My Golden Life
My Golden Life[1] (Korean: 황금빛 내 인생; Hanja: 黃金빛 내 人生; RR: Hwanggeumbit Nae Insaeng) is a 2017 South Korean television series starring Park Si-hoo, Shin Hye-sun, Lee Tae-hwan, and Seo Eun-soo. The series aired on KBS2 every Saturday and Sunday from 19:55 to 21:15 (KST).[2]
My Golden Life | |
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Promotional poster | |
Hangul | 황금빛 내 인생 |
Hanja | 黃金빛 내 人生 |
Genre | |
Created by | KBS Drama Production (KBS 드라마 제작국) |
Written by | So Hyun-kyung |
Directed by | Kim Hyung-seok |
Creative director | Choi Yoon-seok |
Starring | |
Country of origin | South Korea |
Original language | Korean |
No. of episodes | 52 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Producers |
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Camera setup | Single-camera |
Running time | 80 min |
Production company | Studio Dragon |
Distributor | KBS Studio Dragon (Worldwide) |
Release | |
Original network | KBS2 and KBSWORLD |
Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) |
Audio format | Dolby Digital |
Original release | September 2, 2017 – March 11, 2018 |
External links | |
Website | |
Production website |
Synopsis
Revolves around a woman who has a chance to rise in status and a man who finds happiness in her.
A mother's misguided love has caused her daughters to get swapped in status, and so the heroine Seo Ji-an enters the chaebol household to have a better life without knowing she is actually not their long-lost daughter, but her "former twin" sister instead. What will happen to her once the secret gets revealed, and what will happen to her relationship with the son of chaebol family Choi Do-kyung, whom she has gotten closer to as siblings?
Cast
Main
- Park Si-hoo as Choi Do-kyung[3]
He is the only heir to Haeseong Group and the head of Strategic Planning Team. He is a third generation chaebol who has returned from the USA after finishing his MBA. He is a gentleman with admirable physique and elegance. He takes pride in the fact that he practices Noblesse Oblige unlike other chaebols who like to power trip. When the "perpetrator" of an accident involving his car, Seo Ji-An, is later revealed to be his younger sister, 'Choi Eunseok,' his life takes a new turn.
- Shin Hye-sun as Seo Ji-An[4][5]
She is on a probationary two-year contract with the marketing team of Haeseong Group. Before her father went bankrupt 10 years ago, she used to be the original 'girl crush.' Everyone admires her competitive spirit and cheerful personality. Now she only dreams of being a full-time employee of the Haeseong Group. When that dream is shattered by a friend with wealth and connections, she hits rock bottom. Then, like a miracle, she gets a chance to reverse her life as the daughter of Haeseong Group. She chooses to take the silver spoon and live a glamorous life. But unexpected challenges are waiting for her.
- Lee Tae-hwan as Sunwoo Hyuk[6]
He is Ji-An’s high school friend. With a major in interior design, he runs a DIY furniture shopping mall. He has a cheerful and feisty personality, but he also has a cranky side and his likes and dislike are very clear. Ever since he fell in love with Ji-An at first sight in high school, he has had a crush on her. He does not realize that Ji-Soo, who has a crush on him, is Ji-An’s twin sister.
- Seo Eun-soo as Seo Ji-Soo[7]
Ji-An’s twin sister; After graduating from vocational college, she has been making a living as a part-timer for years. She is without a worry in the world. Since she loves bread so much, she gets a job at a local bakery. Without knowing the relationship between Ji-An and Sunwoo, she has a secret crush on Sunwoo. When her twin sister enters the chaebol family, she learns the secret behind her birth and becomes confused.
Seo Ji-An’s family
- Chun Ho-jin as Seo Tae-Soo, the twins' father
Tae-Soo has been the breadwinner for his family for his entire life. He previously had a successful life as a self-made businessman, but after going bankrupt some years earlier, he has been working as a day laborer but struggles with discrimination due to his older age and his wife being vocal of her shame at his plight.
