# Secret Garden (South Korean TV series)

Secret Garden (Korean: 시크릿 가든; MR: Sikeurit Gadeun) is a 2010 South Korean television drama starring Ha Ji-won, Hyun Bin, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Kim Sa-rang. It aired on SBS from November 13, 2010 to January 16, 2011, on Saturdays and Sundays at 22:00 (KST) for 20 episodes.

## Synopsis

A rationalizing Cinderella story between Gil Ra-im (Ha Ji-won), a stuntwoman, and Kim Joo-won (Hyun Bin), a high-end department store CEO.
While trying to resolve a scandal involving Joo-won's cousin, Oska (Yoon Sang-hyun), (a famous singer), Ra-im and Joo-won meet and he finds himself stunned by her coolness. Joo-won does not understand why Ra-im is constantly on his mind, and decides to pursue her. Though she initially is repelled by him, Ra-im gradually starts reciprocating his feelings.
As two different worlds collide, Ra-im and Joo-won gradually learn about each other's worlds. Joo-won's mother does not want them to love each other. Despite his mother's objections, they get married.
Meanwhile, Oska reunites with his first love, Yoon Seul (Kim Sa-rang), who has made a successful directing career for herself. However, Yoon Seul wants nothing to do with Oska, and instead has her eyes set on Joo-won. The story gets even more complicated and when Ra-im and Joo-won magically start switching bodies.

## Cast
### Main

* Ha Ji-won as Gil Ra-im
    Tough but secretly lonely, Gil Ra-im works as a stunt woman for an action school that is run by director Im Jong-soo. Due to her father's death when she was in high school, she works hard and doesn't like relying on other people. Her one obsession is Oska, a famous Hallyu star. She meets the arrogant CEO, Kim Joo-won and although she initially dislikes him, their body swap brings about confusing feelings.
* Hyun Bin as Kim Joo-won
    The CEO of a high-end departmental store, he is good-looking but arrogant. A childhood trauma caused him to have a defective memory and claustrophobia, causing him to be unable to take lifts. As a rational person, he always seeks answers and solutions to explain things that happen to him. When he meets the spunky Gil Ra-im, he is left confused as he does not understand why she is constantly on his mind. He also finds it hard to accept that she does not seem to care about him or what he is going through because of her.
* Yoon Sang-hyun as Choi Woo-young (Oska)
    A famous Hallyu star who is slowly losing his popularity. He is Joo-won's cousin, as well as the first love of Yoon Seul. Frivolous and free-spirited, Oska used to rely on his charming looks and money, but seeing Seul again and discovering new talent in a young man named Tae-sun triggers something inside him, causing him to change.
* Kim Sa-rang as Yoon Seul
    Oska's first love. She is a music video director. Unable to forgive Oska, she is bent on making him hurt as much as possible. However nearing the end of the series, they decided to give each other a chance to make dreams happen.

### Supporting

* Lee Phillip as Im Jong-soo
    The director of an action school. Having studied abroad, Im Jong-soo speaks English fluently and is well connected with Hollywood. Despite his gruff and rough exterior, he cares about his stunt actors deeply and looks out for them. He holds a soft spot for Ra-im, who is oblivious to his feelings.
* Lee Jong-suk as Han Tae-sun
    A young genius musician discovered by Oska in Jeju Island. Prickly and cold, he initially rebuffs Oska's attempts to recruit him. It is later revealed that he is gay and Oska becomes his muse.
* Yoo In-na as Im Ah-young
    Ra-im's best friend who shares a loft with her. She works at the department store Joo-won owns.
* Kim Sung-oh as Secretary Kim
    Joo-won's long-suffering assistant who has a crush on Im Ah-young.
* Park Joon-geum as Moon Boon-hong
    Joo-won's mother.
* Kim Ji-sook as Moon Yeon-hong
    Oska's mother.
* Choi Yoon-so as Kim Hee-won
    Joo-won's sister who has a crush on Jong-soo.
* Kim Sang-kyum as Moon Chang-soo
    Joo-won's grandfather. Chairman of Loel Department Store.
* Lee Byung-joon as Park Bong-ho
    Joo-won's subordinate as well as great grand uncle. He aims to overthrow Joo-won as president and take over his position.
* Sung Byung-sook as Park Bong-hee
    Moon Chang-soo's fourth wife, Park Bong-ho's sister.
* Yoon Ki-won as Choi Dong-kyu
    Oska's long-suffering manager.
* Kim Gun as Yoo Jong-hun
    Oska's assistant.
* Yoo Seo-jin as Park Ji-hyun
    Joo-won's psychiatrist and long-term friend.
* Jang Seo-won as Hwang Jung-hwan
    Ra-im's senior (sunbae) at the action school.
* Choi Dae-sung as Department Head Choi
    Park Bong-ho's assistant.
* Moon Woong-ki as Sang-min
    Member of action school.

