Roommates of Poongduck 304 – Series Review & Ending Explained

Episode 1

Episode 1 Summary

Jae Yoon is a marketing intern who lives by himself. He has put up an ad looking for a new roommate. A potential tenant asks to see the place, but Jae Yoon is at work. So, he tells his friend Ho Choel to give a house tour on his behalf. Ho Joon visits and wants to rent solely because of the cozy water pressure from the shower. Ho Choel takes the rent money upfront and leaves without a trace. Nobody can get in touch with Ho Choel, who disappears until the end of the series.

When Jae Yoon returns home, he's shocked to see Ho Joon has already moved in without his consent. An embarrassing mishap occurs, causing Jae Yoon to attack a naked Ho Joon. The two men clear up their misunderstanding afterwards. Ho Joon is hostile because he thinks Jae Yoon has conspired with his friend to scam him. Feeling defensive, Jae Yoon refuses to give back the rent money. Initially, the new tenant storms out of the house in a rage. However, Ho Joon returns and decides to live here since he has already paid the rent.

As a result, Jae Yoon and Ho Joon become reluctant roommates, but their relationship remains hostile. Later, Jae Yoon experiences a shake-up at work. The company transfers Jae Yoon to a new sales department. Surprisingly, he discovers his new boss is none other than Ho Joon. The man he clashed with is now his reporting manager. Worst of all, Jae Yoon is on a three-month probation period, so he must get Ho Joon's approval to keep this job permanently.

Episode 1 Review

This episode was an okay introduction to the series. The scene where Jae Yoon and Ho Joon meet is funny. However, that's the single highlight in a nearly thirty-minute episode. The rest of the premiere takes too long to introduce the leads, establish the scenario, and advance the plot. With a tighter script, there could have been a more exciting start.

The two leads (Yoon Seo Bin and Kim Ji Woong) starred in another BL drama, Kissable Lips, earlier this year. That series came and went without registering in my mind. Neither actor made a lasting impression on me. In contrast, Roommates of Poongduck 304 is a much better showcase for them. I feel more familiar with these actors than before. It's good to see this pairing get a second shot, improving my first impression of them.

Episode 2

Episode 2 Summary

Episode 2 begins by introducing Ho Joon's background. He comes from a wealthy background and lives a lavish lifestyle. However, his escapades with women have gotten lots of negative publicity. His father, who runs the Guemnam Group, is furious with his son's immaturity. He cuts off his financial support and asks him to live independently. The Chairman gives Ho Joon a job as the sales leader of a marketing company, but the salary is unreasonably low.

Coincidentally, Ho Joon happens to be Jae Yoon's new boss in the marketing division. Jae Yoon is mortified that his roommate is now his manager, especially since they don't get along. He hadn't treated his tenant kindly before discovering they were colleagues. A petty Ho Joon gives a subtle threat. He now controls Jae Yoon's fate at the company with the manager's appraisal.

Jae Yoon returns the rent money and wants to kick Ho Joon out of the house. He doesn't want them living together since it's an abuse of power and a violation of privacy. However, Ho Joon is stubborn and refuses to leave. Instead, he turns the pressure back on his landlord, asking him to leave the company. Jae Yoon refuses because it's his dream career at a leading organization. A desperate Jae Yoon pleads for Ho Joon to find somewhere else to leave. Nonetheless, Ho Joon is determined to live here and won't change his mind.

Episode 2 Review

I don't understand why Ho Joon wants to continue living here! The circumstances of their living arrangement are already preposterous from the start. However, it's getting harder to believe this scenario as it progresses. Realistically, Ho Joon should just move somewhere else and leave his employee alone. Roommates of Poongduck 304 could have come up with a more legitimate excuse to make the two main characters live together.

I don't like how Ho Joon jeopardizes Jae Yoon's career out of a petty grudge. This rich guy suddenly enters a company and starts making veiled threats against his employees. Be careful of your behaviour if you wanna pass your probation! Ugh, what a jerk. Maybe the timing makes me sensitive since I watched this series while reading news stories of the recent Twitter layoffs. I hate seeing this malevolent authority figure toy with someone's job.

Episode 3

Episode 3 Summary

Ho Joon picks on Jae Yoon at the company, highlighting his job inexperience. The intern is angry and works overtime to prove his boss wrong. Jae Yoon retaliates by setting strict guidelines around the house, such as limiting laundry usage or parking spots. As their relationship worsens, the other colleagues notice the toxic work atmosphere between them. During a company dinner, Manager Choi & Assistant Manager Kim praise Jae Yoon's work ethic. They want Ho Joon to treat Jae Yoon respectfully.

