Family Register

Main

• Park Se-young as Na Ji-ni

Although she grew up in a privileged household as the daughter of a famous cellist and a director, she harbors deep emotional wounds that she has not easily confided in others. Her status as an illegitimate child led to bullying and falsehoods in her youth. Do-hee, whom she had considered a friend, exposed the secret and led a bullying spree, significantly impacting Ji-ni's life. She studied Korean painting at Hankuk University, focusing on creating K-animation with international appeal.^[1]

• Han Go-eun as Na Se-ri

Ji-ni's mother. A cellist who once dominated Korea's classical music scene, she is driven by ambition and prioritizes her own interests above all else. Despite achieving career success through her appearance and talent, she was stigmatized as an "adulteress". She had an affair with Cha Min-ki, a married man, and gave birth to Ji-ni. In a tearful interview, she framed the relationship as a "romance of the century" and depicted Young-ju, who refused divorce, as a malicious wife. This allowed her to recast herself from perpetrator to victim in public perception and maintain her position at the National Symphony Orchestra. Following the press conference, Se-ri and Min-ki were believed by the public to have become a legally married couple.^[1]

• Im Ji-eun as Noh Young-joo

A vocal music major, she aspired to become a musical actress and developed her skills in singing and acting. Following a relationship with her university peer Cha Min-ki, she became pregnant. She discontinued her career aspirations to raise their two sons, Seung-hyun and Seung-woo, with Min-ki. Her family life ended when Min-ki began living with cellist Na Se-ri.^[1]

• Sung I-eon [ko] as Lim Ji-hoo

Director of the Korea Art & Culture Center. As a child, he received little attention at home. His father was often absent for months at a time due to work at sea, and his mother provided little care. He began playing piano during a period of isolation, and it became his primary focus.^[1]

• Park Sol-la as Do Do-hee

A painter and influencer with numerous followers. She was raised by wealthy parents and has depended on their resources. She perceives that others envy her, though she has not achieved independent accomplishments. Her primary focus is maintaining a glamorous presence on social media. Since private elementary school, Do-hee ranked second to Ji-ni in academic standings. Despite efforts to meet her mother's expectation of ranking first, she did not achieve first place. Her mother's emphasis on being number one affected Do-hee. After experiencing physical punishment, Do-hee directed her frustration toward Ji-ni. As a result, she revealed Ji-ni's secret.^[1]

• Yoon Hee-seok as Lim Sa-bin

Ji-hoo's uncle and a traditional Korean medicine doctor. He operates a clinic in the same building as Young-ju's singing class. Although he lacks musical ability, he attends her class more consistently than other students. After meeting Young-ju, he experiences romantic feelings.^[1]

Supporting

Young-joo's family

• Jeon No-min as Cha Min-ki^[1]

CEO of the production company "Cha Production" and father of Ji-ni, Seung-hyun and Seung-woo.

• Seo Do-young as Cha Seung-hyun^[1]

Young-joo and Min-ki's eldest son who works as a Grade 7 postal service civil servant.

• Jeong Seung-bin [ko] as Cha Seung-woo^[1]

Young-joo and Min-ki's second son and a documentary PD at a broadcasting station.

• Jung So-young [ko] as Dang Ngoc Mai^[1]

Youngest daughter of the chairman of a Vietnamese quasi-chaebol family, who later became Seung-hyun's wife.

• Jang Yi-jun as Cha Oh-reum^[1]

Seung-hyun and Mai's son.

• Kim Dong-jun as Noh Il-dong^[1]

Young-joo's younger brother and Jung-bin's secretary and personal attendant.

• Gong Sang-ah [ko] as Oh Soo-yeon^[1]

Il-dong's wife and Ji-hoo's butler.

Lim family

• Um Hyo-sup as Lim Jung-bin^[1]

Ji-hoo's father, who is a two-star rear admiral in the ROK Navy.

• Choi Su-rin as Kim Sun-kyung^[1]

Jung-bin's wife and Ji-hoo's mother.

Others

• Yoon Ji-won as Jeon Jung-ah^[1]

Ji-ni's college classmate and best friend.

• Park Young-woon as Geum Tae-oh^[1]

Ji-hoo's best friend and owner of the cafe on the first floor of the building where Ji-ni and Jung-ah's art studio is located.

• Cho Seung-hee as Han Jung-won^[1]

A writer for a broadcasting station.

Development

The series is directed by Kim Mi-sook [ko], who helmed The Brave Yong Su-jeong (2024), and written by Park Ji-hyun [ko], who wrote You Are the Boss! (2013) and Person Who Gives Happiness [ko] (2016–2017). It is jointly produced by MBC C&I and Void, the production company behind the 2024 film Hidden Face.^[2]

Casting

In April 2026, Han Go-eun and Park Se-young were reportedly cast to lead the series as mother-daughter.^[3][4] The following month, the appearances of both actress were officially confirmed, and Im Ji-eun, Sung I-eon [ko], Park Sol-la, Seo Do-young, and Jeon Seung-bin [ko] joined the cast.^[2][5]