The wait is finally over for fans looking forward to seeing Han Ji Min return to romantic comedy. Her latest project, The Practical Guide to Love, officially starts airing this weekend. The show brings together a stellar cast including Park Sung-hoon and Lee Ki-taek, and tells the story of a career-focused woman who decides to tackle her love life with the same efficiency she uses at work.
If you are planning to watch this new K-drama, knowing exactly when and where to catch each episode is key. Here is the complete breakdown of the release schedule, streaming platforms, and everything else you need to know about The Practical Guide to Love.
The Practical Guide to Love Premiere Date and Broadcast Schedule
The Practical Guide to Love premieres on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The show airs on South Korea’s JTBC cable network as part of their weekend drama lineup .
The broadcast follows a consistent weekly pattern:
- Saturdays: New episodes air at 10:40 PM Korean Standard Time (KST)
- Sundays: New episodes air at 10:30 PM KST
This two-episode-per-weekend format is standard for JTBC’s weekend dramas, giving viewers a steady flow of content without long waits between episodes.
Total Episodes and Finale Date
The drama consists of 12 episodes in total . Each episode runs for approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, giving ample time to develop the characters and their romantic journeys .
With the twice-weekly broadcast schedule, the series will run for six weekends. Viewers can mark their calendars for the finale, which is scheduled for Sunday, April 5, 2026. This gives audiences a clear timeline for the entire run of the show .
Where to Watch The Practical Guide to Love Online
For international viewers who cannot watch the live broadcast on JTBC, there are excellent streaming options available.
Primary Streaming Platforms
Viki is the main international streaming partner for The Practical Guide to Love. The platform has licensed the drama for global audiences, which means fans around the world can watch it with subtitles in multiple languages .
TVING, a popular South Korean streaming service, also carries the drama for viewers within Korea and potentially for some international markets .
When Will Episodes Appear on Streaming Platforms?
For most streaming services, including Viki, new episodes typically become available within 24 hours of the original Korean broadcast. This means:
- Saturday episodes (airing late Saturday night KST) should be available on streaming platforms by Sunday
- Sunday episodes should be available by Monday
The exact upload time can vary slightly depending on your region and the platform’s processing time for subtitles. Viki is known for its community-driven subtitle creation, so popular shows often get subtitles quite quickly.
Streaming Availability by Region
Different streaming services hold rights for different regions. Here is what viewers can expect based on their location:
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and India: Viki is the primary platform carrying the drama. Viewers in these countries should check Viki’s catalog for The Practical Guide to Love starting February 28 .
Southeast Asia and other regions: While Viki covers many territories, some regions may have the drama available through different platforms or local broadcast partners.
South Korea: Viewers can watch on JTBC (cable television) or stream on TVING.
What Is The Practical Guide to Love About?
Understanding the story helps set expectations for this new romance drama. The show follows Lee Eui-young, played by Han Ji-min, a purchasing team manager at The Hills Hotel . She is highly competent at her job and well-respected by her colleagues, but her love life has gone nowhere.
“In terms of romance, Lee Ui Yeong always dreamed of a fateful meeting that naturally develops into love.”
Under pressure from her mother and feeling restless as she watches her friends settle down, Eui-young makes a practical decision. She will approach dating the same way she handles her career—with planning and efficiency. This leads her to the world of blind dates .
The twist comes when she meets two very different men through these arranged meetings:
- Song Tae-seop (Park Sung-hoon), a wood studio owner who is calm, gentle, and sincere
- Shin Ji-soo (Lee Ki-taek), who steps in for a friend on a blind date and is playful, honest, and free-spirited
Finding herself torn between two charming men with completely different approaches to life and love, Eui-young embarks on a journey to discover what love truly means to her .
Meet the Main Cast
The casting choices bring together experienced actors who can deliver both comedy and emotional depth.
Han Ji-min leads the cast as Lee Eui-young. She is a familiar face to K-drama fans, known for her versatile performances in hits like Love Scout, Our Blues, and Familiar Wife. Her return to romantic comedy has been highly anticipated .
Park Sung-hoon plays Song Tae-seop. He gained international fame through roles in The Glory and Squid Game. Here, he takes on the role of a gentle, sincere man searching for love in his 30s .
Lee Ki-taek portrays Shin Ji-soo. A rising actor who has appeared in My Happy Ending, he brings energy to the role of the free-spirited second lead .
The supporting cast includes Jung Hye-sung and Kim So-hye as members of Eui-young’s hotel purchasing team, adding workplace dynamics to the romance .
Production Background
The drama is based on the popular Naver webtoon “Efficient Dating for Singles” by Tari . Adapting a beloved webtoon always brings built-in interest from fans of the original material.
Lee Jae-hoon directs the series. He previously worked on well-received dramas like Divorce Attorney Shin and Run On, giving fans confidence in the storytelling quality . The screenplay comes from writer Lee Yi-jin .
Filming began in the first half of 2025 and wrapped up on November 13, 2025. This completion date well before the premiere is good news for viewers, as it means the production did not face rushed post-production schedules .
In a touching gesture, Han Ji-min reportedly gifted sneakers worth approximately 30 million won to the 120 staff members as a wrap gift when filming concluded.
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Global Release Details Summary
For quick reference, here are the essential details about The Practical Guide to Love release:
- Premiere Date: February 28, 2026
- Broadcast Days: Saturdays and Sundays
- Air Times: Saturday 10:40 PM KST, Sunday 10:30 PM KST
- Total Episodes: 12
- Episode Length: Approx. 70 minutes
- Finale Date: April 5, 2026
- Korean Network: JTBC
- International Streaming: Viki, TVING
- Lead Cast: Han Ji-min, Park Sung-hoon, Lee Ki-taek
The drama presents a modern take on dating in your 30s, exploring whether love can be planned and organized like a career path. With its talented cast and relatable premise, The Practical Guide to Love looks ready to become a favorite for romance drama fans this season.
Also Read: You and I Are Polar Opposites Episode 8 Release Date, Streaming Details and Schedule on Crunchyroll
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