Touched by their words, Ho Joon offers to call a truce with his employee. However, Jae Yoon is stubborn and refuses to compromise. During a scuffle, he accidentally kicks his boss and gives him a face injury. Afterwards, a guilty Jae Yoon offers to resign from the company. Instead, Ho Joon is understanding and doesn't hold a grudge. He's sincere about repairing their relationship. Both men act friendlier towards each other now, putting their hostility behind them in the past.

Episode 3 Review

The power dynamics in the workplace continue to trouble me. Watching an egotistical boss abuse his power and mistreat his employee isn't fun. Even Jae Yoon's colleagues have to speak up in his defence, showing how much Ho Joon crossed the line with his petty behaviour. You're creating a toxic workplace, demonstrating poor leadership skills, and just being a crappy person. I have a hard time laughing along with their feud.

With that said, I appreciate the power struggle from a storytelling perspective. Ho Joon may have authority in the office, but Jae Yoon holds control at home. This clever dynamic creates compelling tensions between the characters. Maybe Ho Joon still has more dominance overall, but at least Jae Yoon can retaliate instead of being victimized. I like the nuanced dimensions of their relationship.

Episode 4

Episode 4 Summary

To celebrate their newfound reconciliation, Jae Yoon and Ho Joon have a toast at home. Ho Joon notices something is troubling his landlord. After falling drunk, Jae Yoon reveals he has been pressured into buying various insurance packages and massage chairs from his salesperson friend, Seung Seok. Although Jae Yoon doesn't need these products, he bought them anyway to help his friend's monthly sales quota. He has a secret crush on Seung Seok, but his feelings are unrequited.

On the following day, Jae Yoon doesn't remember what happened. He worries about blabbering too much to his boss. Nonetheless, Jae Yoon remains professional and doesn't mention their drunken conversation. During a work meeting, Jae Yoon suggests a clever marketing plan. Ho Joon is pleased with the proposal and allows the intern to handle this project himself for the first time. Jae Yoon is nervous about the responsibilities, but his boss encourages him. Subsequently, Jae Yoon works hard on the marketing project.

After a week has passed, Jae Yoon and Ho Joon attend the marketing pitch. Despite Jae Yoon's ample preparation, the client forgets about the meeting. Ho Joon notices his employee's disappointment and brings him to the beach for a relaxing chat. Jae Yoon reveals his family has gone bankrupt once, teaching him how precarious money can be. Since then, he has maintained a strong work ethic. As they talk casually, Ho Joon brings up Jae Yoon's drunken encounter, but he doesn't elaborate. Secretly, Ho Joon worries Seung Seok is exploiting Jae Yoon's kindness.

Episode 4 Review

After a rocky start, I'm warming up to the relationship between the leads. I appreciate Ho Joon supporting and encouraging his young employee, acting like an actual leader for once. The earlier feud turned me against Ho Joon's character, but he never did anything too egregious. He could still be redeemed. This episode rehabilitates Ho Joon well, showing his more sensitive side outside of a petty grudge.

I like learning about Jae Yoon's backstory. While I sympathized with his character in the early episodes, he didn't reveal much about himself. Jae Yoon just seemed defensive and belligerent. Now, we start to see him become vulnerable. His unrequited crush on Seung Seok is humanizing. Jae Yoon's infatuation blinds his judgment, so he doesn't see how his friend takes advantage of him. Also, learning his family history makes me understand why he works so hard. There's a powerful motivation that drives his excellent work ethic.

Episode 5

Episode 5 Summary

Jae Yoon and Ho Joon's relationship continues to improve. They even carpool to work every morning. Later, Jae Yoon overhears an office rumour that Ho Joon graduated from NYU at the top of his class. Apparently, he's a business genius. Jae Yoon is shocked and slightly skeptical, but Ho Joon confirms the validity of his education. It's a source of pride for his father. Other rich kids go through college with their family's money, whereas Ho Joon earned scholarships on his own merit. Now, Jae Yoon sees his boss differently with newfound respect.

The sales team works on their next project. Jae Yoon and Ho Joon partner together, working well as they brainstorm new ideas. Ho Joon is impressed with Jae Yoon's hard work. Later, the Chairman meets up with this department. He praises every employee except for Jae Yoon, not acknowledging the intern's contributions. Ho Joon confronts his father afterwards. The Chairman doesn't see Jae Yoon as a permanent employee, which infuriates his son. The episode ends with Ho Joon noticing Jae Yoon and Seung Seok have been meeting up every night.

Episode 5 Review

I like this character trait of Ho Joon being an incompetent genius. Initially, he's introduced to us as a serial playboy and useless trust-fund kid. But now, we learn he's secretly intelligent and has gotten top grades in business school. I like how Jae Yoon reacts skeptically to this revelation. "How is he considered a brilliant person? How!?" This funny detail adds flavour to Ho Joon's characterization, making him more complex and endearing.