- Kim Hye-Ok as Yang Mi-Jung, the twins' mother
She thought she would live as a housewife without ever having to get her hands dirty. Her pride is battered with her husband Tae-Soo’s bankruptcy. Reality makes her a pessimist and her negative attitude and constant complaining often annoy her family. She prays that her daughter Ji-An, who enters a chaebol family, does not end up like her.
- Lee Tae-sung as Seo Ji-Tae, the twins' older brother
Ji-tae is the eldest of Tae-soo's four children. Having graduated from university abroad, he is the envy of his younger siblings as he has a full-time job and a steady girlfriend. Burdened with having to help pay off his father's debt, he hides his own struggles from his family and will do anything for them, including sacrificing his own happiness.
- Shin Hyun-soo as Seo Ji-Ho, the twins' younger brother
Ji-ho is the youngest of Tae-soo's four children. At the beginning of the series he was a high school student preparing for the college entrance exam and worked part-time to save up for his college tuition. Cheerful and happy-go-lucky by nature, he is doted on by his family and is fiercely protective of his siblings.
Choi Do-Kyung’s family
- Jeon No-min as Choi Jae-Sung, Do-Kyung’s father. He and Myung-hee were university sweethearts and he married her even after finding out about her background as a chaebol heiress. Although he works for his in-laws' company, he feels suffocated and despises the cold mannerisms and lack of personal relationships between his in-laws.
- Na Young-hee as Noh Myung-Hee, Do-Kyung’s mother and elder daughter of Noh Yang-ho. She is portrayed in the story unsympathetically as a rather self-centered lady, possibly because of her upbringing and manipulation of her over-bearing father. She tends to be uncaring towards others, especially people of inferior wealth and influence in comparison with her.
- Lee Da-in as Choi Seo-Hyun, Do-Kyung’s younger sister. Although appearing to be a typical "golden child", she hides a more rebellious side of her from her brother and parents and wishes to explore the world outside of her family's bubble of wealthy friends and connections. She feels left out when her parents, especially the mother, fuss so much over the return of her missing sister.
Haesung Group
- Kim Byung-Ki as Noh Yang-ho, the family patriarch and former chairman of Haesung Group
- Jeon Soo-Kyung as Noh Jin-Hee, Noh Yang-ho's younger daughter
- Yoo Ha-Bok as Jung Myung-soo, Noh Jin-Hee’s husband
- Seo Kyung-Hwa as Min Deul-lae, Choi family's household manager
- Wi Ha-Joon as Ryu Jae-shin, Choi Seo-Hyun’s former driver
Extended
- Jung So-Young as Sunwoo Hee , Sunwoo Hyuk's elder sister
- Choi Gwi-Hwa as Kang Nam-goo, Seo Ji-Soo's boss
- Kwon Hyuk-Poong as Sunwoo Seok, Sunwoo Hyuk & Hee's father
- Park Joo-Hee as Lee Soo-ah, Seo Ji-Tae's longtime lover and then wife
- Lee Jong-Nam as Shin Hae-ja, Yang Mi-Jung’s friend
- Lee Gyu-Bok as Yoo secretary
- Kim Sung-Hoon as Lee Yong-Kook
- Baek Seo-Yi as Yoon Ha-Jung, Seo Ji-An's frenemy
- Kim Sa-Kwan as Kim Ki-Jae
- Shin Min-Kyung as departmental student representative
- Yoo In-young as Jang So-Ra, Choi Do-Kyung’s fiancee.[8]
