Romance Is a Bonus Book Season 1 Episode 1 Episode 1

Chae Yoo-jin is an accomplished editor at a publishing company but after a lengthy hiatus to focus on being a mother and wife, she finds herself out of a job and divorced. With few prospects in the job market, she's forced to swallow her pride and start fresh. She meets an old friend at a job fair, who brings her on as a temporary worker at a publishing company called Gyeoroo where he works as a team manager.

At Gyeoroo, things aren't so simple. Chae Yoo-jin is immediately slammed with a wave of class culture shock. Not only has her status shifted in the working world, but she's now the oldest, most educated intern in the company. She's not willing to put up with any hazing or talk down to her attitude from her younger co-workers or her new bosses.

Despite a difficult start, after some pep talks from friends, Chae Yoo-jin decides to show her colleagues her worth. She's aided in this by the head of the company’s publishing department, Kim Jae-min. Jae-min shows a clear interest in Chae Yoo-jin, as he grapples with complacency in his career and the lack of romance in his personal life.

The entire office seems to be shipping the two of them, and Chae Yoo-jin is conflicted. She comes to learn that Jae-min is the author of a very successful novel she worked on editing in the past, and she is moved by his passion, only to quickly squash any romantic thoughts she may have after she catches him kissing a co-worker goodbye when she leaves for the night.

Romance Is a Bonus Book episode 1 establishes the plot and hints at the romantic entanglements to come. Chae Yoo-jin is finally getting the chance to start over in her career, but troubles arise when she's perceived as a threat by her youthful and inexperienced colleagues.

However, the show dives deeper, tackling themes of ageism, gender roles, and class divide with a touch of whimsy. It sets the groundwork for the rest of the season, introducing both the main characters and secondary ones who will play important roles later on, including one that seems poised to be a rival for Chae Yoo-jin. All in all, Romance Is a Bonus Book season 1 episode 1 delivers a promising pilot that sets the stage for a charming and complex romantic-comedy series.