The Story of Park's Marriage Contract (2023)

Not a fan

When I began this kdrama I was a bit skeptical. The first episode started out ok but I did notice that there were many draggy and unnecessary parts included, I guess to make the episodes long. I don't like that so much since I get bored pretty easily. Anyways, I continued watching and I just skipped the parts that I found boring. As for the plot, I didn't find it very good: It's confusing and there are some questions that remain unresolved till the end. It also is the kind of story where there are inheritance issus and stuff like that, I think that can be quite stressful to watch. However the plot overall is not a bad idea, it's just the way it was executed into this knot of storylines- it's a bit shabby and cheap. Logic, for instance, is not in this kdrama. The ending was really strage, did not like it at all. The female lead was quite cruel to say the least. I would not recommend watching, in my opinion.

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Fun Time Travel Romance

This was a very fun drama! I enjoy time travel romances such as Live Up to Your Name and Mr. Queen, so this was a nice new drama in the same vein. The main couple's relationship development was really well done, moving from initial dislike to eventually being head over heels for each other. The secondary couple was adorable and hilarious as well! I loved Sa Wol's character. I also really liked Tae Min - I appreciated the development of his relationships with his brother and SIL.

I also liked how Tae Min's mom wasn't pigeonholed into being a complete villain and was portrayed as a three dimensional, believable character. I'm happy that things worked out for her in the end. I wasn't super happy about what happened to the grandpa since it didn't feel completely believable - it was very makjang imo.

Characters aside, I thought that the past and present life's parallel storylines were quite well done. The reveal that the grandpa was the real villain was decently built up. I also liked seeing the differences between the first and last episodes. The lady with mystical powers was a good plot device to tie things together. Finally, Yeon Woo's arrival to New Joseon was absolutely hilarious and really made the first few episodes for me! Dol Se the vacuum deserves an honorable mention for his sacrifice.

Overall, despite the large amount of chaebol infighting, I thought that this was a fantastic drama. The acting was excellent, the romance was sweet, funny, and believable, and the storyline was fun and exciting. The balance between humor and seriousness was also really well done throughout. 9 stars.

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Concept unclear

She ventured to New Joseon to safeguard him and unravel the mystery surrounding her husband's death. Upon fulfilling her purpose, she returned to Old Joseon, but her maid didn't go back ? Why , this is unclear matter. However, upon her return, she discovered she was unmarried and embarked on a mission to save her husband, ultimately succeeding. Yet, tragedy struck as he met his demise shortly after, leaving her efforts in vain. Disheartened, she returned to New Joseon and at last she came back to her love. However, the rationale behind her journey to the future and back to her present solely to uncover her husband's death secret seems questionable. Surely, she could have investigated the matter in her own time with the aid of the mystical lady. While I appreciated the storyline and commendable performances from the cast, the underlying concept of the story left much to be desired.

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Good balance of romance, comedy and mystery with a logical explanation for the time slip

For me the show was very well done and well paced, first 4 episodes focused on female lead’s journey and how she adapts to the modern world, next 4 episodes which I’d call the 2nd act focused on the leads falling in love and what the male lead was up against, because this provides the basis for the female lead time traveling to save him, and in the 3rd act - last 4 episodes, we get to see the back stories of the individual characters including the villains - both their Joseon and Modern day versions, and how that forms the premise of the overall story.

I particularly liked that some of the villains, particularly the female ones weren’t plain vanilla, but grey, and were mostly victims of circumstance. However, the show did not try to justify their actions, but had them make restitutions that were consistent with their characters.

I’m a sucker for bittersweet endings, and with all time travel shows, there’s always that element of loss when the time traveler goes back into their world. It was nice to see Yeonwoo going back in time to change Joseon Taeha’s fate and ending things nicely with him, I felt sad for him, but knowing he reincarnates in the future took away that sadness, even though he doesn’t have his past memories.

Unlike most time travel shows where we do not know the basis for the time traveler traveling, I’m glad this one provided a logical explanation for Yeonwoo traveling. It was also nice to see how they explored female empowerment, with Yeonwoo acquiring skills which she used to work and earn a living in new Joseon and using her noble woman status and money earned to help vulnerable women in Old Joseon.

