Bitter Sweet Hell

Bitter Sweet Hell is a 2024 South Korean television series written by Nam Ji-yeon, directed by Lee Dong-hyun, and starring Kim Hee-sun, Lee Hye-young, Kim Nam-hee, and Yeonwoo. It aired on MBC TV from May 24, to June 29, 2024, every Friday and Saturday at 21:50 (KST). It is also available for streaming on Viu in selected regions.

Synopsis
The series tells the story of Noh Young-won who is recognized as the country's best family psychological counselor. When her career and family are threatened by an unknown blackmailer, she tries to protect her family by joining hands with her mother-in-law.

Main

 * Kim Hee-sun as Noh Young-won: a successful family psychological counselor who lives a perfect life that many would envy.
 * Lee Hye-young as Hong Sa-gang: Young-won's mother-in-law who is a famous mystery novel author and a devoted mother to her only son.
 * Kim Nam-hee as Choi Jae-jin: Young-won's husband and Sa-gang's son who is a doctor.
 * Yeonwoo as Lee Se-na: a mysterious person with many secrets.

Young-won and Sa-gang's family

 * Kwon Hae-hyo as Choi Go-myeon: a former Prosecutor General and Young-won's father-in-law.
 * Park Jae-chan as Choi Do-hyun: Young-won and Jae-jin's son.
 * Hwang Chan-sung as Noh Young-min: Young-won's childish younger brother.

People around Young-won

 * Choi Jeong-in as Ra-kyung: Young-won's secretary.

People around Sa-gang

 * Ahn Gil-kang as Park Kang-sung: Sa-gang's helper and runs a corn noodle restaurant.

People around Jae-jin

 * Shin So-yul as Oh Ji-eun: a plastic surgeon.
 * Jung Gun-joo as Moon Tae-oh: Do-hyun's tutor.

Others

 * Jung Heon as Gu Kyung-tae: a police officer.
 * Han Sung-min as So Yi: Do-hyun's senior who is honest and outspoken.
 * Han Sang-jo as Park Seung-jae: Kang-sung's nephew and Young-min's friend.
 * Jeong Woo-in as Jung Doo-man: a private investigator.

Extended

 * Bae Woo-jin

Production and release
Bitter Sweet Hell was originally scheduled for release in the second half of 2023, under its former title Gaslighting. Kim Seung-woo, who wrote and directed the 2019 film Bring Me Home, was initially announced to participate as the creator and director of the series.

Actress Kang Hae-rim was initially confirmed to play the role of Lee Se-na. However, in October 2023, it was revealed that filming for the series was temporarily halted in August. After filming about five episodes of the series, reorganization began due to lead actress Kim Hee-sun's movie promotion schedules and the production company was changed from JPX Studio to Red Nine Pictures. She had to drop out of the series during the production suspension period. In January 2024, it was announced that actress Yeonwoo had joined the cast, taking over Kang Hae-rim's role.

In November 2023, it was revealed that the director was also changed to Lee Dong-hyun, who directed She Knows Everything (2020) and Doctor Lawyer (2022).