From 8 to 20, the Age Gaps Between Couples in Korean Dramas

It’s not very difficult to see couples of older women and young men in Korean dramas. You can see the couples like them in tvN’s ‘Witch’s Romance’, JTBC’s ‘Secret Love Affair’ and MBC’s ‘Cunning Single Lady’.

The couples are catching everyone’s eyes with their big age gaps. Their different love stories that transcend the age differences are loved by the viewers and are making a new trend of TV series.

★ 8 year-age gap - Lee Min-jung and Seo Kang-joon from ‘Cunning Single Lady’

The couple’s age gap is 8 years. They look like they are similar ages but their actual age difference is 13 years. Kook Seung-hyun is a son of a rich family who is bright and playful, who asks Lee Min-jung “Do you like me?’. His character is straightforward, which is loved by many viewers.

Seung-hyun is a calm guy who shows his love for Na Ae-ra (Lee Min-jung). But he sometimes shows the mianly side of him, expressing his love actively, which drew many female fans. But Ae-ra’s ex-husband still loves her and he wouldn’t give up on her. We would have to watch the end to see if Lee Min-jung and Seo Kang-joon will stay in love with each other.

★ 14 year-age gap – Uhm Jung-hwa and Park Seo-joon from ‘Witch’s Romance’

The first episode of ‘Witch’s Romance’ was aired on April 14^th. Ban Ji-yeon (Uhm Jung-hwa) voluntarily remains a single and falls in love with a younger man Yoon Dong-ha (Park Seo-joon). Their age gap in the drama is 14 years but their actually age difference is 19 years.

When we watch romantic comedies, we tend to focus on the first kiss of a couple. Uhm Jung-hwa and Park Seo-joon had their first kiss in the first episode, which is drawing attention on whether their love story would continue to the finale of the drama. The arrogant single lady and passionate guy in his 20s will find themselves drawn to each other and fall in love. Their love story is expected to be fresh and funny.

★ 20 year-age gap – Kim Hee-ae and Yoo Ah-in from ‘Secret Love Affair’

‘Secret Love Affair’, a story of a couple whose age gap is 20 years is one of the most popular dramas these days in Korea. Oh Hye-won (Kim hee-ae) is the director of planning at an Arts Foundation who gives her heart to Lee Sun-jae (Yoo Ah-in), a young genius pianist who is falling for her.

Placing much importance on morals and ethics, Hye-won, however, sees her desire for the young man grows with time. In the 9^th episode, Kim Hee-ae says, “I can’t even buy you nice clothes because I’m afraid that people might criticize us”. She’s been very careful with her growing feelings for Sun-jae so far. But attention is still growing about whether their love could continue.

Writtey by Han Ji-hee, Photo by  MBC, tvN, JTBC, Translated by Lee Sarah

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Married Actresses to Sweep Dramas! Lee Bo-Young, Lee Min-Jung, and Kim Hee-Sun

These days, married actresses in their 30s are taking leads in dramas over actresses in their 20s. 

As new series start back to back, who will take the throne of the ratings queen?

◆ 'God’s Gift – 14 Days’ Lee Bo-Young

Lee Bo-Young has returned with SBS’ new drama ‘God’s Gift – 14 Days.’ She plays the TV writer ‘Kim Soo-Hyun,’ a mother who does everything she can to save her daughter.The drama has a very unique setting with the subject of time slip. With 7% of ratings with its first episode, it had a fair start. Lee Bo-Young’s acting as a mother is already getting great reviews. However, since the drama tries to tell many stories, some worry that its focus might be diluted.

◆ 'Cunning Single Lady’ Lee Min-Jung

Lee Min-Jung chose drama as her returning piece after her marriage. She plays the main character ‘Na Ae-Ra,’ a stubborn divorcee who tries to seduce her ex-husband Cha Jeong-Woo (Joo Sang-Wook) who has succeeded as a businessman. Having aired its first and second episodes already, ‘Single Cunning Lady’ shows Lee Min-Jung’s various characters.

With the most comic element among new dramas, ‘Single Cunning Lady’ is expected to gain solid fan base. Perhaps we will see Lee Min-Jung with a wider spectrum of acting at the end.

◆ 'Wonderful Days’ Kim Hee-Sun

After ‘Faith,’ Kim Hee-Sun returned as stubborn ‘Cha Hye-Won’ with KBS’ ‘Wonderful Days.’ She plays the character who jumps into the battle of life as her family collapses.

Kim Hee-Sun will show her different side through the drama by speaking thick dialect and dressing like a man. While some say her acting seems a bit unnatural, the drama has an array of supporting actors who provide great support for her – and it has only been few episode, so it’s to early to tell.

The great feat of actresses in their 30s will bring more pleasure for the viewers, while becoming an opportunity for the actresses to widen their range of acting.

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