Full House (South Korean TV series)
A 2004 Korean romantic comedy that sparked the Korean Wave.
Full House (풀하우스) is a 2004 South Korean television series that aired on KBS2. The romantic comedy, based on the manhwa by Won Soo-yeon, starred Rain, Song Hye-kyo, Han Eun-jung, and Kim Sung-soo. It ran for 16 episodes, broadcasting on Mondays and Fridays at 9:50 PM KST, from July 14 to September 2, 2004. The show is regarded as a trailblazer for the romantic comedy genre in Korean drama, achieving widespread popularity across Asia and significantly boosting the Korean Wave.
The story follows Han Ji-eun (Song Hye-kyo), an aspiring writer who lives in a house called Full House, built by her late father. Her two best friends trick her into thinking she has won a free vacation, and while she is away, they sell her house. On the plane, she meets famous actor Lee Young-jae (Rain). They become acquainted during her trip, but upon returning, Ji-eun discovers Young-jae now owns her home. Despite clashing over their opposing habits, they agree to live together. Initially, Ji-eun works as his maid to earn back the house, but later they enter a contract marriage so Young-jae can make his crush, Kang Hye-won (Han Eun-jung), jealous. Complications arise as the two develop genuine feelings for each other.
The cast includes Rain as Lee Young-jae, a popular actor who appears egotistical and stubborn but cares deeply for his friends. He harbors secret unrequited feelings for childhood friend Hye-won, but later falls for Ji-eun, and has a strained relationship with his doctor father. Song Hye-kyo plays Han Ji-eun, an optimistic, cheerful aspiring writer who inherits Full House from her parents. She enters a contract marriage with Young-jae to keep the house and eventually falls in love with him. Han Eun-jung portrays Kang Hye-won, a wealthy, attractive fashion designer who designs Young-jae’s clothes. Selfish and manipulative, she has only ever loved Yoo Min-hyuk but tries to hold onto both him and Young-jae. Kim Sung-soo plays Yoo Min-hyuk, a rich, smart playboy who remains detached due to his busy lifestyle. He is close friends with Young-jae, who confides in him about his feelings for Ji-eun. Min-hyuk, a director of a large media company, develops feelings for Ji-eun but eventually realizes she loves only Young-jae. Additional cast members include Jang Yong as Young-jae’s father, Sunwoo Eun-sook as his mother, Kim Ji-young as his grandmother, Lee Young-eun as Ji-eun’s f
- field
- Television series
- nationality
- South Korean
- known_for
- Pioneering the romantic comedy genre in Korean drama and advancing the Korean Wave
- network
- KBS2
- episodes
- 16
- air_dates
- July 14 to September 2, 2004
Lore & Background
The series follows Han Ji-eun (Song Hye-kyo), an aspiring writer who lives in a house called Full House built by her late father. Her two best friends trick her into believing she has won a free vacation, and while she is away, they sell her house. On the plane, she meets famous actor Lee Young-jae (Rain). When Ji-eun returns, she discovers her house has been sold to him. Despite not getting along, they agree to live together, with Ji-eun working as his maid to buy back the house. They later enter a contract marriage so Young-jae can make his crush, Kang Hye-won (Han Eun-jung), jealous, but complications arise as they become attracted to each other.
The cast includes Rain as Lee Young-jae, a popular but egotistical actor with secret feelings for his childhood friend Hye-won; Song Hye-kyo as the optimistic Han Ji-eun; Han Eun-jung as the selfish fashion designer Kang Hye-won; and Kim Sung-soo as Yoo Min-hyuk, a playboy director who develops feelings for Ji-eun. The Full House itself was a specially built wooden house near Incheon International Airport, costing approximately US$1 million to build. A musical theatre production of Full House was staged at the Hongik Art Center beginning April 11, 2014, with alternating leads including Yang Yo-seob and Leo (VIXX) as Lee Young-jae, and Jung Eun-ji and Joo as Han Ji-eun.
Reader's Guide
Full House is widely recognized as a landmark series in Korean drama history. It is considered a pioneer of the 'romantic comedy' genre in Korean drama, and its great success across Asia helped propel the Korean Wave, the global rise of South Korean popular culture. The series adapted the manhwa of the same name by Won Soo-yeon and aired on KBS2 in 2004. Its popularity led to a musical theatre production in 2014, demonstrating its lasting cultural impact. The show's blend of humor, romance, and contract marriage tropes set a template for many later Korean dramas. Its international reach introduced Korean entertainment to new audiences, contributing to the broader Hallyu phenomenon. The specially built Full House set became a tourist attraction, further cementing the series' legacy.
Did You Know?
- The Full House house was built specially for the series at a cost of approximately US$1 million.
- The series is based on the manhwa Full House by Won Soo-yeon.
- A musical theatre production of Full House was staged at the Hongik Art Center beginning April 11, 2014.
- The drama aired on KBS2 on Monday and Friday at 21:50 (KST) for 16 episodes.
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