"She is Nineteen" (2004): From Youthful Innocence to Bittersweet Romance

Korean Drama "She is Nineteen"

 Welcome to my blog, where I will be discussing the Korean drama "She is Nineteen" that aired in 2004. It's a drama about striving for dream and the exhilarating success of finally achieving them. In this post, I will be highlighting the attraction points of this drama and the responding from Korean Drama fans


Plot Summary

"She is Nineteen" is a story about a 19-year-old girl named Han Yoo-min. She lost her parents as a child and was sent to an orphanage. She likes Kang Min-jae, a first-year resident at the hospital for her younger brother's hemodialysis once a month.

Meanwhile, Kang Min-jae is fed up with his mother's elitism in arranging his marriage with the university president's family, so he shocks everyone by announcing that he is already engaged to someone and proposes to Han Yoo-min who likes him. 

Kang Seung-jae is the younger brother of Kang Min-jae. He, too, dropped out of school to become a motorcyclist in rebellion against his parents. He gradually falls in love with Han Yoo-min, unaware that she is his brother's fiancée.


Main Cast

she-is-nineteen-poster


  • Han Yoo-min: played by actress Jeong Da-bin
  • Kang Seung-jae: played by actor Yoon Gye-sang
  • Kang Min-jae: played by actor Kim Jae-won
  • Choi Soo-ji: played by actress Kim Min-hee

Jeong Da-bin portrayed the character of Han Yoo-min, the female lead in "She is Nineteen". She meets Kang Seung-jae and Kang Min-jae, and a love triangle ensues. Jeong Da-bin's performance in the drama was praised for her ability to bring the character to life with her natural acting style. Tragically, Jeong Da-bin committed suicide in 2007.

Yoon Gye-sang played the character of Kang Seung-jae, the younger brother of Kang Min-jae. He falls in love with Han Yoo-min, and the two share a sweet romance. Yoon Gye-sang's performance in the drama was praised for his ability to portray the character's sensitive and romantic side. He began his acting career in earnest with this drama. 


Attraction points

Chemistry between the Leads

Jeong Da-bin, Yoon Kye-sang, and the rest of the cast bring fresh passion and energy to their roles in "She is Nineteen." The two leads were very hot young stars when the show aired. The chemistry between the leads is harmonic, and viewers are sure to be captivated by the raw emotion of young actor.


Good-vs-Evil Dynamic

While the show does rely on certain tried-and-true formulas and clichés, the good-vs-evil dynamic is expertly crafted, resulting in a dramatic and engaging story that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Despite some of the more predictable moments, the show manages to deliver plenty of surprises and twists that will leave viewers guessing until the very end.


romantic production

One of the standout elements of the show is its romantic production, which is equal parts sweet and heart-wrenching. From tender moments of intimacy to explosive fights and emotional breakdowns, the show runs the gamut of human emotion, leaving viewers feeling invested in the characters and their fates. In addition, the well-placed OST adds an extra layer of depth and emotion to the show. 


Ratings and reviews

"She is Nineteen" initially struggled with ratings in the low teens due to the strength of one of its time slot competitors, “Full House”, but as soon as “Full House” ended, "She is Nineteen" 's ratings rose to 18.1 percent and eventually ended with a 24.4 rating, its highest ever.

"She is Nineteen" received an average rating of 7.5/10 on MyDramaList, a popular Korean drama database. Many viewers appreciated the acting performances and the emotional depth of the drama. However, some viewers found the pacing to be slow and the ending to be unsatisfactory.



Interesting Facts

  • The direct translation of the Korean name of this drama is "My 19 Year Old Sister-in-Law"
  • Contrary to the drama, Yoon Kye-sang is actually older than Kim Jae-won.
  • Kim Min-hee played the lead role in the previous drama, but was cast in a supporting role in this one due to controversy over her acting skills. 
  • The drama was popular in Taiwan and was dubbed in Mandarin.


"She is Nineteen" is a romantic drama with a unique storyline that is a must-watch for anyone interested in this genre. The lead's emotional struggles between brotherhood and love are captivating, immersing viewers in the story. Its emotional depth is sure to leave a lasting impression on those who watch it.