Marry You- Episodes 1-2
The story kicks off with Jung Ha-na, a fiercely independent civil servant who has sworn off marriage, seeing it as unnecessary baggage in life. While her peers and elders may chase the dream of happily-ever-after, Ha-na dreams of retiring early to the Mediterranean. But that dream hinges on keeping her stable government job—a job that’s anything but smooth sailing.
Her day takes a messy turn when an irate citizen, fed up with sanitation issues, hurls dirty water at her while her cowardly boss ducks for cover. Ha-na, never one to hold back, confronts him, only to land herself in hot water. Her punishment? A transfer to the mayor’s new "marriage boost project," a scheme aimed at winning the hearts of young voters for his re-election campaign.
Enter Bong Cheol-hui, an island bachelor featured in a heartwarming documentary. Despite his kind heart and dedication to raising his orphaned niece and nephew, marriage has eluded him. The mayor sees him as the perfect candidate for Ha-na’s matchmaking initiative, unaware of her stormy history with the institution of marriage.
In a poignant flashback, we learn why Ha-na is so averse to tying the knot. Once a matchmaking agency employee, she was pressured to cover up red flags in her clients. This led to disastrous consequences, including a domestic abuse case. Her personal life fared no better; she caught her fiancé cheating, shattering her trust in love forever.
Reluctantly, Ha-na agrees to spearhead the project on one condition: if she succeeds in finding a match for Cheol-hui, she gets a transfer out of the project. She sets off to the island, where she finds Cheol-hui—a rugged, misunderstood man with a soft spot for his community. Mistaking him for a gangster at first glance, Ha-na soon discovers his altruistic nature as he helps his neighbors and cares for his family.
Cheol-hui, however, has no interest in the project. The "marriage-seeking bachelor" image was fabricated by the documentary crew. Still, he allows Ha-na to stay at his house, and an unlikely bond begins to form. Late-night conversations bring their vulnerabilities to light—Ha-na admits her ulterior motives, while Cheol-hui starts to see marriage in a new light.
But just as things begin to settle, Ha-na’s past comes crashing into the present. Her ex-fiancé, Choi Gi-jun, shockingly volunteers for the project, determined to win her back. On the same day, Cheol-hui decides to join the program after reflecting on Ha-na’s words. Both men show up at her office, and tensions skyrocket.
Overwhelmed by the trauma of her past, Ha-na slaps Gi-jun in front of everyone. Cheol-hui, witnessing the scene and misinterpreting it as a confrontation, rushes to her side. On impulse, Ha-na blurts out something that shocks them all—she’s "getting married" to Cheol-hui.
Episode 2 Recap:
The episode picks up right where the drama left off, with Ha-na boldly declaring Cheol-hui as her fiancé in front of her ex, Gi-jun. But the smug smirk on Gi-jun’s face reveals that he’s already seen Cheol-hui drop off his matchmaking application with Ha-na. His knowing look as he walks away hints that he’s not buying her story.
Ha-na’s plan quickly unravels when she discovers that Gi-jun is now her team manager. Awkward doesn’t begin to describe their conversations as they discuss the matchmaking project. To make matters worse, Gi-jun suggests that Cheol-hui move into the staff unit to make traveling to the mainland for dates easier—a suggestion Ha-na can’t exactly refuse.
That evening, Ha-na heads back to the office to grab her forgotten phone, only to bump into Gi-jun again. Their conversation takes a tense turn as Ha-na sets the record straight: she’s moved on from him, and her involvement with the project ends the moment Cheol-hui gets married. Yet, the next day, Gi-jun shows up unannounced, offering to help prepare Cheol-hui’s new apartment—a move that reeks of ulterior motives.
Meanwhile, Cheol-hui bids a bittersweet farewell to his island home, leaving behind his simple life with his niece and nephew. The trio moves into the city apartment, where Ha-na shares a warm meal with them before leaving. As fate would have it, they run into Gi-jun on her way out. Oblivious to Gi-jun’s true identity, Cheol-hui plays along with Ha-na’s fiancé façade—until he learns that Gi-jun is her boss.
As the team dives into sorting through matchmaking applicants, the process becomes laughable, with many women applying solely for the publicity. Eventually, one promising candidate is chosen, and plans for Cheol-hui’s first date are set in motion. Ha-na even takes Cheol-hui shopping for a makeover, but during the trip, she notices scars on his back, hinting at a deeper, untold story.
On the day of the date, Cheol-hui makes every effort to clean up his rugged image, even getting his hair straightened at a salon. But his plans are derailed when he comes to the rescue of Oh In-a, a glamorous heiress, after an accident with clumsy construction workers. Cheol-hui ends up soaked and disheveled, his polished look reverting to his trademark “island bumpkin” charm. Unbeknownst to him, In-a is none other than the woman Gi-jun cheated on Ha-na with. Her interest in Gi-jun reignites when he gallantly offers her a band-aid for her minor injury.
Despite his ruined appearance, Cheol-hui arrives for the date and manages to salvage the meeting with his sincere demeanor. However, by the end, both he and the woman decide to remain just friends. Ha-na, sensing Cheol-hui’s disappointment, takes him to her friend’s restaurant for a comforting home-cooked meal. But their contrasting ideas of “home-cooked” highlight just how differently they view marriage and domestic life.
Meanwhile, Gi-jun meets In-a, and in a shocking flashback, it’s revealed that Gi-jun intentionally let Ha-na believe he was cheating on her, though his true motivations remain unclear. Adding fuel to the fire, In-a confesses to Gi-jun that she’s developed feelings for him, while a viral video of Gi-jun helping preschool kids boosts his popularity. In-a recognizes him in the video, setting the stage for an inevitable collision of emotions.
The episode climaxes with In-a’s unexpected visit to Cheol-hui’s house. Her surprise turns to confusion when she finds Ha-na already there, just as Gi-jun shows up too. The stage is set for explosive confrontations, tangled emotions, and a clash of past and present.
DramaZen's Opinion
Talk about starting with a bang! Marry You hooked me from the first episode with its refreshing characters and unexpected twists. Jung Ha-na is a relatable queen—sassy, independent, and hilariously done with the idea of marriage. But when fate (and a conniving mayor) throws her into the chaos of a marriage boost project, things get messy in the most entertaining way.
Episode 1 introduced us to the lovable island bachelor, Bong Cheol-hui, who’s a mix of gruff charm and soft-heartedness. Watching Ha-na and Cheol-hui clash, bond, and navigate their faux-engagement had me cackling and rooting for them. Throw in Ha-na’s shady ex, Gi-jun, and his smug antics, and you’ve got a recipe for drama gold. And that slap? Iconic.
Episode 2 dialed up the tension and comedy. Ha-na’s quick-thinking lie about being engaged to Cheol-hui spirals into pure chaos when her ex becomes her boss and starts meddling in her life (again). Meanwhile, Cheol-hui’s disastrous first date, complete with country bumpkin hair and a ruined outfit, had me crying with laughter. Add a surprise appearance from the chaebol heiress who’s Gi-jun’s “other woman,” and the love-square tension skyrocketed.
The show does a fantastic job balancing comedy, drama, and heartfelt moments. Ha-na and Cheol-hui’s growing friendship feels natural and sweet, while Gi-jun’s scheming keeps things juicy. With secrets, misunderstandings, and plenty of hilarious disasters, Marry You is shaping up to be my new drama obsession. Can’t wait to see what’s next! 😍🍿
