The Secret Romantic Guesthouse

The Secret Romantic Guesthouse
Promotional poster
Hangul	꽃선비 열애사
Hanja	花선비 熱愛史
Literal meaning	Flower Scholars' Passionate Love Story
Revised Romanization	Kkotseonbi yeor-aesa
McCune–Reischauer	Kkotsŏnbi yŏraesa
Genre	Period drama[1] Mystery[1] Romantic comedy[2]
Based on	Flower Scholars' Love Story by Kim Jeong-hwa
Developed by	Studio S (planning)[3] Copus (production investment)[3] Viu (production investment)[3]
Written by	Kwon Eum-mi[4] Kim Ja-hyun[4]
Directed by	Kim Jung-min[4]
Starring	Shin Ye-eun Ryeoun Jung Gun-joo Kang Hoon
Music by	Lee Ji-yong[3]
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of episodes	18
Production
Executive producer	Lee Kwang-soon
Producers	Lee Mi-ji Kim Hee-yeol Park Sang-hyun
Production companies	Apollo Pictures[4] Pan Entertainment[4] Studio S[4]
Budget	₩13 billion[5]
Original release
Network	SBS TV
Release	March 20 (2023-03-20) – May 16, 2023 (2023-05-16)

The Secret Romantic Guesthouse (Korean: 꽃선비 열애사) is a 2023 South Korean television series starring Shin Ye-eun, Ryeoun, Jung Gun-joo, and Kang Hoon. It premiered on SBS TV from March 20 to May 16, 2023 and aired every Monday and Tuesday at 22:00 (KST).^[1][6] It is also available for streaming on Wavve in South Korea, and on Viki and Viu in selected regions.^[7][8][9]

Synopsis

The series is about an incident that takes place when the owners of a guesthouse called Ihwawon Inn, which breaks stereotypes, and boarders with secrets gather to find Lee Seol who disappeared 13 years ago.^[10]

Cast

Main

• Shin Ye-eun as Yoon Dan-oh: the owner of a guesthouse called Ihwawon Inn. She is a livelihood mistress of the Joseon Dynasty, and draws the attention of flower scholars and viewers by portraying a lovely and confident character.^[10][11]
• Ryeoun as Kang San: a student preparing for a martial arts program with a cold atmosphere.
• Jung Gun-joo as Jung Yu-ha: a noble scholar who has a delicate personality that takes good care of the other person's feelings and fancy Dan-oh.
• Kang Hoon as Kim Shi-yeol: Dan-oh's best friend and always quarrels with her, but even gives her dating advice.

Supporting

People at Ihwawon Inn

• Lee Mi-do as Najubeak: Dan-oh's nanny.^[12]
• In Gyo-jin as Yook Ho: the oldest boarder in Ihwawon Inn.^[12]
• Jo Hye-joo as Yoon Hong-joo: Dan-oh's older sister.^[13]

People at Buyeonggak

• Han Chae-ah as Hwa-ryeong: a gisaeng who runs Buyeonggak, the largest guest house in Hanyang.^[14]
• Hwang Bo-reum-byeol as Ban-ya: Jang Tae-hwa's confidant.^[12]

People in the government

• Oh Man-seok as Jang Tae-hwa: a judge of Hanseongbu and an influential figure of Buyeonggak.^[15]
• Ahn Nae-sang as Shin Won-ho: the Left State Councilor.^[15]
• Hyun Woo as Lee Chang: king of Joseon.^[15]
• Kwon Do-hyung as Jang Hyeon: Jang Tae-hwa's son.^[16]
• Song Ji-hyeok as Choi Jong-soo: Jang Tae-hwa's right-hand man.^[17]
• Kim Hyun-sik as Kim Moo-hyung: Jang Tae-hwa's right-hand man.

People in the palace

• Gil Eun-hye as Gwiin Park: Lee Chang's concubine.^[18]
• Nam Gi-ae as Queen Dowager: Lee Chang's mother.^[19]
• Lee Joon-hyuk as Noh Seong-gil: the king's chief eunuch.^[12]
• Joo Suk-tae as Kim Hwan: the only person Lee Chang believes in.^[18]
• Choi Tae-hwan as Yoon Gu-nam: the king's royal guard.

