✅ A Business Proposal (2025) is an Indonesian romantic comedy film that brings a beloved South Korean webtoon and drama series to the big screen with a local flavor. Directed by Rako Prijanto, this adaptation promised a blend of hilarious misunderstandings, corporate romance, and heartwarming moments. Released in February 2025, the film navigates the classic fake-dating trope with a charismatic cast, aiming to deliver a fresh take on the universal appeal of unexpected love blooming amidst professional arrangements. While its initial theatrical run faced challenges, the film’s premise and genre appeal continue to draw interest, offering a delightful cinematic experience for fans of charming and light-hearted romantic stories.

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1.1/10

A Business Proposal

Director: Rako Prijanto

Writer: Hae Hwa, Adhitya Mulya

Stars: Ariel Tatum, Caitlin Halderman, Abidzar Al Ghifari

Plot: Faced with financial difficulties, Sari agrees to be a blind date stand-in for Yasmin, her best friend unaware that her date turns out to be none other than Utama, the owner of the company where Sari works, whom she dislikes.

Countries: Indonesia

Languages: Indonesian, English

IMDb: View on IMDb

A Business Proposal (2025) – Movie Overview & Analysis-BollyFlix

Movie Details 

• Full Name: A Business Proposal (2025)
• Language: Indonesian
• Budget: Not Publicly Disclosed (Estimated to be moderate for an Indonesian production)
• Revenue: Initial theatrical release faced low turnout; streaming performance on platforms like Netflix may vary.
• Runtime: 117 Minutes (1 Hour 57 Minutes)
• Release Date: February 6, 2025 (Indonesia)
• Genres: Romantic Comedy, Drama
• Cast: Ariel Tatum, Caitlin Halderman, Abidzar Al-Ghifari, Ardhito Pramono, Slamet Rahardjo, Indro Warkop, and others.
• Directors: Rako Prijanto
• Screenplay: Adhitya Mulya (adapted from the webtoon by Haehwa & Perilla, and the 2022 South Korean TV series)
• Studios & Producers: Falcon Pictures (Producer: Frederica)
• Voice Cast: Not Applicable
• Animation & Style: Not Applicable

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Plot Summary

“A Business Proposal (2025)” centers on Sari (Ariel Tatum), a diligent food analyst working at Bowo Foods. Faced with pressing financial difficulties, she reluctantly agrees to a favor for her best friend, Yasmin (Caitlin Halderman): to pose as Yasmin on a blind date and deliberately scare off the potential suitor. However, Sari’s plan goes hilariously awry when her date turns out to be none other than Utama (Abidzar Al-Ghifari), the intimidating and handsome CEO of her own company. To further complicate matters, Utama is under pressure from his grandfather to get married and, instead of rejecting Sari, he proposes a fake contractual relationship with her to appease his family. What begins as a strictly business arrangement between the CEO and his employee quickly spirals into a comedic and heartfelt entanglement. As Sari tries to maintain her double life, navigating between her real identity as a hardworking employee and her fake persona as Utama’s girlfriend, genuine feelings begin to develop. The film explores the chaos, humor, and unexpected romance that blossom from this unconventional “business proposal,” forcing both Sari and Utama to confront their true desires and the thin line between professional obligations and matters of the heart.

Cast & Crew

The cast of “A Business Proposal (2025)” features a blend of popular Indonesian actors tasked with bringing the beloved characters to life. Ariel Tatum takes on the lead role of Sari, the hardworking food analyst who finds herself in a complicated fake relationship. Her charisma and comedic timing are crucial for portraying the character’s dual identity and navigating the hilarious misunderstandings. Abidzar Al-Ghifari plays Utama, the stoic and handsome CEO who proposes the “business proposal.” His performance is key to conveying the character’s evolving emotions and chemistry with Sari. Caitlin Halderman portrays Yasmin, Sari’s best friend, whose initial request sets the entire plot in motion, while Ardhito Pramono takes on the role of Satrio. The supporting cast includes veteran actors like Slamet Rahardjo as Utama’s grandfather and Indro Warkop, who add depth and comedic relief to the ensemble. Directed by Rako Prijanto, the collective performances aim to capture the charm and humor of the original series while infusing it with an authentic Indonesian flair, making the romantic entanglements believable and entertaining.

Critical & Audience Response

“A Business Proposal (2025)” was released in Indonesian cinemas on February 6, 2025. Its initial theatrical run reportedly faced significant challenges, including low audience turnout and a quick withdrawal from many screens. This outcome sparked discussions and even some controversy, with some reports linking it to pre-release backlash from fans of the original South Korean drama and certain statements made by cast members. However, despite its difficult start in cinemas, the film later found a new life and potentially better reception upon its release on streaming platforms like Netflix. Audience opinions varied; some enjoyed the Indonesian adaptation for its local charm and the performances of the lead actors, particularly the chemistry between Ariel Tatum and Abidzar Al-Ghifari. Others, particularly staunch fans of the original K-drama, found it difficult to reconcile with the changes or felt it didn’t quite capture the magic of its predecessor. Critically, reviews were mixed, often comparing it directly to the highly popular Korean series. The film’s performance highlights the challenges of adapting beloved international content for local markets and managing fan expectations.