It was great to see that the leads were very good at communicating their feelings and the concerns they had. Even where noble idiocy was employed, it didn't last more than 20 minutes, and it was all in a single episode.

The chemistry between the leads and entire cast was amazing, great acting from everyone, the comedic timing was awesome and the comedy wasn’t cringe, the music scoring was great, as well as the cinematography and the style of directing in certain scenes was exceptional, there were also some notable dialogues.

Overall, for a time slip drama, I think this was well executed and one of the best ones in recent times, it’s no surprise it had the highest rating of all the time slip dramas done last year.

If you’re still considering watching this, I’ll suggest you dive right in and make a decision after the first two episodes. The first episode is fully sageuk, while the second takes place in modern day. Only the first and last episodes take place in Joseon, and the flashbacks wasn’t overly done.

Some people might think some aspects of the show was rushed, but given that it’s only 12 episodes, I think they tried to make it as concise as possible. It’s one of those shows where you really have to pay attention because they do a lot of “show then tell (explain),” which is the mystery element of the show and the main driver of the story.

PS: This has a good balance of mystery, romance and comedy, however the comedy is utilised more in the first half and the second half is heavier on the mystery and romance. If you are expecting a simple, cheesy romcom, then this is not the show for you.

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It doesn't make sense

Wishful thinking shouldn't bring back your loved ones even in a fantasy story. This is a time travelling story which has absolutely no rules to the time travelling and breaks the very few ones it has when they find it convenient. The maid being left in the future is ok, while changing any other aspect affects the course of history? Such a proficient maid, with so much action in the story, would certainly affect the course of the story.
You never truly know the device or the set of factors that make them travel through time. At times, it seems like it's the watch, or the magical lady, or the water, or the tree. In the end, it was his wishful thinking. It doesn't make sense.
It also doesn't make sense that everyone has their corresponding person in the future, except for the FL and the maid. And the only person important to the action who isn't in Joseon is the ML's secretary.
They also couldn't decide if the ML was a completely different person or a reincarnation of her Joseon husband. If he truly was a reincarnation of her husband, like it's suggested several times, her not loving her original husband once she got back doesn't make any sense, since she loved him from the start.

I don't mind the evil grandpa, it was a good twist, but, again, it lacks consistency. If the stepmother wasn't evil and was trying to protect the ML in the present, that should have been mirrored in the past, since they repeated countless times that the past was repeating itself.

It could have been a better drama if they had dealt with the inconsistencies.

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I don't know how to describe the entirety of this drama because I watch this one ongoing. I really like this drama and the storyline of arrange marriages is one of my favorite theme in drama land so that's an added point. The process of watching the drama was enjoyable for me as a watcher. I find the leads having the chemistry, the side characters with their cute side stories as well as the family life of the leads. The acting was great for me, but I could really see that the others need more improvement but I'm not complaining cause it's tolerable.
I guess I was just not that excited with watching the last 2 episodes, because I lost my interest in it, which I don't know the reason behind. The ending felt like a rush but honestly I like the ending. I thought it was appropriate for the drama. I would recommend this for sure.

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Is The Story of Park’s Marriage a time travel or a time slip Korean drama? I love this drama.

The Story of Park’s Marriage

The Story

The Story of Park’s Marriage begins in the later Joseon era. A complicated aristocratic young woman wants to be a fashion designer, an occupation shun for Aristocrats. Her parents arrange a marriage with another Aristocrat who has an undiscovered heart condition, which can take his life at any moment, especially if he is excited by love. She falls for him immediately, but he dies on their wedding night (action which takes place in the first episode, so this is not a spoiler). Through happenstance and a convenient body of water, the female lead finds herself time traveling to modern Korea. She is immediately confronted by her lost love, who is a Deputy CEO of a company. While this story may seem pretty bleak, her experiences and reactions to the modern world of “New Joseon” Korean is wholly hilarious and gives constant fodder for laughter, as she tries desperately to reclaim her lost love.

