In a recent episode of "Fated To Love You," Jang Hyuk and Jang Nara find themselves in bed, as any married couple is likely to. Only they can't comfortably cuddle up because they are not truly married. Theirs is only a contract marriage, which forces them to live together until their child is born.
But the characters already like each other more than they imagined they would. And the fact that they wound up in the same bed means that by the comedy's end they could become a real couple.
Contract or arranged marriages are a common plot device in k-dramas because they show how two unlikely characters might succeed in a relationship when thrown together by chance.
Moon Geun Young was contracted to marry Kim Jae Wook, in "Mary Stayed Out All Night" but pretended to marry Jang Geun Suk to escape the marriage that her father was forcing on her. The arrangement made her spend time with Kim Jae Wook, who really began to like her, but in the end she could not force herself to love him.
Moon Geun Young was also a contract wife in the film "My Little Bride." In that film she is a high school student pressured to marry her much older teacher, played by Kim Rae Won. They keep the marriage a secret at school for understandable reasons but squabble when they are home alone. However, in this case, Moon Geun Young's character begins to see her contracted husband's merits. It turns into a true marruage
"Mary Stayed out All Night" was an exception as k-drama contracted marriages usually work out. "Goong," the drama about a modern-day Korea that still has a monarchy, also features an arranged marriage between commoner Yoon Eun Hye and her princely classmate played by Ju Ji Hoon. Her character earnestly tries to like her husband but he behaves so badly she wants to end their marriage. It takes almost two-dozen episodes before the two begin to appreciate each other sufficiently to have ever met and married of their own accord.
"Delightful Girl Choon Hyang" is an early Hong Sisters comedy that stars Han Chae Young and Jae Hee. They play teens forced to marry to protect their reputation. They decide to go along with their parents' wishes and just stay friends until they are old enough to decide if they want a divorce. As the years pass they begin to appreciate each other. Spoiler alert: They marry for real and live happily ever after.
The idea of contract marriage also gets played with in "Lie To Me" when Yoon Eun Hye pretends to be married to Kang Ji Hwan and must keep up appearances.
As a plot device contracted marriages may be especially popular in k-dramas as real-life Korean parents still set their children up on blind dates with potential spouses. Although sons and daughters can make the final decision, there can be pressure to marry someone your parents approve of.
Would you be willing to enter an arranged marriage? Let us know.
