Sold Out On You Episode 1 Review: When Calm Meets Chaos

The premiere of Sold Out On You has arrived. The story is promised to set a tone for a rom-com with some compelling cast. We might think it is a typical opposites attract type of story but since we’re focusing on a countryside man and a corporate woman, the emotional weight is going to be much different. Let’s dive into the review to know how well the first episode did.

Sold Out On You Episode 1 has a runtime of 70 minutes.

Sold Out On You Episode 1 Review

Quick Recap

The premiere introduces us to Matthew Lee, who is known as Mechoori around his town. He is a rugged yet sweet farmer who loves the essence of small-town life. He isn’t an expressive fellow, but his small gestures, such as giving the town people a ride on his tractor, show that he cares about his townmates.

Then we’re introduced to Dam Ye-jin, a successful corporate woman who has almost everything except peace of mind. She is obsessed with work and perfection, but ultimately, it isn’t giving her the happiness she craves. Adding to her issues, her boyfriend breaks up with her, stating she’s too obsessed with work and isn’t prioritising anything else.

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A scene shows how Matthew’s nights are calm while Ye-jin’s are restless. We’re simultaneously shown in a split screen how their lives are way too different from each other. As the episode progresses, we see that Ye-jin’s insomnia is a cause of her past, where a cosmetic product she once promoted left her traumatised.

Then the last character, Eric Seo, is introduced, and we right away know that he is the second male lead. He is a mischievous guy, and we know that all he wants is Ye-jin. They seemed to have a history, but Ye-jin doesn’t remember him at first. With work that brings them together, she slowly begins to remember, and the love triangle eventually finds its foundation.

Performances

Ahn Hyo-seop as Matthew Lee works really well. In many of his series, Hyo-seop’s characters tend to have a poised trait, and so in this series, his being cast is a great choice. His subtle expressions works really well in certain small moments, and it portrays the character of Matthew Lee well. His vibe with the town and its people feels real and natural. His character is instantly likeable, thanks to him!

Likewise, Dam Ye-jin, played by Chae Won-bin, proves she’s a great actor. Her character is someone who will initially be hated by the audience, but seeing the vulnerable side to her, one would definitely realise she’s more than an obsessed office staff member. Won-bin has really done a good job in showing the fragility beneath the strong woman’s core. The insomnia and the trauma are all expressed well and well.

We have Kim Bum as Eric Seo. Honestly speaking, just seeing Kim Bum on screen is more than enough because Man-o-Man! He is a legendary actor, and almost every Kdrama fan loves him from the start.

Overall, the cast does an excellent job of grounding the story, making even the more familiar storyline feel engaging.

Direction and Editing

The direction is impressive in the first episode. The way the director has shown the contrast in the lives of the two leads is appreciable. The storytelling is effective, and thanks to the split screen scene, we know that the editing is amazing as well. The rural setting shows warmth and comfort, while the city life promises tension,

The way both the atmospheres are crafted, colour graded and captured shows how much work the team has put into the visual aspects of the series. One would definitely love the vibrancy of this series. The transitions between the two lives are something to show love to.

Themes

The main theme that the episode focuses on is the work-life balance. We see Matthew living a composed and grounded life. He does go to work, but it is not emotionally fulfilling for him. He doesn’t get to enjoy material riches but lives a life that gives peace. Whereas Ye-jin is extremely successful, rich and has a buzzing life but her personal life is crumbling.

Another theme is past trauma and guilt. Something in Ye-jin’s past has given her insomnia. Some guilt is torturing her because she’s trying to obsess over work so she can distract herself from remembering a particular incident. Likewise, Matthew choosing the quiet life also seems like a result of something much deeper. What is he trying to escape from?

Cons

Nothing is perfect, and that’s what makes some things beautiful. In this episode, we see that the pacing is quite fast, which could make the viewers not fixate on the plot. A lot of backstory and characters are introduced in just one episode, so it is hard to grasp them all. The gradual build-up can be harmed due to this. Additionally, the touch of mystery is also broken.

Another minor drawback is the familiarity of the story. Rich guy-poor girl, country guy-city girl and etc, are all familiar Kdrama tropes. It can get boring if there isn’t a subplot that’s actually engaging. We do see that Ye-jin has a trauma story, so it can be the saviour of this series.

Stream it or Skip it?

Stream it. Sold Out On You starts off on a promising note, delivering a well-balanced mix of fun, mystery and a familiar trope. The strong performances, neat direction, and nice make it more than just another romantic comedy.

While it maintains a light and engaging vibe, we also have a dark emotional subplot that’ll slowly reveal itself as the episodes progress. With all the main characters introduced, I believe streaming it is needed if you want to know where the story is leading to.

Sold Out On You is streaming on Netflix.

Also read:

• All Reviews of Sold Out On You
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