The Practical Guide to Love

The Practical Guide to Love
Promotional poster
Hangul
미혼남녀의 효율적 만남
Lit.Efficient Matchmaking for Unmarried Men and Women
RRMihon namnyeoui hyoyuljeok mannam
MRMihon namnyŏŭi hyoyulchŏk mannam
GenreRomantic comedy
Based on
Efficient Dating for Singles
by Tari
Written byLee Yi-jin
Directed byLee Jae-hoon [ko]
Starring
Music byHwang Chan-hee [ko]
Opening theme
"Highlight"
by Youngjae
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes12
Production
Running time70 minutes
Production companySLL
Original release
NetworkJTBC
ReleaseFebruary 28 (2026-02-28) –
April 5, 2026 (2026-04-05)

The Practical Guide to Love (Korean: 미혼남녀의 효율적 만남) is a 2026 South Korean television series written by Lee Yi-jin, directed by Lee Jae-hoon [ko], and starring Han Ji-min, Park Sung-hoon, and Lee Ki-taek. Based on the Naver webtoon Efficient Dating for Singles by Tari, the series follows a woman who goes on a blind date, meets two charming guys, and navigates her feelings to discover true love. It aired on JTBC from February 28, to April 5, 2026, every Saturday and Sunday at 22:40 (KST). It is also available for streaming on HBO Max and Viki.

Synopsis

Lee Ui-yeong, who was raised by a mother who pressured her to marry, is a single woman dealing with a ton of stress. With her career progressing steadily, she has begun to feel restless, prompting her to consider settling down. She has started going on blind dates, leading to an unexpected dilemma involving two contrasting men. Song Tae-seop, her first date, is a gentle and dependable individual who openly expresses his intentions for love and marriage, forcing Ui-yeong to confront her fears about commitment. Shin Ji-soo, her second date, initially hides his true identity but wins her over with genuine sincerity and carefree charm. His youth and spontaneity challenge Ui-yeong's preconceived notions about love, stirring feelings she hadn't anticipated. Torn between the comfort of stability and the thrill of passion, Ui-yeong must determine what love means to her and whether she's ready to take a chance on it.

Cast and characters

Main

A purchasing team manager at The Hills Hotel. While achieving professional success, she experiences a lack of fulfilment in her romantic life, harbouring desires for romantic connection but isn't interested in wasting time. But as she realizes she misread her coworker's feelings, she takes her friend's advice and tries blind dates, meeting two guys who are total opposites.
The CEO of woodworking studio HOME, he possesses a firm conviction beneath his gentle demeanor. Driven by responsibility and consideration, he dedicated his 20s to building a stable foundation for his company. In his thirties, he meets Ui-yeong on a blind date and they fall in love at first sight.
Ui-yeong's second blind date partner. He steps in for his friend on a blind date with her, unwittingly walking into a life-changing encounter.

Supporting

A purchasing team employee at The Hills Hotel.
The youngest member of the purchasing team.
A purchasing team senior at The Hills Hotel.
Ui-yeong's childhood friend.

Special appearances

Song Tae-seop's ex-girlfriend

Production

Development

Produced under SLL, the rom-com drama is based on the Naver webtoon Efficient Dating for Singles by Tari. It is directed by Lee Jae-hoon [ko], who directed Divorce Attorney Shin (2023), and the screenplay is written by Lee Yi-jin.

The script reading took place on May 14, 2025.

Casting

In February 2025, Newsen reported that Han Ji-min received an offer for the series and was positively considering. The next month, Park Sung-hoon was in talks to star. On May 14, Lee Ki-taek was added to the cast. By May 15, 2025, Han, Park, and Lee along with Jung Hye-sung and Kim So-hye were officially confirmed to appear.

Filming

Principal photography began in the first half of 2025, and was concluded on November 13, 2025.