The Story of Park’s Marriage is well written. It is one of the most intricate meshing of what happened in the past with what is happening in the present. Like a top designer’s intricate threading of a garment, the scenes of the past are so tightly woven with the scenes of the present. The Story of Park’s Marriage is a bold mystery sewn into a RomCom. The story is a time travel Korean Drama, since there is a definite mode of time travel (a body of water). In time slips one accidentally travels through time by unknown means.

I really like The Story of Park’s Marriage. This drama gets better and better with each episode. At first, I thought that this drama would be an uncomplicated drama that would score in the high 8/10, but now for me, it is scoring 10/10. As dramatic actors are challenging themselves with RomComs of late, this is the first RomCom I have seen with Baeksang Arts Award winning dramatic actress Lee Se-young (The Red Sleeve and The Crown Clown). While actor Bae In-hyuk has played in RomComs like My Roommate Is a Gumiho, Bae In-hyuk (At a Distance, Spring Is Green and Why Her?) has been in challenging dramatic dramas as well. Bae In-hyuk is indeed a late bloomer in the acting business. His first Korean drama was only in 2019. Bae In-hyuk also has turned into a fine actor. And I must admit that the way he wears a suit is so reminiscent of Lee Jun Ho in King, The Land.

Chinese equivalent to The Story of Park’s Marriage is Miss Crow and Mr Lizard, because of the fact that falling in love could cause the death of the male lead who has a heart condition.

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fabulous Drama

This is a wonderful Drama. Great story, Fabulous Actors. Lovely leads and Support Cast.
To be honest I much prefer short Dramas. 12 Episodes is perfect. Perfect Marriage Revenge was also 12 Episdes and it was very satisfying. Long Dramas can be very tiring.
The Female lead in this is excelent. She makes the character fun to watch. Her assistant is also a treat to behold. The male lead is lovely too. There seems little point in going over the story ine as it is spelled out really well. The joy is in seeing it become alive. Shifting time is a wonderful idea Most K and C Dramas that I have watched excell in expanded thinking. Always full of surpries. The script writers are wonderfully creative. This is a gem. I have only watched 6 episodes so far and cannot wait until the next episodes.

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I WANT IT TO BE 16 EPISODE TT_TT

First of all, i think i would be dissapointed if the drama end 12 episode poorly like the other famous 12 episode drama :( but i hope not.

4 episode, they build base of the story not strong enough, base story in joseon was explained too fast, so there are many missing part and flashback story, but i expect it would be explained between the storyline, because time travel always have story like this, explained back and forth.

Strange enough, the chemistry between mainleads like oil and water, it's separated but you can't detached each other easily.
Lee se young build her own character very well, rebellious woman in joseon era who missing her husband. Her unique character sometimes doesn't look well with Bae in hyuk but you want it more and more. I think i just need more their lovey dovey scene in joseon era T_T

Bae in hyuk definitely looks so handsome in hanbok (no one allowed to debate this), being an old bachelor, it doesn't matter at all, i would be in love being your bride hahahahaha >w< sorry.
But in modern times, bae in hyuk looks had lacking CEO aura, i can't distinguish his character with his step brother. His expression when have to act as CEO to fight his enemy that want to steal his position, i think it still minus, i expected tense scene between him and his enemy but i don't feel at many his "fight" scene. Sometimes it destroy my imagination when he had to act as CEO, but i love when lee se young lead the love story (chef's kiss), bae in hyuk can delivers his confused emotion very well.

Furthermore, the story line getting interesting in each episode, i don't feel boring too long, i genuinely waiting each episode with my sparkling eyes, time travel joseon to modern never fails, the clumsiness of joseon people to modern things never failed made me laugh. (A little spoiler, tbh i confused why lee se young character adapt so well with smartphone hahahaha)

Addition, if you had watched old drama "Rooftop Prince" starred Park Yoo Chun and Han Ji Min, i think The Story of Park's Marriage Contract is similar with that old drama. You allowed to have a good expectation romcom with this drama.

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Unexpectedly Captivating!

This series is from a web novel, which (in my view) often portends good things. I confess, it was a surprise to me, as I was expecting something lighthearted, rather than the very impactful way in which her story is told. There are comedic moments..such as her first ever revolving door and her first taste of ketchup…lol…but it is also very affecting as well. 



