Currently, Cinderella Man can be found on Kocowa and various OTT platforms that specialize in classic MBC dramas.
Despite a mixed reception upon release, this drama—starring Kwon Sang-woo, Im Yoon-ah (Yoona of Girls’ Generation), Han Eun-jung, and Song Chang-eui—offers a charming blend of mistaken identity, fashion world glamour, and heartfelt sacrifice. Let’s dust off this nearly forgotten gem and see why it deserves a second look. The premise is pure K-Drama gold: Lee Joon-hee (Kwon Sang-woo) is the long-lost, illegitimate son of a powerful fashion conglomerate owner. He has lived a miserable life in Paris, hiding from his family. Meanwhile, Oh Dae-san (also Kwon Sang-woo) is a scrappy, small-time street vendor and con artist with a heart of gold, selling knockoff bags in Seoul’s Dongdaemun Market.
Cinderella Man is a charming, if flawed, early K-Drama that succeeds on the strength of Kwon Sang-woo’s dual performance and the fairy-tale warmth of its core romance. It’s the drama equivalent of a vintage designer bag—a little worn around the edges, slightly out of style, but crafted with enough heart to be worth keeping in your collection. cinderella man korean drama
In the golden era of early Hallyu (late 2000s), a wave of romantic comedies and melodramas dominated the airwaves. While many remember Boys Over Flowers (2009) for its extreme makjang flair, another drama premiered that same year with a unique twist on the classic rags-to-riches fairy tale: .
By a twist of fate, Dae-san discovers he is the doppelgänger of the wealthy Joon-hee. When Joon-hee unexpectedly falls into a coma, Dae-san is hired to impersonate him. The catch? He must infiltrate the high-stakes world of haute couture to protect Joon-hee’s inheritance from a ruthless half-brother. Currently, Cinderella Man can be found on Kocowa
Are you a fan of this hidden gem, or did the pacing drive you crazy? Share your thoughts below!
Cinderella Man is a time capsule of late-2000s fashion. The drama is set inside a fictional luxury brand, Soiree , and the plot revolves around designing, tailoring, and competing in the high-pressure world of prêt-à-porter . From dramatic runway shows to cloak-and-dagger fabric thefts, the backdrop adds a glossy, unique flavor that separates it from typical chaebol office romances. The premise is pure K-Drama gold: Lee Joon-hee
The drama’s title refers to Dae-san’s transformation—like the legendary boxer James J. Braddock—from a nobody fighting for survival into a "prince" of the fashion industry. The story pits two love stories against each other: Dae-san falls for the bubbly, kind-hearted aspiring designer (Yoona), while Joon-hee’s fiancée, the elegant and ambitious Jang Se-eun (Han Eun-jung), becomes conflicted about her true feelings. What Made It Unique? 1. Kwon Sang-woo’s Double Duty Long before Kill Me, Heal Me or The King’s Affection , Kwon Sang-woo took on the challenge of playing two polar opposite characters. As Dae-san, he is loud, clumsy, and humorous—a stark contrast to the icy, melancholic Joon-hee. While the special effects for split-screen scenes were a bit clunky by today’s standards, Sang-woo’s ability to switch between a cheeky con man and a tortured heir is the drama’s anchor.