Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 27, 2026

DNA Lover

DNA Lover is a 2024 South Korean romantic comedy television series written by Jung Soo-mi, directed by Sung Chi-wook, and starring Jung In-sun, Choi Si-won, Lee Tae-hwan, and Jung Yoo-jin. It aired on TV Chosun from August 17, to October 6, 2024, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:10 (KST). It is also available for streaming on Viu and Viki in selected regions.

Last revised
Jul 27, 2026
Read time
≈ 6 min
Length
1,368 w
Citations
29
Source
Wikipedia ↗
DNA Lover
Promotional poster
Hangul
DNA 러버
RRDNA reobeo
MRDNA rŏbŏ
GenreRomantic comedy
Written byJung Soo-mi
Directed bySung Chi-wook
Starring
Music byKIm Jang-woo1
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes16
Production
Executive producerJeong Hyung-seo2
Producers
  • Baek Ji-soo2
  • Hong Seung-chul2
  • Park Kyung-soo2
  • Kim Hee-yeol2
Production companies
Original release
NetworkTV Chosun
ReleaseAugust 17 (2024-08-17) –
October 6, 2024 (2024-10-06)

DNA Lover (Korean: DNA 러버) is a 2024 South Korean romantic comedy television series written by Jung Soo-mi, directed by Sung Chi-wook, and starring Jung In-sun, Choi Si-won, Lee Tae-hwan, and Jung Yoo-jin. It aired on TV Chosun from August 17, to October 6, 2024, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:10 (KST). It is also available for streaming on Viu and Viki in selected regions.

Synopsis

Having failed to build multiple numerous romantic relationships, genetic researcher Han So-jin seeks to find her sweetheart through genes.

Cast and characters

Main

A researcher at the Beneficial Gene Center who is obsessed with finding the perfect 'genetic match' and is full of otaku traits.
A highly capable and sensitive obstetrician and gynecologist at Shim Hospital.
A handsome firefighter who always answer So-jin's call.
A soulmate who understands the cool life of her ex-boyfriend Yeon-woo and a polyamorous romance columnist who claims that "a woman who expects everything from one man is bound to get hurt".

Supporting

  • Lee Si-hoon as Yeo Jeong-tam4
An endocrinologist at Shim Hospital and a classmate of Yeon-woo.
  • Lee Soo-bin as Son Ah-ri5
A researcher at the Beneficial Gene Center and So-jin's colleague and soulmate.
Kang-hoon's firefighter partner and an amateur martial artist known as the Yeoksam-dong Fire Fist.
  • Lee Cheol-woo as Father Andrea5
A priest who loves and is willing to give up his life for God.
  • Park Sung-geun as Shim Sung-hoon4
An obstetrician and gynecologist once called the Hand of God and Yeon-woo's father.
  • Jeong Min-sung as Seo Hyung-chul4
Kang-hoon's father and owner of a sushi restaurant.
  • Seo Ji-young as Yoo Myung-hee6
So-jin's mother and an installation artist.
  • Jung Yi-rang as TBA7
A head nurse who works with Yeon-woo and is usually strict but a reliable midwife to pregnant women during childbirth.

Production

Development

Director Sung Chi-wook, who directed Kairos (2020) and Tomorrow (2022), and writer Jeong Su-mi, who wrote Born Again (2020), teamed up while Higround, IP Box Media and Pan Entertainment managed the production of the series.8

Casting

Choi Si-won and Jung In-sun were reportedly cast to lead the series in November 2023.910 Lee Tae-hwan was reportedly cast in January 2024, after being discharged from the military in December 2023.11 Jung Yoo-jin was reportedly cast in February 2024.12 TV Chosun confirmed the appearances of the four actors in April 2024.8

Release

In April 2024, the weekend series was reportedly scheduled to air on TV Chosun in June 2024.13 Two months later, TV Chosun confirmed that the broadcast date will be on August 17, 2024, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:10 (KST).14 The series is also available to stream on Viu and Viki.1516

Ratings

Average TV viewership ratings (nationwide)
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)17
1 August 17, 2024 1.132% (17th)
2 August 18, 2024 0.62% (42nd)
3 August 24, 2024 0.776% (27th)
4 August 25, 2024 0.757% (35th)
5 August 31, 2024 0.627% (33rd)
6 September 1, 2024 0.578% (42nd)
7 September 7, 2024 0.704% (31st)
8 September 8, 2024 0.644% (37th)
9 September 14, 2024 0.727% (27th)
10 September 15, 2024 0.632% (34th)
11 September 21, 2024 0.609% (33rd)
12 September 22, 2024 0.897% (29th)
13 September 28, 2024 0.555% (36th)
14 September 29, 2024 0.689% (35th)
15 October 5, 2024 0.699% (29th)
16 October 6, 2024 0.798% (32nd)
Average 0.715%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
  • This drama aired 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).
References

