DNA Lover- Episode 1
I’m totally hooked on Love Next Door and No Gain, No Love, but somehow DNA Lover unexpectedly grabbed my attention. While I wouldn’t say I’m the biggest fan of Jung In-sun, I am a huge fan of Super Junior’s Choi Si-Won. So, I thought why not give it a shot! 🥰
Predestined Couple
Episode 1 kicks off with a quirky twist as So Jin dreams of finding her perfect match through DNA analysis. Just as she’s about to glimpse the face of her dream man, reality rudely interrupts, and she wakes up. A genetic researcher burned by bad relationships, So Jin has had enough of cheaters and is ready for a fresh start. But before she can make any changes, her current boyfriend, Sang-min, breaks up with her. This time, it’s not because he cheated but because, according to him, she just never appreciated his "natural charm"—especially after she made a DNA-tailored serum to combat his baldness. Shocked, So Jin chases after him, hoping to change his mind.
Meanwhile, we meet Sim Yeon-u, an obstetrician-gynecologist who is equally unlucky in love, albeit by his own doing. Currently dating a younger woman, he dumps her over the phone, frustrated by the simplest inconveniences. Yeon-u’s logical approach to dating and his good looks let him get away with being a quiet jerk, a habit he seems to have mastered.
Back to So Jin—after her breakup, she discovers that Sang-min carries the "cheating gene," though she clings to the belief that he never actually cheated. Enter Gang-hun, a sweet, considerate firefighter who has been So Jin’s childhood friend and constant support through all her heartbreaks. While dealing with a fire case, Gang-hun helps a victim he’s rescued before and learns that she’s pregnant, reminding him of the emotional weight he carries. That night, So Jin invites Gang-hun out for drinks, but when he declines, she ends up heading to his family restaurant alone.
At the restaurant, So Jin crosses paths with two women. One, Li-na, is heartbroken after being dumped by none other than Yeon-u, and her friend So-ri is there to help her drown her sorrows. Bonding over their shared misery, the three women drunkenly decide to confront Yeon-u.
They storm into Yeon-u’s house, where Li-na demands answers, and Yeon-u, as cool as ever, dismisses her as clingy. When he scoffs at the idea of destiny, So Jin snaps and sprays him with the hair serum she had created for Sang-min. Unbeknownst to her, the serum seeps into a cut on Yeon-u’s face, setting the stage for something unexpected. Chaos ensues, and the women flee, with So Jin leaving behind her serum—and one of her shoes.
Later that night, Gang-hun arrives at Yeon-u’s place, just missing So Jin. After a tense moment, he helps Li-na get home, but not before calling out Yeon-u for breaking hearts without a second thought.
The next morning, Yeon-u wakes up with an alarming amount of hair growth on one side of his face, realizing that So Jin’s serum actually works! Meanwhile, So Jin wakes up with a hazy memory of the previous night, remembering only that she made a wish for someone to get “extra hairy.” As she goes about her day, she agrees to meet Gang-hun later.
Their evening is interrupted when So Jin spots Sang-min with another woman, confirming her worst fears—he was cheating all along. When Sang-min lashes out at her, So Jin fires back, telling him that his DNA shows he’ll die young from diabetes and go completely bald. Before things escalate, Gang-hun steps in, defending So Jin and whisking her away to his father’s restaurant, where they bond over tales of his parents’ epic love story.
Still hopeful that she’ll find her genetically perfect match, So Jin holds onto her dream, but the next morning brings another surprise: Yeon-u’s hair growth has gone wild. Desperate, he shaves, but the hair keeps growing. Despite his dilemma, he heads to So Jin’s lab for a patient’s test, where So Jin is in for a shock when she realizes her DNA experiment has gone hilariously wrong.
DramaZen's Opinion
The first episode of DNA Lover is an absolute delight! It strikes the perfect balance between comedy and drama, keeping me laughing non-stop while still delivering those heartfelt moments. Plus, seeing Eugene and Lee Tae-hwan reunite feels like a fun throwback—time to rewatch W for sure!
Jung In-sun is a comedic genius, and it is nice to see her return to the small screen after three years. Choi Si-won is also doing a great job with his character as Yeon-u and I can’t wait to see how their story unfolds.
With a mix of heartwarming stories, a love triangle, and an exciting enemies-to-lovers plot, this show is shaping up to be a wild and captivating ride. What were your first impressions of the drama? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Sneak Peek Episode 2:
