
One Warm Word
One Warm Word is a gripping Korean melodrama that delves into the fragile world of love, marriage, and temptation. The story revolves around Na Eun Jin (played by Han Hye Jin), a seemingly content housewife whose life takes an unexpected turn after a chance encounter with a man who understands her loneliness. Her world collides with Yoo Jae Hak (played by Ji Jin Hee), a successful executive married to Song Mi Kyung (played by Kim Ji Soo), a strong and proud woman determined to protect her family at any cost. As emotions spiral out of control, the two couples find themselves caught in a complicated web of infidelity, trust issues, and emotional longing. Eun Jin’s husband, Kim Sung Soo (played by Lee Sang Woo), must come to terms with his own failures and decide whether their marriage can be salvaged. Meanwhile, Mi Kyung’s growing suspicions push her into a corner, forcing her to confront painful truths and buried insecurities. The drama beautifully explores the consequences of emotional affairs and the impact a single moment can have on entire families. It asks hard questions about forgiveness, vulnerability, and whether one warm word is enough to heal a broken heart. With every episode, One Warm Word peels back the layers of marital life and shows the complex reality behind the façade of happiness. With powerful performances from Han Hye Jin, Ji Jin Hee, Kim Ji Soo, and Lee Sang Woo, One Warm Word offers a mature, thought-provoking viewing experience. If you’re searching for a K-drama about marriage, betrayal, second chances, and emotional healing, this series delivers a beautifully written and deeply human story.
Details
🙂 Native Title: 따뜻한 말 한마디
🌎 Also Known As: Ttatteushan Mal Hanmadi, A Word From Warm Heart
🎭 Genres: Romance, Drama, Family, Melodrama
🏷 Tags: Infidelity, Married Life, Emotional Affair, Love Triangle, Strong Female Lead
✍ Screenwriters: Ha Myung Hee
🎬 Directors: Choi Young Hoon
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Episodes: 20
🗓️ Aired: December 2, 2013 – February 24, 2014
📅 Airing Days: Mondays & Tuesdays
📺 Original Network: SBS
⏰ Duration: 60 minutes per episode
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ – Teens 15 or older
Best Scenes
-
Eun Jin and Jae Hak’s first meeting at the restaurant subtly introduces the emotional affair that sets the entire plot in motion.
-
Song Mi Kyung’s confrontation with Eun Jin is a tense, raw moment that showcases powerful acting and deep emotional stakes.
-
Kim Sung Soo discovering the affair delivers an explosive turning point, filled with hurt, betrayal, and internal conflict.
-
Mi Kyung breaking down in front of her children, reflecting the toll a strained marriage takes on family life.
-
The final rooftop scene, where Eun Jin and Jae Hak part ways, offers emotional closure with maturity and grace.
Filming Locations
-
SBS Ilsan Production Center was used for most indoor and office scenes, especially Jae Hak’s company and editorial office.
-
Seoul’s upscale Hannam-dong neighborhood serves as the setting for the homes of both couples, reflecting their status and lifestyle.
-
Cheonggyecheon Stream appears in key outdoor scenes, symbolizing calm amidst personal chaos.
-
Neighborhood cafés and parks in Gangnam and Seocho offer cozy, intimate settings for emotional conversations.
-
Seoul Family Counseling Center-style location is used during therapy sessions, highlighting the show’s realistic depiction of marriage recovery.
Visual Design and Costumes
-
Eun Jin’s soft, neutral-toned outfits mirror her inner conflict and subdued personality.
-
Mi Kyung’s polished, structured wardrobe reflects her pride, emotional restraint, and desire for control.
-
Dimly lit indoor scenes reinforce the emotional heaviness and secrecy surrounding the characters.
-
Contrasting home interiors—Eun Jin’s warm and earthy vs. Mi Kyung’s modern and pristine—symbolize the emotional tone of each marriage.
-
Minimalist yet elegant costume design focuses viewer attention on facial expressions and dialogue rather than glamour.
Themes and Messages
-
Emotional infidelity vs. physical betrayal is explored with nuance, questioning what truly constitutes a broken relationship.
-
Forgiveness and redemption are central to each character’s journey, especially in long-term relationships.
-
Marriage is not always what it seems—the series emphasizes the quiet struggles that happen behind closed doors.
-
Family impact of adult conflicts shows how children and parents alike are affected by unresolved tension.
-
One warm word can change everything, suggesting the power of empathy, communication, and emotional honesty.
Interesting Facts
-
The drama was written by Ha Myung Hee, also known for writing Temperature of Love and Doctors, both emotional relationship dramas.
-
Han Hye Jin filmed this series shortly after her marriage, bringing a deeper personal understanding to her role as a conflicted wife.
-
Park Seo Joon appears in a supporting role as Song Min Soo, long before rising to leading-man fame.
-
Realistic portrayal of infidelity led to discussions in Korea about modern marriage and emotional affairs.
-
The series had strong critical praise for its mature script and standout performances from all four main leads.
Awards
🏆 2014 SBS Drama Awards
-
Special Acting Award for Mid-Length Drama, Actress: Go Doo-shim – Won
-
New Star Award: Han Groo – Won
-
New Star Award: Park Seo-joon – Won
-
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Drama Special: Han Hye-jin – Nominated
-
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Drama Special: Kim Ji-soo – Nominated
-
Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special: Ji Jin-hee – Nominated
-
Best Couple Award: Park Seo-joon and Han Groo – Nominated
🏆 50th Baeksang Arts Awards (2014)
-
Best Actress (TV): Kim Ji-soo – Nominated
-
Best New Actor (TV): Park Seo-joon – Nominated
-
Best New Actress (TV): Han Groo – Nominated
-
Most Popular Actress (TV): Kim Ji-soo – Nominated
-
Best Screenplay (TV): Ha Myung-hee – Nominated
Real-Life Loves on Set
There are no confirmed reports or official statements indicating that a real-life romantic relationship developed among the cast members of One Warm Word.
Despite the intense on-screen chemistry between Han Hye Jin and Ji Jin Hee, as well as between supporting actors like Park Seo Joon and Han Groo, all relationships during and after the drama remained strictly professional. The emotional tension and realism in the romantic storylines led to viewer speculation, but no dating rumors or behind-the-scenes romances were confirmed by the actors or production team.
It’s worth noting that Han Hye Jin was already married to footballer Ki Sung Yueng at the time of filming, and there were no known controversies involving personal relationships during the airing of the drama. Likewise, Park Seo Joon and Han Groo, who were praised for their supporting love line, did not report any real-life involvement.