Original soundtrack
No. | Title | Artist | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Beautiful Girl" | Sosimboys (소심한 오빠들) | 3:20 |
2. | "나 그거하나봐 연애" (I Think I'm in Love) | ROO (루) | 3:57 |
3. | "어쩌면 내일은" (Maybe Tomorrow) | Dream Girl (동경소녀) | 3:31 |
4. | "바람이 불어와" (The Wind Blows) | Park Sun Ye (박선예) | 3:55 |
5. | "머물러" (Please Stay) | Lee Ki-chan | 3:55 |
Reception
The drama became one of the fastest-growing in ratings among KBS2 TV series in the same timeslot, starting with 19.7% for the first episode and surpassing 30% mark (30.9%) in 8 episodes.[9] It went on to become the fastest to reach the National Drama level of 40% rating (41.2% in 30 episodes) among KBS2 TV series in the same timeslot.[10][11]
The drama was praised as an atypical family drama, avoiding cliches such as family conflicts and typical "Cinderella stories" with "happily-ever-after" endings, instead focusing on pursuing personal happiness based on one's own decision.[12] It was praised for sensitively drawn characters, emotional details and family histories;[13] which successfully established an emotional connection between the viewers and the protagonists.[14] The series has been noted for highlighting current social issues in South Korean society, such as the breaking down of the traditional family unit in more recent times and the struggles faced by the "N-po" generation.[15]
Because of its popularity, it was also the first KBS2 drama in the same time slot to have a special episode. The 2½-hour program consisted of behind-the-scenes footage, cast and staff interviews, director's cuts of the first 10 episodes. It aired on October 4, 2017 from 3:25 to 6 pm (KST) during the Chuseok national holiday period.[16]
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | 31st KBS Drama Awards | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Chun Ho-jin | Won | [17] |
Top Excellence Award, Actor | Nominated | ||||
Top Excellence Award, Actress | Shin Hye-sun | Nominated | |||
Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama | Won | ||||
Kim Hye-ok | Nominated | ||||
Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama | Park Si-hoo | Won | |||
Chun Ho-jin | Nominated | ||||
Best New Actor | Lee Tae-hwan | Nominated | |||
Best New Actress | Seo Eun-soo | Nominated | |||
Netizen Award | Shin Hye-sun | Nominated | |||
Best Writer | So Hyun-kyung | Won | |||
Best Couple Award | Park Si-hoo and Shin Hye-sun | Won | |||
2018 | 54th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Drama | My Golden Life | Nominated | [18] |
Best Actor | Chun Ho-jin | Nominated | |||
Best Actress | Shin Hye-sun | Nominated | |||
Best Supporting Actress | Na Young-hee | Nominated | |||
Best New Actress | Seo Eun-soo | Nominated | |||
11th Korea Drama Awards | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Chun Ho-jin | Nominated | [19][20] | |
Best Drama | My Golden Life | Nominated | |||
Best Screenplay | So Hyun-kyung | Nominated | |||
Top Excellence Award, Actor | Park Si-hoo | Nominated | |||
Top Excellence Award, Actress | Shin Hye-sun | Nominated | |||
Best New Actress | Seo Eun-soo | Won | |||
6th APAN Star Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama | Park Si-hoo | Nominated | [21][22] | |
