You’re probably here because you’re staring at your streaming queue, wondering if you actually have the stamina to finish this show. It’s a fair question. Korean dramas usually follow a predictable pattern—16 episodes for a rom-com, maybe 12 for a gritty thriller, or the occasional 20-episode historical epic. But daily dramas? They’re a completely different beast. When we talk about the My Merry Marriage number of episodes, we aren't talking about a quick weekend binge. We're talking about a commitment.
The KBS1 daily drama My Merry Marriage (also known by its literal title Gyeolhonhaja Maeng-gu-ya!) is slated for exactly 120 episodes.
Yeah. You read that right. One hundred and twenty.
If you’re used to the Netflix-style 8-episode "limited series," that number looks terrifying. It looks like a typo. But for the dedicated audience of KBS1’s evening slot, 120 is the sweet spot. It’s the standard. It is the rhythmic heartbeat of Korean television that millions of viewers tune into while eating dinner or folding laundry.
What’s the Deal With 120?
Why 120 episodes? Why not stop at 100 or push to 150? Honestly, it comes down to the broadcast schedule. Daily dramas air Monday through Friday. If you do the math, 120 episodes covers exactly 24 weeks. That’s nearly half a year of television. This specific cadence allows the network to cycle through two major flagship dramas per year.
The My Merry Marriage number of episodes reflects a long-standing tradition in Korean broadcasting. KBS1 is a public service channel. Their goal isn't just high-octane drama; it's companionship. They want to be a presence in your living room every night at 8:30 PM. To do that, the writers have to stretch the plot like taffy.
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If you try to watch this show like you watch Squid Game, you’ll lose your mind. It’s not designed for that. The pacing is intentionally slow. It’s built for "second-screen viewing." You can miss an episode because your kid had a soccer game or you stayed late at work, and when you tune back in, you’ll catch up within three minutes. The characters spend a lot of time talking about what happened in the previous scene. It’s a feature, not a bug.
The Story Behind the Count
Starring Park Ha-na and Park Sang-nam, the show follows Maeng Kong-hee, a contract designer at J-Fashion. It’s a classic setup: the hardworking underdog, the chaebol heir hiding his identity, and a whole lot of meddling parents.
With the My Merry Marriage number of episodes being so high, the writers have the luxury of exploring every single side character. In a 16-episode drama, the "second lead" might get a few scenes. Here? The second lead’s grandmother’s neighbor might get an entire three-episode arc about a missing Tupperware container. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating slightly, but only slightly.
The 120-episode format allows for "makjang" elements to breathe. "Makjang" is that over-the-top, spicy storytelling—think secret births, sudden amnesia, or business betrayals. When you have 120 slots to fill, you can’t just have one secret. You need a rotating door of revelations to keep the ratings steady over six months.
How it compares to other dailies
Most KBS1 dramas, like Su-ji and U-ri or Apple of My Eye, hit that 120-121 mark. Occasionally, if a show is a massive hit—we’re talking 20% or higher in the Nielsen ratings—the network might tack on another five or ten episodes. But usually, the production is such a grind that the cast and crew are ready to wrap it up exactly as planned. They film these almost in real-time. The script for episode 110 might be written while episode 100 is airing. It’s a high-pressure environment that requires incredible discipline from actors like Park Ha-na, who is basically a queen of this genre.
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Is the Episode Count Fixed?
The short answer: usually. The long answer: it depends on the Olympics, elections, or breaking news.
Because KBS1 is a national news-focused channel, My Merry Marriage often gets preempted. If there is a major political event or a sporting tournament, the drama gets pushed. This doesn't usually change the total My Merry Marriage number of episodes, but it does change the end date. Fans frequently get frustrated when a cliffhanger is left hanging for forty-eight hours because of a presidential address.
If you're tracking the show, don't just look at the calendar. Look at the episode count. The story is structured to reach its climax around episode 115, with the final five episodes dedicated to "wedding fever" and tying up every loose end so the audience feels satisfied.
How to Survive 120 Episodes Without Burning Out
If you’re new to the world of dailies, don't try to catch up all at once. You'll get "plot fatigue." The beauty of the My Merry Marriage number of episodes is that the show becomes part of your routine.
- Watch at 1.25x or 1.5x speed: If you're binging the early episodes on Viki or Kocowa, this is a lifesaver. You still get the emotional beats without the long, dramatic pauses for reaction shots.
- Embrace the tropes: You have to love the clichés. If you hate mother-in-laws throwing water in people's faces or characters accidentally overhearing secrets behind thin doors, this isn't the show for you.
- Focus on the chemistry: Park Ha-na is great at making even the most repetitive scenes feel grounded. Watch for the small character moments between the heavy plot twists.
The sheer volume of content is what makes it special. By episode 60, these characters feel like people you actually know. You've spent more time with Maeng Kong-hee than you have with some of your actual cousins. That’s the magic of the 120-episode run.
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Final Practical Steps for Viewers
If you are currently watching or planning to start, here is how to manage the journey:
Check the current broadcast status on the official KBS website or major K-drama databases to see if any preemptions have shifted the finale date. Currently, the trajectory remains firmly at 120.
If you are a few dozen episodes behind, don't panic. Read episode recaps for the mid-season "slump" (usually episodes 40 through 70) and jump back in when the tension ramps up for the final third.
Since this is a daily drama, the community moves fast. Join forums or Discord servers specifically for daily watchers. These fans are a different breed—they are loyal, observant, and great at predicting the "birth secret" twists fifty episodes before they happen.
The My Merry Marriage number of episodes might seem like a mountain, but once you start climbing, the view—and the drama—is worth the effort. Just take it one day at a time.