Little Women (작은 아씨들), a Korean Drama Revealing the Raw Side of Korean Capitalism

Inspired by the 19th-century novel ‘Little Women,’ the Korean drama “Little Women” is a mystery drama featuring three sisters as the protagonists.

Oh In-joo, the eldest daughter from a poor family, works as an accountant at a construction company after graduating from college. Due to her family’s financial struggles, she faces ostracism from her colleagues, but she finds solace in a friendship with Jin Hwa-young, another accountant. In-joo sometimes tries to emulate Hwa-young’s affluent lifestyle, mimicking her by wearing nice clothes and carrying luxury bags. One day, unable to reach Hwa-young, In-joo goes to her house and finds her seemingly dead in a closet, having apparently taken her own life. In-joo later learns that Hwa-young embezzled around 700 billion won in slush funds. After Hwa-young’s funeral, In-joo discovers several messages left for her. Following a message indicating that Hwa-young transferred her high-end fitness club membership to her, In-joo heads to the club and finds 2 billion won in a locker Hwa-young used.

Oh In-kyung, the middle daughter, was gifted academically. Growing up poor, she dreamt of achieving success through education and gaining admission to a prestigious university. However, as she matured, she realized that even with exceptional academic performance, a lack of financial support from her family made it difficult to achieve wealth. Driven by a desire to voice her opinions confidently, even in front of powerful and wealthy individuals, In-kyung became a journalist. While investigating corruption related to a certain savings bank, In-kyung discovers that individuals involved in the case and previously represented by a lawyer named Park Jae-sang have been dying in a series of incidents.

Oh In-hye, the youngest sister, is a talented artist attending one of Korea’s top art high schools. While art is an expensive pursuit, her older sisters are determined to ensure she doesn’t have to face the same hardships they did and provide her with various forms of support. However, In-hye feels uncomfortable knowing the sacrifices her sisters make for her. On In-hye’s birthday, her sisters pool together 2.5 million won for her expensive school trip, only to have their mother secretly take the money and flee to the Philippines. While trying to find In-hye and give her the money again, her sisters find her socializing with a wealthy family – the very family of Park Jae-sang, who In-kyung is investigating. Unbeknownst to her sisters, In-hye has been secretly tutoring Park Jae-sang’s daughter in art.

This drama, which uses money as a motif symbolizing capitalism, was written by Jung Seo-kyung. Jung Seo-kyung is a renowned screenwriter known for her collaborations with director Park Chan-wook on films such as “Lady Vengeance,” “Thirst,” “The Handmaiden,” and “Decision to Leave.” Perhaps due to this, the drama has a distinct cinematic feel compared to other Korean dramas. Furthermore, some of the settings in the drama bear a resemblance to those in “Decision to Leave,” a result of the same art director working on both projects.

The Korean drama “Little Women” offers a glimpse into the raw reality of Korean capitalist society, the various conflicts arising from human relationships, and a mysterious murder case, all rolled into one. You can watch it on TVING and Netflix.