“High-End Crush” is a 2015 Korean drama, 20 episodes, categorized as Romance and Comedy (Rom-Com). This web drama is streaming on Viki, KOCOWA+, and The Roku Channel.
- Memorable Quote: “Where am I supposed to find someone for the rehearsal?”
SUMMARY: A top star vanishes right before a major photo shoot, and an unknown girl is brought in as a last-minute stand-in and unexpectedly steals the spotlight. When the CEO tries to sign her, she refuses and disappears.
♦ I Can Make Anyone a Top Star!
In “High-End Crush”, Choi Se-Hoon is a brilliant, wildly successful, and incredibly arrogant CEO of a major entertainment management agency. He is known in the industry as a hitmaker with a Midas touch—every idol, actor, and star he takes under his wing skyrockets to fame. He is wealthy, handsome, and painfully aware of his own perfection. Since most people bow to his every whim, he has developed a massive ego and zero humility.
For Choi Se-Hoon, everything and everyone can be bought, managed, and controlled. He truly believes that. That is until he meets Yoo Yi-Ryeong. Unlike the ambitious, fame-hungry trainees Choi Se-Hoon deals with daily, Yoo Yi-Ryeong is a pure, down-to-earth young woman. She lives a quiet, isolated life in the countryside, and she likes it like that. Her grandfather raised her in a traditional mountain home, and she is completely detached from life in modern society, especially Seoul. She has absolutely no interest in wealth, fashion trends, or celebrity status. Why trade her happy life for the ruthless world of entertainment?
But She’s Nobody! (??)
Yoo Yi-Ryeong is an accidental discovery. A real celebrity was scheduled for a photo shoot but refused to show up for work. But you know what they say in the entertainment world? “The show must go on”. The show. The photo shoot. Whatever! If the person hired for the job doesn’t appear, then somebody has to take their place. Yoo Yi-Ryeong got recruited. The next thing she knew, she was in front of a camera. To everyone’s surprise, she was “perfect”! The camera loved her.
Choi Se-Hoon’s first encounter with Yoo Yi-Ryeong is memorable. Surprisingly, he can remember even though she literally knocked him out. When he regained consciousness, he was told that she was the replacement. He is immediately struck not just by her ethereal, natural beauty, but by her total lack of interest in him. However, he recognizes her immense potential to become “his” next big superstar, and Choi Se-Hoon resolves to sign her to his agency. He assumes it will be an easy task—after all, who would turn down a golden ticket to stardom from the industry’s top mogul?
Fame and Fortune? No Thanks! What About Love? Uuhhh …???
Choi Se-Hoon is shocked when Yoo Yi-Ryeong flatly rejects his offer. She doesn’t want to be famous. She really meant what she said, and so she disappears. Unused to hearing the word “NO,” Choi Se-Hoon becomes obsessively determined to change her mind. He goes to desperate lengths to scout her ~ even venturing out of his comfort zone and into the countryside where she lives.
Choi Se-Hoon begins to develop genuine feelings for Yoo Yi-Ryeong. For the first time in his life, the powerful CEO finds himself completely helpless, navigating the unfamiliar and chaotic waters of his very first love. Not only does Yoo Yi-Ryeong not want fame and fortune, but she isn’t pursuing him for romance either. Choi Se-Hoon might not be able to persuade her to become a celebrity. But can he persuade her to fall in love with him?
Main Characters:
- Choi Se-Hoon (played by Jung Il-Woo, “Our Golden Days”, “Golden Rainbow”, “Highway Family”, “Bossam – Steal the Fate”, “Haechi”, “The Moon Embracing The Sun”, “Il Ji-Mae”, “My Fair Lady”, “Diary of a Night Watchman“, “Good Job”)
- Yoo Yi-Ryeong (played by Jin Se-Yun, “Bad Memory Eraser”, “Queen: Love and War”, “Grand Prince”, “The Flower in Prison”, “The Duo”, “The Item”, “Recipe For Love“, “Operation Chromite”, “Born Again”, “Inspiring Generation”, “Bridal Mask”)
Where to Watch: Viki, KOCOWA+, and The Roku Channel
Viewership and Rating:
- IMDb: 7.1 out of 10 stars
- My Drama List: 7.6 out of 10 stars
- Viki viewers’ rating: 9.1 out of 10 stars
My personal rating is the same as the Viki viewing audience.
This delightful Korean comedy ended up on my watch list because it was recommended via the KOCOWA+ blog. To borrow the description in the KOCOWA+ entertainment blog, “High End Crush” has “classic K-Drama romance energy”. The main character played by Jung Il-Woo is a CEO who can “make anyone a star”. The male lead’s character is a parody of the stereotypical “genius entertainment CEO”.
“High-End Crush” is a delightful, fast-paced South Korean romantic comedy that perfectly captures the classic “opposites attract” trope with a modern, entertainment-industry twist. It is a laugh-out-loud comedy, sweet romance, and the unexpected K-pop celebrity cameos make it a fan favorite for those who enjoy lighthearted rom-coms.
LINKS OF INTEREST:
New K-Dramas and Korean Shows on KOCOWA+ to Watch in April 2026.” KOCOWA+ Blog: Best of KDrama & KVariety News
Jung Il-Woo Shines in Web Drama High-End Crush » Dramabeans Korean Drama Recaps. | Dramabeans
Currently Watching: High-End Crush. | My Myooz
Mid Review: High-End Crush. | Crazy About Asian Dramas
High End Crush Korean Drama Review. | Kdrama Kisses (“… an easy pleasant watch.”)
TRAILER/TEASER:
Dimsum Entertainment. “High End Crush Official Trailer.” YouTube, 6 Jun. 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3amez_YftM.
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