Extended

• Lee Kwan-hoon as Park Jong-gwan: a military leader in the Naegeumwi.^[20]

Special appearances

• Han Eun-seong as Jung Gil-joon^[21]
• Park Hwi-soon as Ong Saeng-won^[22]

Production

Development

On August 30, 2022, Pan Entertainment announced that it had signed a contract with SBS drama division—Studio S, to produce and supply The Secret Romantic Guesthouse worth 13 billion won. The drama will be produced in cooperation with Apollo Pictures.^[5][23]

Casting

On September 14, 2022, the main cast lineup was confirmed.^[11]

Viewership

The Secret Romantic Guesthouse : South Korea viewers per episode (thousands)

Season		Episode number
		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
	1	766	563	N/A	575	616	587	N/A	568	609	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	603	665	736	664	887

Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.^[24]

Average TV viewership ratings

Ep.	Original broadcast date	Average audience share
		Nielsen Korea		TNmS
		Nationwide[24]	Seoul[25]	Nationwide[26]
1	March 20, 2023	4.4% (15th)	4.8% (11th)	3.9% (20th)
2	March 21, 2023	3.8% (17th)	4.0% (16th)	3.3% (19th)
3	March 27, 2023	3.7% (22nd)	3.8% (17th)	N/A
4	March 28, 2023	3.7% (14th)	3.8% (13th)	3.2% (18th)
5	April 3, 2023	3.7% (16th)	4.1% (16th)	N/A
6	April 4, 2023	3.9% (14th)	4.4% (11th)	3.4% (20th)
7	April 10, 2023	3.7% (21st)	4.1% (17th)	N/A
8	April 11, 2023	3.8% (17th)	3.8% (15th)
9	April 17, 2023	3.7% (17th)	4.0% (11th)
10	April 18, 2023	3.7% (17th)	4.0% (11th)
11	April 24, 2023	3.2% (22nd)	3.3% (20th)
12	April 25, 2023	3.2% (19th)	3.3% (17th)
13	May 1, 2023	3.8% (18th)	4.1% (15th)	3.6% (17th)
14	May 2, 2023	4.1% (13th)	4.2% (9th)	3.6% (17th)
15	May 8, 2023	4.0% (13th)	4.3% (10th)	4.3% (16th)
16	May 9, 2023	4.5% (8th)	4.6% (7th)	5.2% (11th)
17	May 15, 2023	4.1% (12th)	4.3% (12th)	4.5% (14th)
18	May 16, 2023	5.0% (7th)	5.2% (5th)	5.8% (8th)
Average		3.9%	4.1%	4.1%[a]
In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings. N/A denotes ratings that were not published.

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee / Work	Result	Ref.
SBS Drama Awards	2023	Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama	Ryeoun	Won	[27]
		Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama	Shin Ye-eun	Won
		Best Couple Award	Shin Ye-eun and Ryeoun	Nominated	[28]
		Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama	Han Chae-ah	Nominated	[29]
		Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama	In Gyo-jin	Nominated
		Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama	Jo Hye-joo	Nominated	[30]
			Hwang Bo-reum-byeol	Nominated
		Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama	Kang Hoon	Nominated
			Jung Gun-joo	Nominated

Notes

1. This average rating is calculated based on the published ratings, the exact average ratings is unknown due to multiple ratings not published.

