Park Shi-yeon as star news anchor and single mother

52 September 10, 2014April 8, 2017

Park Shi-yeon as star news anchor and single mother

by girlfriday

Park Shi-yeon (Nice Guy) returns to dramaland this fall in cable network TV Chosun’s new weekend show Greatest Marriage, where she plays a star news anchor. Her character is smart, capable, nationally beloved, and she’s ranked at the top of female college students’ “women I want to emulate” lists. But one crucial choice takes her from that coveted spot at the top, and she goes from headlining the 9 o’clock news on her own to being the subject of scorn and scandal.

Her choice is to have a child out of wedlock, when she becomes unexpectedly pregnant while dating Noh Min-woo (God’s Gift–14 Days). He’s a chaebol heir (of a news corp, naturally), though he also works as a reporter, presumably to learn the family business. Neither is interested in the idea of marriage, but the heroine wants a child, and when he turns a cold shoulder, she vows to do it on her own.

Bae Soo-bin (Secret) plays her coworker and love interest, though he seems mostly like a thorn in her side, at least at the outset. He’s her rival, as the station’s other elite news anchor, described as cool-headed, rational, and sly, but also gentle. She’s ambitious and confrontational, and doesn’t take being out-shined well, which should lead to some fireworks.

Writing is Go Yoon-hee (Love Exposure) and directing is PD Oh Jong-rok (Twelve Men in a Year, Style). Greatest Marriage premieres September 27.

Via TV Report

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1 oftheshore

September 10, 2014 at 4:23 AM

Yay, more workplace comedies...dramas? Actually looking forward to BSB being the main and seemingly nice lead. Looking forward to this and hope it's more of a comedy.
I'm pretty sure it's because of all those children-out-of-wedlock dramas that I'm getting nightmares about - you guessed it - being a single mom (nightmares in a sense that it's really stressful). Single mothers out there - fighting! :)

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Reena

September 10, 2014 at 8:08 PM

I love workplace comedies too! I also appreciate the fact that their addressing single motherhood. I'm not a single mom but I do have a cousin who is and I just admire the way she raised her two daughters. It's def not easy... Hats off to all moms out there, whether you raised your kids on your own or with your partners. :)

Anyway...OMG Noh Min Woo... He def looks like a manhwa character brought to life. What I like about him most is that he is such a talented guy. Saw one of his videos on Youtube (the Heartbeat cover - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJNU1omNUdQ) and it was just amazing. lol. I think he's just to thin nowadays... I liked the way he looked back then coz he just looks so sexy.

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WickedBiccie

September 11, 2014 at 4:58 AM

Oh momma!! (Fans self frantically)
That YouTube clip needs to be tagged #NSFW .....or, yunno, walking in a public street ~ I nearly stepped in front of a bus!

But I would have died happy! ☺

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2 Hipployta

September 10, 2014 at 4:25 AM

Bae Soo Bin's character also apparently had a sex scandal...good times in that news room

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miapoy

September 10, 2014 at 6:34 AM

Reminds me of the Philippines' own news reporter slash sex video star.

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Yowza

September 10, 2014 at 7:36 AM

Girl, I think he did that on purpose because there were rumor going around that he was gay. LOL

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maldita

September 10, 2014 at 10:08 AM

Honestly, when the video first leaked I was shocked that it was with a girl. LMAO

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3 Aria

September 10, 2014 at 4:27 AM

Bae Soo Bin!!!
At last <3 I've been waiting for you to be the main lead.
I hope your character's nice here :)

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Dr. Hwata

September 10, 2014 at 6:13 AM

I am guessing that the actor you mention is the co-anchor in the first photo.

I really don't like that photo. The smile bothers the hell out of me. And the angle of the shot makes his head so out of proportion from what looks like a very small torso.

But I will trust your word. By the time it starts, I hope to have completely evicted that photo from my head.

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4 Requiem

September 10, 2014 at 4:32 AM

Yay! Glad she's coming back after the prescription drug scandal.

Hopefully, she'll use her experience with another "scandal" to help her portray the scandal in this drama.

Also, yay, to an actually good guy lead, instead of the "misunderstood" chaebol one.

Dramas need more realistic leads....

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5 Angélina Eang

September 10, 2014 at 4:34 AM

It does look interesting. Somehow, it reminds me that I have to finish Childless Comfort.

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6 cynkdf

September 10, 2014 at 4:37 AM

GF, many thanks for the write-up.

Apparently BSB will play a guy that viewers will like to criticize. I do hope to see his character show some redeeming qualities later on. BSB gave an interview recently and thanks to his wonderful Korean fan who translated that interview, we can read BSB's insights on his character in Greatest Marriage:

Quote:

Q: The character "Cho Eun-Cha" you portrayed in the drama is a kind of "New macho-man"?

A: He is the type of man who are good at flattery and carney. Once he sets the goal, he will stop at nothing to get what he aims. Speaking well of him, he knows how to survive. He is kind of guy who swims on the flowing tide without hesitation. But you can't easily hate him. Well I expect the viewers will enjoy "chewing off" (=criticize) that bastid.

