K-drama alert! There’s a new ongoing K-drama that deserves more recognition from international viewers, and it’s none other than the KBS family weekend drama “Iron Family,” starring Kim Jung Hyun, Geum Sae Rok, Choi Tae Joon, and Yang Hye Ji. If you haven’t heard about it yet, here’s why “Iron Family” is worth watching!
“Iron Family“
Casts: Kim Jung Hyun, Keum Sae Rok, Park Ji Young, Choi Tae Joon, Shin Hyun Joon, Yang Hye Ji
Synopsis: “Iron Family” tells the story of a family that has run the Cheongryeom Laundry Shop for three generations. Struggling to make ends meet, they work hard to keep their family afloat while hoping to iron out their dreams. The drama focuses on Lee Da Rim (Keum Sae Rok), the youngest daughter, who is slowly losing her eyesight due to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and Seo Gang Ju (Kim Jung Hyun), the son of the wealthiest family in the neighborhood.
Genre: Family, Romance, Comedy, Drama
Episodes: 36
Why “Iron Family” Should Be Your Next K-Drama
A Multigenerational Family Drama with Characters You Can’t Help but Root For
“Iron Family” stands out with its heartwarming depiction of three generations, each with their own stories and struggles. The first generation, represented by the grandparents, showcases a loving, elderly couple who have weathered life’s hardships together and now aim not to be a burden to their daughter-in-law and grandchildren. The second generation, their children, are doing their best to support the family, while the third generation, the grandchildren, chase after their own dreams.
The family started their lives strong with their laundry shop, but everything fell apart when Da Rim’s father passed away after spending ten years trying to pass the bar exam. His death left the responsibility of caring for the entire family on Da Rim’s mother, who now runs the laundry shop as the family’s sole source of income. Her resilience and willingness to do anything for her children show the strength of a mother who has become the head of the household.
The next character you might want to root for is Lee Da Rim, the youngest daughter and main character in the drama. Da Rim is facing the heartbreaking reality of slowly losing her vision due to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The only way to restore her eyesight is through an operation that costs a staggering $800,000. However, with the family’s financial struggles, Da Rim’s hopes rest solely on the small income from their laundry shop.
An Interesting Storyline Full of Characters from Different Social Classes
At the heart of “Iron Family” is the Cheongryeom Laundry Shop, where we follow the lives of a family spanning three generations. Through the elderly couple, who have been through so much together, we get a glimpse of their everyday life and resilience.
The second male lead, played by Choi Tae Joon, is a part-timer at the laundry shop. He’s not just an employee, but practically family, as he grew up as an orphan. Despite his humble role, there’s more to him than meets the eye—he’s actually quite wealthy, owning a building, and is great at stock trading. On the other hand, the second female lead is Lee Chae Rim, the family’s second daughter, who harbors resentment toward her mother, believing she only cares for the youngest sibling. She works at the same company as the male lead, Seo Gang Ju, adding another layer of complexity to their interactions.
Through Seo Gang Ju, we also get a look into the world of the wealthy. As the stepson of the richest family in the neighborhood, he’s a director at a fashion company, constantly trying to prove himself to his stepfather in hopes of inheriting the family fortune. His family’s wealth brings its own set of dramatic twists—Gang Ju’s mother was hiding $10 million in their home, but after a robbery, the money mysteriously vanished. They can’t report it to the police because it’s dirty money from Gang Ju’s grandfather, adding a thrilling and humorous edge to the story.
The Main Couple is in a Classic Trope But with a Fun Twist
One of the key dynamics in “Iron Family” is the class difference between the main couple but with an unexpected twist. While the female lead, Lee Da Rim, isn’t well off, and the male lead, Seo Gang Ju, comes from the wealthiest family, their first encounter is anything but typical. They meet at a crosswalk where Gang Ju helps Da Rim, who has poor vision, safely cross the street. What makes it even more surprising is that Da Rim suddenly asks him if he wants to sleep together—and they do!
The two have undeniable chemistry and share an unforgettable night. Before parting ways, Gang Ju tells Da Rim that he will be enlisting in the military the next day but expresses his desire to keep in touch. He asks for her number, but Da Rim hesitates, not wanting to go through the pain of waiting for a call that might never come. He reassures her, saves her number, and promises to stay in contact. But did he ever call her? Nope—not even once in the five years that followed.
Fate, however, brings them back together. They meet again at the same crosswalk, and Da Rim immediately recognizes Gang Ju, not by his looks, but by the distinct sound of his lighter. From there, things start getting wild for her once more!
What To Look Forward In This Drama?
“Iron Family” offers plenty of interesting storylines and a large cast of characters, making it easy to root for multiple people at once. However, the main questions that keep viewers on the edge of their seats are: Will Da Rim ever regain her eyesight? What will happen with the stolen $10 million? Will Lee Chae Rim finally reconcile with her mother? And how will the second male lead, now considered part of the family, fit into their future?
With its mix of family drama, romance, comedy, and heartwarming moments, “Iron Family” truly has it all. Let’s all experience being part of the family and root for everyone by watching this drama available on KOCOWA+ with multiple subtitles!