References

  1. DNA러버 OST [DNA Lover]. Bugs (in Korean). Music&New Co., Ltd. October 6, 2024. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  2. DNA 러버 – 프로그램 소개 [DNA Lover Program Information]. TV Chosun. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  3. Yoon, Yeo-jung (April 8, 2024). 유전자로 사랑 찾을 수 있을까...최시원·정인선 'DNA 러버' 주인공 [Choi Si-won and Jung In-sun provide lead roles 'DNA Lover': Can we find love through genes?]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024 – via Naver.
  4. Moon, Hwa-young (July 11, 2024). 최시원·정인선 'DNA 러버', 연기합 예고... 대본 리딩 공개 ['DNA Lover' starring Choi Si-won and Jung In-sun script-reading revealed] (in Korean). The Fact. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024 – via Naver.
  5. 인물소개 [Character Introduction]. TV Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  6. Jung, Esther (February 14, 2024). 서지영, 정인선과 호흡 맞춘다...'DNA 러버' 합류 [Seo Ji-young and Jung In-sun cast in 'DNA Lover']. MHN Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024 – via Naver.
  7. Ha, Kyung-heon (April 19, 2024). 정이랑, TV조선 'DNA 러버' 캐스팅... 최시원과 호흡 [Jeong Yi-rang casts in TV Chosun drama 'DNA Lover' starring Choi Si-won]. Kyunghyang (in Korean). Kyunghyang, Co. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024 – via Naver.
  8. Lee, Mi-ji (April 8, 2024). 최시원X정인선X이태환X정유진, 'DNA 러버' 출연확정... 혁명적 5세대 로코(공식) [Choi Si-won, Jung In-sun, Lee Tae-hwan, and Jung Yoo-jin confirmed to appear in revolutionary fifth generation romantic comedy series 'DNA Lover']. Herald Pop (in Korean). Herald Corporation. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024 – via Naver.
  9. Hong, Se-young (November 30, 2023). [단독] 최시원 전매특허 살린다... 'DNA 러버' 남주인공 [Exclusive: Choi Si-won casts as male lead in 'DNA Lover']. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Dong-A Ilbo, Co. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024 – via Naver.
  10. Hong, Se-young (November 30, 2023). [단독] 정인선 'DNA 러버' 여주인공...최시원과 호흡 [[Exclusive] Jung In-seon becomes female lead in 'DNA Lover' starring Choi Si-won]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Dong-A Ilbo, Co. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024 – via Naver.
  11. Hyeon, Hye-sun (January 24, 2024). [단독] 이태환, 전역 후 복귀작 'DNA러버'... 최시원·정인선과 호흡 [Exclusive: After being discharged from military, Lee Tae-hwan's comeback series 'DNA Lover' starring Choi Si-won and Jung In-sun] (in Korean). The Seoul Economic Daily. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024 – via Naver.
  12. Hong, Se-young (February 1, 2024). [단독] 정유진 'DNA 러버' 출연, 정인선·최시원·이태환과 호흡 [Exclusive: Jung Yoo-jin casts in 'DNA Lover' starring Jung In-sun, Choi Si-won, and Lee Tae-hwan]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Dong-A Ilbo, Co. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024 – via Naver.
  13. Kim, Myung-mi (April 8, 2024). 최시원 정인선 이태환 정유진 'DNA 러버' 캐스팅 "6월 첫방송"[공식] [Official: 'DNA Lover' Choi Si-won, Jung In-sun, Lee Tae-hwan, Jung Yoo-jin premieres in June]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024 – via Naver.
  14. Yoon, Hyun-ji (June 12, 2024). 최시원X정인선, 유전자로 '운명의 짝' 찾는다... 'DNA 러버' 8월 첫 방송 [Choi Si-won and Jung In-sun find their 'fateful mate' through genes... 'DNA Lover' premieres in August] (in Korean). Xports News. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024 – via Naver.
  15. "'DNA Lover': When Love Meets Genetics". Viu. September 28, 2024. Archived from the original on November 7, 2024. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  16. Son, Bong-suk (August 2, 2024). 라쿠텐 비키, K-드라마 하반기 라인업 공개...'우연일까?'→'사랑 후에 오는 것들' [Rakuten Viki Reveals K-Drama Lineup for the Second Half of the Year, including 'Serendipity's Embrace' and 'What Comes After Love'] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024 – via Naver.
  17. DNA 러버 시청률 [DNA Lover ratings] (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. Archived from the original on November 15, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024 – via Daum.
External links