7 Unforgettable Fashion And Mood Combinations In "A Business Proposal"

Missing “A Business Proposal” and having withdrawal symptoms since its epic ending? It’s completely understandable! After all, the drama did give us tons of laughter, cuteness, and squeal-worthy moments to make us want for more. Let’s revisit some of the unforgettable scenes in this drama through the best fashion and mood combinations of its incredible cast.

Warning: spoilers for the drama ahead!

From cute to chic, alter ego style

Shin Ha Ri (played by Kim Sejeong) is not your typical girl. She’s a smart, honest, and straightforward young woman with a positive disposition no matter how things never seem to go her way. She always keeps a bright smile on her face and does her best at work and in her relationships. This reflects her colorful and cute style at home, while at work, she prefers practical and easy-to-wear clothes to survive long hours. Even when she’s at home, her fuzzy sweaters are adorable!

When she transforms into Shin Geum Hee, however, it’s a complete turnaround from her no-fuss, easy style. To ward off a potential arranged marriage, she and her bestie Jin Young Seo (played by Seol In Na) conceptualize the image of a “ssaen unni” or a “strong baddie.” This doesn’t necessarily mean a negative image but she portrays a somewhat off-putting style with super strong, dark makeup, a “provocative” style, and weird behavior!

Mixing leather, stockings, and a corset-style top with the chessboard print may be her idea of sexy and aggressive, but it’s actually a pretty on-trend look! She could pass off as a popular trendsetting Gen Z influencer who doesn’t care about fashion rules!

Her dominant style as Shin Geum Hee is a “rich girl look,” which portrays her as someone who only cares about brands, luxury goods, and outside appearances. Her alter-ego wardrobe consists of a lot of plaid and striped pieces, perhaps going for a preppy “Gossip Girl” style, and she also wears two-set matching pieces that are actually popular in Korea right now.

One of her best looks in the drama is the fake anniversary white dress, which rips off at the back in a funny incident that leads her to get closer with Kang Tae Moo (played by Ahn Hyo Seop). Shin Ha Ri definitely looks flawless in white! Whatever she wears, it’s her true personality that shines through, and no makeup can ever mask her kind heart.

Twinning vibes with the bestie

The portrayal of friendship between Shin Ha Ri and Jin Young Seo is perhaps one of the best things about this drama. It’s natural, warm, chaotic, and messy, just like how all real friendships are. When it comes to fashion, they may have different tastes, but their styles seem to make sense when they’re together.

When it comes to Young Seo’s style, no one can deny that she rocks the professional, independent, girlboss fashion with her modern suits and confident walk! She wants to make it on her own without the help of her rich and powerful father, and that’s the trait that makes her different from other typical chaebol characters. Even though she grew up in a privileged household, she doesn’t always live like one: she eats tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) with Ha Ri at a small shop, gets drunk at a  pojangmacha (outdoor drinking establishment), and helps out at her friend’s chicken shop. Her down-to-earth personality and her impeccable style makes her a character that people won’t easily forget!

Frenemy fashion showdown

The complete opposite of Young Seo is her cousin Yoo Jung (played by Seo Hye Won), who only got her director title because of her family. She’s the queen of “Konglish,” speaking in mixed Korean and English to show off just like her mother. She also does not work hard and oftentimes skips work to go shopping. But she and Young Seo do have some things in common: their style and taste in men. In one episode, Yoo Jung gets annoyed whenever she and Young Seo wear similar pieces at the same time. They both wear the latest designer brands and statement accessories like bags, scarves, and power jackets. Despite this, Yoo Jung’s silly antics actually make her quite lovable!

From professional to bromance with sleek suit styling

The dashing men of this drama, CEO Kang Tae Moo and secretary Cha Sung Hoon (played by Kim Min Kyu), don’t get left behind when it comes to fashion. Even though they’re at a professional setting that calls for office-ready suits, their outfits are anything but boring.

As a CEO, Kang Tae Moo often wears head-to-toe tailored suits with black and gray monotones. It reflects his cold, workaholic personality as a lonely young man who distracts himself with work and does not care about building personal relationships. But as the drama progresses, his heart warms up to Shin Ha Ri, and at the same time, his style becomes softer and more colorful. One of the key pieces he wears is a zip up knit jacket in gray and a similar style in white. He looks handsome whether in professional or in casual looks.

Cha Sung Hoon has a “uniform” of matching suits, ties, and his signature eyeglasses. But what he lacks in color and standout details in outfits, he makes up for with his good looks and heart-melting dimples!

Opposites attract

As Kang Tae Moo and Shin Geum Hee, the leads’ personalities and styles often clash. But as Kang Tae Moo and Shin Ha Ri, they naturally blend well together in intentional and unintentional couple outfits. In the last scene, both of them wear touches of bright yellow to depict a cheerful and happy ending!

Complementing couple

Young Seo and Sung Hoon are a match made in heaven with styles that go well together. With both characters working in companies, they complement each other’s professional, classic, and clean fashion.

Bonus: a well-matched group style

Who wouldn’t want to work with these wacky yet lovable co-workers? Not many viewers may have noticed, but touches of neon and bright colors are often infused with this group’s workwear to match their comedic moments!

It might be sad to think that we won’t be able to watch more of this drama for now. But it has given us lots of fun memories and fashion inspiration. Maybe we’ll even get to see them again (fingers crossed for a new season)?

Hey Soompiers, which outfit and unforgettable moment is your favorite from this drama? Let us know in the comments below!

DianneP_Kim is an English magazine and online editor based in South Korea. She is the author of a K-pop style book published by Skyhorse Publications, New York, including her second book, “BTS Bible.” Check it out on Amazon, follow her on Instagram @dianne_panda.