The new Korean romantic comedy “Would You Marry Me“ has premiered with its first two episodes, introducing viewers to a story of heartbreak, mistaken identities, and a fake marriage arrangement. Starring Choi Woo-sik and Jung So-min, the series launched on October 10 and 11, 2025, on SBS and Disney+. The show started strong in the ratings, with the second episode climbing to a nationwide viewership of 6.4% after the first episode achieved 5.6%.
Plot Overview
The story follows Yoo Me-ri (Jung So-min), a designer whose life falls apart in quick succession. While planning her wedding, she discovers her long-time fiancรฉ, Kim Woo-joo, is having an affair. To make matters worse, she had already legally registered their marriage for a housing loan and used her and her mother’s money to purchase an apartment, which turns out to be part of a land scam. After calling off the wedding and dealing with the divorce paperwork, a drunk Me-ri is accidentally hit by a car driven by another man named Kim Woo-joo (Choi Woo-sik). He is the heir to a renowned 80-year-old family bakery, Myungsoondang, and has recently returned to South Korea.
Me-ri’s fortune appears to change when she wins a luxury townhouse in a newlywed raffle. However, the prize requires her to be married and to attend the award ceremony with her husband. Unable to reach her ex-husband, she devises a plan after remembering the kind stranger who shares his name. She tracks down the second Woo-joo and unexpectedly proposes, asking him to become her fake husband.
One fan noted, “The drunk scene in Episode 1, boisterous, hilarious, and poignant, is a great example of how Would You Marry Me? subverts its clichรฉs with freshness and feeling.”
Character Introductions and Key Moments
Jung So-min’s character, Yoo Me-ri, is portrayed as assertive and strong-willed. In the opening of Episode 1, she walks out of a design pitch after facing sexist comments from executives. Her life then spirals as she deals with her fiancรฉ’s infidelity and financial fraud. Her drunk encounter with the male lead, which ends with her falling onto a cactus plant, is a standout moment that blends physical comedy with her character’s despair.
Choi Woo-sik’s Kim Woo-joo is a more reserved and practical man, shaped by a past trauma. A flashback reveals he was in a fatal car accident that killed his parents when he was younger. He is named the new heir to Myungsoondang by his grandmother, causing tension with his cousins who see him as a rival. He initially refuses Me-ri’s proposal, calling it a scam, but circumstances eventually force them together.
The two leads find a professional connection when Myungsoondang faces a copyright issue with its packaging design, which happens to be owned by Me-ri’s company. This work conflict adds another layer to their evolving relationship.
The Fake Marriage Begins
Woo-joo eventually agrees to pretend to be Me-ri’s husband for the department store’s award ceremony. Their attempt to act like a real couple leads to a series of comical and awkward situations. When a PR employee becomes suspicious of them, Woo-joo quickly fabricates a story that they are sick, leading them to wear masks during the photo session to avoid being recognized.
Their act is successful, and they secure the house prize. However, they soon learn they cannot sell the property for 90 days. To their further surprise, the department store’s executive director, Baek Sang-hyun, reveals he is their new neighbor and will be visiting often. The situation becomes more complicated when Woo-joo’s family witnesses them together and mistakenly believes Me-ri is truly his wife.
Audience and Critical Reception
Early viewer reactions have been largely positive, with many praising the chemistry between the two lead actors. The show is being described as a comforting and enjoyable watch that, while using familiar tropes, executes them well.
One reviewer wrote, > “This is the true com-rom I’ve been looking for for so long. I absolutely love So Min’s acting, the way she moves so naturally from sadness to comedy is just incredible.”
Another viewer commented on the classic setup, stating, > “They showered us with all sorts of cliches, but it looks quite niceโฆ The chemistry between leads worked out very well.”
While the storyline features predictable elements like a contract marriage and a chaotic first meeting, the strong performances and balanced tone between humor and emotional moments are seen as the show’s main strengths. The series is directed by Song Hyun-wook and Hwang In-hyeok, who are known for their skill with romantic and comedic timing.
