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| Park Min-young and Yook Sungjae Spark Excitement Over The Rational Life Korean Adaptation (Photo: Netflix) |
Looks like another popular Chinese drama is crossing borders. The 2021 hit The Rational Life (理智派生活) is officially heading for a Korean remake, tentatively titled Nine to Six, and the early casting buzz alone is enough to get romance drama fans chatting non-stop. With Park Min-young and Yook Sungjae currently in positive discussions, this project is shaping up to be one of the most watched adaptations in recent years.
According to industry reports cited by Korean media on Monday (6 January 2026), both actors’ agencies have confirmed they are carefully reviewing the offer.
Nothing is signed yet, but the tone is optimistic — and the drama has already been widely reported across Asian entertainment outlets.
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Nine to Six adapts the storyline of The Rational Life, a drama known for its calm, grown-up take on romance and career life. The story centres on a highly capable career woman who has long placed work above emotional relationships, only to find her carefully balanced life shifting when she meets someone unexpectedly warm and sincere.
In the Korean version, Park Min-young is offered the role of Kang Yi Ji, the no-nonsense head of a legal team at a major automobile company. She’s intelligent, practical, and deeply committed to her job.
Love, in her eyes, is nothing more than a chemical reaction — useful to understand, but not something worth prioritising over professional stability.
to have a glimpse, or while waiting for this, you can watch the original drama #TheRationalLife too 🥰 The best noona/age gap drama and recommended especially for women#DylanWang #QinLan #ParkMinyoung #YookSunjae https://t.co/P9pzpB7d2G pic.twitter.com/um6QKT85fM
— crys 🦋 Song Qianji (🔜LTTN, PAAA, LLAP) (@lcedtae) January 6, 2026
Opposite her, Yook Sungjae is set to play Han Seon Woo, a jewellery designer with a law school background. Despite being younger, Seon Woo carries himself with maturity and warmth.
He follows his heart more than rigid logic, especially once he starts paying attention to Yi Ji, slowly bringing emotional balance into her structured world.
Adding more weight to the project is director Lee Hyung Min, who is reportedly attached to lead the production. Known for delivering commercially successful and emotionally engaging dramas, his involvement alone has boosted expectations. Nine to Six is currently planned to air on national broadcaster SBS, further signalling confidence in its mainstream appeal.
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Chinese netizens have been quick to react, and opinions are split. Some fans of the original The Rational Life feel protective over Qin Lan’s iconic portrayal, saying the drama’s quiet realism will be hard to recreate.
Others, however, are genuinely curious, especially given Park Min-young’s track record with workplace romances and age-gap pairings.
Yook Sungjae’s casting has also sparked discussion. Supporters praise his versatility and warm screen presence, while some fans are keen to see whether he can fully deliver the emotional depth that the role demands.
Overall, the consensus seems to be cautious interest rather than outright resistance — which is usually a good sign for a remake.
250414 Hunan TV's Children's Channel is re-airing #TheRationalLife starting today!#DylanWang #WangHedi #QiXiao pic.twitter.com/G7dL0UVpj6
— Dylan Wang Hedi 王鹤棣 (@WangHediFolder) April 14, 2025
If both actors officially confirm, Nine to Six could mark Park Min-young’s return to a more grounded, mature romance after her recent projects. For Yook Sungjae, this role could further solidify his position as a leading man capable of balancing softness and depth, especially after his genre-diverse acting choices in recent years.
For now, everything remains in the discussion stage, but momentum is clearly building fast.
What do you think — is this casting a perfect match, or do you have someone else in mind for the roles? Did The Rational Life leave a lasting impression on you, and are you ready to see its story told through a Korean lens?