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama | Shin Hye-sun | Won | |||
2nd The Seoul Awards | Best Drama | My Golden Life | Nominated | [23] | |
Best Actress | Shin Hye-sun | Nominated |
Viewership
Episodes | Episode number | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | ||
1–13 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | |
14–26 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | |
27–39 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | 6.872 | 7.891 | 6.991 | 7.886 | 6.606 | |
40–52 | 7.850 | 7.053 | 8.245 | 7.100 | 8.366 | 7.734 | 6.468 | 7.410 | 5.349 | 6.658 | 8.037 | 6.700 | 8.156 |
Episode | Original broadcast date | Average audience share | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
TNmS[25] | AGB Nielsen[26] | ||||
Nationwide | Seoul | Nationwide | Seoul | ||
1 | September 2, 2017 | 20.7% (1st) | 17.5% (4th) | 19.7% (1st) | 19.5% (3rd) |
2 | September 3, 2017 | 22.5% (1st) | 20.0% (1st) | 23.7% (1st) | 23.5% (1st) |
3 | September 9, 2017 | 23.2% (1st) | 19.4% (2nd) | 22.4% (1st) | 22.2% (2nd) |
4 | September 10, 2017 | 29.6% (1st) | 26.0% (1st) | 28.4% (1st) | 28.2% (1st) |
5 | September 16, 2017 | 25.2% (1st) | 20.9% (1st) | 25.3% (1st) | 24.5% (1st) |
6 | September 17, 2017 | 28.8% (1st) | 24.5% (1st) | 29.7% (1st) | 29.7% (1st) |
7 | September 23, 2017 | 25.8% (1st) | 22.0% (2nd) | 26.2% (1st) | 25.6% (1st) |
8 | September 24, 2017 | 31.2% (1st) | 28.4% (1st) | 30.9% (1st) | 30.5% (1st) |
9 | September 30, 2017 | 24.4% (1st) | 21.0% (3rd) | 25.4% (1st) | 24.3% (1st) |
10 | October 1, 2017 | 28.1% (1st) | 23.9% (1st) | 29.6% (1st) | 29.8% (1st) |
11 | October 7, 2017 | 24.8% (1st) | 20.3% (3rd) | 27.2% (1st) | 26.7% (1st) |
12 | October 8, 2017 | 30.3% (1st) | 27.4% (1st) | 30.9% (1st) | 30.1% (1st) |
13 | October 14, 2017 | 27.9% (1st) | 23.3% (3rd) | 27.4% (1st) | 26.5% (1st) |
14 | October 15, 2017 | 31.2% (1st) | 27.5% (1st) | 32.4% (1st) | 31.7% (1st) |
15 | October 21, 2017 | 30.2% (1st) | 27.8% (1st) | 29.7% (1st) | 29.5% (1st) |
16 | October 22, 2017 | 34.2% (1st) | 31.4% (1st) | 35.0% (1st) | 34.8% (1st) |
17 | October 28, 2017 | 30.3% (1st) | 26.8% (1st) | 30.2% (1st) | 30.2% (1st) |
18 | October 29, 2017 | 34.2% (1st) | 30.3% (1st) | 34.5% (1st) | 34.2% (1st) |
19 | November 4, 2017 | 31.1% (1st) | 27.1% (1st) | 31.2% (1st) | 30.8% (1st) |
20 | November 5, 2017 | 35.5% (1st) | 31.3% (1st) | 36.0% (1st) | 36.0% (1st) |
21 | November 11, 2017 | 32.2% (1st) | 30.1% (1st) | 32.3% (1st) | 32.1% (1st) |
22 | November 12, 2017 | 37.1% (1st) | 34.0% (1st) | 37.9% (1st) | 36.6% (1st) |
23 | November 18, 2017 | 31.4% (1st) | 27.9% (1st) | 35.0% (1st) | 34.6% (1st) |
24 | November 19, 2017 | 36.3% (1st) | 33.6% (1st) | 37.7% (1st) | 37.5% (1st) |
25 | November 25, 2017 | 30.7% (1st) | 27.0% (1st) | 34.7% (1st) | 34.3% (1st) |
26 | November 26, 2017 | 35.9% (1st) | 32.1% (1st) | 39.0% (1st) | 38.6% (1st) |
27 | December 2, 2017 | 32.7% (1st) | 29.9% (1st) | 35.7% (1st) | 35.4% (1st) |
28 | December 3, 2017 | 38.7% (1st) | 35.7% (1st) | 38.8% (1st) | 38.9% (1st) |
29 | December 9, 2017 | 32.2% (1st) | 29.0% (1st) | 35.6% (1st) | 35.5% (1st) |
