Honestly, if you've spent any time in the K-drama rabbit hole lately, you know that the cast of the Story of Park's Marriage Contract didn't just show up—they basically took over the internet for a solid two months. It’s one of those rare shows where the chemistry felt so lived-in that people actually started whispering about real-life dating rumors. But beyond the tabloid fodder, there’s a lot to unpack about why this specific group of actors worked so well together.
The show follows Park Yeon-woo, a Joseon-era noblewoman who gets tossed into a well and wakes up in 2023 Seoul. Standard time-slip stuff, right? Except the guy who pulls her out of the pool looks exactly like her late husband.
The Heavy Hitters: Lee Se-young and Bae In-hyuk
Lee Se-young plays Park Yeon-woo. She’s kind of a legend in the industry at this point. You probably remember her from The Red Sleeve, where she basically redefined what a historical lead looks like. In this drama, she had to play a woman who is simultaneously grieving a dead husband and trying to figure out how a toaster works. It’s a lot. Her ability to switch from high-stakes Joseon drama to "fish-out-of-water" comedy is probably the main reason the show didn't feel cheesy.
Then you have Bae In-hyuk as Kang Tae-ha.
He’s the "Android" of the SH Group. Cold. Logical. Basically a human spreadsheet. Bae In-hyuk has been on a massive upward trajectory since Cheer Up and Under the Queen's Umbrella. What’s interesting here is that he actually plays two versions of the same character: the sickly, sweet husband from the 19th century and the standoffish CEO of today. Fans were genuinely torn between the two. One Reddit user even joked they had "Second Lead Syndrome" for the same actor. That's a first.
The Supporting Players You Actually Care About
Usually, in these chaebol dramas, the side characters are just there to fill space. Not here.
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Joo Hyun-young as Sa-wol is a total scene-stealer. She plays Yeon-woo’s handmaid who also time-travels. Honestly, her transition to the 21st century was arguably more entertaining than the lead's. Watching her discover modern food and fashion was a highlight. She brings this frantic, chaotic energy that balances out the melodrama.
Then there’s Yoo Seon-ho playing Kang Tae-min.
He’s the half-brother and the resident "troublemaker" celebrity. If he looks familiar, it’s because he and Bae In-hyuk actually played brothers before in Under the Queen's Umbrella. The producers clearly knew what they were doing with that casting. Their sibling rivalry feels authentic because the actors already had that shorthand.
The Full Cast of the Story of Park's Marriage Contract
If you're looking for the specific names of the people who made the SH Group and the Midam hanbok brand feel real, here they are:
- Jin Kyung as Min Hye-suk: The stepmother you love to hate. She’s the representative of SH Seoul and, frankly, terrifying.
- Chun Ho-jin as Kang Sang-mo: The grandfather and Chairman. He’s the one who pushes the whole contract marriage idea in the first place.
- Jo Bok-rae as Hong Seong-pyo: Tae-ha’s secretary and the only person who actually knows what’s going on.
- Kim Yeo-jin as Lee Mi-dam: The modern-day version of Yeon-woo’s mother and the head of the hanbok brand.
- Oh Yu-jin as Hong Na-rae: Seong-pyo’s sister who helps Yeon-woo adjust to "New Joseon."
Why This Casting Worked (When Others Fail)
The secret sauce of the cast of the Story of Park's Marriage Contract wasn't just individual talent. It was the "reincarnation" aspect. Most time-travel shows struggle to make the past and present feel connected. Here, the director used the same actors for the Joseon era and the modern era to create a sense of fated connection.
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When you see Jin Kyung as the cruel Lady Yoon in the past and then as the cold Min Hye-suk in the present, you immediately understand the threat level. No exposition needed.
Also, the chemistry between Lee Se-young and Bae In-hyuk felt earned. They didn't just jump into the romance. There was a lot of bickering, confusion, and genuine cultural clashing. Lee Se-young has this way of looking at Bae In-hyuk that makes you believe she's seeing a ghost. It’s heartbreaking.
Addressing the Rumors
We have to talk about the MBC Drama Awards. During the ceremony, Lee Se-young and Bae In-hyuk were caught holding hands off-camera. The internet went into a total meltdown. Their agencies eventually had to put out statements saying they were just "close friends" and were leaning into their characters for the "Best Couple" nomination.
Believe what you want, but that kind of speculation only happens when the acting is top-tier.
The Webtoon Factor
Many fans came into this show after reading the original webtoon by Angelique and Kim Neo-ul. Usually, readers hate the live-action cast. "He's not tall enough," or "She doesn't look like the drawing."
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In this case, the reception was surprisingly positive. Bae In-hyuk managed to capture the "Tsundere" (cold on the outside, warm on the inside) vibe of the webtoon character perfectly. And Lee Se-young? She’s basically the queen of historical fiction. Nobody was complaining about her.
What to Watch Next
If you've finished the show and you're suffering from withdrawal, you should check out the cast's other work.
Lee Se-young in The Red Sleeve is non-negotiable. It’s a masterpiece. If you want more of Bae In-hyuk being a lead, Cheer Up is a great, lighthearted campus drama. For those who loved the comedy of Joo Hyun-young, her work on SNL Korea and Extraordinary Attorney Woo (she’s the best friend!) is mandatory viewing.
The cast of the Story of Park's Marriage Contract proved that you don't need a 20-episode arc to tell a compelling story. Sometimes, 12 episodes and a group of actors who actually like each other is more than enough to create a hit.
If you're planning a rewatch, pay closer attention to the supporting cast in the Joseon flashbacks. Many of the "background" characters in the 19th century pop up as random employees or passersby in 2023. It’s a fun "Easter egg" hunt that the showrunners tucked in for the eagle-eyed viewers.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the Behind-the-Scenes footage on the MBC YouTube channel; the "hand-holding" chemistry is even more apparent there.
- Read the original webtoon on platforms like Naver or Webtoon to see the slight plot deviations.
- Follow the cast on Instagram; Bae In-hyuk and Yoo Seon-ho often post "brotherly" photos that are pretty wholesome.