The Cast of ‘The Practical Guide to Love’ Give Relationship Advice

If you had to choose between someone who offers stability and someone who offers passion, who would you pick? For Lee Ui-yeong in HBO’s The Practical Guide to Love, the question of following her heart or her head will lead her to discover what love truly means. 

As a single woman in her 30s, Ui-yeong has a successful career but struggles to find love in this day and age. Braving the world of blind dates in the hopes of romance, she finds herself unexpectedly caught in a love triangle between two men with very different charms: Song Tae-seop, a gentle and dependable man who is ready for marriage; and Sin Ji-su, a younger and carefree spirit who awakens emotions Ui-yeong has never felt before.

Torn between these two men, Ui-yeong will not only discover what really matters to her but also uncover depths of herself through this journey of love and self-worth. 

Ahead, we had a brief catch-up with the leading trio, Han Ji-min, Park Sung-hoon, and Lee Ki-taek, to talk about their lovestruck characters, relationship advice, and more.

If you could meet your character in person, what advice would you give them before they start their blind dating journey?

Han Ji-min (HJM): I would tell Ui-yeong to dress comfortably and not overdo it—pace herself when it comes to drinks! You’ll find out why in the series. [laughs]

Park Sung-hoon (PSH): For Tae-seop, I’d say while confidence is important, it doesn’t hurt to listen to advice from others before diving into the dating world.

Lee Ki-taek (LKT): Ji-su already has such a charming personality. My advice would be to stay true to himself, and I’m sure love will follow naturally.

What advice would you give to those struggling to find love in this day and age?

HJM: Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Being proactive and intentional can make a difference when it comes to finding the love you’re looking for.

PSH: From my experience, I believe that you shouldn’t leave everything to fate. Nothing changes unless you take that first step—which is also a key message of our show. Even blind dating can lead to an unexpected connection.

LKT: Keep putting yourself out there, and don’t be discouraged if things don’t work out right away. You are enough, and there’s someone out there who will appreciate you for who you are.

What’s one love song that is currently stuck in your head?

HJM: It really changes every day, but right now the first song that comes to mind is the drama OST ‘Perhaps Love’ (사랑인가요).

PSH: I really like ‘Die With a Smile.’ I’m a big fan of both Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. 

LKT: ‘Butterfly’ by Ho Jun-young—it’s one of my all-time favourites.

Which season do you think is the most romantic?

HJM: Winter! I absolutely love the snow, and there’s something so romantic about the season—especially during Christmas, with the beautiful decorations and festive carolling.

PSH: Spring is my favourite. After the cold winter months, it’s so refreshing to feel the warmth return and see flowers bloom.

LKT: I’d say autumn. It’s the season I was born in, so it feels especially meaningful to me.

What are you most proud of this year so far?

Han Ji-min: Starring in The Practical Guide to Love is definitely a highlight for me! [laughs]

Park Sung-hoon: I feel very fortunate that I get to work so closely with Han Ji-min for this series.

Lee Ki-taek: Yes, similarly, I’m proud to be a part of this show, alongside such talented and experienced actors. 

All episodes of The Practical Guide to Love are available to stream on HBO Max.

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