Explore our spoiler-free review of the hit Korean family sitcom ‘Iron Family’.  Get general series information, plot summary, and my personal thoughts and rating, all 100% spoiler-free!  If you have already seen this drama and are interested in a more full review, including character analysis, highlights, and ending explanation,  please click on the link below.

This family weekend drama originally appeared on KBS2 . It was directed by Sung Joon Hae, who also directed other popular dramas such as the 2022 drama ‘Bravo My Life’ and the 2020 drama ‘No Matter What’.

Air Date:  September 28, 2024 – January 26, 2025

Episodes: 36

Where to Watch: Viki

Genre: Family Rom-Com

Starring: Kim Jung Hyun and Geum Sae Rok

A 3 generational family owns and runs a neighborhood dry cleaners.  Though their business is well established and respected, money has always been tight.  And when they find out that the youngest daughter requires an expensive medical procedure to keep her eyesight, they become desperate to find a way to pay for it.

So when the grandparents stumbled upon a bag of money buried on the mountainside, they can’t help being tempted to steal it.  Hiding the money under their bed, they resolve to only spend the money when necessary.  But as the local police dig deeper into the missing money, each family member will be forced to make difficult choices revolving around family and money.

‘Iron Family’ is a shortened form of the traditional weekend family drama.  At 36 episodes, the pace is better than many other family dramas while still following a whole family of characters.  The multi-generational cast is well-utilized to give a wide range of stories and characters.  The plot is silly and ridiculous, but the cast make it so fun.

For some, a 36 episode drama is still too much of a commitment.  This drama is obviously not for them.  It’s also not really realistic or serious, if that is what you are looking for.  All the talk about money sometimes overshadows the actually characters, which can be disappointing at times.  But I thought the cast and story were fun and as a fan of the weekend dramas, I loved the 36 episode format.  I give “Iron Family’ an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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Kim Jung Hyun debuted in music theater and movies before making his first drama appearance as a supporting character in the 2016 romantic comedy ‘Jealousy Incarnate’. He was forced to withdraw from his lead role in the 2018 mystery drama ‘Time’ after an interpersonal scandal caused him to struggle with mental health issues. But he returned to the screen for the 2019 hit ‘Crash Landing On You’.  Other popular productions he has starred in include the comedy drama ‘Welcome to Waikiki’ and the romantic comedy ‘School 2017’.  Below are links to other great dramas Kim Jung Hyun has starred in.

Geum Sae Rok started her career by appearing in an advertisement in 2011 before transitioning into film for the 2015 sci-fi horror movie ‘The Silenced’.  Her first drama appearance came in 2018 with a starring role in the romantic comedy  ‘Paparazzi Girlfriend’.    Other popular dramas she has appeared in include the 2023 romantic drama ‘Soundtrack #2’ and the 2019 action comedy ‘The Fiery Priest’.  Look for her to star in the upcoming political sit-com ‘The Blue House Family’.  Below are links to other great dramas Geum Sae Rok has starred in.

If this review has made you curious about where your other favorites stand, here is break down of the other reviews by rating.  Links to both spoiler-free and full reviews are available on each page. Feel free to explore all the wonderful dramas I have watched.