Little Women

Little Women has been remade multiple times, but every time it’s pretty much exactly the same story. No one has attempted a modern-day version of the classic, but as this Korean series reveals, the core elements of the original story can be especially compelling set in a contemporary setting.

The series follows three of the sisters from the novel:

The oldest sister, Oh In-joo (Kim Go-eun), is a combination of Meg and Jo. She worries about supporting her two younger sisters, having grown up in poverty.  She doesn’t have the best taste in men, however, and a major incident shakes up her life.

Oh In-kyung (Nam Ji-hyun) is the middle sister, a fierce journalist who refuses to be intimidated by money and power, and insists on doing what’s right.  In-kyung struggles with a drinking problem, and when a mysterious case resurfaces from her early reporting days, she starts digging deep for the truth.

Finally, there’s In-hye (Park Ji-hu), the youngest daughter,  who attends a prestigious arts school on a scholarship, and while she always appears calm, she hides simmering emotions under the surface.

The three sisters share a tight bond and have authentic chemistry on screen, and their relationships are at the heart of the show, just as it is in the novel and previous adaptations.

Another instrumental character is Jin Hwa-young (Choo Ja-hyun) is In-joo’s coworker and, as she calls it, fellow outcast in their snooty office. She’s an accountant for management and had a suspected affair with someone up high.  She also shows In-joo the finer side of life, and leaves her with a huge surprise that serves as the catalyst for the rest of the season.

It’s a surprise that also serves as a commentary on South Korea’s wealth disparity, a popular topic that is being explored in multiple South Korean shows (Squid Game, anyone?).  Yet, unlike the novel, the Oh sisters live in the 21st century and have more agency. They’re not afraid to stand up for themselves, and some of the most satisfying moments are watching them fight for what is theirs. At the same time, they must contend with some of the same moral quandaries faced by the original March sisters.

The supporting cast holds their own against the leading ladies. Kim Mi-sook stars as the sisters’ formidable and wealthy aunt, who has a complicated history with In-kyung. Meanwhile, her neighbor, Ha Jong-hoo (Kang Hoon) takes a liking to In-kyung. Since this is a K-drama, there has to be more than one swoonworthy man. This comes in the form of Choi Do-il (Wi Ha-joon), a “friend” of Hwa-young who plays a pivotal part in the central conflict.