Character Relationship Map: Romang

Characters

• Nam-bong (played by Lee Soon-jae) — protagonist

  Nam-bong is Mae-ja’s husband and the family’s central provider, continuing to drive his old taxi despite signs of aging. He clashes with Mae-ja over everyday matters, but their routines reveal their a...

• Mae-ja (played by Jung Young-sook) — supporting

  Mae-ja is Nam-bong’s wife and the emotional center of their long marriage. As her memory problems worsen, her family struggles to care for her; she briefly recognizes their son and urges him to return...

• Jin-su (played by Cho Han-cheul) — supporting

  Jin-su is Nam-bong and Mae-ja’s son. He is unemployed, and his marriage to Jung-hee becomes troubled amid the family’s difficulties. Mae-ja briefly recognizes him and urges him to return to his own fa...

• Eun-ji (played by Lee Ye-won) — supporting

  Eun-ji is Nam-bong and Mae-ja’s granddaughter and the daughter of Jin-su and Jung-hee. She enjoys lessons and games with Mae-ja, sharing affectionate everyday moments with her grandmother. When Jung-h...

• Jung-hee (played by Bae Hae-seon) — supporting

  Jung-hee is Jin-su’s wife and the mother of Eun-ji. Her marriage becomes troubled, and after a violent confrontation she takes Eun-ji and leaves for her mother’s home. Nam-bong finds them at the bus t...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Mae-ja → Eun-ji (Family Grandmother And Granddaughter) — Their affectionate time together is part of the family's everyday life before Mae-ja's memory problems worsen.

  The plot says Eun-ji enjoys lessons and games with Mae-ja.

• Jung-hee → Eun-ji (Family Mother And Daughter) — Jung-hee takes Eun-ji with her when she leaves, placing the child within the family's marital crisis.

  After a violent confrontation, Jung-hee takes Eun-ji with her to her mother's home.

• Jin-su → Eun-ji (Family Father And Daughter) — Their family bond is affected by the crisis in Jin-su's marriage and Mae-ja's plea that he return to his family.

  Eun-ji is identified as Jin-su's child through the plot's description of Jung-hee taking her away from the family home. Mae-ja also urges Jin-su to re...

• Jin-su → Jung-hee (Family Husband And Wife) — Unemployment and a violent confrontation deepen the strain in their marriage, leading Jung-hee to leave with their daughter.

  The plot says Jin-su's marriage to Jung-hee becomes troubled. After a violent confrontation, Jung-hee leaves with Eun-ji.

• Nam-bong → Jin-su (Family Father And Son) — Their relationship becomes a setting for a difficult conversation about work and family, without a clearly resolved outcome.

  Jin-su is identified as Nam-bong's son. Later, Nam-bong speaks with him about family, work, and what it means to live productively.

• Nam-bong → Mae-ja (Family Husband And Wife) — Their marriage is strained by daily frustrations and Mae-ja's worsening memory, yet affection and gratitude remain central to their bond.

  The plot describes their shared home, familiar routines, bickering, and long marriage. Mae-ja later apologizes for their life together, and Nam-bong r...

Story Analysis

A long marriage and a family under pressure are seen through aging, memory loss, regret, and enduring affection.

Plot Progression

1. Everyday Affection, Growing Concern — Nam-bong and Mae-ja's familiar arguments and routines coexist with their affection for one another and for Eun-ji. Mae-ja's wandering and the doctor's warning bring the first serious concern about her...
2. A Family Under Strain — Mae-ja's condition worsens while the family struggles to care for her. Jin-su's unemployment and troubled marriage culminate in a violent confrontation and Jung-hee leaving with Eun-ji.
3. Recognition and Regret — At the bus terminal, Nam-bong recognizes Jung-hee's hardship and lets her go. Mae-ja briefly recognizes Jin-su, urges him to return to his family, and apologizes to Nam-bong for the life they shared.
4. Gratitude and Unfinished Words — After retiring from driving, Nam-bong tells Mae-ja about his dream of providing for his family. Her grateful call is followed by an apparent suicide attempt and an unresolved conversation between Nam-...