JTBC is set to premiere its new weekend drama 'The Practical Guide to Love' next month on the 28th, following the conclusion of 'Surely Tomorrow,' which starred Park Seo Jun and Won Ji An. Written by Lee Yi Jin, directed by Lee Jae Hoon, and produced by SLL, the series is based on the popular Naver webtoon of the same name.
The drama follows a woman who has decided to pursue love and embarks on a series of blind dates, where she meets two very different men. As she finds herself drawn to both and wavers between them, she ultimately searches for the true meaning of love. Through this journey, the series aims to present a relatable “dating guide” for people in their 20s and 30s navigating modern relationships.
Starring Han Ji Min, Park Sung Hoon, and Lee Ki Taek, the drama forms a sweet yet tense love triangle, portraying the worries and desires of people who dream of making “efficient” choices in love, while delivering both emotional resonance and fluttering romance.
Han Ji Min plays Lee Ui Young, a career woman working at a hotel. While she is highly accomplished at work, she is a complete novice when it comes to dating. Park Sung Hoon portrays Song Tae Seop, a man with a calm and reliable charm, while Lee Ki Taek takes on the role of Shin Ji Soo, whose free-spirited aura adds tension to the story.
On January 23, the production team released the second teaser. The video opens with Lee Ui Young’s polished daily life as a hotel professional, her flawless competence drawing admiration. The mood shifts when someone remarks, “I thought you were against dating since you don’t date at all,” revealing a common misunderstanding about her.
The teaser then shows Lee Ui Young spending time alone, overlaid with a shocking comment suggesting she might end up lonely to the point of dying alone, heightening the sense of crisis surrounding her character. This culminates in her bold declaration: “I’ll do it. I will! Blind dates!”
As she begins dating in earnest, Lee Ui Young’s varied reactions pique curiosity. She is flustered by one blind date’s bold claim that he will make her his muse, while in another moment, she is left in awe of a different man’s looks, rolling around on her bed in disbelief.
Although Surely Tomorrow ended on the 11th, JTBC opted to leave a gap of over a month before scheduling the new drama. The network determined that airing it immediately would result in frequent cancellations or schedule changes due to broadcasts of the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics. As a result, the drama was slated to begin after the Olympics concluded, with its premiere confirmed for next month on the 28th.
Han Ji Min has built a strong fan base in the romance genre and is widely regarded as a reliable draw for television audiences. Last year, she received widespread love for her performances in 'Love Scout' (peak ratings of 12.0%) and JTBC’s 'Heavenly Ever After' (peak ratings of 8.3%). Expectations are high for what kind of romance she will deliver this time.
Park Sung Hoon has earned praise for his acting through a range of projects, including 'The Glory' and 'Squid Game.' Lee Ki Taek, a former idol trainee, is continuing to expand his career as an actor. The contrasting energies of the three leads are expected to heighten the immersion of the love triangle.
The cast also includes Lee Mi Do as Jung Na Ri, the head of the purchasing team at The Hills Hotel. A senior colleague to Lee Ui Young, Jung Na Ri subtly keeps her in check despite Ui Young’s strong reputation within the company. Though lazy at work, she is exceptionally well-informed about office gossip, and her signature witty charm is expected to inject energy into the series.
While the story begins with a desire for efficient choices, the drama will depict emotions growing increasingly complex, capturing moments where excitement and confusion collide at critical crossroads.
'The Practical Guide to Love' will premiere on JTBC on the 28th of next month at 10:40 PM, kicking off Lee Ui Young’s chaotic and heartfelt journey to balance both career and romance.
SEE ALSO: Han Ji Min highlights honesty as the key charm of her character in ‘The Practical Guide to Love’
SHARE
