Business Proposal - Ending Explained

The central pillar of "Business Proposal" is the eventual unraveling of Shin Ha-ri's dual identity. Kang Tae-moo discovers that his fake girlfriend, Shin Geum-hui, is actually his employee, Shin Ha-ri, not by a grand reveal, but by piecing together clues, culminating in finding her employee ID. Though initially feeling betrayed, his feelings for her are already too deep, and he decides to pursue her as her true self. A significant twist is that Tae-moo continues to let his grandfather believe he is dating the fake Geum-hui for a while longer, even after he starts genuinely dating the real Ha-ri, creating a new layer of comedic deception.

The main obstacle in the latter half of the series is Tae-moo's grandfather, Chairman Kang Da-goo. When he finally discovers the truth, he strongly disapproves of the relationship due to the difference in their social standing and the initial lies. He tries to separate them by ordering Ha-ri to resign. However, Ha-ri's sincerity and Tae-moo's unwavering commitment eventually win him over. The secondary couple, Cha Sung-hoon and Jin Young-seo, also face a hurdle with Young-seo's father, who demands they break up. In a show of independence, Young-seo resigns from her father's company to start her own, with Sung-hoon's full support.

The series finale sees Tae-moo having to go to the U.S. for a year to get his grandfather urgent medical treatment. Despite the distance, his relationship with Ha-ri remains strong. The final scene shows Tae-moo returning to Seoul. Amidst fabricated rumors of him having a new partner in the U.S., he surprises Ha-ri on a street lined with cherry blossoms and proposes to her, bringing their story to a happy and satisfying conclusion.

While largely viewed as a straightforward romantic comedy, some interpretations analyze the series through a more critical lens. One perspective views Shin Ha-ri's initial deception not just as a comedic plot device, but as a commentary on the performative nature of modern dating and professional life, where individuals often curate specific personas to be deemed 'acceptable' or 'desirable'. Her success as the fake 'Shin Geum-hui' could be seen as a critique of how society values a certain type of bold, wealthy woman over a hardworking, ordinary one.

Another interpretation focuses on the power dynamics at play. The relationship begins with a significant imbalance—Tae-moo is Ha-ri's boss, holding immense power over her career and livelihood. While the show portrays their romance as consensual and loving, a critical reading might argue that it romanticizes office relationships with inherent power disparities, potentially downplaying the complexities and ethical issues of such pairings in the real world. Tae-moo's relentless pursuit of Ha-ri after she repeatedly says no could be interpreted as charming persistence within the genre's conventions, or as a problematic disregard for her stated boundaries.