SBS is capturing the attention of romantic comedy fans with its brand-new Friday-Saturday drama, "Would You Merry Me." Touting itself as a classic, heart-fluttering romance, the series has generated significant buzz even before its premiere by casting the "bankable stars" Jung So-min and Choi Woo-shik in the leading roles. The exceptional acting and charm these two have consistently shown in the romantic comedy genre are enough to build trust with viewers, and anticipation is high to see what kind of synergy their pairing will create.
Jung So-min has solidified her status as a "rom-com queen" by leading a string of successful romantic comedies. From dramas like "Because This Is My First Life" and "Monthly Magazine Home" to the recent hit movie "30 Days," her characters have won audiences over by being both grounded in reality and irresistibly charming. Her talent for delicately expressing a sharp, confident exterior while revealing an inner vulnerability has been praised as perfect for the genre, and she is expected to once again showcase her unique appeal in this new project.
Similarly, while Choi Woo-shik boasts a wide acting spectrum across various genres, his true value shines brightest in romantic comedies. In contrast to the intense roles he played in films like "Parasite" and "The Witch," he captured viewers' hearts with his uniquely innocent and affectionate charm in dramas like "Our Beloved Summer." A key element of his romantic appeal is his signature "golden retriever-like" charm—seemingly a bit clumsy but fundamentally warm-hearted. This endearing quality is expected to be infused into his character in "Would You Merry Me," creating delightful chemistry with Jung So-min.
Jung So-min plays Yoo Mi-ri, a talented design company CEO who is principled and has immense pride in her work. This personality is evident from the drama's very first scene. During a presentation at city hall, she immediately senses a condescending attitude from the officials and shows her firm resolve by turning down the project on the spot. This moment signals that Yoo Mi-ri is an independent woman who knows her worth and refuses to tolerate unfair treatment. At the same time, she is also a warm-hearted person who is willing to take a personal loss to keep her word to a client, painting her as a multi-dimensional character with both strength and a humane warmth.
Choi Woo-shik takes on the role of Woo-joo, the grandson of a venerable bakery who has just returned to Korea after studying abroad. The character blends the typical "chaebol heir" trope with the more relatable image of a "bakery grandson," adding a layer of warmth. A scene where he secretly helps an elderly woman in distress on his flight back to Korea offers a glimpse into his kind and considerate nature. The character seems to be an extension of the good-hearted, slightly naive roles Choi Woo-shik has often played, and his pure charm is expected to bring a vibrant energy to the series.
The drama's early episodes quickly establish the major crisis of Yoo Mi-ri's life with a fast-paced narrative to draw viewers in. Mi-ri, who has even registered her marriage to Kim Woo-joo (played by Seo Beom-june) and is dreaming of a new start, sees her world collapse when she discovers his infidelity. Just as many of Jung So-min's past characters have had complex backstories, Mi-ri faces a trial that goes far beyond the simple pain of a breakup, and this emotional turmoil serves as a key driver for the story to come.
As if things weren't bad enough, a problem even bigger than her divorce looms over Mi-ri. It concerns a house she won from a department store event in the past. This life-changing stroke of luck came with a critical stipulation: she must maintain the exact same conditions as when she applied. In her case, this means she must remain married to "Kim Woo-joo." Her sudden divorce now threatens to turn this incredible fortune into nothing. This desperate situation becomes the catalyst that pushes her to devise an unimaginable plan.
Driven to a dead end, a drunk Mi-ri accidentally bumps into a car driven by the other "Woo-joo," played by Choi Woo-shik. This absurd first meeting serves as a device to foreshadow their fateful connection. In a stroke of bizarre coincidence, realizing that this stranger shares the same name as her ex-husband, Mi-ri's quick thinking kicks in. Unable to give up the house, she makes the outrageous proposal for this completely unknown man to pretend to be her husband. This scene signals that their relationship will begin not as a typical romance, but as an unpredictable contractual arrangement.
Logically, there is no reason for Woo-joo to accept this preposterous offer. However, the writer cleverly weaves in another inevitable link to bind them together. It turns out that Woo-joo's company is entangled in a copyright issue with Mi-ri's design firm. This business-related vulnerability becomes an unexpected bargaining chip for Mi-ri. Ultimately, for their own respective reasons, the two agree to enter into a dangerous "camouflage marriage," and thus begins the precarious cohabitation of a man and a woman who have no feelings for each other.
"Would You Merry Me" follows the classic "marriage first, love later" formula, a beloved trope in romantic comedies that promises viewers a familiar yet fresh sense of excitement. The core viewing pleasure will be watching these two, who start their journey for practical reasons, unexpectedly grow closer and develop genuine emotions through their shared life. Planned for a total of 12 episodes, the drama got off to a solid start with a viewership rating of 6.1% in the Seoul metropolitan area for its first episode. With the delightful synergy of its bankable stars, Jung So-min and Choi Woo-shik, combined with a compelling story, viewership is widely expected to follow a steady upward trend.
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