Little Women: Episodes 1-2
by alathe
From the delightfully unsettling opening credits, to the beautifully dark twist it puts on Louisa May Alcott’s novel, Little Women’s first two episodes are a treat from start to finish. Three sisters face a brutal corporate world that seems designed to make them fail — and a conspiracy that threatens to swallow them whole.
EPISODES 1-2 WEECAP
We begin in the humble Oh family flat, where OH IN-JOO (Kim Go-eun) and OH IN-KYUNG (Nam Ji-hyun) prepare to celebrate the birthday of their younger sister, OH IN-HYE (Park Ji-hoo). It’s markedly different to their birthdays of yore: for one thing, they can afford cake, rather than a plate of boiled eggs with a candle. Much like the little women of Louisa May Alcott’s novel, our protagonists grew up with nary two coins to rub together. However, their mother, AHN HEE-YEON (Park Ji-young) is a dark parody of Alcott’s loving Marmee: blusteringly selfish, a pall is cast the minute she enters the room.
Still, there’s room for birthday cheer. In-joo and In-kyung have rustled together enough money to send In-hye on a trip to Europe — courtesy of the fancy arts school she attends on scholarship. In-hye considers it too good to be true.
Sadly, she’s not wrong. Hee-yeon’s already kicking up a stink about being unable to visit her husband, whose gambling debts sent them spiraling into poverty. Sure enough, next morning, both Hee-yeon and the envelope of cash have vanished, leaving a sanctimonious note and a heap of homemade kimchi.
Despite In-hye’s quiet teenage resignation, the elder sisters are determined to raise more money. Easier said than done. In-joo receives nothing but a delicate sneer of disdain when she begs her boss for an advance. Surrounded as she is by cliquey co-workers with the same flashy smiles and flashier family connections, our heroine is isolated — but not quite alone.
Granted, her fellow office outcast, orchid enthusiast JIN HWA-YOUNG (Chu Ja-hyun), insists they keep their friendship a secret. For all that they’re each other’s refuge from endless corporate snobbery, openly lunching together would only make the others shun them more. Still, she’s happy to lend In-joo the 1.25 million won she needs.
Meanwhile, In-kyung has her own workplace demons to face. It’s hard at the best of times to be a reporter covering harrowing stories of poverty. It’s harder when you can’t stop crying on camera. In-kyung struggles to make it through the day without heading to the bathroom for a swig of… probably not mouthwash.
Much as Hwa-young insists on not lunching with In-joo at work, this doesn’t prevent them from dining out — at a snazzy hilltop restaurant, where they can dress up and dream together. In-joo is adamant that her cheap pink skirt works fine, but her pride crumbles when her shoe heel snaps. Hwa-young, with gentleness belying her brittle workplace persona, helps spruce up her friend’s look, lending In-joo her own pair of expensive — yet comfortable! — Bruno Zumino heels.
As they laugh together over steak, Hwa-young shares a scheme. She’s patenting her accounting software Bookkeeper From the Future — a program she’s adamant will revolutionize the workplace, and consign their insufferable colleagues to the dustbin of history. Intrigued, In-joo signs the form.
Something’s a little off, though — for one thing, the wait staff recognize Hwa-young. Apparently, she came here with the company director, after working together late — rendering them the subject of scurrilous office rumors. Still, it gets stranger: In-joo encounters a woman wearing the same Bruno Zuminos. Turns out, it puts them in the same hyper-exclusive club: only three pairs are available in Korea.
That evening, In-kyung, after a fortifying gulp of definitely-not-mouthwash, meets with her estranged — and affluent — Great Aunt, OH HYE-SUK (Kim Mi-sook). She maintains steely perfect posture, as K-drama’s answer to Lady Bracknell expounds on how a gloomy male housekeeper is aesthetically preferable to a cheerful one. (I find this woman unironically delightful.)
Great Aunt Oh offers to pay for In-hye’s trip, in exchange for In-kyung visiting her weekly. This business thus concluded, she hustles In-kyung out the door — ensuring she bumps into her childhood friend: HA JONG-HO (Kang Hoon).
From In-kyung’s reaction, this isn’t the first time she’s thrown them together — and what better way to prove that familial affection still holds strong than meddling in your grandniece’s love life?
Later, In-joo presents In-hye with the money — only to be rebuffed in the flat manner of a teenager with something to prove. In-hye can’t stand her sisters suffering for her sake.
Besides, she’s nothing if not entrepreneurial: In-joo discovers she’s earning money from a classmate’s mother in exchange for painting with her daughter. In-hye is proud — In-joo, appalled. To her mind, it’s tantamount to begging: she’s insistent her sister will not be pitied.
Back at work, In-kyung has a new case — another tearjerker. Mayoral candidate PARK JAE-SANG (Eom Ki-joon) has issued a heartfelt apology to a man framed — and tortured — for espionage in 1987, on behalf of his father-in-law, who headed Defense Security Command at the time.
For once, our heroine’s eyes are dry: having followed the money, she isn’t fooled. The attorney-turned-politician once represented Bobae Savings Bank, who profited from the military regime. As she digs deeper, what she discovers stinks to high heaven: during the case, four defendants took their own lives. All were represented by Jae-sang. Furthermore, all left money unaccounted for — to the tune of 140 billion.
Hwa-young prepares to go overseas, leaving In-joo encyclopedic instructions on caring for her plants — which anyone who’s attempted to keep an orchid alive will recognize as optimistic. She’s sent some light reading, too: a dossier detailing the secrets of their office nemeses. Plus, yoga videos. In-joo must improve her posture!
Alas, it’s awkwardly mid-video that a friend of Hwa-young’s discovers In-joo: CHOI DO-IL (Wie Ha-joon), whose unflappable manner suggests he regularly encounters women on tables in a wobbly approximation of tree pose. Better still — he asks for her number, with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it smile. He’s charming, and she’s charmed, but it’s only prudent to get ahead of the gossip. She tells him upfront: she’s a divorcee with only a two-year course in accounting under her belt. He’s superbly unconcerned — Hwa-young already told him about her fellow outcast.
Despite this hopeful beginning, things go abruptly awry for both sisters. At a charity launch, In-kyung confronts Jae-sang about the Bobae Savings deaths. She receives a bland smile and a noncommittal answer. Later, the gloves come off: Jae-sang ambushes her in the foyer, noting loudly that she’s crying. As In-kyung’s jealous colleague discreetly films them, he declares he can smell alcohol on her breath.
In-kyung returns to the office in disgrace; the video of Jae-sang shaming her has gone viral. In full view of her colleagues, her coworker checks her mouthwash bottle: it’s tequila.
Meanwhile, In-joo is rapidly growing concerned for Hwa-young, who ought to have returned by now. Visiting her flat, she finds no sign of its inhabitant: the rooms are strewn with boxes of clothes and accessories, but all is still.
