Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama My Golden Life, which became one of Korea’s most beloved weekend family dramas and a true ratings phenomenon that captured the hearts of viewers across the nation.
My Golden Life is a 2017–18 South Korean television series starring Park Si-hoo, Shin Hye-sun, Lee Tae-hwan, and Seo Eun-soo. The series was originally broadcast on KBS2 every Saturday and Sunday from September 2017 to March 2018 between 19:55 to 21:15 (KST). The drama consists of 52 episodes aired from September 2, 2017 to March 11, 2018, with each episode running approximately 60 minutes. The series delivers heartwarming family moments, complex romance, and social commentary wrapped in the engaging storytelling that made it a national phenomenon.
The story revolves around a woman who has a chance to rise in status but falls into a bottomless pit, and eventually finds a chance to seek happiness. The drama masterfully explores themes of family identity, social class, and the meaning of true happiness while delivering the romance and family dynamics that Korean audiences cherish. The series surpassed 40% ratings starting from the 30th episode, becoming a new “National Drama” and proving that authentic family storytelling still resonates powerfully with viewers.
The Switched Identity Mystery: When Family Isn’t What It Seems
25 years ago, the Haesung Group lost their granddaughter Choi Eun Seok. The girl was found and raised by Seo Tae Su as one of his twin daughters, setting up the central premise that drives the entire series. A hardworking woman is mistaken as the daughter of a wealthy family and chooses to live with them, creating a complex web of relationships and moral dilemmas that form the heart of the drama.
The series begins when Seo Ji An, a contract employee struggling to support her family, discovers she might actually be the long-lost granddaughter of the wealthy Haesung Group. This revelation forces her to choose between the working-class family that raised her with love and the wealthy biological family that offers her everything she’s ever dreamed of. The show excels at exploring how identity is shaped by both blood relations and the people who actually raise us.
Seo Ji An: Shin Hye Sun’s Heartfelt Journey
Shin Hye Sun delivers a career-defining performance as Seo Ji An, bringing both strength and vulnerability to a character caught between two worlds. Shin Hye Sun has become a favorite Korean actress since My Golden Life, with viewers praising her emotional range and authentic portrayal. Her portrayal captures a woman who must navigate the complex emotions of discovering her true identity while staying true to her values and the family that raised her.
Shin Hye Sun’s chemistry with the entire cast creates authentic family dynamics that feel both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Her performance shows how Ji An grows from an insecure contract worker into a confident woman who learns that true happiness comes from staying true to yourself rather than chasing status or wealth. The actress brings depth to every emotional moment, making viewers genuinely invested in Ji An’s journey.
Choi Do Kyung: Park Si Hoo’s Chaebol with Heart
Park Si Hoo brings charm and complexity to Choi Do Kyung, the third-generation chaebol heir who falls for Ji An’s authenticity and warmth. He is the only heir to Haeseong Group and the head of Strategic Planning Team. He is a third generation chaebol who initially appears to have everything but gradually reveals his own struggles with family expectations and finding genuine connection.
Park Si Hoo reflected on the project’s success, saying “As an actor, it is difficult to be in a project that exceeds viewership ratings of 40 percent. It has definitely been an enjoyable eight months. Through this drama, I have grown as an actor and it will be a project that I will never forget.” His chemistry with Shin Hye Sun creates one of K-drama’s most believable romances, showing how love can bridge different social classes when it’s built on mutual respect and understanding.
The Family Dynamics: Love Beyond Blood Relations
The series excels in its portrayal of both the working-class Seo family and the wealthy Choi family, showing how different environments shape values and relationships. Ji An’s relationship with her adoptive father and twin sister creates some of the drama’s most emotional moments, while her interactions with her biological family reveal the complexities of sudden wealth and privilege.
The show doesn’t villainize either family, instead showing how both love and expectation can create pressure and conflict. The Seo family’s struggles with poverty are portrayed with dignity, while the Choi family’s wealth comes with its own set of problems and responsibilities. This balanced approach allows viewers to understand all characters’ motivations while rooting for Ji An to find her own path.
The Ratings Phenomenon: Breaking Records and Hearts
The drama broke the 40% AGB ratings threshold with episode 30, hitting 41.8% nationwide and cementing it as the highest rated drama of 2017. The series became the drama with the highest viewership ratings of the year, approaching 40 percent and airing every weekend at 7:55 p.m. KST. The show’s success proved that audiences still hunger for family-centered storytelling that combines romance with meaningful social commentary.
The series consistently dominated weekend television, becoming appointment viewing for families across Korea who gathered to watch Ji An’s journey unfold. The drama’s success extended beyond ratings, generating extensive social media discussion and cultural impact that made it a true cultural phenomenon that defined weekend television for months.
Success on KBS: A Weekend Drama Legend
My Golden Life became KBS’s most successful weekend drama in years, proving that authentic family storytelling combined with compelling romance could still capture massive audiences in the modern television landscape. The series attracted viewers across all age groups, with families gathering every weekend to follow the Seo and Choi families’ intertwined stories. KBS2 aired 2 Special episodes on 4 October 2017 to celebrate Chuseok holiday, demonstrating the series’ cultural significance and popularity. The show’s success established it as a modern classic of Korean weekend drama programming while launching both lead actors to new heights of popularity and critical recognition.
The Perfect K-Drama Family Experience
If you love family dramas, heartwarming romance, and stories about finding your true identity, My Golden Life is the perfect series to binge on streaming platforms. This isn’t just television; it’s a masterclass in emotional storytelling that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the power of love and family bonds.
Why This Family Saga Will Touch Your Heart Forever
My Golden Life succeeds because it treats its characters with genuine love and respect, creating authentic family moments that feel both specifically Korean and universally relatable. The writing gave a different and new flavor to familiar story elements, making it really amazing for both viewers and writers learning from the drama, proving that exceptional writing and heartfelt performances can elevate any premise into unforgettable television.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 52
Platform: KBS2
Release/End Year: 2017-2018
Rating (IMDb): 7.4/10
Genre: Family Drama/Romance
Status: Completed
Main Characters: Shin Hye Sun (Seo Ji An), Park Si Hoo (Choi Do Kyung), Lee Tae Hwan (Seo Ji Tae), Seo Eun Soo (Choi Eun Seok)
Antagonist: Social class differences and family expectations (no traditional antagonist)