Two families, one wedding, 66 episodes of glorious chaos. The '90s K-drama that defined the genre.
Season 1 • Episode 11
Latest"What is Love" centers around two close families with sharply contrasting values. One consists of medical resident Lee Dae Bal, his mother and father and his younger sister Sung Shil and is conservative and patriarchic, the other consists of college student Park Ji Eun, her siblings Jung Eun and Jung Sup, her two maternal aunts and her parents. They are progressive, modern and utilitarian. This drama comically portrays the troubles that arise as these two families become quarrelsome in-laws by Ji Eun and Dae Bal's marriage and the conflicts that arise between Ji Eun and her in-laws, delivering a message about the importance of balancing traditional and progressive values.
Acting
Youn Yuh-jung and Lee Soon-jae's comedic timing is absolutely masterclass.
Writing
Balanced satire that mocks both conservative rigidity and progressive arrogance.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This drama pioneered the 'trendy drama' format that dominated Korean TV through the '90s, directly influencing how subsequent generations portrayed class and generational conflict.
Youn Yuh-jung's performance here launched her into decades of iconic 'difficult mother-in-law' roles, eventually earning her an Oscar for a very different kind of Korean grandmother in Minari.
KR
