Nam Goong Min is returning to a KBS drama for the first time in nearly seven years.
KBS recently unveiled its upcoming slate through a teaser video titled “A Preview of 2026 KBS Dramas,” drawing particular attention to the new weekend miniseries 'The Completion of Marriage' (working English title). The drama is scheduled to air on KBS 2TV every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM.
'The Completion of Marriage' centers on a man who is forced into a brutal confrontation with criminals to rescue his wife, who is abducted on the brink of divorce. Nam Goong Min takes on the lead role of Kang Tae Joo, a hospital director and former neurosurgeon. Portrayed as calm, analytical, and decisive, the character anchors a narrative that blends crime thriller elements with romance. Actress Lee Seol stars opposite him, portraying the wife and carrying the emotional tension and complexity of the couple’s strained relationship. Kim Dae Myung has also confirmed his appearance, though details about his role have yet to be disclosed.
The weight of Nam Goong Min’s return stems from his proven track record. His last KBS project was the 2019 drama 'Doctor Prisoner.' Since then, he has delivered consecutive successes on other networks, particularly in weekend miniseries formats. Most notably, KBS’s 2017 hit 'Good Manager' surpassed an 18% peak nationwide viewership rating (according to Nielsen Korea), becoming a cultural phenomenon. Nam Goong Min led the series as the sole top-billed star and went on to win the Top Excellence Award for Actor at the KBS Drama Awards.
His recent achievements further reinforce expectations. Nam Goong Min has won Best Actor at major awards ceremonies twice for Friday–Saturday dramas, demonstrating both box-office appeal and buzzworthiness. For KBS, he represents a reliable anchor in its bid to restore competitiveness in the weekend drama slot. Interest surged immediately after the 2026 lineup teaser was released, and Nam Goong Min’s decision to share a photo of the episode one script cover on his personal social media further fueled anticipation surrounding the production.
The drama’s key appeal lies in its genre fusion. It layers an everyday marital crisis, an impending divorce, with extraordinary events such as kidnapping and criminal confrontation. Kang Tae Joo’s position as a hospital director provides a narrative tool to highlight medical judgment, leadership, and ethical decision-making. As he faces criminals, the accumulation of critical choices drives the tension forward. Romance functions as an emotional engine, with the breakdown and possible restoration of the marital relationship unfolding in parallel with the central conflict.
That said, the market landscape has evolved. Success is no longer measured solely by real-time ratings but also by reruns, short-form clips, and online buzz. 'The Completion of Marriage' enters this environment with a proven lead actor, a clear genre concept, and a prime weekend time slot. As such, it is poised to become a key litmus test for whether KBS weekend dramas can stage a meaningful comeback.
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