Cunning Single Lady
Love isn’t always smooth, and sometimes, fate brings exes back together in the most unexpected ways. Cunning Single Lady follows Na Ae Ra (Lee Min Jung), a beautiful yet strong-willed woman who once married Cha Jung Woo (Joo Sang Wook), a brilliant but struggling engineer. Their marriage ended in divorce when life’s hardships became too much to handle. However, years later, Jung Woo reappears in Ae Ra’s life—not as the man she once knew, but as a highly successful and wealthy CEO. Determined to reclaim her happiness, Ae Ra sets her sights on her ex-husband, convinced that she deserves another shot at the glamorous life he now leads. But Jung Woo, still holding resentment from their past, is not willing to forgive easily. As they cross paths at work, their fiery clashes, unresolved emotions, and undeniable chemistry make for an entertaining battle of wits and romance. Meanwhile, Gook Seung Hyun (Seo Kang Joon), a charming and kindhearted young man, develops feelings for Ae Ra, adding tension to her complicated situation. With office politics, love triangles, and hilarious misunderstandings, Cunning Single Lady is packed with humor, romance, and heartfelt moments. The rivalry between Ae Ra and Kook Yeo Jin (Kim Gyu Ri), a powerful businesswoman with her own interests in Jung Woo, adds even more drama and intrigue. As each character confronts their past, they must decide whether love is worth a second chance or if moving forward is the better choice. Will Ae Ra and Jung Woo rekindle their old romance, or will their past mistakes keep them apart forever? Can love be rekindled, or is it better to leave it in the past? Find out in Cunning Single Lady, a delightful rom-com full of passion, laughter, and second chances!
Details
🙂 Native Title: 앙큼한 돌싱녀
🌎 Also Known As: Sly and Single Again, Devious Divorcee
🎭 Genres: Romance, Comedy, Drama
🏷 Tags: Divorce, Second Chances, Ex-Lovers Reunited, Office Romance, Love Triangle
✍ Screenwriters: Lee Ha-na, Choi Soo-young
🎬 Directors: Go Dong-sun, Jung Dae-yoon
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Episodes: 16
🗓️ Aired: February 27, 2014 – April 24, 2014
📅 Airing Days: Wednesday, Thursday
📺 Original Network: MBC
⏰ Duration: Approximately 55 minutes per episode
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ – Teens 15 or older
Best Scenes
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Elevator Encounter: Na Ae Ra (Lee Min Jung) and Cha Jung Woo (Joo Sang Wook) unexpectedly meet in an elevator after years apart, leading to a tense yet humorous exchange that rekindles old emotions.
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Office Prank: Ae Ra cleverly orchestrates a playful prank on Jung Woo during a company event, showcasing their lingering chemistry and the series’ comedic flair.
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Rainy Confession: Under pouring rain, Jung Woo confronts Ae Ra about their past misunderstandings, resulting in a heartfelt conversation that deepens their connection.
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Jealousy at the Gala: At a corporate gala, Ae Ra’s closeness with a colleague sparks Jung Woo’s jealousy, leading to amusing antics and revealing his true feelings.
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Cooking Together: A lighthearted scene where Ae Ra and Jung Woo cook together, symbolizing their attempts to rebuild trust and highlighting their endearing dynamic.
Filming Locations
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Seoul’s Gangnam District: Many corporate scenes were shot in this bustling area, reflecting the high-paced business environment of Jung Woo’s company.
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Han River Park: The picturesque riverside served as a backdrop for several intimate conversations between characters, emphasizing Seoul’s urban beauty.
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Bukchon Hanok Village: This traditional neighborhood provided the setting for scenes that delved into Ae Ra’s family background, adding cultural depth to the narrative.
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Namsan Seoul Tower: Featured during a pivotal date scene, this iconic landmark symbolizes the evolving relationship between Ae Ra and Jung Woo.
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Cheonggyecheon Stream: The serene streamside scenes offered a contrast to the corporate setting, highlighting moments of reflection for the characters.
Visual Design and Costumes
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Modern Corporate Attire: Characters sport sleek business outfits, reflecting the contemporary corporate world and their professional personas.
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Ae Ra’s Fashion Evolution: Her wardrobe transitions from casual wear to sophisticated dresses, mirroring her personal growth and renewed confidence.
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Vibrant Color Palette: The use of bright colors in set designs and costumes enhances the show’s lively and upbeat tone.
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Chic Office Interiors: The modern design of Jung Woo’s company offices showcases a successful startup ambiance, aligning with the tech industry setting.
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Symbolic Accessories: Items like matching watches and necklaces subtly represent the characters’ intertwined fates and evolving relationships.
Themes and Messages
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Second Chances: The narrative explores the possibility of rekindling love and correcting past mistakes, emphasizing personal growth.
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Empowerment: Ae Ra’s journey from a housewife to a confident professional highlights themes of self-discovery and independence.
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Resilience: Characters face personal and professional challenges, illustrating the importance of perseverance in achieving success.
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Forgiveness: The story underscores the healing power of forgiving oneself and others to move forward in life.
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Love and Ambition: The balance between personal relationships and career aspirations is a central theme, showcasing the complexities of modern life.
Interesting Facts
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Alternate Titles: The drama is also known as “Sly and Single Again” and “Devious Divorcee,” reflecting its playful narrative.
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Lee Min Jung’s Return: This series marked her comeback to television after her marriage to actor Lee Byung Hun, drawing significant media attention.
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Joo Sang Wook’s Comedic Shift: Known for serious roles, his portrayal of Jung Woo showcased his versatility in romantic comedies.
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Seo Kang Joon’s Breakthrough: His role as Gook Seung Hyun garnered attention, leading to increased popularity and subsequent lead roles.
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Cultural Impact: The show’s depiction of modern relationships and career dynamics resonated with audiences, sparking discussions on societal expectations in South Korea.
Awards
Here are the awards received by the Korean drama “Cunning Single Lady” and its cast members:
7th Korea Drama Awards (2014):
- Best New Actor:
- Seo Kang-joon for his role as Gook Seung-hyun – Winner
MBC Drama Awards (2014):
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Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries:
- Lee Min-jung for her role as Na Ae-ra – Nominated
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Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries:
- Joo Sang-wook for his role as Cha Jung-woo – Nominated
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Best New Actor:
- Seo Kang-joon for his role as Gook Seung-hyun – Nominated
Note: While “Cunning Single Lady” itself did not receive direct awards, its cast members were recognized for their performances in the series.
Real-Life Loves on Set
There is no public information or credible reports indicating that actors from the Korean drama “Cunning Single Lady” were involved in real-life romantic relationships during or after the production of the series. The cast members maintained professional relationships throughout the filming process. Notably, lead actor Joo Sang-wook began dating actress Cha Ye-ryun in March 2016, and they married in May 2017. However, their relationship started after “Cunning Single Lady” concluded in 2014, and Cha Ye-ryun was not part of the cast.
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