References

1. Kim Ji-hye (January 1, 2023). "SBS 새 월화극 '꽃선비 열애사', 3월 방송 확정…신예은X려운 첫인사" (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023 – via Naver.
2. Lee Gyu-lee (February 20, 2023). "Shin Ye-eun, Ryeoun excited about their first period series with 'The Secret Romantic Guesthouse'". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
3. 신예은, 이화원 지키기 위해 오만석에 '이설' 찾겠다며 약조 #꽃선비열애사-TheSecretRomanticGuesthouse #SBSdrama (in Korean). SBS Drama. March 27, 2023. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via YouTube.
4. "프로그램 소개". Seoul Broadcasting System (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2023-03-17. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
5. Shin Hyun-ah (August 30, 2022). 팬엔터테인먼트, 130억 규모 드라마 '꽃선비열애사' 제작공급 [주목 e공시] [Pan Entertainment, production and supply of the 13 billion won drama 'Love Story of a Flower Scholar' [attention e-disclosure]] (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2022 – via Naver.
6. Park So-young (February 15, 2023). "신예은, '더글로리' 후광 입고 '꽃선비 열애사' 출격..훈남들 사이 '활짝'" [Shin Ye-eun wears the halo of 'The Glory' and appears in 'Flower Scholar's Love Story'.] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
7. Cho Young-eun (March 6, 2023). 웨이브, 시대극부터 퓨전 사극까지…3월 신작 라인업 공개 [Wavve, from period dramas to fusion historical dramas... New lineup released in March]. News Works (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
8. Kang Seo-jung (January 19, 2023). "'꼭두의 계절'→'꽃선비'까지..해외로 뻗어나가는 K-드라마" [From 'Season of Kokdu' to 'Flower Scholar'..K-drama expanding overseas] (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023 – via Naver.
9. "Drama Korea Terbaru 2023" [Latest Korean Drama 2023]. Viu (in Indonesian). March 7, 2023. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
10. Lee Gyu-lee (March 16, 2023). "Shin Ye-eun to play lovely character in 'The Secret Romantic Guesthouse'". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
11. Cha Hye-young (September 27, 2022). "신예은→려운, '꽃선비 열애사' 출연 확정…내년 상반기 편성" [Shin Ye-eun→Ryeo-woon confirmed to appear in 'Flower Scholar's Love Story'... Organized in the first half of next year]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
12. Oh Yoon-joo (January 13, 2023). "신예은 주연 '꽃선비 열애사', 3월 편성 확정…명품 라인업 공개" ['Flower Scholar's Love Story' starring Shin Ye-eun confirmed to be organized in March... Luxury lineup revealed]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
13. Jang Byung-ho (April 9, 2023). "꽃선비 열애사' 강훈·조혜주, '꽃다발 플러팅' 현장 공개" [Flower Scholar's Passionate Love' Kang Hoon and Jo Hye-joo, 'bouquet flirting' on-site public] (in Korean). E-Daily. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2023 – via Naver.
14. 황, 소영. "[단독] 한채아, SBS '꽃선비 열애사'로 '금수저' 활약 이어간다". Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2022-12-29. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
15. Park Ah-reum (January 13, 2023). "안내상X오만석X인교진X이미도X한채아 '꽃선비 열애사' 총출동[공식]" [Ahn Nae-sang X Oh Man-seok X In Gyo-jin X Lee Mi-do X Han Chae-ah 'Flower Scholar's Love Story' [Official]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
16. Cha, Hye-young (January 19, 2023). "신예 권도형, '꽃선비 열애사'로 브라운관 첫 데뷔" [Rookie Kwon Do-hyung debuts on the small screen with 'Flower Scholar's Love Story'] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023 – via Naver.
17. Yeon Hwi-seon (March 7, 2023). "초신성 송지혁, 3년 만에 드라마 복귀 '꽃선비 열애사' 출연 [공식]" [Supernova Song Ji-hyeok returns to drama after 3 years, appearing in 'Flower Scholar Passionate' [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023 – via Naver.
18. "등장인물 소개 (4)" [Character Introduction (4)]. Seoul Broadcasting System (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
19. Kang, Seon-ae (March 2, 2023). "단순한 로맨스 사극이 아니다…'꽃선비 열애사', 1차와 확 다른 2차 티저" [It's not just a romantic historical drama... 'Flower Scholar's Love Story', the 2nd teaser that is completely different from the 1st] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023 – via Naver.
20. Son Jina (April 17, 2023). "이관훈, '꽃선비 열애사' 합류…박 종사관 役(공식)" [Lee Kwan-hoon joins 'Flower Scholar's Love Story'... Park Jong-gwan role (official)] (in Korean). MK Sports. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
21. Lee Joon-hyeon (February 3, 2023). "한재석→한은성 활동명 변경, '신성한, 이혼→꽃선비 열애사' 잇단 열일 행보" [Han Jae-seok→Han Eun-seong name change, ‘Shin Sung-han, Divorce → Flower Scholar Passionate History’] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
22. Shin Young-eun (March 18, 2023). "박휘순 특별출연, 신예은 짝사랑 男 된다 (꽃선비 열애사)" [Park Hwi-soon's special appearance, Shin Ye-eun's unrequited love (Flower Scholar's Love Story)] (in Korean). Star Today. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
23. Hwang Jae-yoon (August 17, 2022). 청송군, SBS 드라마 '꽃선비 열애사' 제작지원 협약 [Cheongsong-gun, SBS drama 'Flower Scholar's Love Story' production support agreement]. MoneyS (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2022 – via Naver.
24. Nielsen Korea (Nationwide) ratings:
    • "Ep. 1" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. March 20, 2023. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
    • "Ep. 2" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
    • "Ep. 3, 7, 11" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023 – via Daum.
    • "Ep. 4" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. March 28, 2023. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
    • "Ep. 5" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 3, 2023. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
    • "Ep. 6" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 4, 2023. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
    • "Ep. 8" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 11, 2023. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
    • "Ep. 9" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