### Special appearances

* Jung In-gi as Ra-im's father
* Baek Seung-hee as Park Chae-rin, an actress that Oska was involved with.
* Ryu Sung-hoon as Gangster
* Jo Jae-yoon as Photographer (ep. 3)
* Kim Mi-kyung as Owner of Restaurant in Mountain
* Hwang Seok-jeong as Korean dry sauna owner
* Lee Joon-hyuk as Joon-hyuk, Oska's frenemy who has a one-sided love for Yoon Seul.
* Yum Dong-hun as pervert in department store
* Heo Tae-hee as rude party guest
* Baek Ji-young as herself
* Kim Ye-won as actress in Oska's music video
* Son Ye-jin as herself
* Song Yoon-ah as Top star in giveaway event
* Song Jae-rim as singer

## Reception

The drama received positive response from critics and audience for its story, comedy, performance of cast especially of leads Hyun Bin, Yoon Sang-hyun and Ha Ji-won and production values. Secret Garden was a huge ratings success, with an estimation of more than 20 billion won worth of economic effect. Hyun Bin's portrayal as Kim Joo-won created a "Hyun Bin Syndrome" as his name and face were plastered everywhere, from newspapers to television and the internet. It won a number of awards at both the 2010 SBS Drama Awards and the 47th Baeksang Arts Awards, including "Grand Prize (Daesang)" for Hyun Bin.

## Ratings

| Ep. | Original broadcast date | Average audience share | Average audience share | Average audience share | Average audience share |
| Ep. | Original broadcast date | Nielsen Korea | Nielsen Korea | TNmS | TNmS |
| Ep. | Original broadcast date | Nationwide | Seoul | Nationwide | Seoul |
| 1 | November 13, 2010 | 17.2% | 18.3% | 16.1% | 16.5% |
| 2 | November 14, 2010 | 14.8% | 16.0% | 15.0% | 15.6% |
| 3 | November 20, 2010 | 18.2% | 19.8% | 17.9% | 18.9% |
| 4 | November 21, 2010 | 21.5% | 24.1% | 20.0% | 20.8% |
| 5 | November 27, 2010 | 23.6% | 25.5% | 25.4% | 26.3% |
| 6 | November 28, 2010 | 20.9% | 22.9% | 25.2% | 25.6% |
| 7 | December 4, 2010 | 22.2% | 24.1% | 24.1% | 24.7% |
| 8 | December 5, 2010 | 22.3% | 24.3% | 24.6% | 24.8% |
| 9 | December 11, 2010 | 24.7% | 27.0% | 27.0% | 27.8% |
| 10 | December 12, 2010 | 25.1% | 27.5% | 28.0% | 28.7% |
| 11 | December 18, 2010 | 23.7% | 25.3% | 27.0% | 28.2% |
| 12 | December 19, 2010 | 24.7% | 27.3% | 28.2% | 29.2% |
| 13 | December 25, 2010 | 22.1% | 23.3% | 24.4% | 25.0% |
| 14 | December 26, 2010 | 24.1% | 26.1% | 26.5% | 27.1% |
| 15 | January 1, 2011 | 26.6% | 29.5% | 23.0% | 29.3% |
| 16 | January 2, 2011 | 26.9% | 29.9% | 23.9% | 29.9% |
| 17 | January 8, 2011 | 28.1% | 30.5% | 23.8% | 30.0% |
| 18 | January 9, 2011 | 30.6% | 33.0% | 27.4% | 34.1% |
| 19 | January 15, 2011 | 33.0% | 35.3% | 29.1% | 35.0% |
| 20 | January 16, 2011 | 35.2% | 37.9% | 31.4% | 38.6% |
| Average | Average | 24.3% | 26.4% | 24.4% | 26.8% |
| In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings. ||||||

