Scent of a Woman Cast, starring Kim Sun-a as Lee Yeon-jae, a woman diagnosed with terminal cancer who embarks on a journey to live life to the fullest.
Table of Contents
Introduction

Scent of a Woman is a touching South Korean drama that explores the profound themes of life, love, and the human spirit. The story centers around Lee Yeon-jae (played by Kim Sun-a), a 35-year-old woman who, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, decides to live her final months to the fullest. With only a limited time to live, Yeon-jae embarks on a journey of self-discovery, chasing her dreams, and experiencing the joy of living freely without regrets. Along the way, she forms deep emotional connections, particularly with Choi Jin-seo (played by Lee Dong-wook), a wealthy businessman who becomes an integral part of her life during this transformative journey.
The series is a poignant and uplifting exploration of how one woman embraces love and life in the face of inevitable death, offering an emotional rollercoaster for viewers. Scent of a Woman is a beautiful portrayal of resilience, passion, and the beauty of living authentically.
Scent Of A Woman cast
Kim Sun-a as Lee Yeon-jae
Lee Yeon-jae is the protagonist of the drama, a 35-year-old woman who discovers she has terminal cancer and has only a few months left to live. Faced with her mortality, she decides to live her life fully, chasing her dreams and experiencing love before it’s too late. Kim Sun-a’s portrayal of Lee Yeon-jae is heartfelt and deeply emotional, earning praise for her performance.
Lee Dong-wook as Choi Jin-seo
Choi Jin-seo is a wealthy businessman who becomes an important figure in Lee Yeon-jae’s life. Despite his emotional distance, he gradually opens up and develops a romantic relationship with Yeon-jae. Lee Dong-wook plays this role with depth and vulnerability, capturing the internal struggles of his character as he learns to love and cherish his time with Yeon-jae.
Uhm Ki-joon as Kim Seon-woo
Kim Seon-woo is Yeon-jae’s kind and loyal colleague at the travel agency, who secretly harbors deep feelings for her. His unwavering affection for her, despite knowing her illness, makes him an essential part of her journey. Uhm Ki-joon brings warmth and sincerity to his character, creating a poignant contrast to the romantic relationship between Yeon-jae and Choi Jin-seo.
Seo Hyo-rim as Joo Mi-ran
Joo Mi-ran is Lee Yeon-jae’s best friend, who supports her through the tough times as she comes to terms with her diagnosis. Mi-ran helps Yeon-jae experience life more freely, encouraging her to pursue her desires without hesitation. Seo Hyo-rim portrays Mi-ran as a compassionate, understanding, and loyal friend who plays a significant role in Yeon-jae’s journey.
Choi Jung-woo as Jang Ji-wan
Jang Ji-wan is another important character in the series who adds more complexity to the plot. He interacts closely with the lead characters and contributes to the emotional depth of the drama. Choi Jung-woo brings a subtle and nuanced performance to the role.
Supporting Characters
Jeon Hye-bin as Lee Yeon-jae’s mother (Kim Hyo-joo)
Kim Hyo-joo, Lee Yeon-jae’s mother, is a supportive and caring figure who plays an emotional role in her daughter’s final months. Her concern for Yeon-jae’s health and well-being highlights the struggles families face when dealing with terminal illness. Jeon Hye-bin portrays this role with warmth and empathy.
Ahn Kil-kang as Park Gi-bong
Park Gi-bong is Lee Yeon-jae’s loyal and kind-hearted boss at the travel agency. As a mentor, he provides Yeon-jae with emotional and professional support, helping her find strength and purpose in her final months. Ahn Kil-kang’s portrayal of Gi-bong brings a sense of wisdom and compassion to the series.
Choi Hwa-jung as Yoo Seon-mi
Yoo Seon-mi is a supporting character who is involved in the dynamics of the travel agency where Lee Yeon-jae works. She brings tension to the story with her complicated interactions with Yeon-jae and others, adding layers of complexity to the professional and personal relationships in the series.
Im Se-mi as Choi Jin-seo’s ex-girlfriend (Yoo Na-ri)
Yoo Na-ri is Choi Jin-seo’s ex-girlfriend who complicates his relationship with Yeon-jae. Her character serves to highlight the emotional baggage and struggles Jin-seo faces in moving on from the past. Im Se-mi portrays Na-ri with a mix of elegance and subtle manipulation, creating a challenging dynamic for the central love story.
Song Seon-mi as Nurse Kang
Nurse Kang plays a role in Lee Yeon-jae’s care team as she navigates her terminal illness. While her role is more subdued, Nurse Kang represents the medical professionals who become an integral part of the patient’s final journey. Song Seon-mi provides a grounded and comforting presence, adding to the emotional depth of the show.