Both actors are doing well with their roles, impressing me with their lighthearted demeanours. They handle the comedic material excellently. Ho Joon's actor (Kim Ji Woong) is surprisingly good at being goofy. He's nailing his cheeky persona, silly expressions, and casual mannerisms. His costar (Yoon Seo Bin) also gives a promising performance. He seems easygoing, relaxed, and natural in every scene. The actors exude way more charisma in Roommates of Poongduck 304 than Kissable Lips.

Episode 6

Episode 6 Summary

Every night, Jae Yoon helps Seung Seok make deliveries for his sales. He does this free voluntary work for his crush. Ho Joon advises Jae Yoon to stop being a pushover since Seung Seok is taking advantage of him. However, Jae Yoon calls his boss nosy and tells him to stop meddling in his personal life. During their heated argument, Ho Joon says they should return to being a boss-and-employee dynamic. Jae Yoon doesn't seem to care.

Jae Yoon bails Seung Seok out of a police station. Seung Seok has gotten into a brawl with a customer who accused him of being a con artist. As they chat, Jae Yoon advises his friend to switch careers. Yet, Seung Seok accuses Jae Yoon of patronizing him and questions their friendship. They meet again later, as Seung Seok apologizes and suggests they should go on a trip. However, Jae Yoon sees a message on his friend's phone. Seung Seok has been telling others about Jae Yoon being a pushover who is in love with him. Jae Yoon cuts off this toxic friendship for good.

Jae Yoon tries to apologize for snapping at Ho Joon earlier. However, Ho Joon is standoffish and maintains his distance. An upset Jae Yoon drinks alone, drowning his sorrows. Ho Joon receives a call from the bartender, telling him to retrieve his drunken landlord. As they arrive home that night, Jae Yoon makes advances on his tenant. The episode ends with a kiss between Jae Yoon and Ho Joon in the living room.

Episode 6 Review

I like the concept of the Seung Seok storyline. Jae Yoon stops being dickmatized and sees through his manipulative crush. However, the storyteller could've pushed this subplot further, making the emotional drama more sophisticated. For example, Jae Yoon sees a text message and realizes Seung Seok is a weasel. This resolution is okay, but it feels basic. A capable storyteller would've found an elegant way to enlighten Jae Yoon. Roommates of Poongduck 304 stays in the tier of casual fluff instead of elevating itself to a complex series.

Earlier this year, I watched Seung Seok's actor (Kang Woo Jung) play a supporting character in Once Again. He did a good job portraying the perky best friend. It's my second time seeing him, and he gives another above-average performance in Roommates of Poongduck 304. He captures the sleaziness and desperation of Seung Seok's character convincingly, even with the limited screen time. Despite not having prominent roles, this versatile actor makes an impression on me. Maybe a BL studio can take a chance and give him an even bigger part in another series.

Episode 7

Episode 7 Summary

Episode 7 begins on the day after the drunken kiss. As his hazy memories return to him, Jae Yoon is mortified and embarrassed about last night's events. However, Ho Joon uses this opportunity to confess his feelings. He has fallen in love with Jae Yoon and wants to pursue a relationship. They officially start dating, sealed by a kiss between the two characters. Ho Joon and Jae Yoon do not make their relationship public. They are covert with their affections around the workplace, from flirting to holding hands.

Jae Yoon meets Ji Hee. She is Ho Joon's old acquaintance who will be participating in their influencer marketing campaign. When Jae Yoon and Ji Hee meet later, she reveals Ho Joon's family history. Jae Yoon is shocked to discover he's dating the company chairman's son. He worries about the scandalous gossip if people find out they are dating. As the episode ends, Jae Yoon breaks up with Ji Hoon, citing they made an impulsive choice to get together.

Episode 7 Review

It seems late to introduce the BL romance in Episode 7 of an eight-episode series. This timing isn't optimal, especially since the couple also breaks up at the end. I wish we had at least one extra episode of Jae Yoon and Ho Joon as boyfriends. I like seeing their flirty interactions in this episode, but the lovey-dovey period doesn't last long. If we trimmed the filler in the beginning, that would create room to extend the romantic content in the later episodes.

A subtle detail about Jae Yoon's character is his insecurities about liking guys. In his dialogue, he expresses apprehension about his attraction to men several times. Roommates of Poongduck 304 makes an interesting choice to highlight Jae Yoon's anxieties. It adds nuance to his characterization that being gay weighs on his mind. I like how this series has put effort into crafting the protagonists, making them distinct individuals. Jae Yoon doesn't feel like a generic lead. Instead, the story fleshes out his thoughts, background, and experiences.

