Image of the drama's promotional poster was taken from the drama's official website (MBC) and reproduced under Fair Dealing for educational purposes.

Love triangles are a common storyline in K-dramas, and the potential romance between a lead character and a second lead can be so effectively portrayed that it outshines the romance between the two leads, a phenomenon fans have dubbed “Second Lead Syndrome.” Sometimes, the second lead’s case is strengthened by the fact that they were originally intended to marry the lead character, before plot twists happened to complicate the plan. The recently completed “fusion sageuk” The Forbidden Marriage (금혼령, 조선 혼인 금지령, MBC, 2022-2023) contains this kind of plot, and its incorporation into the story supports the series’ strong messaging about female agency.

Set in a fictional Joseon-dynasty Korea, where marriage has been outlawed since the king was widowed seven years earlier, The Forbidden Marriage follows noblewoman-turned-con-artist Ye So-rang, who claims to be able to channel the departed princess’ spirit. If she can help the king resolve his feelings about his wife’s death and choose a new bride, the ban will be lifted and the social chaos and personal suffering it has caused the citizens will end. Because So-rang is the female lead, it will not surprise K-drama fans that she and the king will develop feelings for each other, but the second male lead, the king’s best friend Lee Shin-won, is also presented as a viable love interest for her. They immediately establish a comfortable and true friendship that hints at the potential for something more. And Shin-won already loves So-rang: although neither of them acknowledges their previous connection at first, it turns out that they were arranged to marry seven years earlier, before she was forced to give up her noble position and change her identity.

Shin-won asks So-rang why she never acknowledged that they were supposed to be married before the prohibition. She explains that she tried to forget about her past life as Ye Hyeon-seon because it was too painful to think about all that had been taken from her. Photo from the drama’s official photo gallery (MBC), reproduced under Fair Dealing for educational purposes.

While Shin-won may have the first claim to her hand, bolstered by his sincere feelings for her, that is not enough to guarantee his romantic success–and not only because his rival is the king, who could have any woman he wants. Shin-won does not get to have So-rang at the end of the story because the drama treats her like the fully developed person that she is and allows her to forge her own destiny. Even if she and Shin-won are the couple that should have been, her life took her on a different path. She has met all kinds of people she would otherwise never have met, she has dealt with all kinds of situations she would otherwise never have encountered, and she has matured into a different person. It is because of her character growth that she has the skills required to resolve the plot’s internal and external conflicts. Ye Hyeon-seon might have lived happily as Lee Shin-won’s wife, but only Ye So-rang can be the heroine the people need.

So-rang reclaims her identity as Ye Hyeon-seon, allowing her to be selected as the next queen. Photo from the drama’s official photo gallery (MBC) reproduced under Fair Dealing for educational purposes.

The story is structurally a comedy, which means that the resolution must involve a restoration of order and balance to society. For that reason, So-rang must reclaim her original identity of Ye Hyeon-seon and rise to her rightful place in society before the story is done. In terms of structure, if So-rang were to marry Shin-won as originally intended, that would bring the story full circle, putting right what was torn asunder by the princess’ murder and the subsequent marriage ban. But because this story rides on character as much as on plot, that option is ruled out, and not just because So-rang now has feelings for the king. The writers take the position that the new order can never be exactly the same as the old, and therefore, the heroine can never fully go back to being Hyeon-seon after all the experiences she lived as So-rang. Marrying the king and becoming the queen is the best option for the person So-rang is now, and the drama’s final scenes show us that this choice leads to personal fulfillment and happiness, and also puts her in a position where she can use her skills to benefit the kingdom, leading to a better and happier life for all.

So-rang finds happiness and improves the quality of life for all the kingdom’s subjects. Photo from the drama’s official photo gallery (MBC), reproduced under Fair Dealing for educational purposes.