Direction & Cinematography

The direction of “A Business Proposal (2025)” by Rako Prijanto aimed to translate the well-loved romantic comedy premise into an engaging Indonesian cinematic experience. Prijanto’s approach focused on bringing out the comedic elements inherent in the fake-dating scenario and fostering the romantic chemistry between the lead characters. His direction would have emphasized brisk pacing to maintain the light-hearted tone characteristic of the genre, while also ensuring the emotional beats landed effectively. The cinematography, handled by Edi Michael Santoso, was designed to create a visually appealing world for this modern romance. This likely involved vibrant color palettes, aesthetically pleasing shots of urban environments (corporate offices, cafes, etc.), and framing that enhanced the intimacy or comedic awkwardness of the characters’ interactions. The visual style would have aimed to be bright and inviting, typical for a romantic comedy, supporting the film’s cheerful and charming narrative. The combined efforts in direction and cinematography were crucial in establishing the film’s tone and delivering a polished look that appeals to fans of contemporary romance.

Music & Background Score

The music and background score for “A Business Proposal (2025),” composed by Fajar Ahadi, played a vital role in enhancing the film’s romantic comedy atmosphere. For a genre that heavily relies on mood and emotional cues, the soundtrack would feature a mix of catchy, upbeat songs for the humorous and energetic scenes, alongside more tender melodies for the burgeoning romantic moments. Original Indonesian songs, or pop tracks that resonate with the local audience, would be woven into the narrative to provide cultural authenticity and enhance the emotional connection. The background score would subtly underscore the comedic timing, heighten the romantic tension, and guide the audience’s emotional journey throughout Sari and Utama’s unconventional relationship. A well-executed musical score is essential in romantic comedies to amplify the charm, excitement, and eventual warmth of the story, and Fajar Ahadi’s contribution would have aimed to provide just that.

Visuals & Special Effects

As a romantic comedy, “A Business Proposal (2025)” would not heavily rely on extensive special effects. Instead, its visual appeal would come from its polished production design, appealing costume choices, and contemporary urban settings. The film aimed to create a vibrant and aesthetically pleasing world that complements the light-hearted and modern romance. Visuals would emphasize clean lines, bright lighting, and dynamic framing that highlights the interactions and comedic expressions of the characters. Any “special effects” would likely be practical, such as subtle enhancements in lighting, seamless transitions between scenes, or minor visual gags that serve the comedic timing. The focus was on creating an attractive and relatable visual environment for the story to unfold, rather than spectacle. The overall visual approach intended to enhance the charm and contemporary feel of the narrative, making the corporate and personal settings feel authentic and inviting to the audience.

Editing & Screenplay

The editing of “A Business Proposal (2025),” handled by Ryan Purwoko, played a crucial role in shaping the film’s comedic rhythm and emotional flow. A romantic comedy thrives on sharp pacing, quick cuts for comedic effect, and smooth transitions that allow the romance to naturally develop. The editing would have aimed to keep the narrative engaging and prevent any lag, especially important given the film’s 117-minute runtime. The screenplay, adapted by Adhitya Mulya from the original webtoon and Korean drama, was tasked with localizing the popular story for an Indonesian audience while retaining its core charm and humorous situations. This involves crafting witty dialogues, developing relatable character arcs, and ensuring that the progression from a fake relationship to genuine feelings feels authentic. The success of the film’s comedy and romance hinges significantly on a well-structured screenplay and an adept editing process that brings out the best in the performances and the story’s inherent charm.

Positives / What Works

Despite its initial box office challenges, “A Business Proposal (2025)” offered several commendable aspects. One of its strongest points was the inherent appeal of the popular “fake dating” trope, which remains a fan favorite for its comedic potential and heartwarming outcomes. The chemistry between the lead actors, Ariel Tatum and Abidzar Al-Ghifari, was often highlighted by viewers as a significant draw, making their evolving relationship feel believable. The film’s attempt to infuse the story with local Indonesian cultural nuances provided a fresh perspective on the well-known plot. The comedic elements, especially the misunderstandings and awkward situations arising from the fake relationship, delivered genuine laughs. For audiences unfamiliar with the original Korean drama, the film provided a delightful and accessible romantic comedy experience, demonstrating a commitment to adapting a beloved story for a new audience.

Negatives / What Doesn’t Work

“A Business Proposal (2025)” faced criticism, particularly from devoted fans of the original South Korean drama. A primary drawback was the inevitable comparison to its highly successful source material, which led to high expectations that were difficult to meet. Some viewers felt the adaptation struggled to fully capture the charm, pacing, or specific comedic nuances of the original series. Reports of low box office turnout and quick removal from cinemas also indicated that it didn’t resonate widely with the Indonesian theatrical audience, possibly due to a combination of factors including pre-release controversy involving certain cast members and the perceived quality of the adaptation. The film might have also suffered from being too faithful to the original plot without enough unique elements to justify a big-screen adaptation, or conversely, making changes that alienated existing fans. This highlights the inherent risks in adapting a very popular and recently aired television series into a feature film.

Final Verdict / Conclusion

“A Business Proposal (2025)” is an Indonesian romantic comedy that, despite facing a challenging theatrical release, offers an enjoyable experience for viewers who appreciate the classic fake-dating trope. As an adaptation of a globally popular South Korean drama, it had big shoes to fill, and its reception was notably polarized. While it may not have satisfied all fans of the original, the film successfully delivers a charming and humorous narrative with commendable performances from its lead cast, particularly the appealing chemistry between Ariel Tatum and Abidzar Al-Ghifari. It serves as a light-hearted, feel-good movie for those looking for a contemporary romance filled with comedic misunderstandings and heartwarming developments. Its journey from cinema to streaming platforms suggests that its ultimate success might lie in its digital accessibility, reaching audiences who prefer to enjoy such narratives from the comfort of their homes. Overall, it’s a pleasant watch for romantic comedy enthusiasts, especially those open to a localized take on a familiar story.

Movie Rating

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