Editor's Review:

A Banned Romance That Lit Up a Nation
Originally a blockbuster web novel on Naver Series with over 20 million reads, The Forbidden Marriage has captivated audiences across formats—as a bestselling book series, a webtoon with 111 episodes, and a hit 2022 MBC primetime K-drama broadcast globally via Amazon Prime. At its heart lies a dazzlingly original premise: in Joseon, where royal matchmaking imposed temporary bans on commoners’ marriages, what happens when the ban stretches to an absurd seven years—and no one can get married until the king remarries?

A Con-Woman, A King in Mourning, and a Palace Full of Secrets
When charismatic scam artist Ye So-rang is caught faking spiritual matchmaking, she saves herself by convincing the palace she’s possessed by the late Crown Princess’s ghost. Desperate for closure, grief-stricken King Heon believes her—and installs her as his personal medium. What unfolds is a riotous romantic triangle between So-rang, the king, and his best friend (and her accidental almost-fiancé) Shin-won. Fake exorcisms, secret crushes, and a court full of love-thirsty officials drive this explosive “Joseon rom-com” full of farce, heart, and slow-burning chemistry.

A Youth Rebellion in Period Dress
At once wildly entertaining and emotionally astute, this historical comedy explores what happens when a generation is legally forbidden to love. Beneath the palace intrigue and witty lies lies a timely message: in every era, love—denied or fulfilled—is what gives life its heartbeat. The Forbidden Marriage is both delightful escapism and a pointed parable about how systems suppress the very instincts that make us human.

★ Rights sold: Russian rights!

★ Successful Drama & Webtoon – Proven IP: The Forbidden Marriage has already leapt from page to screen, gaining international fans. The MBC TV adaptation (late 2022) was a primetime series that brought the story to life with high-profile actors and drew strong ratings in its slot The original webtoon on Naver accumulated a wide readership (over 1M views) and remains highly rated. This multi-platform success assures publishers of a built-in global fanbase and recognizability.

★ Author is the Screenwriter: Unusually, Chun Ji-hye herself scripted the drama version, ensuring the adaptation stayed true to her vision and demonstrating the story’s adaptability. This also means potential film/TV partners abroad could have the author’s direct collaboration – a strong selling point for quality control.

★ Fresh Twist on Historical Romance: While set in a traditional Joseon backdrop (palaces, princes, and court politics), the tone is refreshingly modern and humorous. The concept of a “marriage ban” is rooted in historical fact but exaggerated for fun, creating situational comedy alongside the swoon. It’s a bit like “Bridgerton meets Moonlight Drawn by Clouds,” mixing regency-style romantic tension with K-drama humor.

★ Compelling Heroine: So-rang is a charismatic, resourceful heroine with mass appeal – she’s street-smart and independent, yet emotionally genuine. Readers, especially young women, love her agency in a restrictive era. Her fake psychic routine and bold personality add a feminist, empowering angle to the typical damsel-in-palace trope.

★ Multiple Spin-off Opportunities: The novel’s universe has spawned an interactive visual novel game (2021) and merchandise crowdfunding (webtoon print volumes via Tumblbug). These indicate strong fan engagement and the potential for further content (sequels, novellas from side characters’ POV, etc.). It’s a living IP that continues to grow.

Three volumes included.

“A clever swindler claiming to channel the late crown princess cons her way into the palace – and into the king’s heart – to end a royal ban on marriage in Joseon Korea.”

Joseon, 7 years into the bizarre era of the “Geumhonryeong” – the Marriage Prohibition. Ever since King Lee Heon lost his beloved crown princess in a tragic accident, he forbade all weddings in the kingdom. No one has been allowed to marry on his watch, and an entire generation of young Koreans is growing up without hope of love. Enter Ye So-rang, a savvy, street-smart con artist who runs a matchmaking shop. When So-rang is arrested and brought before the grieving King (for illegal matchmaking), she improvises a bold gambit to save herself: she pretends to be possessed by the spirit of the late princess. Claiming that the princess’s ghost desperately wants the King to lift the forbidden marriage, So-rang intrigues Lee Heon and is installed in the palace as a royal medium. Thus begins a delightful charade, as So-rang struggles to keep her cover (she really can’t see ghosts!) while staging an elaborate deception to heal the King’s broken heart. Matters complicate when Shin Won, the King’s loyal guard – and So-rang’s old flame – recognizes her. Caught between a protective warrior and a monarch starved for affection, So-rang navigates palace intrigues, assassination plots, and comedic romantic misunderstandings. Can her biggest lie turn into sincere love? The Forbidden Marriage is a funny, swoon-worthy tale of love blooming against all odds, with a dash of mystery and a lot of heart.

Chun Ji-hye

Chun Ji-hye is a prominent Korean storyteller whose work spans romance, historical fantasy, and psychological thriller, marked by strong narrative control and emotional clarity. Emerging from the first generation of web novel writers and later establishing herself as a successful K-drama screenwriter, she has consistently created stories that translate effectively across publishing and screen formats.

Her writing is driven by high-concept ideas rooted in human desire and social tension.

The Fairy of Love explores modern relationships through sharp dialogue, while The Forbidden Marriage reimagines Joseon-era romance with wit and dramatic momentum. Karma Note: The Reincarnation Chronicles of Joseon presents a striking historical fantasy centered on moral consequence, and The Murder in the Mirror expands her range into tightly constructed crime fiction across parallel realities.

Across genres, Chun Ji-hye’s works demonstrate clear pacing, adaptable narrative structures, and strong international potential.