The Netflix original series Love Alarm is a sensational k-drama fans can’t stop talking about this year. The story includes a technology called Love Alarm. The functionality is that the alarm is an app that is downloadable to the public. The app allows the user to ring another user’s alarm if they have affection for them. The cutting edge technology cuts out the process of confessing love and allows a seemingly flawless dating process. The app is so popular that it is even incorporated into marriage ceremonies.
Our main protagonist, Kim Jojo is hesitant to use the app because she is aware that she would not be able to ring her boyfriend’s love alarm. She doesn’t want to hurt his feelings, but when he pushes her to download it she turns the ringer off. He walks in and hears a ring, thinking it is Jojo, he is ecstatic. Spoiler alert - it wasn’t her alarm. It was her friend’s. Unable to tell him, she hides from him and meets the new boy at school, Hwang Sun-oh. They have an instant connection and ring each others’ alarms. Sun-oh’s best friend, Lee Hye-Yeong has always been in love with Jojo. Before Sun-oh begins dating Jojo he finds out that his friend loves her, but the two make a pact. They agree to let Jojo choose between the two of them. Both of them have qualities that make them great matches for Jojo. Who is her true match? Here are 5 reasons Sun-oh is perfect for her and 5 that Hye-Yeong is the right choice.
Sun-oh: He is bold and makes the first move.
Sun-oh first notices Kim Jojo when she gets on a bus to travel from her job at a restaurant back to her home. The two share a fleeting glance and as the bus passes he sees his friend sitting at the bus stop, watching the bus longingly.
Before she is introduced to him, they run into each other on the stairway. He steps down, closer to her and the tension is obvious. When Jojo runs away from her boyfriend she bumps into Sun-oh in an alleyway and he kisses her.
Hye-Yeong: He is a cinnamon roll.
Lee Hye-Yeong is the ultimate nice guy. Not only is he incredibly patient with everyone around him, but he is a genuinely caring person. When he finds out another guy is the one making his love alarm ring, the boy freaks out, thinking he will beat him up.
Of course, Hye-Yeong offers him kind words instead. He is a momma’s boy and ultimately a good friend to Sun-oh even when Sun-oh is a jerk to him.
Sun-oh: Duh! He’s filthy rich.
Sun-oh often suggests to Jojo that they take a luxurious trip together. He doesn’t typically flaunt his money, but it is mentioned a few times.
His chauffeur drives the two of them around occasionally. Obviously, Jojo doesn’t love him for his money, but it is definitely a cool added bonus!
Hye-Yeong: He helps Jojo when no one else will.
One great argument for Hye-Yeong being the best match for Jojo is that he goes out of his way to help her when no one else will or isn’t able to.
The first time we see his generosity is when he picks up an extra shift at the restaurant job where they work together. He is also seen helping her with small tasks there.
Sun-oh: He is so dang charming.
It’s hard not to ship Sun-oh with Jojo because of his charm. His witty comments and playful banter with her add to their relationship. He has a way of words when talking to Jojo, and comes off as a cool guy unafraid of his emotions.
Hye-Yeong: He is very dedicated to getting to know Jojo.
Hye-Yeong realizes Jojo is not interested in him in a romantic way at first and doesn’t let it bother him. Even though she does not return his affections he still wants what is best for her and genuinely wants to know her as a friend. He is patient and does not try to steal him away from his best friend.
He waits for years and when they end up going to the same university, he decides to take things to new levels and go out of his way to get to know her. He looks for her every day at the library so they can sit beside each other and when she doesn’t show he shows concern. Eventually, Jojo also looks forward to his company as well.
Sun-oh: Their connection is instantaneous.
One important reason Jojo and Sun-oh are the perfect matches is because of their instant attractions to each other. When they first lock eyes, it is apparent the two are destined to meet.
Their back-alley rendezvous before they are dating also shows their early affections for one another. However, their instant connection is also one of the reasons Jojo is harassed at school and her home by her cousin.
Hye-Yeong: He stands up for Jojo when no one else takes her side.
Jojo is pretty much a lone wolf. She doesn’t belong to a pack of friends and her family is horrible to her. She has no one on her side. Her cousin, Gul-mi, makes fun of her at school and gets the other kids to make fun of her as well. Gul-mi tells Hye-Yeong Jojo’s tragic background and why her family now has to take care of her.
She expects Hye-Yeong to side with her, but instead, he tells her she is horrible and for her family to be hateful to Jojo is wrong. He adds that the situation is not Jojo’s fault, but her parents. Hye-Yeong always defends Jojo’s honor.
Sun-oh: He wants to fix everything wrong in Jojo’s life.
Sun-oh is somewhat aware of Jojo’s situation and wants to fix everything for her. He tries to get her to escape her life by taking extravagant trips with him to exotic vacation places.
After a fire incident on the school’s field trip, he convinces her to leave with him on the back of a motorcycle. She obliges, but the consequences are major.
Hye-Yeong: He doesn’t try to magically fix her issues, but he is there for her emotionally.
Instead of trying to mend Jojo’s problems for her overnight, Hye-Yeong understands that it is not his place to fix everything. He respects her as an individual and lets her handle what she can on her own. He offers her company and shoulder to cry on but never pushes her to do anything she is not comfortable with.
