The Matchmakers () is a 2023 South Korean television series starring Rowoon and Cho Yi-hyun. It aired on KBS2 from October 30 to December 25, 2023, every Monday and Tuesday at 21:45 (KST) for 16 episodes. It is also available for streaming on Wavve in South Korea and, on Viki and Viu in selected regions.
Synopsis The series tells the story about a young widower, named Shim Jung-woo, and a young widow, named Jung Soon-deok, joining forces to marry off three unmarried women who represent the problem of "old maids" in Joseon.
Cast Main Rowoon as Shim Jung-woo A Confucian scholar who becomes the youngest person to pass the state civil service examination. Cho Yi-hyun as Jung Soon-deok A widow and the second daughter-in-law of the Left State Councilor, she secretly works as Yeoju-daek, the best matchmaker and bangmul seller in Hanyang.
Supporting
People around Shim Jung-woo Kim Hyun-mok as Kim Oh-bong Jung-woo's butler. Kim Geon-ho as Yoo Eui-won Jung-woo's doctor. He is a member of the State Council. Kim Yeon-woo as Shim Myung-woo Jung-woo's older brother. Lee Sang-gu as Shim Jin-ho Jung-woo's father.
People around Jung Soon-deok Heo Nam-jun as Jung Soon-gu Soon-deok's older brother. He works as a government inspector. Bang Eun-jung as Gae Dong-yi Soon-deok's maid who supports her double life.
The Left State Councilor's family Park Ji-young as Lady Park So-hyeon Soon-deok's mother-in-law. Lee Hae-young as Jo Yeong-bae Soon-deok's father-in-law who is the Left State Councilor. Lee Soon-won as Park Bok-ki Lady Park's younger brother who is a Minister of Military Affairs. Oh Ye-ju as Jo Ye-jin The famous daughter of the Jo family and Soon-deok's sister-in-law. She is considered Hanyang's best bride material with a lot of talent. Kim Si-woo as Jo Geun-seok The son of Soon-deok's deceased elder brother-in-law and the eldest grandson of the Jo family. Currently registered as Soon-deok's son. Park Seong-jin as Jo In-hyeon The deceased eldest son of the Left State Councilor. Yoon Yeo-won as Jo In-guk Soon-deok's deceased husband. Kim Ga-young as Sam-wol's mother The family maid and Lady Park's right-hand woman.
People in the palace Jo Han-chul as the King King of Joseon and Jung-woo's father-in-law. Jin Hee-kyung as the Queen The crown prince's mother. Hong Dong-young as Lee Jae The crown prince. Seo Jin-won as Do Seung-ji The king's closest right-hand man. Park Hyun-jung as Royal Noble Consort Sukbin Park Prince Jin-seong's mother and a concubine who was favored by the King. Kim Da-heein as Kim Moon-gun A minister. Hwiyoung as Lee Jwa-rang Park Bok-ki's close aide who is good at literary and martial arts. Park Chae-young as Princess Hyojeong Jung-woo's deceased wife.
The Maeng family Choi Hee-jin as Lady Cho Mother of the three Maeng sisters and a former matchmaker. Jung Shin-hye as Maeng Ha-na The eldest daughter of the Maeng sisters. Park Ji-won as Maeng Doo-ri The second daughter of the Maeng sisters who is known as Mak De-nyeo (a woman with a harsh tongue) due to her foul mouth. Jung Bo-min as Maeng Sam-soon The third daughter of Maeng sisters who is a novelist. She disguises herself as a man using the pen name "Hwa Rok".
Groom candidates Son Sang-yeon as Lee Si-yeol A Sungkyunkwan Confucian student and the eldest grandson of the Sungkyunkwan Daeseong family. He is considered the best groom material in Hanyang. Choi Kyung-hoon as Yoon Bu-gyeom Jo Ye-jin's first love. He is an only son and orphan who farms with his grandparents. Bin Chan-wook as Heo Sook-hyun A scholar who dreams of becoming a colonel. Jung Woo-jae as Kim Jip A romanticist traveling around the eight provinces in search of a woman who will truly love him rather than his family. Cho Chang-hee as Jang Chun-bae He is using his wealth to find a young bride. Go Deok-won as Han Jong-bok He has been preparing for the civil service exam for 10 years. He is looking for a bride who can support him well.
People in the Hongwol Gaekju Park Hwan-hee as Yeoju-daek A merchant who makes and sells makeup. She lives in Hanyang with her daughter. Jeong Seung-gil as Hong Cheon-soo The owner of Hongwol Gaekju, who sets the trend for Hanyang noble ladies. Jeong Yeon as Mrs. Lee A member of the Bangmul Merchants. Jeong Ji-an as Masan-daek A member of the Bangmul Merchants. Park Bo-bae as Jonju-daek A member of the Bangmul Merchants. Lee So-e as Gaeseong-daek The youngest member of the Bangmul Merchants. Lee Ye-ju as Bok-hee Yeoju-daek's daughter.
Others Kim Dong-ho as Ahn Dong-gun A former sergeant, but nowadays he is a laborer who hunts down runaway slaves. Woo Hyun-joo as Lady Jung Lee Si-yeol's mother. Lee Chang-min as Mae Gol-seung A monk at Seonhwasa Temple. Jang Hye-jin as Lady Song Yang A-reum as Lee Cho-ok Maeng Ha-na's friend who supposedly committed suicide. Jung Soon-gu is investigating her death.
Production Casting On July 5, 2023, Rowoon and Cho Yi-hyun confirmed their appearances in the series.
Reception Viewership
+ Average TV viewership ratings Original broadcast date Average audience share(Nielsen Korea)Nielsen Korea ratings:
Nationwide Seoul 1 October 30, 2023 4.5% 4.2% 2 October 31, 2023 3.6% 3 November 6, 2023 4.0% 4.0% 4 November 7, 2023 3.9% 3.7% 5 November 13, 2023 3.5% 3.5% 6 November 14, 2023 3.7% 7 November 20, 2023 3.6% 8 November 27, 2023 3.9% 4.1% 9 November 28, 2023 4.1% 4.0% 10 December 4, 2023 3.4% 11 December 5, 2023 4.3% 4.2% 12 December 11, 2023 4.3% 4.3% 13 December 12, 2023 4.4% 14 December 18, 2023 5% rowspan="3" 15 December 19, 2023 5% 16 December 25, 2023 Average In the table above, the represent the lowest ratings and the represent the highest ratings. N/A denotes ratings that were not published.
Accolades + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Baeksang Arts Awards 2024 Technical Award Ha Ji-hee (Art direction)
Notes
References
External links