches her amidst a crowd of curious onlookers. In contrast, the mild-mannered arts student Cha Ji-won — played by Jo Joon-young (All That We Loved) — thoughtfully buckles Hee-jin’s seatbelt for her. Then there’s the sculptor Jo Ah-rang, played by Kim Hyun-jin (My Sweet Mobster), whose beautiful smile may as well have him blending right in with his artwork. Last but not least, we have Hong Min-ki (Study Group) as the sharp-eyed sports student Jin Hyun-oh.

The sudden attention throws Hee-jin into a flustered frenzy, and she indignantly exclaims: if he doesn’t like her, why would he have escorted her all the way home? Thus begins a four-way competition for Hee-jin’s heart, which sometimes escalates to petty jostling and rushing to be the first to check Hee-jin’s temperature. Other times, it ends with two suitors cuddling in bed, each thinking the other is Hee-jin. LOL.

With our heroine as the innocently naive bunny at the center of it all, which suitor will she ultimately end up with? The brusque and prickly fox Jae-yeol, whose tsundere exterior belies a sincere heart? The reliable and considerate puppy Ji-won, who devotes his all to the one person he likes? The sweet and gentle cat Ah-rang, with a tender smile and an artistic flair? Or the athletic and fearless wolf Hyun-oh, who’s never liked anyone before Hee-jin came along?

As for Hee-jin, who dreams of a romantic cherry blossom ending with her true love, she can’t help but wonder: “Do they really… like me?” If the captions on the character posters are anything to go by, though, they most certainly do. Jae-yeol can’t remain unaffected if Hee-jin keeps catching his attention whenever she’s around, while Ji-won is starting to chafe at the title of “close oppa” because he clearly wants to be more. Now all that’s left is for Hee-jin to figure out her own heart.

Helmed by PD Kim Ji-hoon (Check Out the Event), with scripts penned by Lee Seul (Dear M) and Sung So-eun (Twenty-Twenty), the twelve-episode Crushology 101 is slated for an April 4 premiere.

Via Newsen (1, 2)

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1 hacja

March 29, 2025 at 12:35 PM

This one sounds like a bittersweet, emotionally wrenching story of a young woman finding herself, amidst the social and political turmoil of contemporary Korea, each one of her prospective lovers a metaphor for the direction of the nation. Which will she choose? What path will Korea follow?

While I am of course curious to see her decision, I feel I am not the intended audience for this one, so I will somewhat regretfully give it a pass, while hoping that all who watch it are moved to laughter and tears, as they contemplate Korea's past and future.

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TwoCentsWorth

March 30, 2025 at 7:52 PM

😂😂😂 If you did watch, it’d be hilarious to hear your interpretations of (non-existent) themes.

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hacja

March 30, 2025 at 8:05 PM

Wouldn't it be great if I was right, though, and what seems like a total piece of fluff turned into one of the most meaningful kdramas ever? We'd all be stunned and have to watch it again and again, both for the complexity of its character portrayals and for the incredible way it foretold the future! (But no offense to the show, I think I'll just read the DB recaps and comments, though--there's only so much deep meaning I can take.)

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2 Dylan [My Dearest Undercover Potato]

March 29, 2025 at 5:37 PM

Those are some amazing posters.

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3 🌸 Seeker 🌸

March 29, 2025 at 8:48 PM

I was almost sure *cough* that I would be sitting this one out. Butthe teasers and the posters are really interesting. Sometimes a like fluff is all the heart wants. Also I like to see Noh Jung-eui smile ... finally. 🫶🏻🫶🏻