My preference is that I don't want the couple to break up. However, I understand why Jae Yoon freaks out. Dating your boss is already complicated enough, but now you learn about his influential family connections. Plus, he's a notorious target for the paparazzi. If their workplace romance gets exposed, I can imagine much gossip, drama, and unpleasantness in the aftermath. People will definitely talk about the hot intern who seduced the corporate heir in a secret gay affair. From Jae Yoon's perspective, there's too much pressure and anxiety in this high-stakes relationship.

Episode 8

Happy Ending

Roommates of Poongduck 304 has a happy ending where the leads reconcile after breaking up. Jae Yoon discovers he has been dating the chairman's son and fears the gossip about their romance. He ends their relationship, quits the company, and disappears from the house. Ho Joon is confused and devastated until he encounters Ho Cheol, who tells him Jae Yoon's whereabouts. Jae Yoon has returned to his hometown to help at his mother's restaurant.

Jae Yoon plans on working at the restaurant with his parents. His mother discourages him, stating this small-town life has nothing to offer for a young, hopeful man. She tells her son to live and love freely. As Jae Yoon sits at the pier, Ho Joon finds him and wants to reconcile. Ho Joon talks about his past. He used to be ambitious and ran a tech startup, but it wasn't successful. His failure caused him to lose his passion for working until he met Jae Yoon. From Jae Yoon, Ho Joon discovered his drive to live life again. Touched by his words, Jae Yoon and Ho Joon begin dating again.

The marketing project is successful, delighting the Chairman. He offers to give his son a proper promotion in the company. However, Ho Joon surprises him by quitting his job. Instead, he plans on starting his own company and becoming the CEO. Ho Joon announces his plans to Jae Yoon, recruiting him as his first employee. They begin their own marketing agency, working from home. The series ends with them bickering over a project until Ho Joon eases the tensions with a long passionate kiss.

Ending Explained

Roommates of Poongduck 304 is a story about ambition. The protagonists, Jae Yoon & Ho Joon, represent two opposite ends of the spectrum. Jae Yoon epitomizes working hard to achieve your dreams. He's a self-starter who put himself through an online college, earning himself a job in an elite company. He works hard and aspires to have a fulfilling career. Ho Joon depicts failed ambition. After his tech startup went bust, he stopped challenging himself. He seems resigned to a playboy lifestyle with handouts from his dad.

Meeting Jae Yoon revitalizes Ho Joon's spirit. He's moved by his boyfriend's work ethic. In Episode 4, Ho Joon pointed out how Jae Yoon could've made a cozy living as a landlord instead of working an office job. Yet, that easygoing lifestyle doesn't suit Jae Yoon, who pushes himself to earn his achievements. In the finale, Ho Joon is sincere when he says his love interest changed his life. "I learned what it's like to live with all my heart every day." Ho Yoon refers to Jae Yoon's drive, passion, and zeal. Jae Yoon has inspired Ho Joon to try again after a failure and commit to his dreams.

Conversely, Jae Yoon loses his ambition because of his relationship with Ho Joon. After the breakup, he wanted to quit his job and move back to his small-town life. His mom talks him out of this plan, stating there are no prospects if he stays here. Jae Yoon falls into the same slump as Ho Joon at the start of the story. Fortunately, Ho Joon finds him and encourages his boyfriend. Don't give up on your relationship or aspirations. Let's work hard together. The series ends with the leads starting a business. Their entrepreneurial spirit is a powerful symbol of their renewed ambition.

Ending Review

The breakup storyline isn't my favourite, but it provides the necessary tension to build up to a dramatic finale. I like how the series brings back Jae Yoon's friend from Episode 1, tying up that loose end. I also like Ho Joon's speech, especially the backstory about his failed tech startup. That detail completes his characterization, making me appreciate his journey. He goes from a lazy playboy in Episode 1 to a hardworking entrepreneur in Episode 8. It's quite the transformation!

I love that the leads are running a business together. Before the finale, I assumed one of them would quit the company (likely Jae Yoon). Instead, we have a Jerry Maguire moment where Ho Joon starts a new business as Jae Yoon becomes his first employee. Technically, Ho Joon is the owner, but it's more like a collaborative partnership. Their entrepreneurship is thematically powerful. Unlike at the start of the series, Ho Joon no longer relies on his father. Instead, Jae Yoon has inspired him to work hard, live independently, and pursue his passions.

I love how Ho Joon & Jae Yoon run their business from home. This BL drama's unique selling point is that the protagonists live and work together. The clever ending finds a way to maintain the same relationship dynamic. Ho Joon owns the agency, so he's still Jae Yoon's boss. Yet, they operate the company at Jae Yoon's house, which is his territory. The storyteller brilliantly combines the characters' personal and professional lives instead of making them compromise. It presents the best solution for the leads to be boyfriends and colleagues simultaneously.