Lee Seung-joon as Yoo Seung-hyuk
Yoo Seung-hyuk is a minor yet notable supporting character who interacts with the main cast. His presence adds further layers to the intricate relationships and helps move the story along as the main characters deal with their personal struggles.
Kim Young-ok as Ahn Jin-sook
Ahn Jin-sook is another supportive character who provides emotional depth to the story. As someone who deals with life’s challenges, her character’s wisdom and understanding help the protagonist navigate through the difficult situations she faces.
Conclusion
Scent of a Woman is a deeply emotional and inspiring K-drama that resonates with viewers through its poignant exploration of life, love, and the human spirit. The story of Lee Yeon-jae, portrayed by Kim Sun-a, embarking on a journey to live her final months to the fullest, captures the essence of embracing life despite the inevitability of death. Her relationships with Choi Jin-seo (Lee Dong-wook), Kim Seon-woo (Uhm Ki-joon), and the supportive cast around her add emotional layers that make the series both heart-wrenching and uplifting.
The performances from the entire cast, both main and supporting, are extraordinary, bringing depth to the characters and making the audience emotionally invested in their journey. The drama not only touches on the universal fear and beauty of mortality but also celebrates the idea of living authentically and without regrets.
Celebrity Cast & Their Role (2023) Korean Tv Series
(FAQs)
Who plays the lead role of Lee Yeon-jae in Scent of a Woman?
Kim Sun-a plays the lead role of Lee Yeon-jae, a 35-year-old woman who is diagnosed with terminal cancer and decides to live the remaining months of her life to the fullest. Her performance in this emotional role earned widespread praise for its depth and sensitivity.
Who is Choi Jin-seo in Scent of a Woman?
Lee Dong-wook portrays Choi Jin-seo, a wealthy businessman who becomes a key figure in Lee Yeon-jae’s life. Their developing relationship is central to the drama, with Jin-seo helping Yeon-jae embrace the final phase of her life.
Who plays Kim Seon-woo, Yeon-jae’s colleague?
Uhm Ki-joon plays Kim Seon-woo, a kind and loyal colleague at Yeon-jae’s travel agency who secretly loves her. Despite knowing about her illness, he remains devoted to her, adding emotional depth to the drama.
Who is Joo Mi-ran in the drama?
Seo Hyo-rim portrays Joo Mi-ran, Yeon-jae’s best friend, who supports her throughout her journey. Mi-ran helps Yeon-jae embrace life and pursue her desires, despite the difficult circumstances.
Who plays the role of Yoo Na-ri, Choi Jin-seo’s ex-girlfriend?
Im Se-mi plays Yoo Na-ri, Choi Jin-seo’s ex-girlfriend. Her character adds tension to the love story between Jin-seo and Yeon-jae, as she struggles to let go of her past relationship with Jin-seo.
What other dramas has Kim Sun-a been in?
In addition to her role in Scent of a Woman, Kim Sun-a is well-known for her roles in popular dramas such as My Lovely Sam Soon, The Lady in Dignity, and City Hall. She is highly regarded for her versatile acting in both comedic and dramatic roles.
What role does Ahn Kil-kang play in Scent of a Woman?
Ahn Kil-kang plays Park Gi-bong, Yeon-jae’s boss at the travel agency. He is a kind and supportive figure who helps Yeon-jae in both her personal and professional life. His character provides stability and encouragement to Yeon-jae throughout the series.
Who plays Lee Yeon-jae’s mother in the series?
Jeon Hye-bin plays Lee Yeon-jae’s mother, Kim Hyo-joo. Her character is deeply caring and concerned about her daughter’s health, offering a sense of warmth and emotional support in Yeon-jae’s final months.
Is Lee Dong-wook’s character, Choi Jin-seo, a romantic lead?
Yes, Lee Dong-wook’s character, Choi Jin-seo, becomes a key romantic lead in the drama. His relationship with Lee Yeon-jae develops over time, and his emotional journey is central to the drama’s exploration of love, loss, and self-acceptance.
What kind of character does Uhm Ki-joon play in Scent of a Woman?
Uhm Ki-joon plays Kim Seon-woo, a loyal colleague who harbors feelings for Lee Yeon-jae. Although his love remains unrequited, his character plays an essential role in supporting Yeon-jae and offers a contrast to the romance between her and Choi Jin-seo.
How did the cast contribute to the success of Scent of a Woman?
The cast of Scent of a Woman, led by Kim Sun-a and Lee Dong-wook, brought emotional depth and authenticity to their roles, creating a strong connection with the audience. The powerful performances of the entire cast helped the drama tackle complex themes like love, loss, and living life to the fullest, making it a memorable and touching series.
Where can I watch Scent of a Woman?
Scent of a Woman is available for streaming on platforms like Viki and KOCOWA, depending on your region. Check your local streaming services for availability.