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 2010 | SBS Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special | Hyun Bin | Won |
| 2010 | SBS Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Drama Special | Ha Ji-won | Won |
| 2010 | SBS Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Special | Kim Sa-rang | Nominated |
| 2010 | SBS Drama Awards | Netizen Popularity Award - Drama | Secret Garden | Won |
| 2010 | SBS Drama Awards | Netizen Popularity Award - Actor | Hyun Bin | Won |
| 2010 | SBS Drama Awards | Netizen Popularity Award - Actress | Ha Ji-won | Won |
| 2010 | SBS Drama Awards | Top 10 Stars | Hyun Bin | Won |
| 2010 | SBS Drama Awards | Top 10 Stars | Ha Ji-won | Won |
| 2010 | SBS Drama Awards | Best Couple Award | Hyun Bin and Ha Ji-won | Won |
| 2011 | 47th Baeksang Arts Awards | Grand Prize | Hyun Bin | Won |
| 2011 | 47th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Drama | Secret Garden | Won |
| 2011 | 47th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Director | Shin Woo-chul | Nominated |
| 2011 | 47th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actor | Hyun Bin | Nominated |
| 2011 | 47th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actress | Ha Ji-won | Nominated |
| 2011 | 47th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best New Actor | Kim Sung-oh | Nominated |
| 2011 | 47th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best New Actress | Yoo In-na | Won |
| 2011 | 47th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Screenplay | Kim Eun-sook | Won |
| 2011 | 6th Seoul International Drama Awards | Outstanding Korean Director | Shin Woo-chul | Won |
| 2011 | 6th Seoul International Drama Awards | Outstanding Korean Actor | Hyun Bin | Nominated |
| 2011 | 6th Seoul International Drama Awards | Outstanding Korean Actress | Ha Ji-won | Nominated |
| 2011 | 6th Seoul International Drama Awards | Outstanding Korean Screenwriter | Kim Eun-sook | Won |
| 2011 | 6th Seoul International Drama Awards | Outstanding Korean Drama OST | "That Woman" - Baek Ji-young | Won |
| 2011 | 4th Korea Drama Awards | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Secret Garden | Won |
| 2011 | 4th Korea Drama Awards | Best Director | Shin Woo-chul | Nominated |
| 2011 | 4th Korea Drama Awards | Best Actress | Ha Ji-won | Nominated |
| 2011 | 4th Korea Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Kim Sung-oh | Nominated |
| 2011 | 4th Korea Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Park Joon-geum | Nominated |
| 2011 | 4th Korea Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Yoo In-na | Nominated |
| 2011 | 4th Korea Drama Awards | Best Writer | Kim Eun-sook | Won |
| 2011 | 13th Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best OST | "That Woman" - Baek Ji-young | Won |
| 2011 | 24th Grimae Awards | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Heo Dae-sun, Lee Seung-chun (camera directors) | Won |
| 2011 | 24th Grimae Awards | Best Actress | Ha Ji-won | Won |
| 2011 | 24th Grimae Awards | Best Lighting Director | Park Man-chang | Won |
| 2011 | Korea Content Awards | Prime Minister's Award in the Field of Broadcasting | Kim Eun-sook | Won |

## Remake

Big Bang made a parody based on this drama with the title Secret Big Bang, starring G-Dragon as Ji Ra-im and T.O.P as Kim Joo-tap.
In China, a film remake with the same title was released in 2012 starring Wallace Chung, Tan Weiwei and Korean singer Kangta.
In Thailand, a remake with the title Secret Garden Thailand was released in 2016 starring Ananda Everingham and Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul.