Bitter Life (Acı Hayat) (translated)

Acı Hayat (Bitter Life) is a Turkish television series that blended drama and action, airing on Show TV from 14 December 2005 until 25 June 2007. Produced by Osman Sınav for Sinegraf and directed by Abdülkadir Ceylan Ede, it was adapted from the classic 1962 film of the same name and concluded after two seasons and 59 episodes.

Set in the poorer districts of Istanbul, the story follows Mehmet, a welder, and Nermin, a manicurist, whose dream of marriage and a modest home remains out of reach despite their hard work. When Ender, one of the city's wealthy playboys, takes an interest in Nermin, a fateful one-night mistake leads her to abandon her true love and marry into riches. Starring Kenan İmirzalıoğlu, Selin Demiratar, Oğuz Galeli and Ebru Kocaağa, the series was embraced by Turkish audiences and drew remarkably high ratings during its run.