life in the big city kdrama

In her past life, Mila was abandoned for reasons unknown. Many years later, she was found by the Brown family. However, rather than receiving the love and care expected as the youngest daughter, she was relentlessly tormented by her adopted sister, Claire. Claire plotted to frame Mila, causing her to be constantly punished by the family and subjected to both physical and emotional abuse. Despite this, Mila remained warm and kind toward every member of the Brown family, but all she received in return were coldness and scolding. In the end, the prolonged mistreatment led to Mila developing uremia, and she missed her chance for a kidney transplant. Tragically, she died at the hands of Claire’s scheme. Just before her death, it seemed like she saw someone rushing toward her. Reborn, Mila must now face the family that betrayed her, the cruel stepsister, and the man who once promised to save her.

At 15, Evan Jose met the love of his life. Having been diagnosed with a rare illness since childhood and given no more than 30 years to live, Evan tasted a candy from Tina Skyler, and that very candy drove away his misery. Over the years, Evan kept supporting Tina, watching his little moon grow into an exceptional dancer. When he had only 7 months left to live, he made a selfish decision. He married her, aiming to love her silently, as he had done for the past 14 years. But he forgot that the look of love can't be hidden. His feelings grew stronger. He reveled in her cute yet awkward attempts to please him, was captivated by her unintentional touches, and couldn't bear the thought of any other man near Tina. With his life slipping away and his love impossible to let go, a countdown of love began.

Since childhood, Melanie Llyod has lived under the shadow of loss, her mother gone and her stepmother intent on securing a vast inheritance. Raised in a world of fragile comfort, Melanie grows weak and dependent. But after a sudden accident, Ashton Llyod reappears in her life, urging her to find strength and independence. The emotions they've suppressed for years begin to surface. Though they share no blood, they've lived as siblings for 18 years. But in the 19th year, everything changes… Kate Llyod, determined to steal Melanie's fiance, relentlessly tries to expose the secret connection between Melanie and Ashton. Amidst the growing misunderstandings, Melanie decides to bury her feelings and honor her engagement. Ashton, too, chooses to distance himself, focusing on his responsibilities. But when a twist of fate leads to a murder attempt, Ashton is left gravely injured and hospitalized. At last, both must confront their true feelings for each other. Yet, the challenges ahead are far from over…

At eighteen, Clara Quinn used up all her savings to buy herself a burial plot, ready to leave the world behind. Taken in by the Quinn family as a child, she spent years giving blood to her frail adoptive sister, Tessa—only to be met with cold shoulders from her adoptive parents and betrayal from her fiancé, Elias Payne, whose tenderness was just a cover for using her as a walking blood supply.Crushed by the truth, Clara faked her death and disappeared. She eventually found her real parents and true love in Lucian Vale,beginning a brand-new life filled with hope. But the Quinns and Elias, drowning in guilt and regret, refused to let go.In the end, with the love and protection of her real family,Clara finally stepped out of the darkness. She married Lucian and found lasting happiness, while those who once used and hurt her could only watch from a distance,haunted by what they had lost.

In her past life, Yasmin donated bone marrow to her father, Howard Lester, who was suffering from a severe illness. However, her family only favored her sister, Ruby. As Yasmin's health worsened, she passed away tragically amidst her family's misunderstanding and indifference. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself reborn. Determined to change her fate and reclaim everything she lost, Yasmin participated in a movie audition. She became famous for her emotional crying scenes and was taken care of by her mother's best friend, Chelsea Ford. With Chelsea's help, Yasmin exposed Ruby's true nature, revealing to her father that her late mother had been his true love, leaving him filled with regret. Despite everything, the kind-hearted Yasmin still donated bone marrow to save her father. Cherished by those around her, Yasmin grew up happily and ultimately had her own fulfilling life.

Joanie Sadler and Laurent Goff met and grew up together as children in an orphanage. After leaving the orphanage, Laurent set out to build a career and promised to one day give Joanie a home. Joanie was later adopted by Peggy Boswell and Benjamin Francis, a couple who had lost their own daughter. Peggy sees Joanie as a replacement for her lost child, and when Joanie's birth parents later come to claim her, the Francis couple forges false paternity test results to keep Joanie. Years later, the Francises' real daughter Joanna is found, causing the couple to immediately turn against Joanie and send her back to her birth parents. Joanna also resents Joanie for living the life that should have been hers. At this time, Laurent, through a paternity test from years ago, locates Joanie and arrives at the Francis household, bringing a billion-dollar investment project. However, due to a series of misunderstandings, Laurent mistakenly believes Joanna is his childhood friend Joanie.