Then, she catches sight of something gruesome in Hwa-young’s wardrobe: the flash of a red heel. Horrified, she moves forward, only to find a body dangling, half-hidden by clothes — with Hwa-young’s blue orchid tattoo on its ankle.
The aftermath of Hwa-young’s death is a blur of news. Disgusted by the shameless office gossip — her suicide note! Her plastic surgery! Her purported affair! — In-joo elects to quit in a blaze of outrageousness worthy of her friend. As whispers fly to and fro, she stands — and, to the awe of the staff, reads from Hwa-young’s dossier, revealing that her boss was sleeping with a subordinate.
It is precisely at this point that DIRECTOR SHIN (Oh Jung-se) strides into the room, Do-il at his heels. He requests a word with In-joo. It’s not to reprimand her — it’s worse. According to him, Hwa-young stole 70 billion won from their company, killing herself after he confronted her. He demands that In-joo reveal everything she knows. In-joo refuses to be intimidated: it’s clear he needs her help to recover his illegal slush fund. She slaps her resignation letter on the table.
Afterwards, she receives a call. It’s Jayz Yoga Studio, informing her that Hwa-young has transferred her membership to her. Utterly numb, she lets them give her the key to her friend’s locker. It takes her a while to muster the will to open it.
When she does, she finds a heavy duffel bag. Inside are yoga clothes. A pair of Bruno Zuminos. A note thanking her. And — two billion won in cash.
Elsewhere, In-kyung is subjected to the humiliating process of a disciplinary hearing. After admitting to her alcohol dependence before flanks of disapproving superiors, she receives a month’s suspension.
Telling a tribunal is one thing. Telling her sister is another. Over an annoyingly tasty bowl of their mother’s guilt-kimchi, In-kyung drops the news: she’s scared that, like their father, she’s an alcoholic. As both sisters choke back tears, In-joo insists that she’s nothing like their father, who was indecisive and weak; In-kyung is strong… and cold. It’s an unexpected blow. In fairness, In-joo is cycling through all five stages of grief in a single instant — landing squarely in angry acceptance: her sister must tell her when she needs help!
It’s a bold assertion from someone about to stuff her secret fortune into kimchi containers. But, In-joo’s not inclined to unburden her own troubles yet. For now, she’ll drown her emotions in binge-bought ice cream — all the while, questioning why someone with Hwa-young’s wealth would suddenly kill herself… and whether, indeed, she killed herself at all.
In-kyung receives a very different sort of support from Great Aunt Oh, who reckons a morning glass of whiskey never impeded her work as… erm, a medical professional. Yikes. In-kyung has no such illusions. She’s dependent on drink to dull her anxiety on camera. Moreover, journalism was never her dream — she still resents her great aunt for barring her from studying Economics. But family spats are a many-splendored thing: turns out, In-kyung was a dab hand at investment, spinning money by the millions throughout the course of her teens. In any case, here they are now: In-kyung biting her tongue over breakfast for the sake of a month’s pay; Great Aunt Oh, lonely enough to buy her company in the first place.
In-joo, meanwhile, armed with the new purpose of solving her friend’s murder, agrees to aid Director Kim in his less-than-legal investigation — in exchange for a cushy role at the International Orchid Society. She’s derailed somewhat by Director Kim’s disconcertingly personal commentary on her cheap shoes.
His own are dark green and immaculate. He advises she invest in better ones: after all, if we’ve learned anything from this show, it’s that shoes are a complex marker of social class. The cruelty of poverty is that it begets poverty; cheap shoes destroy your feet. Meanwhile, wealth accumulates wealth. Expensive shoes signify comfort, status — and aspiration.
Elsewhere, In-kyung gets serious about the pursuit of justice. Four years prior, she let go of a lead: the nephew of one of the dead defendants from the Bobae Savings case. Whilst she and Jong-ho reminisce over salad about her wild-child schooldays, she receives a call — now that she understands the extent of Jae-sang’s malevolence, her contact is willing to meet again.
In-joo’s own investigation is a little more personal. Under the watchful eye of Do-il — whose motives remain cloudy, but whose chivalry extends to guiding her away from underfoot cockroaches — she must scour the apartment of her dead friend. Hwa-young’s advice echoes in her ears: everything begins with money. It’s a matter of survival to understand the stories numbers tell. Eager to read between the numerical lines, In-joo begins cataloging the pricey clothes and handbags boxed up around the flat.
An eerie tale emerges. As a bookkeeper, Hwa-young always warned In-joo to mind appearances. Wear shabby clothes. Construct a persona free from suspicion.
A little digging reveals Hwa-young’s alter ego: Jin Mi-gyeong, glamorous Singaporean socialite, whose outfits were flawless, and whose fine dining habits were meticulously documented on social media. But her 70 billion won — or rather, 68 billion of it — remains unaccounted for.
It’s here that In-joo is interrupted by Director Shin — and the show reaches new heights of disturbing. Boxing In-joo against the wall, he whispers to her of money. Of luxury. He can give her both these things: and what’s more, he can eyeball her foot size to the nearest centimeter. It’s nastily intimate — In-joo is too frightened to push him away. However, after spotting a jar on Hwa-young’s wardrobe, he recoils of his own accord. It’s a blue orchid.
The flower’s sinister symbolism becomes clearer when In-kyung goes to meet her contact. She’s far too late: the wreckage of his car lies broken by the road. Nearby is his still-ringing phone — and another blue orchid.
In-joo still has shoes on her mind: she takes a trip to Bruno Zumino, where she encounters a helpful shop assistant with a familiarly handsome face. At least, to the viewer.
You know a show’s got confidence in its rock-solid cast when it can afford to throw away Song Joong-ki on a cameo. (Incidentally — check out his nametag…!) Anyway, Vincen— erm, that is, the shop assistant, confirms the buyer of Hwa-young’s exclusive heels: resident creep Director Shin.
In-joo takes a gamble on trust and reports her findings to Do-il. A deep dive into Hwa-young’s phone records reveals that she and Director Shin had planned a business trip to Switzerland. Before she left, Hwa-young reported the director for embezzlement, submitting evidence she’d collected over the years, ensuring he was held in Korea while she transferred the slush fund. But, Director Shin found out, and threatened that they’d both go down together. That she’d suffer the same fate as a woman named Yang Hyang-sook.
Turns out, Director Shin has a penchant for seducing vulnerable working-class women into white-collar crime sprees — only to leave them carrying the can when the police come sniffing. Hyang-sook was Hwa-young’s predecessor. Her story is chillingly similar, right down to the red heels she was wearing when she killed herself.
In-joo is determined to contact the police. However, justice proves an insufficient motivator for her money-minded compatriot. Do-il’s first concern is the missing 70 million — and, what’s more, he’s convinced that Hwa-young would agree. The two of them shared the same ethics — or, arguably, the same lack of them. Money is all that matters.
