Little Women Korean Drama: Why Is It a Must-Watch Show?

Little Women, Netflix's twelve-episode South Korean drama, is not the Little Women Korean drama we're all familiar with. So, anyone who watches the series in the hopes of reconnecting with Louisa May Alcott's 1868 infamous novel will be in for a surprise. However, the surprise may turn out to be a good one, as this particular Little Women is an emotional rollercoaster. The viewer is captivated by the intrigue and mystery surrounding the three characters, making the show binge-worthy.

This drama's 8.5/10 rating on MyDramaList and 7.8/10 rating on IMDb appear to be compelling reasons to watch it. Nonetheless, this piece will investigate why Little Women has become so famous among K-drama fans and Netflix viewers. Perhaps this post will persuade its readers that this South Korean drama is worth their time investment.

The Complete Reliving of Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women"

The most noticeable difference between Kim Hee-won's Little Women Korean drama and the source material is that, unlike the source material, the film concentrates primarily on three sisters who are incredibly poor and whose mother is rather a narcissist. 

Of course, we learn later in the series that there was another sister who died when she was very little due to the family's inability to afford medical treatment. This could be a reference to Beth's death in the original novel.

It is difficult to determine which sister represents the March sisters. However, because of her ambitious temperament and eagerness to follow her passion for reporting, the character of Oh In-kyung (Nam Ji-Hyun) appears to match Jo March. 

Oh In-ju (Kim Go-Eun), the eldest, is reminiscent of Meg, while Oh In-hye (Park Ji-hu), who comes across as incredibly stubborn, is reminiscent of Amy. In-hye, like Amy, is an artist. However, In-hye appears to have a magical link with her late sister. 

This bond, combined with In-kyung's sisterly devotion to her, causes her to resemble Beth at times. There is a strong parallel between Louisa May Alcott's March sisters and the Oh sisters in this show.

Addresses Social Issues

The series' creators were able to emphasise social concerns that characterise the present day due to the thorough reimagining of the 1868 novel. The difference between rich and poor people is one such issue. Fans of Bong Joon-ho's website may be aware of several situations in Little Women. The series, like Bong Joon-Ho's film, is not hesitant to depict how cruelly the underprivileged are treated. The rich exploit, use, and threaten the Oh sisters. This refers to how the rich and powerful utilise the people at the bottom of the social order as mere tools and puppets.

The show may also remind viewers of the ongoing debate over nepo babies. Despite the fact that In-kyung is a gifted artist, her buddy Park Hyo-rin practically buys her work and sells it as her own. Hyo-rin is able to accomplish things that In-Kyung cannot do merely because she comes from an affluent household.

Another societal topic addressed in the series is the theme of crooked politics. Politics is merely a game for Park Jae-sang (Um Ki-Joon), and he is willing to kill anyone to attain his objectives. The ease with which he can get away with anything, effortlessly brainwash others, and even buy control of the media is a stark reminder of how corrupt politicians act today.

Even though Park Jae-sang is viewed as the major antagonist from the start of the series, the ending reveals that it has all been Won Sang-ah (Uhm Ji-won) all along, and Park Jae-sang is just another piece in her game. 

What fascinates me is her thinking behind her actions. She describes how her father and his friend, the future heir to their family, overlooked her and favoured Park Jae-sang over her. It's partly because she's a woman. This enables the series to concentrate on how women are continuously disregarded and treated differently because of their gender.

Female Leads Who Are Strong

The three Oh sisters go on to defy fate and become successful while pursuing their aspirations. However, the trek was difficult. Nonetheless, the manner they persevered allowed them to be portrayed as powerful female leads. 

Even though the series had two male characters, Ha Jong-h (Kang Hoon) and Choi Do-il (Wi Ha-joon), the three sisters dominated. In fact, these sisters tend to follow their intuition and rely on themselves rather than seeking assistance from these masculine figures. This permits them to avoid the damsel in distress stereotype. 

Even while In-ju must rely on Do-il in many situations, her suspicious nature allows her to forge her own path. For example, even though she is unable to speak or understand English, she uses a translation app to communicate with others who do. Furthermore, her refusal to accept Do-il's request to accompany him to Greece allows her to remain an independent woman whose desire is to aid her sisters and buy her own flat.

A mystery with a supernatural twist

One final reason why Little Women Korean drama is a must-see series is how it incorporates a touch of the supernatural without allowing it to take over the programme and distract viewers from the primary plot. 

The blue orchid, often known as the "Ghost of Vietnam," serves as a visible manifestation of the otherworldly. It permits people to experience visions, hallucinate, and converse with the dead. Screenwriter Seo-Kyung stated in an interview that they wanted to express "a feeling of ambiguity between fantasy and actuality." The series was clearly a success in this aspect.