Stella Hart, once a wealthy heiress, is lost and taken in by her foster mother, Serena Cook, who arranges a betrothal between her and her son, Jason Vale. After Jason suffers an accident, Stella sells herself to a childless couple to save him. However, once the couple adopts her, they later have twins and decide to abandon her. Stella’s grandmother, unable to bear her suffering, takes her in and cares for her with great love, leading a life of mutual dependence. Meanwhile, Jason and his mother work tirelessly to find Stella, and eventually, Jason becomes the president of a publicly listed company. On the other hand, Stella faces a series of misfortunes, including betrayal and mistreatment by a man she thought she loved. When Jason finally finds Stella, the person he has cherished since childhood, he vows to make up for all her suffering. As their story unfolds, Stella’s true identity gradually reveals itself, and they eventually reunite, with true love prevailing in the end.

A long-planned conspiracy, a life that is switched. Charlotte Barlow, the daughter of the wealthy Goodman family, is swapped at birth by the maid Danielle Fuller with her own daughter. Overnight, Charlotte Barlow, who should have been the family's pride and joy, is reduced to a servant's daughter and suffers constant abuse. Meanwhile, Stella Goodman, who should have lived in poverty, becomes the pampered heiress. By chance, Charlotte saves her birth mother, Britney Goodman, and is brought into the Goodman family. Fearing the truth would be exposed, Danielle, who works as Britney's maid, schemes to frame Charlotte, causing her to be wrongfully accused. Stella, who accidentally discovers she is the "fake heiress", also fears her true identity would be revealed. The two conspire with Jordan Goodman, Britney's live-in husband, to poison Britney while repeatedly framing Charlotte, causing her birth mother to misunderstand her! Fortunately, Lionel Goodman, the family's adopted son, helps Charlotte uncover the truth. The two fall in love as they get to know each other and provide mutual comfort and support.

Wade Lawson, the sole heir of the Medical Sage, was a prodigy who mastered various healing techniques at a young age. Yet, instead of embracing fame, he chose a humble life among the common folk, saving countless lives. A month ago, he arrived alone in Seabright and opened a small clinic. His exceptional skills and affordable fees quickly earned the trust of the poor, drawing in many patients. Meanwhile, the Duke of Southland, a pillar of Xandoria, lay critically ill. His household knew only Wade could save him. After a frantic search, they finally found him—just as the Duke neared his final breath. As the Duke's family pleaded for help, Wade's growing reputation threatened local private hospitals. Enraged, their director led an attack on his clinic and even drove one of his patients to death. Yet Wade remained unfazed—he had already uncovered the truth. The mastermind behind the hospitals was none other than Duke Jones himself. Now, the entire mansion waited for Wade's decision: would he save the dying Duke?

In Obreford, billionaire Ysabel Harper and Darlene Anderson give birth on the same day, but Darlene secretly swaps their babies. Seventeen years later, the true heiress, Minnie, endures abuse and hardship while living with Darlene, whereas the false heiress, Camellia, enjoys a carefree life and often bullies Minnie. Fortunately, Ysabel eventually discovers the truth and reclaims her biological daughter, Minnie. However, Darlene’s ambitions are far from over; she conspires with the Lawson family to undermine the Harper family’s status. When her plan ultimately fails, she murders her own daughter, Camellia, in a fit of rage. As the investigation deepens, Ysabel uncovers that the true mastermind behind the schemes is her sister-in-law, Kaylee Allen. Kaylee has always believed that Ysabel’s wealth comes from her late brother, Blake Allen’s, inheritance, but in reality, Ysabel’s success is due to her own hard work and intelligence. Blake is revealed to be a mere “kept man” living off Ysabel, and after the truth comes to light, Kaylee is sent to prison. In the end, Ysabel clears Minnie’s name, and the mother and daughter reunite, finding happiness together.

