Bride of the Century
Bride of the Century is a captivating Korean fantasy romance drama that combines family curses, hidden identities, and true love. Lee Hong Ki stars as Choi Gang Ju, the wealthy and cold heir of Taeyang Group, a family plagued by a mysterious curse: the first bride of the eldest son is destined to die. His life takes an unexpected turn when he becomes engaged to Jang Yi Kyung, a woman from another powerful family. When Yi Kyung mysteriously disappears before the wedding, her look-alike, Na Du Rim, played by Yang Jin Sung, is brought in to impersonate her. Unlike the cold and calculating Yi Kyung, Du Rim is warm-hearted and genuine, and soon, Choi Gang Ju finds himself falling in love with her bright spirit. As secrets unravel and feelings deepen, the line between duty and true love blurs dangerously. Supporting characters like Jang I Hyeon (Sung Hyuk) and Lee Ru Mi (Lee Hee Won) bring additional intrigue, revealing dark ambitions and hidden loyalties that threaten the fragile happiness of Du Rim and Gang Ju. Meanwhile, the family’s dark past and supernatural forces loom over them, intensifying the stakes as the lovers fight for their future. Perfect for fans of Korean fantasy romance dramas, Bride of the Century offers a rich blend of mystery, heartfelt emotions, and timeless love. With powerful performances by Lee Hong Ki and Yang Jin Sung, beautiful storytelling, and an unforgettable curse that tests destiny itself, this drama promises an enchanting journey you won't want to miss.
Details
🙂 Native Title: 백년의 신부
🌎 Also Known As: Baeknyeonui Shinbu, Hundred Year Bride
🎭 Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Mystery, Drama
🏷 Tags: Family Curse, Doppelganger, Fake Identity, Hidden Secrets, Love Triangle
✍ Screenwriters: Baek Young Sook
🎬 Directors: Yoon Sang Ho
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Episodes: 16
🗓️ Aired: February 22, 2014 – April 12, 2014
📅 Airing Days: Saturday, Sunday
📺 Original Network: TV Chosun
⏰ Duration: 60 minutes per episode
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ – Teens 15 or older
Best Scenes
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Choi Gang Ju and Na Du Rim’s heart-fluttering rooftop kiss that seals their growing love.
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Du Rim’s emotional reveal of her true identity to Gang Ju, leading to one of the drama’s most heartbreaking moments.
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The haunting scene where the family curse is explained, setting the supernatural tone of the series.
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Yi Kyung’s return and shocking confrontation with Du Rim, igniting the final love-versus-duty showdown.
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The final wedding scene filled with emotional closure and a long-awaited happy ending for Du Rim and Gang Ju.
Filming Locations
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Most of the grand mansion scenes were filmed at beautiful heritage estates around Seoul, enhancing the drama’s luxury atmosphere.
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Outdoor romantic scenes, like walks and dates, were shot in picturesque parks and traditional neighborhoods in Incheon.
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Hanok villages provided the backdrop for historical flashback scenes linked to the family curse.
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The dramatic seaside scenes were filmed along Korea’s western coast, symbolizing freedom and emotional turning points.
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Hospital and business scenes took place in real Seoul office complexes to add realism to the corporate storyline.
Visual Design and Costumes
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Du Rim’s costumes feature soft pastel dresses to highlight her pure and warm personality.
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Yi Kyung’s wardrobe is dominated by elegant, structured outfits reflecting her cold and calculating nature.
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The visual palette shifts between bright, warm tones for Du Rim and dark, muted tones for Yi Kyung.
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Traditional Korean hanbok costumes are used in flashbacks, linking the past with the present.
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Gothic elements, like shadowy lighting and antique decor, create an eerie atmosphere around the cursed family.
Themes and Messages
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True love is about accepting someone beyond appearances and past mistakes.
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Fate and destiny are strong forces, but courage and love can rewrite them.
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Wealth and status mean little without genuine happiness and emotional fulfillment.
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Family secrets and generational burdens can only be broken through honesty and bravery.
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The drama explores how identity, sincerity, and sacrifice define real relationships.
Interesting Facts
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Bride of the Century was Lee Hong Ki’s first leading drama role, boosting his acting career beyond his FTISLAND fame.
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Yang Jin Sung impressed viewers by playing dual roles as both Du Rim and Yi Kyung with distinct personalities.
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The drama was one of TV Chosun’s highest-rated series at the time, gaining a loyal fanbase.
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The haunting melody of the OST, especially “Words I Couldn’t Say Yet” by Lee Hong Ki, became very popular.
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The show’s mixture of fantasy, romance, and mystery set it apart from typical Korean rom-coms.
Awards
Awards Status for Bride of the Century
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Lee Hong Ki won the Hallyu Star Award at the 8th Korea Drama Awards for his role as Choi Gang Ju.
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Yang Jin Sung gained critical recognition for her impressive dual role, though she did not receive a major award.
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Bride of the Century was nominated for Best Drama at the 8th Korea Drama Awards due to its strong international popularity.
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The drama’s unique blend of romance, fantasy, and mystery helped it become one of TV Chosun’s most successful series at the time.
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Bride of the Century earned significant international popularity, particularly in China and Southeast Asia, boosting Lee Hong Ki’s Hallyu status.
Real-Life Loves on Set
There were no real-life romantic relationships reported between the main cast members of Bride of the Century. Although Lee Hong Ki (Choi Gang Ju) and Yang Jin Sung (Na Du Rim / Jang Yi Kyung) displayed strong on-screen chemistry that captivated fans, no dating rumors or confirmed real-life romances emerged during or after the drama’s filming. Their connection remained strictly professional, with both actors focusing on delivering heartfelt performances that brought the fantasy romance to life.
Trailer
Music / OST
Gallery