Lee Se Young stars as Park Yeon Woo, who lives in 19th century Joseon. Her father is the Minister of the Interior. He is a kind man who adores his only daughter and gives her enough freedom that despite the constraints on women in the 19th century she has some independence. Her relationship with her parents, her friendship with her maid, and the story with her grandfather and the crepe myrtle tree were very touching.

She is portrayed as someone who is dauntless and strong willed. Happy as she is, she sees no need to marry, but her parents have other ideas, lol. So to please them…she finally agrees to marry a man she doesn’t even know.
To her shocked delight… her groom Kang Tae Ha (played by Bae In Hyuk) is a man she has briefly met and liked.
Unfortunately for him and for her…he will die on her wedding day.
His mother angrily blames her and has her kidnapped and thrown down in a well, where she will travel to modern day Seoul.
She will surface in a hotel swimming pool where she will be saved from drowning by her dearly departed husband Kang Tae Ha. 
He of course has no memory of her and thinks she is deranged. However, he realizes she might be his chance for an immediate wife. So he convinces her to play the role of his wife for one day to please his grandfather.
Since Kang Tae Ha is portrayed as an emotionally detached, arrogant, chaebol heir..he sees nothing strange about using her for a day, paying her off, and assuming he will never see her again. But Fate ....has another plan. 



Things I Loved:

The Script: Even though time-slip romances are nothing new..still in this one...the time travel element was imaginatively well done. 
The storyline is also unexpectedly absorbing and appealing.
The Cast: Already, both leads are proving to be irresistible to watch. She is no stranger to most of us…having performed beautifully in several well-loved dramas such as The Red Sleeve and The Crowned Clown. She is mesmerizing in this one.

So if the script continues as it has begun, this series will be a ten, I cannot wait for the next episode and I am not alone. According to Nielsen Korea, this series scored an average nationwide rating of 5.6 percent for its first episode which is a great start, especially as there is stiff competition during this time frame, so we will see if they can keep pulling that off week after week.
Personal Note: I submit early reviews..because after much consideration, I realized the first thing I do when starting a new series is read the boards and reviews for clues. Reviews are a tool to help viewers decide whether or not to watch a series.
So in my view, early reviews ..have merit. Lol. My sincere apologies if that offends anyone.
But here is my promise to you. I never post a review without follow up. I promise ..I will be back to update this review, and be prepared...the rating may up or down as more episodes come in..
For now, this is a recommend...it has the potential to be very good.

@3..Really fascinating episode. Our watch party group had a blast with this one..it was funny, a touch whimsical and very affecting. And our ML...well, he is still a bit confused about her, but that is changing. Already he is having heart palpitations..only these are the good kind.

@6 This series is breathtakingly good and both leads are giving us a heck of a performance.
Their success however, would be nothing without a good scriptwriter...and this script has delivered the thrills.
There are funny scenes i.e. her learning to "curl" like an Olympian with the mop and robot vac...and some really tender and romantic moments such as when they got caught by the lawn irrigation and fell together in the wet sheets.
There are twisted characters with some sinister moments, all of which add up to very solid series.
I mentioned the ratings above...well, it has surpassed those numbers by almost double digits...
Nielsen Korea, MBC’s says for the 6th episode, it reached a new all-time high of 9.6 percent.
So ....pretty crazy numbers which tell us how good the viewing audience believes this one is.

@8 Riveting episode...loving this ML..what a surprise he has been...and notice by the last two episodes...his stylist gets his hair styled right...lol. the messy look is perfect and wow...he is a lot more handsome than first thought.
Also, there are new developments in this series... no one is easy to read, least of all, gramps, his character is complex.
But the romance is sizzling along...and the skinship is natural and lovely.

@ Final: I enjoyed this series. Loved the two leads, they are both wonderful together. Lots of kisses....however, I took one star off because it did a bit of a dive after episode 8 and some of the initial magic was lost. Full disclosure...some viewers are ambivalent about the ending..I thought the ending was fine. But despite these issues..overall it was a very enjoyable series.
Both short and sweet.

Happy Watching!

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