Familiar Wife (2018)
A Korean romantic fantasy drama about a man who rewrites his past — and must live with the unexpected consequences of a life remade.
Familiar Wife - Series Information
- Original Title: 아는 와이프
- First Air Year: 2018
- Last Air Year: 2018
- Created by: Lee Sang-yeob, Yang Hui-seung
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 16
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- First Air Date: August 1, 2018 (United States - NR), August 1, 2018 (Canada - 18+), August 1, 2018 (Brazil - 12), August 1, 2018 (Mexico - C), August 1, 2018 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: tvN
- Alternative Titles: Knowing Wife (US), רעיה מוכרת (IL), 认识的妻子 (CN), Familiar Wife (KR), La esposa que quiero (CL)
- Production Companies: Chorokbaem Media, Studio Dragon
- Production Countries: South Korea, United States of America
Familiar Wife - Plot
After receiving a bizarre chance to go back in time, a man wakes up to find that his whole life — including the person he married — is different.
Familiar Wife - Trailer
See the official trailer and get a first look at the time-bending romance at the heart of the series.
Why do I have to be the only one who lives such horrible life?
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Familiar Wife - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Lee Sang-yeob
- Yang Hui-seung
Main Cast
- Ji Sung
- Han Ji-min
- Kang Hanna
- Jang Seung-jo
- Cha Hak-yeon
- Son Jong-hak
- Park Won-sang
- Kim So-ra
- Lee You-jin
- Park Hee-von
Writers
- Yang Hui-seung
Familiar Wife - FAQs
What is the time travel concept in Familiar Wife?
Cha Ju-hyeok stumbles upon a mysterious opportunity to rewrite his past — specifically the moment he chose his wife. He wakes up in an alternate present where he married someone else entirely, only to discover that changing one decision reshapes every corner of his life in ways he never anticipated.
Is Familiar Wife worth watching for K-drama fans?
Definitely. Familiar Wife blends time travel intrigue with emotionally grounded romance, anchored by standout performances from Ji Sung and Han Ji-min. The series earned strong ratings on tvN and resonated with viewers for its heartfelt exploration of regret, love, and the consequences of the choices we make.
Where can you stream Familiar Wife online?
You can stream Familiar Wife on Rakuten Viki, which offers both subscription and ad-supported viewing. Free ad-supported options are also available on The Roku Channel and Tubi TV, making it easy to watch without a paid subscription.
Who plays the lead roles in Familiar Wife?
Ji Sung stars as Cha Ju-hyeok, a bank employee who uses a time travel opportunity to escape his unhappy marriage, while Han Ji-min plays Seo U-jin, his original wife. Kang Hanna portrays Lee Hye-won, the woman he ends up with in the altered timeline.
Is Familiar Wife based on a true story or source material?
Familiar Wife is an original screenplay written by Yang Hui-seung, not an adaptation of a novel, webtoon, or real events. The story is entirely fictional, though its emotional core — the universal desire to undo past mistakes — gives it a deeply relatable, grounded feel.
How did Familiar Wife perform in South Korean ratings?
Familiar Wife performed solidly on tvN, consistently drawing competitive cable ratings throughout its 2018 run. The Ji Sung and Han Ji-min pairing was widely praised by Korean audiences and critics, and the show became one of the more talked-about romantic fantasy dramas of that year.
What are some shows similar to Familiar Wife?
If you enjoyed Familiar Wife, try Go Back Couple (2017) for a nearly identical premise with a couple both traveling back in time, or A Time Called You (2023) for another emotionally rich Korean time-slip romance. The Time Traveler's Wife (2022) and Being Erica (2009) offer compelling Western alternatives.
How many episodes does Familiar Wife have?
Familiar Wife consists of 16 episodes across a single season, each running approximately 60 minutes. The series aired on tvN in South Korea in 2018 and tells a complete, self-contained story — no cliffhangers left unresolved and no second season needed to wrap up the narrative.
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