Can't Lose (South Korean TV Series)

Can't Lose (Korean: 지고는 못살아; RR: Jikoneun Motsalah) is a South Korean television drama series that aired on the MBC network from August 24 to October 20, 2011. The series, which consists of 18 episodes, was broadcast in the Wednesday and Thursday 21:55 time slot. It was directed by Lee Jae-dong and written by Lee Sook-jin. An early working title for the project was Geudaga Wonhandamyeon (If You Want).

Promotional image for the drama Can't Lose

Plot

The story follows Lee Eun-jae (played by Choi Ji-woo) and Yeon Hyung-woo (played by Yoon Sang-hyun), a married couple who are both lawyers. After meeting at a baseball game and falling in love, they establish a joint law firm. However, one year into their marriage, the couple faces significant interpersonal strain. Eun-jae struggles with the practical demands of managing their firm, while Hyung-woo often prioritizes clients who cannot afford his services. Their relationship reaches a breaking point when they discover their marriage was never formally registered, leading to a series of conflicts and a planned trip to Japan that goes awry.

Cast

The series features an ensemble cast including:

Choi Ji-woo as Lee Eun-jae
Yoon Sang-hyun as Yeon Hyung-woo
Kim Jung-tae as Ko Ki-chan
Jo Mi-ryung as Kim Young-joo
Sung Dong-il as Jo Jung-koo

The supporting cast includes Park Won-suk, Kim Ja-ok, Joo Jin-mo, Ga Deuk-hi, and Uhm Ki-joon. The production also featured various cameo appearances, including performances by Shin Goo, Ha Seok-jin, and Lee Sang-yeob.

Broadcast History

The series replaced Heartstrings in the MBC Wednesday and Thursday 21:55 time slot. Following the conclusion of Can't Lose, the time slot was occupied by the series Me Too, Flower! starting on November 9, 2011.