Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama The Real Has Come!, which premiered on March 25, 2023, bringing a heartwarming story about fake relationships that turn into real love through pregnancy and parenthood.
The Real Has Come! aired from March 25 to September 10, 2023, featuring 50 episodes running approximately 70 minutes each on KBS2. This romantic comedy-drama follows Oh Yeon Doo, an online Korean language instructor who discovers her boyfriend’s infidelity while pregnant, and Gong Tae Kyung, a marriage-averse obstetrician who enters a fake contract relationship with her. What makes this drama particularly engaging is its realistic portrayal of single motherhood, unconventional families, and how fake relationships can evolve into genuine love through shared challenges and mutual support.
The series achieved remarkable success, ending with 22.9% viewership ratings for its finale episode, proving that audiences connected deeply with its themes of family, love, and second chances. With stars Baek Jin-hee making her television comeback after four years and Ahn Jae-hyun returning to TV after three years, the drama marked significant comebacks for both leads while tackling contemporary social issues with warmth and humor.
The Contract That Changes Two Lives Forever
The central plot begins when Oh Yeon Doo discovers her boyfriend Kim Joon Ha has been cheating on her, and she’s pregnant with his child. Meanwhile, Gong Tae Kyung, a successful obstetrician who firmly believes marriage ruins relationships, finds himself pressured by family expectations. When these two meet, they devise a mutually beneficial fake relationship: she gets support during her pregnancy, and he gets his family off his back about marriage.
This contract marriage setup creates the perfect foundation for both comedy and meaningful character development. Unlike typical fake relationship stories, the pregnancy adds real stakes and emotional depth, forcing both characters to navigate genuine life changes while maintaining their artificial romance. The series explores how practical partnerships can unexpectedly bloom into authentic love when people support each other through life’s most challenging moments.
Oh Yeon Doo’s Journey from Betrayal to New Beginnings
Oh Yeon Doo, portrayed by Baek Jin-hee, represents the modern single mother facing societal judgment while building her career. As a rising star in online Korean language instruction, she embodies the struggle of balancing professional ambitions with unexpected motherhood. Her character development showcases resilience as she transforms from a woman devastated by betrayal into someone confident enough to create an unconventional family structure.
Her relationship with Tae Kyung begins as purely transactional but gradually reveals her capacity for trust and love despite past heartbreak. The series handles her pregnancy journey with sensitivity, showing both the physical and emotional challenges while celebrating the strength required to choose single motherhood in a society that often stigmatizes it.
Gong Tae Kyung’s Evolution from Commitment-Phobe to Devoted Partner
Gong Tae Kyung, played by Ahn Jae-hyun, starts as the stereotypical bachelor who believes marriage destroys love. His character as a skilled obstetrician who helps deliver babies while refusing to commit to relationships creates interesting irony. His privileged background and handsome appearance mask deeper fears about vulnerability and the potential pain of genuine emotional investment.
The fake relationship with Yeon Doo forces him to confront his assumptions about love and family. As he witnesses her strength and supports her through pregnancy, his character transforms from someone afraid of commitment into a man who discovers that real love requires choosing someone daily, not just feeling temporary attraction. His growth throughout the 50 episodes shows how caring for someone else’s needs can reveal our own capacity for selfless love.
When Fake Becomes Real Through Shared Parenthood
The dramatic climax occurs when their carefully maintained fake relationship faces challenges that force both characters to acknowledge their real feelings. As Yeon Doo’s pregnancy progresses and they navigate the complexities of preparing for parenthood together, the line between performance and genuine partnership disappears. The series builds tension around whether they can transition from their contract to authentic love.
The resolution explores how shared responsibility and mutual support during vulnerable times can create stronger bonds than traditional romantic courtship. Their journey through pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenthood becomes the foundation for a love story that grows from practical partnership into deep emotional connection.
Success on KBS2 and International Streaming Platforms
The Real Has Come! became a massive hit for KBS2, achieving impressive viewership ratings that peaked at 22.9% for the finale episode. The 50-episode format allowed for detailed character development and exploration of complex themes around modern family structures. The series resonated with audiences through its realistic portrayal of pregnancy, parenting challenges, and non-traditional relationships. International availability on Kocowa, Viki, and Viu expanded its reach to global audiences who appreciated its fresh take on contract marriage tropes and contemporary social issues.
A Heartwarming Journey of Love and Family
If you love romantic comedies with realistic pregnancy themes and unconventional family dynamics, The Real Has Come! is the perfect series to binge on KBS2. The show succeeds in creating a believable love story while addressing real issues faced by single mothers and commitment-phobic individuals in modern society.
Why This Extended Journey Is Worth Every Episode
The Real Has Come! proves that sometimes the most beautiful families are built on mutual support rather than passionate romance, creating a touching story that celebrates love in all its practical, messy, and wonderful forms.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 50
Platform: KBS2 / Kocowa / Viki / Viu
Release Year: March 25 – September 10, 2023
Current IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama, Family
Status: Completed
Protagonists: Baek Jin-hee (Oh Yeon Doo), Ahn Jae-hyun (Gong Tae Kyung)
Supporting Cast: Cha Joo-young (Gong Ji Myung), Jung Eui-jae (Kim Joon Ha), Park Ah-in (Gong Mal Ja)