The newest SBS K-drama, Love Scout (also known as My Perfect Secretary), has given viewers throughout the world a novel spin on the age-old clichés. But a recent episode has left fans divided.

Han Ji-Min plays the role of Kang Ji Yun, CEO of a head-hunting company, and Lee Joon-Hyuk plays her secretary, Yoo Eun Ho.

Critically acclaimed for turning the gender norms on their head, with the woman leading the company and her male secretary as the nice guy, the show was written by Lee Sung Joon.

Opinions on the gender-swapped trope featured in thefirst three episodes have been overall positive, with viewers thankful for the new take.

AsianWiki said, "Rather than a man portraying the coldhearted and arrogant CEO, Kang Ji Yun is played by Han Ji-Min,"

But Episode 4 contained a twist that some fans feared would derail the season.

And it turned out that Eun Ho , as a child, was the one associated with a fire—the same fire that took the life of CEO Kang's dad.

The scene in which Eun Ho recalls his past memories through a fire truck.

This teased that the two main characters might be childhood friends—which is a popular trope in K-dramas.

Audiences took to social media to voice their disappointment, fearing it would be the death knell to the show's groundbreaking format.

"The leads finding out they met or knew each other as kids is another, even more rudimentary, K-drama trope," one viewer quoted. "Many will be disappointed if this is the route Love Scout takes," another commented.

While reactions to the plot development in the latest episode have been mixed, it still seems like the fans are committed to the show.

The cliffhanger ending of Episode 4 leaves the audience wanting more.

The series pulls aside cliché aspects in creative ways, plucking the moments right from the headlines in "Love Scout."

If the surprise lantern is still in play for the show, or if the day-walker's par-baked plot template tank of cliches is re-firing, maybe we'll find out next week.