Release

The Practical Guide to Love was reportedly scheduled to premiere on JTBC in 2026. In November 2025, the series was under discussion to air as the first JTBC weekend drama of 2026. As stated by Herald Pop, the series would air in January 2026. On December 19, Ize confirmed its premiere date to be on February 28, 2026, and will air every Saturday and Sunday. It is also available for streaming on HBO Max and Viki.

Viewership

The Practical Guide to Love : South Korea viewers per episode (thousands)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
123456789101112
17508509261159810105591710339189788991105950
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)
Nationwide Seoul
1 February 28, 2026 3.118% (2nd) 3.379% (1st)
2 March 1, 2026 3.328% (1st) 3.662% (1st)
3 March 7, 2026 3.798% (2nd) 4.085% (1st)
4 March 8, 2026 4.802% (1st) 5.500% (1st)
5 March 14, 2026 3.441% (1st) 3.928% (1st)
6 March 15, 2026 4.507% (1st) 4.606% (1st)
7 March 21, 2026 3.901% (1st) 4.429% (1st)
8 March 22, 2026 4.525% (1st) 4.738% (1st)
9 March 28, 2026 4.004% (1st) 4.306% (1st)
10 March 29, 2026 4.400% (1st) 4.413% (1st)
11 April 4, 2026 4.111% (1st) 4.193% (1st)
12 April 5, 2026 4.968% (1st) 5.224% (1st)
Average 4.075% 4.372%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
  • This series airs on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC, and EBS).

Awards and nominations

Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Korean Wave Entertainment Awards 2026 Best OST "Highlight" Pending
Newsis Hallyu Expo 2026 Global OST Popularity Award Pending

