You and I (TV series)

You and I (Korean: 그대 그리고 나) is a 1997 South Korean television series starring Choi Jin-sil, Park Sang-won, Cha In-pyo, Song Seung-heon, Choi Bool-am, Kim Hye-ja, Seo Yoo Jung [ko], Kim Ji-young, and Lee Bon [ko]. It aired on MBC from 11 October 1997 to 26 April 1998 on Saturdays and Sundays at 20:00 for 58 episodes.

You and I
Promotional poster
Hangul	그대 그리고 나
RR	Geudae geurigo na
MR	Kŭdae kŭrigo na
Genre	Drama Melodrama
Created by	Lee Jae Gap
Written by	Kim Jung-Soo [1]
Directed by	Choi Jong-Su
Starring	Choi Jin-sil Park Sang-won Cha In-pyo Song Seung-heon Choi Bool-am Kim Hye-ja
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of episodes	58
Production
Producer	MBC Drama Production
Running time	60 minutes
Original release
Network	MBC
Release	October 11, 1997 (1997-10-11) – April 26, 1998 (1998-04-26)

It is currently the highest-rated Korean drama of all time, based on single episode viewership ratings, reaching 66.9%^[2] on its final broadcast on 26 April 1998. Its average rating for its entire run was 43.7%.

Synopsis

Park Jae-chul (Choi Bool-am) is an old sailor and a father to three sons and one daughter, Park Dong-gyu (Park Sang-won), Park Young-gyu (Cha In-pyo), Sang-ok (Seo Yoo Jung [ko]), and Park Min-gyu (Song Seung-heon). Park Dong-gyu is working man and carries the responsibility as the eldest in his family. He's in-love with Yoon Soo-kyung (Choi Jin-sil), and they work together to overcome all difficulties to get married. Park Young-gyu dreams of nothing but money and marrying a rich girl one day. While serving in the military, he tricked a naive country girl Mi-sook (Kim Ji-young) whom he promised to marry. Mi-sook becomes blinded by love and provided all his needs. Park Sang-ok is the only girl in the family. She's a college student. Their youngest Park Min-gyu is quiet and introverted. He distances himself from his family and people because he's troubled by the fact that he's from another mother. Though he's a talented painter, he doesn't use his talent much. His brother Park Young-gyu and the rich girl Shi-yeon (Lee Bon [ko]) always stand by his side and push him to be better.

Cast

Main

• Choi Jin-sil^[3] as Yoon Soo-kyung

A cheerful, unassuming woman who grew up loved as the youngest daughter of a well-to-do family. A female employee of a medium-sized company. She chose love over the conditions of marriage, but her marriage is not easy due to conflicts with her in-laws, who have different habits and ideas, and her husband, Dong-gyu, who is a wild man. In the end, she chooses to part ways with Dong-gyu, but they never forget each other and reunite to finalize their marriage. She wants to do well in her company, but feels like she's being held back by various constraints.

• Park Sang-won^[4] as Park Dong-gyu

Soo-kyung's husband. He is an office worker with a patriarchal disposition and a bit of a hillbilly attitude, but at heart, he is a romantic. He has many friends and juniors, and is always busy because he has a wide range of interests. He often feels burdened by his troubled younger siblings and his "brash" widowed father. He feels sorry for his half-brother, Min-gyu, but finds it hard to warm up to him.

Supporting

• Cha In-pyo^[5] as Park Young-gyu

Park Dong-gyu's younger brother. A high school troublemaker whose only asset is his handsome face. After his efforts to pursue only a good daughter from a rich family, he almost achieves his dream.

• Song Seung-heon^[6] as Park Min-gyu

Park Dong-gyu's oddball youngest brother. He's a quiet troublemaker, almost mute, but when he gets into trouble, it's not on the same scale as Young-gyu's. He sees the world through a prickly lens. However, he is a kind-hearted man, and when he meets a woman in a similar situation, he feels sincere love for her, and they are both saved.

• Choi Bool-am^[7] as Park Jae-chul

Dong-gyu's father. Sailor in his prime, now a sea fishing guide. A man who never seems to grow old. He is loved and hated by his youngest son, Min-gyu, who wants to be reunited with his biological mother. Currently a widower.

• Kim Hye-ja^[8] as Kim Eun-soon

Yoon Soo-kyung's mother. A devoted mother to her children, she gives all her wealth to her son, only to find herself in debt. In hindsight, she regrets the way she raised her children, but all she has left is a mild case of dementia from the shock.

• Seo Yoo-jung^[9] as Park Sang-ok

Dong-gyu's younger sister. An immature and vain aspiring model, she dreams of quickly rising up the ranks, but has no practical skills. As an aspiring model, she meets a dangerous man, loses her heart, and is on the verge of suicide. With the help of Soo-kyung, she builds a new life.

• Kim Ji-young^[10] as Mi-sook

A strong and stubborn maiden from a village. She meets and falls in love with Young-gyu in the army, but after being abandoned by him, she gives birth to his child alone and survives by selling herbs. Eventually, she becomes Soo-kyung's sister-in-law.

• Lee Bon [ko]^[11] as Shi-yeon

The unhappy only child of a wealthy family that Young-gyu has been searching for. Due to a complicated family situation, she runs away from home and connects with Young-gyu, and is reintroduced to Min-gyu. She and Min-gyu, who have many similar tendencies, soon become close.

Viewership

• In this table, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.

1997
Ep.	Original broadcast date	Nationwide[12]
1	October 11	28.6%
2	October 12	27.8%
3	October 18	28.6%
4	October 19	29.0%
5	October 25	27.5%
6	October 26	29.4%
7	November 1	26.4%
8	November 2	33.6%
9	November 9	35.0%
10		39.8%
11	November 15	28.0%
12	November 16	40.7%
13	November 22	30.8%
14	November 23	33.0%
15	November 29	29.6%
16	November 30	36.4%
17	December 6	27.3%
18		39.1%
19	December 13	37.1%
20		46.0%
21	December 20	37.2%
22	December 21	48.8%
23	December 27	40.3%
24	December 28	47.4%
1998
25	January 3	40.4%
26	January 4	49.4%
27	January 10	42.8%
28	January 11	47.6%
29	January 17	31.6%
30		46.2%
31	January 24	46.8%
32	January 25	46.7%
33	January 31	47.8%
34	February 1	62.9%
35	February 7	63.0%
36	February 8	60.4%
37	February 14	46.0%
38	February 15	44.8%
39	February 21	34.9%
40	February 22	49.2%
41	February 28	44.8%
42	March 1	48.6%
43	March 7	47.1%
44	March 8	49.3%
45	March 14	46.9%
46	March 15	61.6%
47	March 21	44.4%
48	March 22	61.9%
49	March 28	44.8%
50	March 29	47.7%
51	April 4	54.5%
52	April 5	58.8%
53	April 11	46.6%
54	April 12	62.4%
55	April 18	52.0%
56	April 19	58.5%
57	April 25	48.7%
58	April 26	66.9%
Average		43.7%