30 | December 10, 2017 | 40.2% (1st) | 36.3% (1st) | 41.2% (1st) | 40.8% (1st) |
31 | December 16, 2017 | 34.2% (1st) | 30.7% (1st) | 35.7% (1st) | 34.7% (1st) |
32 | December 17, 2017 | 39.6% (1st) | 35.5% (1st) | 40.7% (1st) | 40.1% (1st) |
33 | December 23, 2017 | 32.8% (1st) | 29.1% (1st) | 34.7% (1st) | 33.1% (1st) |
34 | December 24, 2017 | 35.9% (1st) | 31.6% (1st) | 37.8% (1st) | 36.9% (1st) |
35 | January 6, 2018 | 37.3% (1st) | 34.4% (1st) | 37.6% (1st) | 37.2% (1st) |
36 | January 7, 2018 | 42.3% (1st) | 38.2% (1st) | 42.8% (1st) | 42.5% (1st) |
37 | January 13, 2018 | 36.4% (1st) | 32.5% (1st) | 37.8% (1st) | 37.9% (1st) |
38 | January 14, 2018 | 39.6% (1st) | 35.7% (1st) | 43.2% (1st) | 42.9% (1st) |
39 | January 20, 2018 | 35.3% (1st) | 31.9% (1st) | 36.8% (1st) | 35.4% (1st) |
40 | January 21, 2018 | 41.7% (1st) | 37.0% (1st) | 41.9% (1st) | 41.2% (1st) |
41 | January 27, 2018 | 37.5% (1st) | 34.1% (1st) | 38.8% (1st) | 39.3% (1st) |
42 | January 28, 2018 | 42.5% (1st) | 38.9% (1st) | 44.2% (1st) | 44.6% (1st) |
43 | February 3, 2018 | 39.6% (1st) | 35.8% (1st) | 40.3% (1st) | 40.5% (1st) |
44 | February 4, 2018 | 43.9% (1st) | 40.4% (1st) | 44.6% (1st) | 44.1% (1st) |
45 | February 11, 2018 | 39.9% (1st) | 36.4% (1st) | 41.9% (1st) | 41.5% (1st) |
46 | February 17, 2018 | 30.0% (1st) | 26.1% (1st) | 34.7% (1st) | 34.8% (1st) |
47 | February 18, 2018 | 35.1% (1st) | 31.3% (1st) | 38.7% (1st) | 38.9% (1st) |
48 | February 25, 2018 | 30.7% (1st) | 27.2% (1st) | 29.3% (1st) | 28.8% (1st) |
49 | March 3, 2018 | 41.2% (1st) | 36.7% (1st) | 38.1% (1st) | 37.6% (1st) |
50 | March 4, 2018 | 45.8% (1st) | 41.9% (1st) | 43.9% (1st) | 43.0% (1st) |
51 | March 10, 2018 | 39.4% (1st) | 35.0% (1st) | 38.1% (1st) | 36.7% (1st) |
52 | March 11, 2018 | 47.5% (1st) | 43.7% (1st) | 45.1% (1st) | 44.3% (1st) |
Average | 34.0% | 30.2% | 34.8% | 34.4% | |
Chuseok Special I |
October 4, 2017 | 1.9% (NR) | N/A | 2.2% (NR) | N/A |
Chuseok Special II |
3.4% (NR) | 3.4% (NR) | |||
Behind the Scenes Special I |
December 30, 2017 | 23.4% (1st) | 20.2% (1st) | 22.1% (1st) | 21.5% (1st) |
Behind the Scenes Special II |
December 31, 2017 | 19.9% (1st) | 17.1% (1st) | 17.5% (1st) | 17.3% (1st) |
|
References
- My Golden Life | 황금빛 내인생 [Preview]. KBS World TV via Youtube. August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
- "Drama reveals demise of families in Korea". The Korea Times. December 10, 2017.
- "Park Si-hoo returns in 'My Golden Life'". Kpop Herald. August 30, 2017.
- Park, Jin-hai (November 8, 2017). "Tough cookie Cinderellas win viewers' hearts". The Korea Times. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
- "Actress Shin Hye-sun Finds Success Brings New Pressures". The Chosun Ilbo. March 31, 2018.
- "'My Golden Life' gave Lee Tae-hwan the boost he needed". Korea JoongAng Daily. March 30, 2018.
- "Actress Seo Eun-su Finds Breakthrough in Latest TV Series". The Chosun Ilbo. April 7, 2018.
- "Yoo In Young to appear as Park Si Hoo's fiancée in 'My Golden Life'". KBS World. November 24, 2017.
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- http://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3555576