Meanwhile, In-kyung opens up to Jong-ho. She possesses empathy in spades. It goes into overdrive when she reports on a difficult news case. She can’t control her reaction — it’s why she drinks. All this to say that she knows Jae-sang is corrupt as they come: she can sense his complete lack of feeling. Jong-ho elects to test this empathetic superpower; he challenges her to guess what he feels for her. Alas, even a reporter’s sixth sense is no match for romantic obliviousness! In-kyung senses comfort, concern, and a certain amount of fluster… but, adorably, the sum of these parts eludes her.
She returns home to find that her sister has been trying Do-il’s money-is-all philosophy on for size. The table is a veritable smorgasbord of consumerist delights: creams, perfumes, and no less than five separate shades of scented lip gloss. None of it stops In-joo from collapsing into tears. Over a round of expensive ice cream, she confesses everything to In-kyung… everything, that is, besides the two billion won concealed in their bathroom.
They’re interrupted by an unexpected delivery. Director Shin has sent In-joo a pair of bright red heels.
Meanwhile, the third Oh sister is living her own double life. In-kyung turns to the TV in time to see the Grand Art Prize announced at In-hye’s prestigious school. The winning painting is a portrait of a seventeen-year-old girl in the style of Van Dyck, evoking old nobility. It’s the same portrait In-hye has been working on for weeks.
The winner is her schoolfriend, Park Hyo-rin — daughter of Park Jae-sang. In-hye may have consented to this scheme, but to judge by her furious pencil-scribbling, she’s far from happy.
Director Shin has taken a step too far this time. Unable to turn a blind eye like Do-il, In-joo leaves to confront him with all she’s learned. He is scathing: embezzlement is apparently just part and parcel of running a business.
Hyang-sook’s suicide was — complicated. But, the one who discovered her was Hwa-young, who immediately turned to him and asked for Hyang-sook’s old job. There was no affair; if anything, she had the upper hand over him.
As for him — he’s leaving for the prosecutor’s office. Deals will be made; he’ll get five years at most. The alternative is something that doesn’t bear thinking about… because, like it or not, he’s not the one at the top of the food chain. There’s someone he’s scared of, too.
With good reason. As In-joo watches him drive away, something’s fishy: his car brakes aren’t functional. The last thing Director Shin sees on his dashboard as he goes soaring off the side of the multi-story car park is a bright blue orchid.
This drama may well be my new obsession. With its intricate exploration of economic inequality, and its laser-focus psychological horror, Little Women is a show that knows exactly where it’s going. I’m in love with the lush, eerie world it creates — with one foot in dark realism, and the other in a sprawling almost-fantasy that refuses to apologize for itself. They truly did decide, if we want a sinister orchid garden in the middle of a corporate building, then by golly we’ll have one! I respect this immensely.
As for the characters — they’re already drawn so deftly. In-joo is a delight, with her impish hair-tossing and stubborn resolve. In-kyung has such intelligence and visible strength of will, despite her struggles. And In-hye remains an intriguing mystery; she’s so self-contained, but clearly has all number of secrets up her sleeve.
Meanwhile, the supporting characters are solid gold, from Do-il’s calm cynicism, to Great Aunt Oh’s well-guarded loneliness, to Director Shin’s delightfully creepy antics. Most of all, though, Chu Ja-hyun has unexpectedly stolen my soul as Hwa-young. Her relationship with In-joo is so compelling — my heart melted the moment she handed over her shoes. I’m calling it now: odds are about even that she faked her death. Or, maybe that’s just wishful thinking? Either way, bring on next episode — I’m already craving more!
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Tags: Eom Ji-won, Eom Ki-joon, first episodes, Kang Hoon, Kim Go-eun, Kim Mi-sook, Little Women, Nam Ji-hyun, Park Ji-hoo, Park Ji-young, Wie Ha-joon
![[Drama Chat] The mysteriously disappearing desire to watch](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/didiva_5-scaled.jpg)
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1 pliplipli
September 5, 2022 at 3:12 PM
I liked these two episodes a lot but most of it comes from how stylish this drama is. it is something that I totally expected and was excited about considering who the PD is. it didn't disappoint me and it can easily be the main reason why I keep watching this whole thing. the story itself is not my usual thing and the mystery is not that intriguing to me, but the cast itself is just so charming that I will probably keep coming back no matter what their lines are. wi hajoon is too sexy to not watch him every weekend.
I think it was a solid premiere week, showing its strong points - like the directing and acting. I feel like this show has bits of that over-the-top sky castle/penthouse crack that can easily be addicting. I can see this also doing very well in korea. it's not always my thing but I will definetely come back next week.
I didn't read the original romance, but I'm curious to see what this drama has in common with the story.
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latebloomer
September 5, 2022 at 3:56 PM
What the drama has in common with the story: sisters ( the story has 4), the youngest sister is an artist; a rich, cranky, and lonely great aunt. The sisters in the book are only poor by comparison to richer friends. They have a loving and sensible mother, a loving father, a domestic servant, and live in their own comfortable home. The older 2 sisters work: one as a governess and the other as the aunt's companion. There are no mysteries, no suicides, no alcoholism, or any other dark topics in the book, other than death from a long illness. It was written for children, and Alcott wanted her characters to be true to life compared to the unrealistically virtuous young people in other children's stories of the time. Alcott did write sensational thrillers for newspapers under a pseudonym, but she was careful not to mix that work with her popular stories for children.
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pliplipli
September 5, 2022 at 4:17 PM
thank you so much for the explanation.
do the possible love lines, especially with the reporter sister, present in the book in some way? I saw some people talking about a love interest and how they hoped this time would be end game and it got me curious.
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latebloomer
September 5, 2022 at 4:57 PM
The rich boy next door and the middle sister were best friends. Later, he fell in love with her, but she didn't love him in that way. He ended up marrying the artist sister. The oldest sister married the rich boy's tutor. The middle sister married an older professor.
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too_much_tv
September 8, 2022 at 8:11 AM
Also, the father in Little Women loses all his money when he backs a friend's loan. He becomes ill when working as a chaplain in the Civil War and the mother (Marmee) leaves the girls to go take care of him. It's true that they are kind and good and inspiring parents and the parents in this series are total jerks. I do think the absent parents are important in any story because being actually or temporarily orphaned gives a child, teen or young adult character a chance to develop and mature. Also, one of the four sisters in the book dies tragically of an illness. (Sorry if this is a spoiler!) It is possible that there is a dead sister in here. Also, the coldness and poise of the artist sister in the books and the passionate, flawed nature of Jo in the books has echoes here. I think so far the subtlety and grace of the callbacks to the original is one of the selling points of the show.
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Goyangi
November 10, 2022 at 3:15 PM
Yes. And the oldest sister wanted a simple life with enough money to enjoy some luxuries, the second oldest was a passionate writer whose closest friend was the wealthy young man next door. Dad was away fighting in the civil war. The third sister is missing in this rendition
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2 Nal
September 5, 2022 at 3:23 PM
I wasn't sure I wanted to watch this but I loved every part of these first 2 episodes. I'm hooked!