    • "Ep. 10" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 18, 2023. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
    • "Ep. 12" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 25, 2023. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
    • "Ep. 13" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 1, 2023. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
    • "Ep. 14" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 2, 2023. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
    • "Ep. 15" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 8, 2023. Archived from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
    • "Ep. 16" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 9, 2023. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
    • "Ep. 17" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 15, 2023. Archived from the original on May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
    • "Ep. 18" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 16, 2023. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
25. Nielsen Korea (Seoul) ratings:
    • "Ep. 1" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. March 20, 2023. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
    • "Ep. 2" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
    • "Ep. 3" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. March 27, 2023. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
    • "Ep. 4" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. March 28, 2023. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
    • "Ep. 5" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 3, 2023. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
    • "Ep. 6" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 4, 2023. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
    • "Ep. 7" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 10, 2023. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
    • "Ep. 8" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 11, 2023. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
    • "Ep. 9" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 17, 2023. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
    • "Ep. 10" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 18, 2023. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
    • "Ep. 11" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 24, 2023. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
    • "Ep. 12" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 25, 2023. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
    • "Ep. 13" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 1, 2023. Archived from the original on May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
    • "Ep. 14" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 2, 2023. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
    • "Ep. 15" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 8, 2023. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
    • "Ep. 16" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 9, 2023. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
    • "Ep. 18" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 16, 2023. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
26. TNmS ratings:
    • "Ep. 1" (in Korean). TNmS. March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023 – via Break News.
    • "Ep. 2" (in Korean). TNmS. March 22, 2023. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023 – via Break News.
    • "Ep. 4" (in Korean). TNmS. March 29, 2023. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023 – via Break News.
    • "Ep. 6" (in Korean). TNmS. April 5, 2023. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023 – via Break News.
    • "Ep. 13" (in Korean). TNmS. May 1, 2023. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023 – via Break News.
    • "Ep. 14" (in Korean). TNmS. May 3, 2023. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023 – via Break News.
    • "Ep. 15" (in Korean). TNmS. May 9, 2023. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023 – via Break News.
    • "Ep. 16" (in Korean). TNmS. May 10, 2023. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023 – via Break News.
    • "Ep. 17" (in Korean). TNmS. May 16, 2023. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via Break News.
    • "Ep. 18" (in Korean). TNmS. May 17, 2023. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023 – via Break News.
27. Jang, Jin-ri (December 30, 2023). "'모범택시2' 이제훈-'악귀' 김태리, 공동 대상 "우열 못 가려"[종합](SBS 연기대상)" [Model Taxi 2's" Lee Ji-hoon and "Demon" Kim Tae-ri shared the Grand Prize for "Unequal" [Overall] (SBS Acting Awards)]. SpoTV News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023 – via Naver.
28. Kim, Ye-seol (December 29, 2023). "'마이 데몬' 김유정♥송강, 베스트 커플상 수상…김유정 나홀로 수상 "팬분들께 감사해" [2023 SBS 연기대상]" ['My Demon' Kim Yoo-jung♥Song Kang won Best Couple...Kim Yoo-jung won alone "Thank you to the fans" [2023 SBS Acting Awards] (SBS Acting Awards)]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023 – via Naver.
29. Lee, Ye-jin (December 29, 2023). "모범택시2' 배유람→장혁진, 조연상 "베커상 못들어가 서운" [SBS 연기대상]" ['Model Taxi 2' Bae Yoo-Ram → Jang Hyuk-Jin, Supporting Actor "Jung Soon-Woon Can't Enter the Becker Award" [SBS Acting Awards]]. X-ports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 29, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023 – via Naver.
30. Lee, Ha-na (December 30, 2023). "상도 쪼개고 권위도 쪼개고,이제훈X김태리 공동 대상→신인상 7명[SBS 연기대상①]" [Splitting awards and splitting authority, Lee Ji-hoon X Kim Tae-ri joint grand prize → 7 newcomers [SBS Acting Awards ①]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024 – via Naver.

External links

• Official website (in Korean)
• Production website at Pan Entertainment (in Korean)
• The Secret Romantic Guesthouse at IMDb 
• The Secret Romantic Guesthouse at HanCinema