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Perfume

Perfume

2019Ended1 season32 episodes~35 min/epMidcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

Min Jae-Hee is a middle aged woman. She is a housewife who has devoted her life to her family, but her family gets destroyed. Min Jae-Hee is furious at the world. Through a mysterious perfume, Min Jae-Hee's appearance suddenly changes to a beautiful young woman. She becomes a model with her new youthful appearance. Min Jae-Hee meets Seo Yi-Do. He is a successful fashion designer, but a mean spirited person.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Perfume?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Perfume streaming on KOCOWA via Prime Video.

Subscription

via Prime Video

Highlights

What stands out about Perfume?

Perfume earns 2 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Hopeful.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Perfume worth watching?

Perfume's Midcredits score is the 44th percentile of all shows, from 342 ratings across 2 sources. 69% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

44th percentile

Better received than 44% of shows

42nd percentile among Comedy43rd percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)42nd
Approval (how many liked it)48th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

69 /100

42nd percentile of all shows

42nd percentile among Comedy40th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.3 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

69% liked it

48th percentile of all shows

41st percentile among Comedy46th percentile among 2010s
69% rated it 7–1031% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

46th percentile

335 ratings across platforms

30th percentile among Comedy52nd percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 42% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

An interesting fantasy rom-com with good acting and chemistry, but a familiar story that leans on cliches.

Fans praised

  • Genuine, realistic handling of self-acceptance and body positivity
  • Well-written, funny fantasy premise that stays coherent within its own logic
  • Cast perfectly matched to roles, especially the two leads playing the same character

Detractors panned

  • Main plot derivative and familiar; ending too cliche
  • Some character reactions feel unrealistic and ring false

What stands out

Acting85

Cast perfect for roles; leads convincing as same character

CharactersDivisive80

Eccentric ML with great development; relatable FL; some reactions unreal

Humor80

Funny in variety of ways; love triangles humorous not irritating

Emotional impactDivisive80

Touching romance; genuine about self-acceptance; some parts feel unreal

Dialogue75

Funny in dialogue and situation

Plot and storyDivisive70

Familiar fantasy premise; story holes and cliche ending noted

EndingDivisive70

Ending satisfying for fans; detractors find it too cliche

OriginalityDivisive65

Transformation story unique in avoiding plastic surgery; but plot familiar

Episodes

1 season

Season 1 · 2019 · 32 episodes

  • S1E1

    Episode 1

    Jun 3, 201935 min
  • S1E2

    Episode 2

    Jun 3, 201935 min
  • S1E3

    Episode 3

    Jun 4, 201935 min
  • S1E4

    Episode 4

    Jun 11, 201935 min
  • S1E5

    Episode 5

    Jun 17, 201935 min
  • S1E6

    Episode 6

    Jun 18, 201935 min

Watch experience

What is Perfume like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, light and gentle — a slow-burn watch that leaves you hopeful.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
RomanticJoyfulHopeful
Heaviest: throughout
Warm humor
Register
WarmPlayfulRomantic · 7% of shows
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.SerializedSingle-season story
TonePlays its fantastical premise and the leads' eccentricities with warmth and humor, while being sincerely earnest about self-acceptance and second-chance love — a K-drama romcom that genuinely means its feelings.
The rideThe series likely maintains a romantic, hopeful, and joyful mood as Jae-hee pursues her dream, with the emotional weight of her starting circumstances providing a gentle undercurrent.
StructureA serialized K-drama told in straightforward chronological order across its single season; no non-linear, frame, or multi-perspective devices structure the telling.
Episode formatThe series tells one continuous story about Jae-hee's transformation and romance, following her journey episode by episode.
Season formatThe series is a single 32-episode season that tells a complete story, as it concluded.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
HopefulFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves a warm, affirming sense about self-acceptance and second chances — you exit believing people can rebuild their self-worth and find love.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rebirth
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7% (this title): Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1% (this title)
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Second chance: A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).

7% of shows fit this archetype

with Rags to riches underneath

Why this archetypeA bitter, self-loathing middle-aged housewife gets a magical second chance at her modeling dream and at love when perfume restores her youthful appearance; her stagnant life re-opens while she rises in the fashion world under a borrowed younger identity.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfSelf-worth
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% (this title) · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Self

Self-worth · 7% of showsComing of age · 9% of shows
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe story centers on a housewife who has lost her sense of value and gets a chance to reclaim her identity and dreams.
StanceThe story validates Jae-hee's quest for self-worth and the fashion designer's liberation from phobias, celebrating second chances.

The world

ContemporarySuburbanUrbanMagical realism
PopOrchestral modernSupportive music · original score
SettingContemporary South Korean suburb and fashion industry

Content guide

Is Perfume okay for kids?

Ratings in 1 other country
  • South Korea15

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does Perfume have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Perfume?

Cast

Sin Seong-rok
as Seo Yi-do
Ha Jae-suk
as Min Jae-hee
Go Won-Hee
as Min Ye-rin
Cha Ye-ryun
as Han Ji-Na
Kim Min-gue
as Yoon Min-seok
Jo Han-chul
as Kim Tae-joon
Shin Hye-jeong
as Son Mi-yoo
Kang Min-ji
as Park Jeong-yoon
Lee Min-ji
as Song Min-hee
Jin-Kyung Kim
as Kim Jin Kyung [Jae Hee's daughter]

Crew

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