The SJK cameo was the icing 😍
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3 jerrykuvira
September 5, 2022 at 3:30 PM
Comment was deleted
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4 jerrykuvira
September 5, 2022 at 3:34 PM
Why did I already feel Chu Ja-hyun's Hwa-young wouldn't survive the premiere episodes?
She carried Hwa-young with compelling elegant grace. There are only a few actresses I can blindly trust to exude such aura, and she's one of the top on the list.
Little Women is in no way little ;). I don't know who I like more between In-joo and In-kyung cause they're both soo good.
In-hye kind of siblings are the death of me in dramas. Grow normally if you have the avenue to.
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5 rlg07
September 5, 2022 at 3:38 PM
This drama version has very little in common with the original story (a slice of life book about four poor sisters in the 1800s in the US). I can see a few echoes--the boy next door, the younger sister who's an artist, the rich aunt, the sister who was a writer in the original and now is a reporter? Er, there was definitely no mystery in the original book at all! But that...is not a bad thing. I welcome a plot and trust that this is in good hands if Korea is doing it. :D
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lma
December 31, 2022 at 7:41 AM
There is actually a lot more hidden in this show! Some not-so-obvious similarities: Mr Brooke (the English guy who ended up as Meg's husband) was an accountant to a rich man's business in the book which was spun off here to Do-il, the money launderer. Meg (eldest sister) worked as a governess (taking care of a rich man's children) which In-joo does for Hyorin and In-hye. Meg also had a chapter in the book where she pretended to live as a rich lady (cough, cough In-joo). Jo (second sister) was characterized as impulsive in the books -- just like In-kyung. Amy - the youngest sister in the books - was characterized as selfish - and In-hye does put herself first in the first part of the series.
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lma
December 31, 2022 at 7:58 AM
Also adding: Meg (eldest sister) had this fascination about being rich in the book. -- just like In-joo. Laurie was always a supporting character to Jo, like JH is here. Aside from the rich aunt, Jo and her rich aunt did have a falling out in the book (Jo would be angry but come back)... and yes, the aunt in the book had a parrot too!
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6 asterell
September 5, 2022 at 3:41 PM
rule #1: don't wave an envelope of cash around your mother
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nerdy
September 5, 2022 at 3:51 PM
Rule #2. If your mother is like that, move out with your siblings the second you get the chance. I very rarely advocate cutting off a parent, but from what we were shown, the reason two well employed adults can't collect 1k is because their parents have been draining their bank account for years.
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LaurenSophie
September 5, 2022 at 4:21 PM
LOL! I thought the same thing. Like, wait until she's not around and *then* present that huge wad of cash to your little sister. I know they were excited to give her the gift, but it's not like they just met their mother and had no idea she was that selfish and greedy. At the very least, they could have hid the envelope a little better before going to bed.
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7 nerdy
September 5, 2022 at 3:45 PM
I am actually glad the show took such a creative approach to the story of Little Women. Otherwise, the show would have most likely ended up being one of those weekend dramas that tell the romantic stories of siblings.
I would have done without the kdrama money stealing mom, but nothing can be perfect, right? Also, can we agree that Wi Ha Joon's character is not trustful? He is too kind and friendly to the female lead for it to be out of goodness of his heart. If he was that good, I feel like the dead friend would have provided him with more information than female lead's social status.
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LaurenSophie
September 5, 2022 at 4:18 PM
ITA about Do-il. He may end up being a decent guy at the end, but I have a feeling they'll be an initial reveal that his motives and actions were less than honorable from the start. Again, in true kdrama fashion, he's probably too good looking to be completely evil and unredeemable, but for now, I don't trust him at all.
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Kurama
September 6, 2022 at 12:02 AM
He was pretty clear. He's after the money and don't care about the rest. So she can't expect things from him.
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LaurenSophie
September 6, 2022 at 12:54 PM
True, but I suspect there are also things he's withholding from her or he's intentionally misleading her on other fronts not covered in that warning.
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SP2022
September 6, 2022 at 9:01 AM
'Again, in true kdrama fashion, he's probably too good looking to be completely evil and unredeemable, but for now, I don't trust him at all.'
Love this 😂 and also agree
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bbstl 🧹
September 5, 2022 at 9:24 PM
I predict that money-stealing Mom will resurface later and cause problems
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Nal
September 5, 2022 at 9:46 PM
This is 100% certain
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8 LaurenSophie
September 5, 2022 at 4:01 PM
I knew from the opening credits (falling shoes! a woman doing snow angels on a bed of gold bars! all those rich jewel tones!) that I would love this drama. And the first two episodes did not disappoint.
The last time I had this feeling is when I watched the first episode of "My Liberation Notes." Confidence and an assured touch emanate from every scene, so I can sit back and trust that what unfolds will make sense and be dramatically satisfying. I had one or two glimmers of nitpicky doubt--it's completely unbelievable, for example, that a woman who looks like Hwa-young/Chu Ja-hyun would decide she wants a new face--but even those would fade quickly as other possibilities occurred to me (as you said, alathe, it's quite likely Hwa-young is actually still alive and so the bit about plastic surgery is a deliberate set-up for a later reveal).
I'm not sure how I feel about Do-Il yet. He seems as shady as he is suave and I'm apt not to trust him right now. In-joo should be cautious of him, although I sense she won't be. I also can't quite tell if
In-kyung is truly oblivious or, like Jo March with Laurie, she simply doesn't and will never see Jong-ho as a romantic option.
Finally, I loved the twist at the end with the sister's portrait. I did not see that coming although it made perfect sense. Of course this entitled family would have their daughter submit another person's painting as her own self-portrait.
Can't wait for next week!
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maria0215
September 7, 2022 at 7:53 PM
Hwa-young made it quite clear that she doesn't see herself as beautiful. She never showed her face on Instagram. Than there's the quote about wanting to live with a beautiful face for once & the comment about how it looks better on a pretty girl after she gave her own jacket to In-joo.
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too_much_tv
September 8, 2022 at 11:16 AM
I am suspicious that she faked her death and that all the stuff about cosmetic surgery is to account for her not looking like herself.
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9 Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 5, 2022 at 4:05 PM
@alathe thank you for the wonderful humorous cliff notes which provide the means for me to follow this dark (nightmare inducing😱) drama without going beyond my realm of tolerance. It’s situations such as these, where Dramabeans weecaps provide a much needed service.
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alathe
September 10, 2022 at 9:51 AM
Aww, thanks, @reply1988 -- I'm very glad it was useful in letting you experience this drama's excellent creepy content! :)
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10 flatwhite
September 5, 2022 at 4:13 PM
So far I am loving it.
I got the same feeling as I got while watching Parasite. Not just because of social inequality but also from presentation of the scenes with angles, light composition and the lines. You get the tone of the drama vividly through it.