Q: It's the character who is outspokenly blamed. Why were you willing to choose it?

A: One of my favorite actors is Robin Williams who recently passed away. I always wanted to do characters who are mixed with humanity and pathos, and humor. And this role is the one. You somehow need to get the knack in living in a professional life. He is the guy who gets the knack way too skillfully but on the other hand he shows some humanity.

Unquote

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7 Rungirlrun

September 10, 2014 at 4:38 AM

I do hope they portray her as a strong, level-headed woman. As a child of a single mother in a conservative and religious country (until we moved) my mother and I have experienced some pretty tough judgement, ranging from pity to scorn. I once was also denied acceptance at a school because my last name differed from my mother's. I will only be able to stomach watching this if the main character proves to be a woman I can respect

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8 Aly

September 10, 2014 at 4:40 AM

I'm excited about this drama. I like the cast and the premise. Please drama gods, don't disappoint me!

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9 meh

September 10, 2014 at 4:50 AM

Yah for Park Shi Yeon! I always love a strong heroine so I am looking forward to this drama. And about time, Bae Soo Bin gets a lead role. :D

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Pipit

September 10, 2014 at 6:31 PM

I'm also looking forward to this drama. And I second your sentiment about Bae Soo Bin finally gets the male lead role. He has the charisma and the charms. Now he gets the chance.

Wishing all the best for this drama. I can see Park Shi Yeon playing another Eun Young (from Coffee House, which is IMO still one of the best female lead roles ever created in kdrama land) in this drama.

We need more heroines who is fun, funny, strong, smart and can fight her way in a male dominated and cruel world. Enough with the stupid, doormat like heroine already.

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10 JoJo

September 10, 2014 at 5:25 AM

Good grief! An "unexpected" pregnancy? What an original idea! I guess when the kid is born, his chaebol parents will try to take the "boy" away from her, because chaebol son's current wife is unable to conceive.

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soprection

September 10, 2014 at 5:54 AM

Well, I'm guessing this chaebol is unmarried because the post said that neither he nor PSY's character is interested in marriage.

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11 redfox

September 10, 2014 at 5:26 AM

like every other story out there with women. I mean it in a good... no, bad....anyway it is bad, but it is a good thing to make a drama based on it. you know what I mean? cause many people can relate

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12 fab

September 10, 2014 at 5:29 AM

That bedscene looks full of passion...

And yay for strong heroines. But I hope the writing is solid, and they don't degrade her strength.

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anon

September 10, 2014 at 9:05 AM

passion?? I don't see any

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Waiting

September 10, 2014 at 10:26 AM

I think they were looking at the director.

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skelly

September 10, 2014 at 10:33 AM

Neither did I. In fact, those pictures look weird to me because he looks about fourteen and totally lost, while she appears to suffer with his awkwardness.

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fab

September 11, 2014 at 4:02 AM

Neither do I- cue sarcasm. ;-)

Those stills are terrible I hope it looks better on screen.

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13 fab

September 10, 2014 at 6:15 AM

Btw how does this work, she CHOICE to have a child out of wedlock but becomes UNEXPECTEDLY pregnant?? If you have to have a child unwed then do it with someone who agrees!

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Lixie

September 10, 2014 at 6:29 AM

NO, she gets pregnant without planning and later she just chooses to keep it.

I respect that, even admire, but I also kind of wish the show would not demonize a guy for not wanting to have a kid. It should be his choice as well. Maybe it's too much to expect from dramaland?

Either way I'm in because of the cast. :)

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soprection

September 10, 2014 at 8:27 AM

Well, to be fair, I don't think (from what I've gleaned) that the show is saying that not wanting to have a child is wrong. I think the show is saying that now that they are having a child unexpectedly, he does not want to take responsibility for it in any way. Of course, he doesn't HAVE to be involved but he should because it's his kid too. It's not like she got pregnant just to "trap" him (I hope). That being said, I could be giving the show too much credit - who knows how it will play out?

It's a tricky situation though. I mean, you can't have half a kid, you know, and the child's life will inevitably be affected by his family situation whether it's positive or negative.

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Lixie

September 10, 2014 at 8:57 AM

Yes, of course, we don't know how the show will deal with it. I just had the feeling they might show him as being wrong just because he's not ready to have a child.

It's a controversial issue, my personal opinion is that the guy should get involved, even if he's not really interested, but on the other hand I think he has the right to stay away and not be blamed for this choice. In the long run, it would be his loss but he has or should have the right to say no to whole process as long as he pays whatever the child has a right to receive of course.
I think it would be interesting to have a show take this stance but I don't think no drama will do it.

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14 Heartoppaya

September 10, 2014 at 6:44 AM

Yay for BSB finally getting a lead role! That man is so hot and sexy it would be a crime for him to never get the girl (a.k.a second lead). I'm seriously jumping with happiness. Couch Kimchi has the trailer and the two actors look adorable together. And yay for PSY. Girl needs a break.

