Navigating a romantic comedy-drama with four entirely distinct male suitors vying for a single mother's heart requires a sharp breakdown of who's who. The JTBC and Netflix series Was It Love? stars Song Ji-hyo as Noh Ae-jung, a hard-working film producer whose stagnant romantic life suddenly upends when four men re-enter her world simultaneously. Rather than offering a standard love triangle, the series builds a complex web of past history, unresolved resentments, and professional stakes.
Understanding the full character roster, the actors behind them, and how their interactions alter the narrative trajectory clarifies why this K-drama sparked intense debates about choice, career independence, and second chances.
The Central Figure: Noh Ae-jung and Song Ji-hyo
At the heart of the story sits Noh Ae-jung, portrayed by veteran actress Song Ji-hyo. Ae-jung is a resilient single mother who put her dreams of becoming a film producer on hold for fourteen years after an unexpected pregnancy. When she finally secures an opportunity to produce a movie based on a secretive best-selling author's novel, her professional and personal lives collide.
Song Ji-hyo brings a grounded fatigue and fierce determination to the role. Instead of playing a damsel waiting to be rescued, Ae-jung acts as the financial and creative backbone of her production company. Her character arc centers on reclaiming her personal identity after years of self-sacrifice. She isn't just deciding between four men; she's figuring out if she even has room for romance while juggling motherhood and career survival.
The Four Suitors: Actors and Character Dynamics
The core narrative engine relies on the four contrasting men who intersect with Ae-jung's past and present. Each suitor represents a different archetype and emotional hurdle.
Oh Dae-oh (Played by Son Ho-jun)
Oh Dae-oh is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter who also happens to be Ae-jung's university ex-boyfriend and the man who broke her heart fourteen years ago. Son Ho-jun plays him with a frustrating mix of arrogance, lingering affection, and creative insecurity.
- Storyline Impact: Dae-oh acts as the primary catalyst for Ae-jung's emotional reckoning. Their professional collaboration forces them to confront past miscommunications, including the true reasons behind their breakup. Dae-oh represents unfinished business and the pain of lost time.
Ryu Jin (Played by Song Jong-ho)
Ryu Jin is a top-tier actor often dubbed "Korea's ultimate sweet guy," but beneath his polished public persona lies a man haunted by college-era regrets. Song Jong-ho captures the character's melancholic longing and internal conflict.
- Storyline Impact: Ryu Jin was secretly in love with Ae-jung during their university days but lacked the courage to confess. His re-entry into her life introduces the theme of missed opportunities and paths not taken. As the lead actor in the film Ae-jung is producing, his professional vulnerability mirrors his personal yearning.
Koo Pa-do (Played by Kim Min-jun)
Koo Pa-do is a former gangster turned CEO of Nine Capital, a formidable financial firm backing the film project. Kim Min-jun portrays him with a stoic, intimidating exterior that hides a deeply protective and tragic interior.
- Storyline Impact: Pa-do has a past connection to Ae-jung that saved her during a dark period in her life, making him fiercely loyal. His presence injects high-stakes tension into the narrative, contrasting the quirky romance with gritty realism. He challenges Ae-jung's independence by offering absolute security, though at a heavy emotional cost.
Oh Yeon-woo (Played by Koo Ja-sung)
Oh Yeon-woo is a charming physical education teacher and a former student who once harbored a youthful crush on Ae-jung. Koo Ja-sung brings youthful earnestness and unwavering support to the role.
- Storyline Impact: Yeon-woo represents pure, uncalculated affection. He doesn't carry the heavy baggage of the older suitors. Instead, he highlights Ae-jung's growth by treating her with gentle respect, forcing the other men to reevaluate their possessive tendencies.
The Supporting Ensemble: Family and Industry Pressures
A compelling K-drama requires a strong supporting cast to ground the central romance in reality. "Was It Love?" relies heavily on familial bonds and workplace dynamics to keep the stakes high.
- Noh Ha-nee (Played by Um Chae-young): Ae-jung's quick-witted, fiercely protective 14-year-old daughter. Ha-nee becomes a secondary protagonist, frequently investigating the identities of the potential fathers and injecting humor into domestic scenes.
- Choi Hye-jin (Played by Kim Da-som): A rising star actress whose involvement with the production company introduces professional rivalry and industry manipulation.
- Joo A-jin (Played by Baek Soo-hee): Ae-jung's loyal colleague and roommate, providing a sounding board for Ae-jung's romantic dilemmas.
Narrative Impact: Why the Ensemble Structure Matters
The multi-suitor structure isn't just a gimmick to drive a guessing game about who the father is. It functions as an exploration of how different romantic styles reflect distinct stages of personal growth. Dae-oh represents confronting the past; Ryu Jin symbolizes confronting regret; Pa-do addresses survival and protection; Yeon-woo offers unconditional support.
By distributing screen time across these contrasting dynamics, the series forces Ae-jung to evaluate what she actually needs rather than what history dictates. The supporting characters reinforce these themes, shifting the narrative from a simple whodunit mystery into a story about a woman rebuilding her autonomy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the biological father of Noh Ha-nee?
Without spoiling the final episodes, the identity of Ha-nee's father is a central mystery revealed late in the series through a sequence of flashbacks and DNA clarifications that tie directly into the history between Ae-jung and her former peers.
Is Was It Love? based on a webtoon?
No, unlike many modern K-dramas, "Was It Love?" is an original screenplay written by Lee Sung-jin and directed by Kim Do-hyung.
How many episodes are in the series?
The show features 16 episodes, each running approximately 70 minutes, originally broadcast on JTBC and distributed globally by Netflix.