The plot is not my cup of tea but it is interesting enough to keep me in.
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11 Doppelganger
September 5, 2022 at 4:58 PM
There are times when you start watching a show, or listening to an album, or reading a book, and you feel sucker punched within the first 10 minutes by how good it is. That was Little Women for me. This is two of the strongest kdrama episodes I've ever seen. Flawless execution - not a step out of place. This looks more like a (Park Chanwook) film than a kdrama.
The acting is good across the board. Kim Goeun is good, but not great (yet). I don't feel like she fully grasps her character, and her wide-eyed naïve moments come across as forced. The best acting in the first 2 episodes was by Oh Jungse. His impression of the bumbling, autistic brother in IONTBO has stuck with me, so I was amazed to see him pull off a dark, corrupt, and magnetic character. NGL, I found him skeevy and seductive at the same time.
The writing and directing are this show's crown jewels. The writing is SO tight. Everything weaves together exquisitely and moves along at a leashed, tense pace. This is a show you have to pay attention to because every detail is important (e.g. orchid wallpaper). No Chekov's guns here. The drama is only 12 episodes so I am optimistic it will not unravel midway through.
The directing...my goodness. The directing is a perfect match for the writing. A whole essay can be dedicated to this show's cinematography. The cinematography is so good that you could watch this show on mute and derive more enjoyment out of it. Kdrama directors aren't usually "stars" - it's usually the writers and actors - but Kim Heewon is making a special case for herself. At this point, she could direct a nature documentary and I'll tune in. Her directing style is very cinematic, which makes me wonder why she's not working on films and working in dramaland instead.
If I were an actor, I would be watching Little Women and feeling jealous I wasn't cast in this.
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Yn00na
September 6, 2022 at 6:06 AM
Have you watch The Good Detective? Oh Jungse is deliciously dark and evil in there. I highly recommend it.
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maria0215
September 7, 2022 at 7:55 PM
Well, the writer did work with Park Chan-wook multiple times.
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12 Healer’s
September 5, 2022 at 5:23 PM
Loved the first two episodes. Just found the way Nam Ji Hyun speaks a bit annoying, it always looks like she has something in her mouth.
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13 Kafiyah Bello
September 5, 2022 at 5:34 PM
This was good. It wasn't what I was expecting, to be fair I went in with low expectations. There are a couple of cliches, but they are working well with the story. I like that the writer semi addressed alcoholism, but it kind of disappeared in episode 2. That blue orchid is stunning. The only thing that will really elevate the drama for me is to make the classmate's mother the true villain. Absent that I'm looking forward to the next episodes, especially because this is a 12er, so should be tight storytelling.
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Katarina Girl
September 9, 2022 at 11:47 AM
Her co-worker was quick to reveal her drinking and then her insane jealousy to take her down at work - so disgusting the way she did it knowing the girl had a natural ability to flush out a story. Usually, you privately report someone to a higher-up or H.R. anonymously if there is a severe issue. Hopefully, there will be a payback in a higher way. Jealousy is always the ugliest trait in people.
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14 sakuradaydream
September 5, 2022 at 6:58 PM
the way I screamed when Joong-ki came on screen
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SP2022
September 6, 2022 at 9:06 AM
Same!! I was already loving the episode, but that was just the scene I didn't know I needed
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15 Wise
September 5, 2022 at 7:36 PM
Well, that was a very solid premiere. At first, I was quite dispirited by it duration which is nearly 1,5 hours for each episode, but suprisingly there was no dull moment when i was watching. This is definitely a serial killing story and must be connected to those villain family, but it isn’t very clear yet how they all related, especially to the In Joo’s workplace. And if really that politician’s family is the main culprit, it’s quite unique the fact that they leave blue orchid at every crime scene. Signature like this usually means to be personal for the killer. Villain like them mostly leave the killing to the hitman, both normally don’t bother with signature or thropies. We’ll see how it’s work I guess.
For characters and cast, so far between three siblings I favor In Kyung the most. Her lack of good upbringing and unhealthy realtionship with alcohol doesn’t make her emotionally or morally weak. She is the idealist between the three, accepting her wretched fate and yet thrive to be honest and just. I always find character like this admirable. She is compassionate but rational and not soft. And about Nam Ji Hyun, she grows on me. At her earlier project that I watched, somehow her acting rubbed me in wrong way. But after Suspicious Partner and 365 : Repeat the Year, I found myself pretty immersed and impressed by her. It’s either her acting or my judgment that getting better. And the least I like and probably the same as everyone is In Hye. Though it’s understandable that her spitefulness is coming out of her broken parents and poor family (and puberty), but I hope she soon can see that she has two sisters that deeply love and care about her. That her situation could’ve been worst if not because or without her siblings. But I think we’ll see her growth the most through the drama.
For the support part, Wi Ha Joon looks really good with Kim Go Eun. I think out of all KGE counterparts in dramas, by appereance he look the most compatible. Maybe because their face have similiar vibe so they look like those couple who almost look like sibling but with sparks of estrogen and testosterone.
And Kang Hoon, the main reason I give a try for this drama, he is just there and it’s enough. Out of his upcoming project and this one, his pairing with Nam Ji Hyun is I’m excited for the most. First, because in this one she would get the girl while in his next project with Jeon Yeo Bin he will be the second lead. Second, because I don’t favor his pair on his another next drama (Flower Scholar’s Love Story). I just find Shin Ye Eun not yet belong on the same level of acting skill with him. She is not bad, but also not yet a female lead material. And honestly, saeguk drama about scholars never being my favorite. I hope he will have enough amount (= a lot) of screen time for me to see in this show.
I think if they can keep the pace of the storytelling, this show shall be a new hit.
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pliplipli
September 6, 2022 at 7:12 AM
shin yeeun career will always impress me lol I get that she was in that hit webdrama, but girl started getting a lot of leading roles pretty fast, compared to other actresses. she doesnt have a previous idol career that could back that up with "she will bring fans". I don't think she's bad, but I also think she still needs to improve a lot. especially because I think there are a lot of other good options at her age group.
guess jype did their job pretty well with her.
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16 ladynightshade wants to be gazed at by namgoong min
September 5, 2022 at 7:48 PM
God, I could write essays about how much I loved everything about these premiere episodes. From the acting, to the writing and directing, the lighting and cinematography, and the thematic details and confident symbolism. Indeed, it was almost so flawless that after finishing the episodes, I had to sit and convince myself that this was just me being easily impressed again, that surely I’m overreacting and raving mad about a television show again. But no, it really was that incredible. Like, I expected it to be good, but not this good. Jung Seo-kyung did write my favourite movie of all time, 2016’s The Handmaiden, which was a clever reinterpretation of a classic novel set in Victorian England transferred to Japanese-occupied Korea, so I should probably have expected this level of immaculate quality for this particular adaptation as well, but I didn’t. This has immediately shot up to my favourites of the year just based on the two episodes. I’m almost scared to think of what the show could accomplish if it keeps up with this level of excellence. We’re talking all-time favourites for me, people - not just the (so far) measly 2022 list. This was made for ME.
