What Is Love (1991 South Korean Drama)

What Is Love (Korean: 사랑이 뭐길래; RR: Sarangyi Mwogilrae) is a South Korean television drama series that aired on MBC from November 23, 1991, to May 31, 1992. Directed by Park Cheol and written by Su-hyeon Kim, the series consists of 55 episodes. It achieved significant commercial success, recording peak television ratings of 59.6% during its original broadcast run.

Promotional image for the 1991 MBC drama What Is Love — Promotional poster for the 1991 MBC drama What Is Love.

Plot

The narrative focuses on the cultural and ideological clashes between two families with opposing worldviews. One family adheres to conservative, patriarchal traditions, while the other maintains a modern, utilitarian outlook. The drama explores the interpersonal conflicts that emerge when these families become in-laws, examining the tension between traditional and progressive social values.

Cast

The series features an ensemble cast including:

Choi Min-Soo as Lee Dae-bal
Ha Hee-Ra as Park Ji-eun
Lee Sun-Jae as Dae-bal's father
Kim Hye-Ja as Dae-bal's mother
Kim Se-yun as Ji-eun's father
Youn Yuh-Jung as Ji-eun's mother
Yeo Woon-Kye as grandmother
Kang Bu-Ja as Seong-suk
Sa Mi-Ja as Mi-suk
Kim Chan-Woo as Park Jeong-seop
Shin Ae-Ra as Park Jeong-eun
Lim Kyeong-wook as Lee Seong-sil