After a four-year absence from the small screen, acclaimed actress Park Se-young is set to make her much-anticipated return this July in the new MBC daily drama Family Relationship Certificate. The network officially announced on May 19, 2026, that Park will headline the series alongside Han Go-eun and Lim Ji-eun, promising a compelling tale that delves deep into the complexities of family, stigma, and personal growth.
According to Yonhap News, Family Relationship Certificate will take over the coveted evening slot following the conclusion of First Man later this summer. The drama’s premise is as intense as it is relatable: it follows the survival journey of a woman who, from the very moment of her birth, is branded as the cause of her family’s downfall. The story doesn’t stop there—it also explores her relentless struggle against the world’s biting prejudices and the harsh fate that seems determined to keep her down.
Park Se-young, renowned for her nuanced performances, steps into the shoes of Na Ji-ni, a character who, on the surface, has it all. She is the very image of a privileged ‘gold spoon’—graced with beauty, talent, and apparent wealth. Yet, beneath the glamorous exterior, Na Ji-ni carries wounds she cannot share with anyone. She is a prospective writer, specifically dreaming of making her mark as a world-class K-animation creator, and has a background in Korean painting. The duality of her existence—public perfection and private pain—sets the stage for much of the drama’s emotional depth.
The drama’s emotional core is further enriched by Han Go-eun’s portrayal of Na Se-ri, Na Ji-ni’s mother. As reported by TV Seoul and NEWSIS, Na Se-ri is a former national symphony orchestra cellist whose once-glittering career in the classical music world has left her with a reputation for perfection. Yet, her seemingly flawless life is a façade; behind closed doors, she grapples with secrets and anxieties that threaten to unravel her carefully constructed world. The mother-daughter dynamic between Park and Han is set to be a highlight of the series, with both characters hiding painful truths from each other and the world.
Adding another layer of intrigue is Lim Ji-eun’s character, Noh Young-joo. According to Sports Donga and Jeonmae Ilbo, Noh Young-joo is a woman of resilience and positivity, running a singing class after once dreaming of becoming a musical actress and studying vocal music. Her path crosses with Na Se-ri’s in a way that sparks both conflict and growth—specifically, the two women find themselves at odds over a man from their shared past. Lim’s portrayal is expected to bring both vibrancy and tension to the unfolding family drama.
What truly sets Family Relationship Certificate apart is its willingness to tackle difficult themes head-on. At its heart, the series is a story about stigma—how a child can be unfairly blamed for circumstances beyond her control, and how that stigma can ripple through a family for years. But it’s also about resilience, hope, and the search for genuine connection. As the production team emphasized in multiple statements cited by NEWSIS and Yonhap News, “The story will deliver empathy and fun by depicting characters with different wounds clashing and growing while finding true family meaning.”
It’s not just the emotional storytelling that has industry insiders buzzing. The casting of Park Se-young, Han Go-eun, and Lim Ji-eun has been widely praised for its synergy and depth. The production team told Sports Donga, “All three actors are the optimal casting, showing high synchronization and explosive synergy. The story will explore the true meaning of family as these wounded characters collide and grow.” This carefully selected trio is expected to breathe life into the drama’s layered narrative, each bringing their own strengths and experiences to the table.
The anticipation surrounding Park Se-young’s return is particularly palpable. Her last television role was four years ago, and fans have been eager to see her back in a leading part. Her character, Na Ji-ni, is described as someone who “looks like a glamorous gold spoon with beauty and talent but hides secret wounds,” as reported by TV Seoul. Park’s ability to convey vulnerability beneath a polished exterior is likely to resonate with many viewers, especially those who have ever felt pressured to hide their struggles behind a brave face.
Han Go-eun’s portrayal of Na Se-ri is equally anticipated. As a former national symphony orchestra cellist, Na Se-ri embodies both the prestige and the hidden costs of success. Han’s nuanced approach to complex, layered characters is expected to shine as she navigates the secret anxieties and personal turmoil that define her role. The mother-daughter relationship, fraught with unspoken pain and guarded affection, promises to be both heartbreaking and inspiring.
Lim Ji-eun’s Noh Young-joo adds yet another dimension to the drama. She is not just a rival but also a survivor in her own right—someone who has weathered her share of disappointments and now channels her energy into teaching others. Her conflict with Na Se-ri over a man adds a touch of classic melodrama, but the character’s backstory as a former vocal music student and aspiring musical actress gives her journey a distinctive flavor. As Jeonmae Ilbo described, Noh Young-joo “runs a singing class and is in conflict with Na Se-ri over a man,” yet she brings a “positive energy” that keeps her moving forward.
While the plot is steeped in melodrama, the production team has made it clear that the series aims for more than just entertainment. In their words, “The story will offer both empathy and entertainment by showing characters with different wounds growing and finding true family meaning.” This dual focus on emotional resonance and engaging storytelling is a hallmark of successful daily dramas in South Korea, and Family Relationship Certificate seems poised to follow in that tradition.
Set to premiere in July 2026, Family Relationship Certificate will air as the successor to First Man, continuing MBC’s legacy of thought-provoking, character-driven storytelling in its daily drama lineup. With its all-star cast, emotionally charged narrative, and commitment to exploring the true meaning of family, the series is already shaping up to be one of the year’s most talked-about television events.
As viewers await the first episode, the buzz is building—not just for the drama’s twists and turns, but for the promise of seeing three talented actresses bring a powerful, relatable story to life. Sometimes, the most compelling stories are the ones that hit closest to home.