So, uhh, I’ll stop being dramatic now. I’ll come back to this after six weeks and see if I’m a clown or prophet. Feel free to mock me 😭. Also, now I’m just even more excited to see Decision to Leave (same writer).
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Doppelganger
September 5, 2022 at 8:53 PM
I know exactly how you feel. I thought it would be good, but not THIS good. Based on just these two episodes, I already have Little Women positioned for my all-time favorite (numero uno) kdrama slot.
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PYC
September 6, 2022 at 8:17 AM
@ladynightshade and @songxrising - I’m with you totally. This is like a production of the highest order, aka a Park Chan-wook-eque drama (not least by the same writer who wrote so many of his works). The PD-writer duo display their sense of purpose and confidence from the first scene without faltering a bit.
Please forgive me to say that the acting of the three sisters is good but gets overshadowed by the side characters. It’s without dispute that Chu Ja-hyun and Oh Jung-se stole the premier episodes. And I can’t wait to see the two Uhms in full force. I too think Kim Go-eun is yet to transition well between the various facets of her character into a great portrayal.
All in all, Little Women has the potential to be in the all time best list.
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Nal
September 5, 2022 at 9:59 PM
You won't be a clown 😅🤞🏾
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17 Snow Flower
September 5, 2022 at 7:58 PM
Two words: Rooftop Gothic
Excellent opening episodes. Saturday, come soon!
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18 merry
September 5, 2022 at 8:20 PM
Gobsmacked by the first two episodes. Dramagods have lifted the pall of gloom over a slump. Happy to read from here of a female director. Why aren't there more of them? Indeed, the show is one where one can't multi-tasked. All eyes on the screen in case we miss something. What was that scene the FL saw with Do-il and another person meeting, was that the politician? Up to now I am not clear on what exactly is the In joon's job? Is it an accounting firm; I don't see that profession attracting those rich, bitchy girls. I like how there is no tropey-secrets between the older siblings. No pretense to be working when one is suspended, nor how they raised the new monies needed. Excited to be with you beanies on this; let's enjoy this ride.
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pliplipli
September 6, 2022 at 7:16 AM
I was also surprised that accounting was a profession that rich women would look to lol maybe they're pushed into this profession to help their rich families to get away from laundering money? I feel like there might be a cultural thing that I'm just not aware of.
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19 Kurama
September 5, 2022 at 9:13 PM
It was really good. I love Kim Go-Eun and Nam Ji-Hyun as sisters, they really share a strong bond. I'm less convinced by the third sister. The 3 seems connected to one man, both car accidents and In-hye's paint. For their money and their mother, they were so naive. They should have paid the teach directly and not show the money in their house.
I wasn't expecting the alcoholism of In-Kyung, but I liked how she could tell to everybody now the secret is out. Now, why didn't she become a journalist who writes? If she can speak in front of a camera...
The casting is top with Oh Jung-se, Chu Ja-hyun and Song Joon-Ki as guests. Chu Ja-hyun's character was really intriguing.
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20 bbstl 🧹
September 5, 2022 at 9:34 PM
Oh, so Ominous. The tone, the palette, the music. It’s twisting my mind, seeing actors I remember for sweet roles play bad guys. I felt my anxiety levels rising and figured I wouldn’t continue on but come to see that @alathe is recapping, I may have to keep watching 🫣
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alathe
September 10, 2022 at 9:53 AM
Yay, happy to have you here, @bbstl! :D
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21 lapislazulii
September 5, 2022 at 10:14 PM
Absolutely solid and stunning premiere episodes, I've already watched them both twice over now! I initially decided to watch purely reeled in by nothing else but the main cast but it blew any expectations I had out of the water. The cinematography and direction is gorgeous - there were some shots that I paused just to take in the beauty of, and I love show has been playing with building up that slow and unnerving tension, that gets right under your skin. Really immerses the viewer - I didn't even notice the time fly by.
The cast are performing phenomenally, as was expected, but boy does everyone really have this arresting magnetism and charisma to them, that the direction does well to enhance, it really adds to that immersive factor. Pacing also was impressive - I'm a fan of fast and well planned pacing that doesn't waste time setting up all the pieces. Especially glad that most 'secrets' are out in the open between our main characters - I was worried for a bit there that things like the alcoholism issue, the whole politician conspiracy plot and the murder mystery would be kept secret and cause issues down the line, but it seems like everyone's in the loop (except about the whole 2 billion won thing). I'm also really glad this one is only 12 episodes because that'll hopefully mean its tight storytelling all the way till it's end!
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Nal
September 6, 2022 at 12:59 AM
I am about to rewatch the episodes too 😆
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22 emsel
September 5, 2022 at 11:41 PM
I started this solely for the actors playing two elder sisters, especially Nam Ji Hyun whom I adore, but I was pleasantly surprised by Choo Ja Hyun's appearence, who is another one of my favorities. Her character though short was impactful and set up the mystery beautifully. I am also liking the Great Aunt Oh's character. Something says she will teach the ropes to In Kyung to uncover the truth, but let's see. I hate the last sister and I wonder if I would have liked her, had the actor playing the rich girl was switched with the last sister, because the rich girl plays an adorable school girl in another Kdrama "If you wish upon Me".
I do not understand the hype about the guy playing In Kyung's friend next door because his character is ordinary and boring. I eye rolled a little when I found Nam Ji Hyun's character was a reporter because I'm tired of watching rightful reporters/lawyers, but I found myself enjoying when she got suspended, which I totally did not expect. I like In Joo the most because she is clever behind her naivety and more realistic with her dilemma about the new found money at the cost of her close acquaintance.
The cinematography is absolutely breathtaking and I am double delighted to know that the director behind this piece of art is a female.
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Nal
September 6, 2022 at 1:04 AM
"I do not understand the hype about the guy playing In Kyung's friend next door because his character is ordinary and boring."
I have still "hate" him from his character in the red sleeve 😆😂 so my focus/hype for now is on the suave Wi Ha Joon
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23 Maya86
September 6, 2022 at 4:24 AM
I loved it!! If they keep it up, this might prove to be my favorite drama of 2022. Excellent storytelling and perfect casting. I love a good murder mystery/conspiracy executed well with good acting and unabashed criticisms of society and human nature. Just perfect.
Now if only SJK had more of a role apart from that charming cameo hehe
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24 Unaspirated
September 6, 2022 at 5:43 AM
This was a strange experience for me. I watched the first episode and there was nothing wrong with it (and lots of things right with it), but it didn’t grab me. I didn’t find myself pulling for any of the characters or empathizing with their struggles, or wanting to know more about the mystery. My favorite character was immediately Hwa-young, and we all know how that turned out. I hope she keeps being very present in her physical absence. I decided to watch episode 2 before I made a decision on whether to continue, but I felt mostly the same way while watching that one UNTIL the orchid. I can’t explain it. Maybe that blue orchid that keeps showing up next to dead/about to be dead people was just really intriguing? Maybe it was the almost iridescent cobalt blue color (one of my favs) of it? Maybe the soundtrack behind it was really amazing? But something about that orchid really struck me, and made me more interested in the drama than any acting or writing had done up to that point. I’ll watch again next weekend to see if my interest pays off.