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anniemo

September 10, 2014 at 8:27 AM

Indeed! Please finally get the girl Bae Soo Bin!

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15 Aigoooo

September 10, 2014 at 7:01 AM

Why is Park Shi Yeon in a girl-on-girl bed scene? Oh wait.. nvm! lol

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16 Mrs. Jang guem suk

September 10, 2014 at 8:00 AM

This seems interesting I'm soo 4 it NMH and BSB yayiesssss ?

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17 Pollywood

September 10, 2014 at 8:15 AM

LOL, the teaser looks like it's gonna be silly-funny. I'm in! If it's short, of course ... can't find episode count.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFMauLuMQ9U

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cynkdf

September 10, 2014 at 8:24 AM

16 episodes short enough for you? :)

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Pollywood

September 10, 2014 at 8:48 AM

Yes! *phew*

(The storyline just reminded me of the one brother/newscaster in Ojakgyo Brothers and that one had like 60 episodes or something :)

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18 Trina

September 10, 2014 at 8:27 AM

In my opinion, due to I was raised by my single mother until I was sixteen years old when my mom marry to my stepfather and now have two half sisters. I hope they show PSH that she is loving and caring mother and who worked hard to support her child even though she is single mother.

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19 kisa

September 10, 2014 at 9:46 AM

This drama looks like a comedy but this article is look at reality of single motherhood in Korean society. I read it yesterday and today it's related to a drama

http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2014/09/09/346851939/in-korea-adoptees-fight-to-change-culture-that-sent-them-overseas?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20140909

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soprection

September 10, 2014 at 3:33 PM

Thank you for that link. It was very informative.

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20 My Girl

September 10, 2014 at 10:14 AM

Love love love Park Shi Yeon so I'm super stoked, hoping for good ratings so she'll catch a break

Looks fun and engaging. I'm so glad, because when I heard the premise months before I honestly thought it would be a snoozer

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21 cynkdf

September 10, 2014 at 10:15 AM

Did a little digging - Go Yoon Hee co-wrote the screenplay for the 2005 movie "Rules of Dating". Have any of you watched this movie? She won the 2006 Baeksang Arts Award for Best Screenplay, and together with her fellow writer Han Jae Rim she won the 2005 Blue Dragon Award for Best Screenplay.

http://www.cinemasie.com/en/fiche/oeuvre/objectiveoflove/recompenses.html

The above info I found in the short Soompi thread dedicated to the movie which contains a few reviews about the film.

For the sake of all connected with Greatest Marriage, BSB in particular (LOVE him), I hope Ms Go delivers a script that is interesting, intriguing, maybe a tad controversial :) Judging from the awards that she won for Rules of Dating, she is certainly capable of doing so. Fingers crossed!

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22 daktari34

September 10, 2014 at 11:27 AM

She is truly an elfin beauty!

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23 ilikemangos

September 10, 2014 at 12:46 PM

Even today in South Korea it is still a big issue to be a single mother. They either feel sorry for you or they judge you.

Dramaland doesn't always do it flawlessly, but I do appreciate their efforts in pushing the envelope nowadays.

Plus, Park Si Yeon always has that confident/sexy woman aura so it's always nice to see her.

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24 sunyue

September 10, 2014 at 1:28 PM

Damn, they have really neat sex hair.

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25 ujsid

September 10, 2014 at 5:26 PM

I adore Park Shi Yeon! I will surely be tuning it :D

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26 salt n' pepper

September 10, 2014 at 6:30 PM

This seems interesting and I like both leads so I want to check this out once it's out. Can anyone please tell me where I can watch subbed dramas from this network? :) Pardon the ignorance, I don't think I've ever watched a drama from TV Chosun yet. Or wait, the teaser is subbed so will this show come out subbed on Youtube, too, like those from KBS World?

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cynkdf

September 10, 2014 at 7:54 PM

@salt n'pepper, I am so glad you asked this question. I haven't watched any TV Chosun drama either. A TV Chosun drama Bride of the Century was subbed by Dramafever; my guess is that it's mainly due to the lead actor (idol :)).

If not mistaken, I believe the 1-minute teaser for Greatest Marriage was subbed because it was promoted at a Broadcasting Trade Fair held in Seoul on 4 September. PSY and BSB attended that fair and gave out rice cakes. Thanks to the uploader of this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V924ocR-k2U

Here's where you can help if you want GM to be subbed :) Please request the main subbers to sub the drama. Whether or not they can get the licence and wish to pick up the drama is a different matter altogether but there's no harm in us trying, right?

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salt n' pepper

September 11, 2014 at 8:15 AM

@cynkdf

Here's hoping dramafever (or viki) decides to sub this show, too! It seems to be generating a fair amount of buzz for a TV Chosun drama so I'm hoping someone out there picks this up. :) Oh, and thanks for that link. I've always found Park Si Yeon really pretty with that elven, pixie-ish look that she has.

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27 sunblind

September 10, 2014 at 10:13 PM

Really no offence because I think that No Min Woo is a really beautiful man... but so beautiful that I thought he was a woman in the trailer and that they're lesbians :P