References

  1. ↑ Hwang Chan-hee. 드라마 BGM 팀 - 황찬희 [Drama BGM Team - Hwang Chan-hee]. chansline.com (in Korean). Retrieved February 14, 2026.
  2. ↑ 미혼남녀의 효율적 만남 [The Practical Guide to Love]. CJENM Watch. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lee, Su-jin (May 15, 2025). 한지민·박성훈, '미혼남녀의 효율적 만남' 캐스팅 [공식] [Official: Han Ji-min and Park Sung-hoon cast in The Practical Guide to Love]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 20, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  4. ↑ Jeong, Se-yoon (January 25, 2026). [공식] '비연예인♥' 이미도, 결혼 11년 차에 기쁜 소식 알렸다…'미혼남녀의 효율적 만남' 캐스팅 [Official: Non-celebrity ♥ Lee Mi-do shares good news after 11 years of marriage… Casting for The Practical Guide to Love]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  5. ↑ Jang, Jin-ri (July 10, 2025). [단독]신재하, '미혼남녀의 효율적 만남' 출격...한지민과 '믿보배' 만남 [Exclusive: Shin Jae-ha to appear on The Practical Guide to Love... meets Han Ji-min]. SPOTV (in Korean). Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  6. ↑ Jang, Jin-ri (October 15, 2025). [단독]신재하, '미혼남녀의 효율적 만남' 출격...한지민과 '믿보배' 만남 [Exclusive: Moon Jeong-hee joins 'Convenience Store Restaurant' and The Practical Guide to Love, working hard across variety shows and dramas]. IZE (in Korean). Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  7. ↑ Kim, Min-ji (February 4, 2026). 주연우, '미혼남녀의 효율적 만남' 출연…한지민과 '절친' 호흡 [Joo Yeon-woo to appear in The Practical Guide to Love and become close friends with Han Ji-min]. News 1 (in Korean). Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 Park, Jin-young (January 28, 2026). 윤박·육준서·이창호, 한지민 소개팅남 된다⋯'미혼남녀' 특별출연 [Yoon Park, Yuk Jun-seo, and Lee Chang-ho to make a special appearance in The Practical Guide to Love]. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  9. 1 2 Kim, Ye-eun (May 14, 2025). [단독] 이기택, '미혼남녀' 합류...한지민·박성훈과 오늘(14일) 대본리딩 [Exclusive: Lee Ki-taek joins The Practical Guide to Love... Script reading with Han Ji-min and Park Sung-hoon on May 14th]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  10. ↑ Ha, Ji-won (February 14, 2025). 한지민 사랑할 결심 '미혼남녀의 효율적 만남' 출연 긍정 검토 [공식입장] [Official Statement: Han Ji-min positively considering appearance on The Practical Guide to Love]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  11. ↑ Kang, Hyo-jin (March 26, 2025). [단독]박성훈, 한지민 손 잡고 로맨스로 복귀...'미혼남녀의 효율적 만남' 주연 [Exclusive: Park Sung-hoon returns to romance with Han Ji-min, starring in The Practical Guide to Love]. SPOTV (in Korean). Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  12. ↑ Yoo, Ji-ri (February 14, 2025). [단독] '나완비'로 또 날아오른 한지민, 로코로 돌아온다 [Exclusive: Han Ji-min, who soared again with "Na Wan-bi," returns with a romantic comedy]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  13. ↑ Yoo, Jeong-min (November 13, 2025). "굿바이, 이의영!"...한지민, '미혼남녀의 효율적 만남' 촬영 종료 인증 ["Goodbye, Lee Ui-yeong!"...Han Ji-min confirms completion of filming for 'Efficient Meeting of Single Men and Women']. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  14. 1 2 Yoo, Jeong-min (November 14, 2025). [단독]한지민, '미혼남녀의 효율적 만남' 스태프 120명에 사비로 운동화 선물..3천만원 상당 [Exclusive: Han Ji-min donates sneakers worth 30 million won to 120 staff members of The Practical Guide to Love]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  15. ↑ Lee, Kyung-ho (November 7, 2025). [단독] 'AV 표지 업로드 논란' 박성훈 주연 '미혼남녀'...2026년 JTBC 토일극 첫 주자 논의中 [Exclusive: Park Sung-hoon's sparks controversy over AV cover upload... JTBC's first weekend drama in 2026 The Practical Guide to Love under discussion.]. IZE (in Korean). Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  16. ↑ Lee, Kyung-ho (December 19, 2025). [단독] 한지민 주연 '미혼남녀', JTBC 토일극 편성...내년 2월 28일 첫방 [Exclusive: Han Ji-min's The Practical Guide to Love to premiere on JTBC's Saturday-Sunday drama series on February 28th]. Ize (in Korean). Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  17. ↑ Bernardo, Jaehwa (January 20, 2026). "K-drama featuring Han Ji-min, Park Sung-hoon coming to HBO Max in February". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Five new K-dramas to watch this week on OTT starring Lee Sung-kyung, Park Sung-hoon, Ryeoun: The Practical Guide to Love to Bloody Flower". The Economic Times (in Korean). Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  19. 1 2 Nielsen Korea ratings:
    • "Ep. 1". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 28, 2026. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
    • "Ep. 2". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 1, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
    • "Ep. 3". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 7, 2026. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
    • "Ep. 4". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 8, 2026. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
    • "Ep. 5". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 14, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
    • "Ep. 6". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 15, 2026. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
    • "Ep. 7". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 21, 2026. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
    • "Ep. 8". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 22, 2026. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
    • "Ep. 9". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 28, 2026. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
    • "Ep. 10". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 29, 2026. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
    • "Ep. 11". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 4, 2026. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
    • "Ep. 12". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 5, 2026. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  20. ↑ Son, Bong-suk (April 10, 2026). "'한류연예대상' 1차 투표 마감, 플레이브ㆍ하데스ㆍ황영웅ㆍ김소연 등 결선 진출 각 부문 TOP15 결선 진출" (in Korean). Retrieved May 11, 2026 – via Daum.
  21. ↑ Lee, Jae-hoon (June 12, 2026). "제8회 뉴시스 한류엑스포, 글로벌 팬투표 15일 시작" (in Korean). Retrieved June 17, 2026.