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25 FormAnOrderlyQueue
September 6, 2022 at 6:20 AM
Of the many things I loved, killing off Oh Jungse in the second episode is up there. I love the boldness of taking a top tier actor, setting him up as a key player, and they wiping him out. Caught me by surprise in a brilliant way - loved it.
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26 Nefret
September 6, 2022 at 6:50 AM
I briefly watched the first episode at the weekend, but apparently wasn't in the right mood (I was too busy with JUST BETWEEN LOVERS), so I quickly switched off.
Today I gave it another try and now I'm hooked. Interesting characters, exciting plot and great shots.
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27 Peridot
September 6, 2022 at 7:27 AM
I am curious about Hwa-young's blue orchid tattoo. Beneath the flower, there was a date. I'm not sure if it was 10/22 (10~22) or something like that. Did she say it represented the death anniversary of a loved one? I can't remember. Anyway, I wonder if the date is significant for another reason.
Also, I know some Beanies above were saying that they did not trust the character of Do-il. I, on the other hand, don't trust Jong-ho for some reason. We haven't seen much of Jong-ho's character so I'll have to see how my initial feeling changes.
There were truly some creepy moments in the first two episodes. I like the look of this show. Fingers crossed, it will continue to be good!
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Kurama
September 6, 2022 at 7:47 AM
The aunt is suspicious too. She was a nurse but knows a lot about economics. Does she have an orchid ?
She called In-kyung for breakfasts who is investigating about the futur mayor.
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Doppelganger
September 6, 2022 at 10:39 AM
I don't find anything suspicious about her knowledge of the stock market. Plenty of people (especially Asian aunties) follow stocks in their spare time, and some retail traders are as knowledgeable, if not more so, than institutional traders.
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Unaspirated
September 6, 2022 at 8:11 AM
I think she said it was the date her mother died? But I don't think we have any idea if that is the actual significance of it, or as you say, the only significance.
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PYC
September 6, 2022 at 10:22 AM
That might be the number for the Swiss bank account.
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28 tigerwolf
September 6, 2022 at 8:52 AM
Love it❤️🎂🎂🎂
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29 SP2022
September 6, 2022 at 9:14 AM
This isn't one I'd usually watch, but I couldn't miss this cast and the trailer, though short, was intriguing.
I absolutely loved eps 1 and 2, though probably would have thought them worth it for the SJK cameo alone, can't wait for the rest of it!
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30 Ally
September 6, 2022 at 10:30 AM
I’ve still got to finish episodes 1-2, but did get to the early part where orchids were the center of attention. Lucky for me, as I just started caring for some Mother’s Day orchids myself. And reaching out of more experts on the internet to keep them alive.
My dear plants are nothing like Hwa-young’s though, and although I saw one being soaked, which I do to mine, I’m still waiting for them to reflower. They are fickle plants and I think the parallel that they have with the show will be striking. The one that she says is the outcast and will bloom as the Princess of them all obviously speaks to In-Joo and her character’s growth. The other crazy thing about orchids is that they can look amazing with seemingly healthy leaves and even flowering, and their roots or crown can be totally rotted it be very unhealthy and then they die quickly. So what you see is not necessarily what is going on underneath. Again, a great juxtaposition of this fake life that people live in front of others, or money or power that is very fragile and can disintegrate at a drop of a hat. Also, how sometimes neglect can actually make you stronger and healthier, as in most orchids, too much water will actually kill them, so you only water them very little, once every several days or a week or even 2 weeks. Again, these girls have all been neglected, but will thrive.
Looking forward to finishing these episodes to see if these metaphors play out.
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bbstl 🧹
September 6, 2022 at 12:58 PM
Oh, thanks, Ally! My only knowledge of orchids so far has been how to kill them.
As soon as I saw the blue orchid as the politician’s boutonnière, I was like OH here we go! And sure enough it just keeps showing up 🤔
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31 SP2022
September 6, 2022 at 1:51 PM
I've just gone back to watch some of my favourite scenes and the shoes hwa-young gives to In-joo are called velvet orchids, I love those kinds of details in dramas that make the rewatch that much more rewarding
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bbstl 🧹
September 6, 2022 at 7:08 PM
Cool!
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32 john
September 6, 2022 at 5:32 PM
I liked it. Regarding In-kyung‘s alcoholism, curious how this will play out, or was it just a plot device to get her back at Grand Aunt’s place?
From my experience working in US corporations, In-kyung would have been offered treatment.
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bbstl 🧹
September 6, 2022 at 7:08 PM
Honestly, with the rate of drinking in Korea being what it is, I’d almost think they’d just treat it as a reason for another required after-work drinks party 🙄
I do wonder how she’d transfer from the big tequila bottles to the mouthwash bottle without anyone seeing it 🤷♀️
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hmwtx
September 9, 2022 at 7:51 AM
Okay, I caved in and watched 1-2 of this one even though I said I wasn't going to watch another "live" series...
As for the whole unmasking of the alcoholic - I was left feeling like those bottles in her bottom drawer were planted there... I mean, we know she's drinking, but as someone who worked for years alongside a person who was an alcoholic but wasn't hiding it quite as well as they thought they were (everyone knew)... there were flasks and water bottles filled with vodka, but there were no giant liters of alcohol in the desk drawers. Presumably all of the bottle filling was happening over the kitchen sink at home. I feel like In-Kyung was being set up with the "discovery" just to put her "secret" out in the open. Is it booze in her mouthwash bottle? Yes. Is it tequila from the bottles in her desk? I don't necessarily think so.
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bbstl 🧹
September 9, 2022 at 8:16 AM
Yeah, I thought the same when the drawer opened and the big bottles were clanking around. Not logical.
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33 SerenaJess
September 6, 2022 at 10:15 PM
Reading through the weecap and going over what I've just watched in my head, I'm kind of amazed at how much was unpacked in just two episodes. Three deaths connected with a mysterious blue orchid, political and economic corruption, and (on a smaller scale but equally devastating emotionally) a corrupted art competition, all involving the Park family. Somehow Park Jae Sang seems to be the key behind all of this, and I wonder if the drama will become a revenge story, with the three sisters in their different ways taking down this powerful family.
While the mysteries that both In-Joo and In-Kyung are unraveling are intriguing, I hope the drama spends a little more time on the backstory of the sisters and their relationships- the mom exited a bit too quickly for me, though her annoyingly tasty parting gift of kimchi was very funny. I don't really sense the bond between the two older sisters and In-hye yet but hopefully that will develop. I also wonder if their family's downfall (blamed on their gambling and neglectful dad) might somehow relate back to Park Jae Sang somehow.