In their previous lives, the empress and the consort spent their whole lives locked in a bitter rivalry. It wasn't until their deaths that they uncovered the truth—they had both been pawns in the emperor's game. Their children were used to turn them against each other, and their families had all perished at the emperor's hands. Reborn, the empress returns to the very day the emperor falsely accused her of causing the consort's miscarriage. This time, she does everything she can to protect her former enemy. But before she can offer an explanation, she discovers that the consort has been reborn as well. Once they confirm their shared secret, the two women turn from rivals to allies, determined to take down the unfaithful emperor together. In their previous lives, the emperor's power was still shaky at this point, and he relied heavily on the political influence of both women's families. This time, the empress uses his greed against him and brings him to his own downfall. At the story's close, the consort embraces a life of peace while the empress ascends the throne with grace. For once, the women of the imperial harem live peacefully, free of rivalry. Who says a woman can't wear the crown?

Jessica Jensen, originally a carefree rich girl, enjoyed the love and protection of her family. However, for the sake of love, she gave up wealth and chose to marry the poor Albert. Ignoring her family's objections, she cut off all contact with them and strived to be a good wife. Unfortunately, Albert cheated on her with her sister, Nana Jensen. This betrayal plunged Jessica into deep pain and despair. Reconnecting with her family, Jessica poured out her grievances and pain. Her father then decided to host a grand feast to welcome her back to the family and seek revenge for her. At the feast, Nana, dressed to impress, believed she was the star of the event, expecting the family to recognize her as a distant relative. Nana used the occasion to show off, but Jessica's three childhood friends appeared one by one, confirming Jessica's identity and shattering Nana's dreams. However, Nana spread rumors that Jessica had inappropriate relationships with the three friends. Jessica's father stepped in, ready to expose everything. Yet Jessica stopped him, choosing to take revenge herself. In the storm of her life, Jessica bravely faced the challenges. Rather than depending on her family, she decided to take up arms and fight back against the betrayers and rumor-mongers. In this battle of revenge, she would emerge victorious with her own strength.

Sarah Young had a crush on Zain Xavier for seven years. Unexpectedly, she became his wife, and everyone laughed at her for going from rags to riches. However, she ignored them and only cared that Zain was finally hers. When they got married, she didn't care if he didn't love her now. She was confident he would fall in love with her in the end. However, it soon became boring as Zain was never interested. Sarah felt that she was rich, pretty, and had amazing curves. Why should she waste her time on a cold robot like Zain? Immediately after coming to her senses, she slammed the divorce papers before Zain. After that, they would both go on different paths. Zain could hit the high road while she had fun with young, handsome men. After the divorce, Zain often found his ex-wife's scandals on the trending list. Last night she was captured having dinner with the new rich in xx tech company, and today she was building a new "love nest" with a handsome internet celebrity??? Zain threw his phone away and cursed, "Fuck with this love nest! That's my woman!" To that, Sarah, who was enjoying life, replied, "Sir, who are you?" 

Edward Allen, the CEO of Allen Group, happens to run into his old classmate, Abbie Howard, one day. At that moment, a pompous blind date humiliates Abbie, leaving her completely shattered. Edward can't stand to see his former classmate treated this way, so he strides forward and skillfully rescues her from the situation. In that moment, Abbie sees a glimpse of the brave, fearless boy she once knew in school. Warmth floods her heart, and her gratitude toward Edward is undeniable. Back in their school days, Edward was a quiet, unassuming boy who was often bullied by school thugs. It was Abbie who, one day, courageously grabbed his hand and helped him escape those troublemakers. From that moment on, Edward felt a deep sense of gratitude and respect for Abbie. Now, back in the present, Edward learns that Abbie is under pressure from her parents to get married. Seeing the helpless look in her eyes, he comes up with a plan—he offers to pose as her boyfriend to fool her family. Hiding the fact that he's a powerful CEO, he moves into her home and pretends to be just an ordinary guy. From that moment on, they begin a life of love after marriage, living in a romantic world of their own. As her husband, Edward cares for Abbie, making her feel warmth and happiness she's never known before. Gradually, Abbie is moved by Edward's genuine heart and starts to develop deep feelings for him. Their love, like dazzling fireworks, illuminates both their lives.