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
A Confucian scholar who becomes the youngest person to pass the state civil service examination.
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
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
Soon-deok's older brother. He works as a government inspector.
Soon-deok's maid who supports her double life.
The Left State Councilor's family
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.
Lady Park's younger brother who is a Minister of Military Affairs.
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
King of Joseon and Jung-woo's father-in-law.
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.
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
Mother of the three Maeng sisters and a former matchmaker.
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.
The third daughter of Maeng sisters who is a novelist. She disguises herself as a man using the pen name "Hwa Rok".
Groom candidates
A Sungkyunkwan Confucian student and the eldest grandson of the Sungkyunkwan Daeseong family. He is considered the best groom material in Hanyang.
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.
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
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.
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.
Yeoju-daek's daughter.
Others
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.
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
Accolades
Notes
References
External links