This drama bears very little resemblance to the book Little Women, but I did chuckle at Great Aunt Oh and her parrot, which brought to mind Great Aunt May from the book.
If I had to pick a character that reminds me most of Jo, I would say it's In-Joo- she's headstrong, passionate, a bit reckless, with a strong sense of justice, and I feel Kim Go-eun portrays her perfectly. In-Kyung has an interesting storyline on paper- she's overly empathetic with the people whose lives she covers, to the point that she has to numb herself with alcohol, she was a genius at predicting the stock market, and she too seems motivated by strong principles. However, so far I'm feeling emotionally distant from her character, as portrayed by Nam Ji-Hyun.
Also hoping that the drama doesn't follow the book's storyline of having the younger sister end up with In-Kyung's childhood friend-she's only in 11th grade, much too young!
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34 Sifimoyo
September 7, 2022 at 1:53 AM
Despite the fact that this drama bears no likeness whatsoever to LM Alcott's Little Women, I am absolutely hooked. A better name would have been "Three Sisters". (There were four sisters and a loving mother, plus stable family home and no poverty, just a lack of great wealth.). This drama drags you immediately into it's world, and as is usual in K- Dramas, the bad guys are clearly bad and that's the way like them. Make all the other characters subtle and nuanced and allow them to develop through the whole drama, but I want to identify the Evil person from Episode one and not have to guess. This one is going to be a compulsive watch. And a huge round of applause for all the dosh spent on production, it is worth every penny.
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SerenaJess
September 7, 2022 at 5:34 AM
I agree this drama is compelling and stands on its own and will try to refrain from making comparisons to the book in the future (in my mind and online….)
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hmwtx
September 9, 2022 at 8:02 AM
I agree that there are major differences between the original and this version... but I do think there are 4 sisters in this one too. When mom is packing up in the middle of the night after putting together the kimchi consolation prize, she takes a photo of a baby from the drawer along with the photo of the more-grown kids and the parent that is in the frame on the nightstand. I kind of feel like that baby was the fourth child - in the novel, the third sister (by age) is very sickly and dies during the narrative.
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35 hmwtx
September 7, 2022 at 9:04 AM
I'm trying to resist watching this one live.... I usually don't, and whenever I break down and do one live I always get super frustrated with it.
But y'all are making it difficult...
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Sifimoyo
September 7, 2022 at 1:19 PM
You need to start it now! Or at least, after the weekend when there are four episodes. AND there are only 12 Episodes which is really sad. I think half the fun of the handful of dramas which really grab you by the throat is waking up in the morning realising that at the end of the day, you have another episode to watch.
But I love binging (bingeing?) too. I've just watched the whole series of Father is Strange over a long, cold weekend and up until the last two or three episodes it was absolutely riveting. And after that marathon, I wished that I had been brought up sitting cross-legged on the floor - I see that even quite elderly people in Dramas have no trouble standing straight up without any apparent discomfort or excessive effort. I tried it the other day, got cramp after about five minutes, and was only able to stand with the help of two strong men (who were laughing so hard they nearly dropped me.) In. my NEXT life.........
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 8, 2022 at 11:15 PM
I was thinking the same thing if we train the body from a young age it stays flexible and able to do things that set in their ways bodies can only dream about unless you do serious yoga or proper stretching.
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hmwtx
September 9, 2022 at 8:23 AM
Ok Ok Ok... I caved in and started watching it. If I get mad, it's going to be your fault :P
I draw the line at the yoga, though. That is simply not happening. (I have arthritis, so I already have a flexibility regimen to follow... but not sitting on the floor. Me on the floor is *always* a huge mistake.)
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36 Jingbee
September 9, 2022 at 12:45 AM
I plan to rewatch just to track when and where the blue orchid shows up. I noticed one at the neighbor's place, while In Kyung was commenting about the vegies. There must be a reason the camera lingered there..
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37 LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
October 4, 2022 at 12:49 AM
As far as amazing first weeks go, this must be one of the best. It was flawless and the setting lush and metaphorically dense.
I'm going to disagree with everybody and say that this show is 100% Little Women.
So when they said they were going to adapt that novel, I thought it was going to end up being some kind of weekender style celebration of the Noble Poor and female martyrdom. The original novel is very much couched in terms of what I would have originally said was American puritanism but I've recently been schooled was a philosophy called (confusingly) transcendentalism (no not that one, the other one).
While both parents in Little women are portrayed as virtuous, there is in fact a selfishness to particularly the girls' father who loses all their money and goes off to war leaving the girls to their own devices. Their mother is textually bad tempered and regularly dissatisfied. She struggles to do the right thing and, though she succeeds in the book, it's not a far cry to imagine a version of her that decides her martyrdom to her family is at an end.
Little Women is very much structured around Pilgrims Progress, which (like Dante's Inferno) is a story about people who have to go through hell to get to heaven, dodging temptations along the way. And in Little women as in this show, the temptations are very much around wealth, status and money.
It's obviously a children's book and so the temptations are age appropriate - the characters are, after all, just teenagers. But all the characters in Little Women are dealing with the tension between their pride and their reliance on others with more wealth and power, between their desire to live a virtuous life and the desire to live an easier one. And the natural and embedded exploitation of them by others that is an inherent factor in their own poverty. And they all make missteps along the way in terms of navigating this tension.
Now if you age that theme up, move it to modern Korea and add in a dash of post-Parasite class-related symbolism - it's this show.
Completely Little Women
(At least at episode 2)
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lma
December 31, 2022 at 7:54 AM
Agree with this; there is actually a lot more hidden in this show! I love the bringing up of Pilgrim's Progress - this show has the sisters having different aspirations/situations to overcome as well. Some not-so-obvious similarities than what everyone is seeing at first impression: Mr Brooke (the English guy who ended up as Meg's counterpart in the book) was an accountant to a rich man's business which was spun off here to Do-il, the money launderer. Meg (eldest sister) had this fascination about being rich in the book. -- just like In-joo. Jo (second sister) was characterized as impulsive in the book -- just like In-kyung. Laurie was always a supporting character to Jo, like JH is here. Aside from the rich aunt, Jo and her rich aunt did have a falling out.. and yes, the aunt had a parrot! Amy - the youngest sister in the book - was characterized as selfish -- and In-hye does put herself first in the first part of the series. The writer took the book character's personalities AND circumstances into the script really well.
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38 Jazz Min
October 6, 2022 at 12:02 PM
Finally, I was waiting to binge this drama because I knew I would be too impatient to wait from week to week. And as expected, my girl go eun delivers with the acting. I also love nearly every one in the cast so it helps. I'm not in love yet with the drama but it's just the intro episodes. I hear it gets crazy in the later episodes. Can't wait. Thank you for the recap.
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