Marriage Contract (South Korean Television Series)
Marriage Contract (Korean: 결혼계약; RR: Gyeolheun Gyeyak) is a South Korean television drama series that aired on MBC from March 5 to April 24, 2016. The series consists of 16 episodes and was broadcast in the Saturday and Sunday 21:45 time slot. Directed by Kim Jin-min and written by Jung Yoo-gyung, the drama explores themes of sacrifice, family, and terminal illness.
Plot Synopsis
The story follows Han Ji-hoon (Lee Seo-jin), a man from a wealthy family who harbors a cynical outlook on life due to his complex family history. His mother, who had an affair with a married man, requires a liver transplant to survive a serious liver disease. Desperate to save her, Ji-hoon seeks a legal way to secure a donor.
He encounters Kang Hye-soo (Uee), a widow struggling to raise her young daughter, Eun-sung (Shin Rin-ah), while facing intense pressure from loan sharks following her husband's death. After receiving a diagnosis of a brain tumor, Hye-soo becomes concerned about her daughter's future. Upon learning that Ji-hoon is seeking a liver donor and is willing to enter a marriage contract to facilitate the procedure, she offers to be his donor in exchange for financial security for her daughter. Unaware of her medical condition, Ji-hoon accepts the arrangement.
Production
The series was originally developed under the working title 100Ilui Anae (100 Days Wife). The first script reading for the production took place on January 20, 2016, at the MBC Broadcasting Station in Sangam, South Korea. The series replaced My Daughter, Geum Sa-Wol in its time slot and was subsequently followed by The Flower in Prison.
Cast
The primary cast includes:
- Lee Seo-jin as Han Ji-hoon
- Uee as Kang Hye-soo
- Kim Yong-geon as Han Sung-kook
- Park Jung-soo as Yoon Sun-young
- Lee Whee-hyang as Oh Mi-ran
- Shin Rin-ah as Cha Eun-sung
Reception
The series received positive ratings throughout its run, with the final episode achieving significant viewership numbers. It was recognized at the 2016 Korea Drama Awards, where director Kim Jin-min received the award for Best Director.