A romance takes place between Kang Ji-Sung (aka, Louis) and Go Bok-Shil. Louis is from a rich family, but he has lost his memory. Go Bok-Shil is a woman with a heart like an angel. Louis learns about true love after meeting Go Bok-Shil.
Before I really dive into this review, I feel like a small disclaimer is in order: This is by no means a perfect drama. The plot tends to be a bit ridiculous at times (hello, talking consumer goods and perfect, rich man-child), but once you get past the silly initial set-up, these characters and their story are golden.
More than anything else, Shopping King Louis is a romance. The plot (what there is of it) is centered around these two characters and the crazy cast of acquaintances they meet in the big city. What sets this apart from a normal rom-com, however, is the likeability of both protagonists. Louis is not your typical chaebol: He's not cold or cruel or obsessed with money and status, and Bok-shil isn't your typical "Candy"/Cinderella type either. They're both sweet and innocent and just a little bit dim... but in the most endearing way. You can't help falling in love with them, and watching them fall in love with each other is one of the most beautiful, heartwarming sights that you'll ever see.
The actors completely NAILED their roles. Seo In-guk really embodies the character of Louis, to the point where even his mannerisms and expressions take on a personality of their own. Even when he’s being frustrating or dumb, he’s so imbued with warmth and heart, that just like Bok-shil, it’s impossible to stay angry with him for long. Louis is the equivalent of an adorable puppy. Even after tearing the house apart and peeing all over the furniture, he’ll look at you with those big, brown eyes, and all your anger just melts away.
The actors completely NAILED their roles. Seo In-guk really embodies the character of Louis, to the point where even his mannerisms and expressions take on a personality of their own. Even when he’s being frustrating or dumb, he’s so imbued with warmth and heart, that just like Bok-shil, it’s impossible to stay angry with him for long. Louis is the equivalent of an adorable puppy. Even after tearing the house apart and peeing all over the furniture, he’ll look at you with those big, brown eyes, and all your anger just melts away.
And Bok-Shil is no exception. Nam Ji-hyun imbues her with warmth and innocence, and the search for her brother gives her a nice vulnerability that makes her easy to connect with. Both characters are fantastic on their own, but when they're together, they truly shine and the cuteness goes on overdrive. If Louis were the equivalent of a lonely puppy, then these two together are two cute, frolicking kittens. I could watch them for days and days and never get bored. The chemistry between them was absolutely perfect, and the kiss scenes (of which there were many) are beautifully shot and framed and romantic as hell.Plus, as far as the plot goes, there was something refreshing about watching a drama with very little angst. It was a nice, breezy watch, and I never feared that the writer didn’t know what he/she was doing. And because of that, I was able to enjoy this series from the very beginning right until the end. I can’t remember the last time I watched a drama that managed to sustain that kind of interest throughout its entire run… usually, when they start strong, they peter off towards the end, but Louie kept me obsessed through every single episode. And that ending had me squeeing and grinning and then crying because I just wanted to watch this couple being adorable forever. Honestly, I'm still sad that it's over.
Also, I just have to say that I love how there aren’t your typical “villains” in this story. All the drama comes from human nature, and unpredictability, because people are naturally flawed… not because they’re serial killers, or evil, or unredeemable. And in a story about a lost chaebol, where the plot usually devolves into office politics, that change alone was quite refreshing. It’s always fun to walk away from a drama and realize that you liked all the characters, not just the main ones. And Louis had a ton of wacky, hilarious personalities to draw from, which made even the little side stories amusing.At its heart, Louie may be a fantastic romance, but it's also a great story about family: the ones you're born into, and the ones that you find in the most unlikely of places.
So, if you're looking for high drama, lots of angst or a realistic, gritty universe, look elsewhere. However, if you’re looking for something light and fun, if you want a drama that's sweet, hilarious, and will have you crying, cheering, swooning and laughing, then you can’t go wrong with Louis. I dare you not to fall in love with them too!
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