By Kynesha Robles
Louisa May Alcott’s novel “Little Women” gets a thrilling, mysterious twist in Netflix’s newest hit Korean drama series. Both the novel and its adaptations are known as beloved childhood favorites. But in place of its trademark charm and wholesomeness are intense plot twists and floral-related conspiracies in the Korean adaptation.
The Oh sisters, a loose resemblance of the original March sisters in the namesake classic, get entangled in an embezzlement case and oppose one of South Korea’s most powerful families. Instead of a coming-of-age story set in the 1860s, the sisters’ story surrounds suspicious deaths, illegal and corrupt practices, and sociopolitical and economic divides in modern-day South Korea. Though a mere outline of its literary inspiration, the K-drama series keeps its essential elements.
“Little Women” stars Kim Go Eun (“The King: Eternal Monarch”) as Oh In-ju, the domestic eldest sister based on Meg March; Nam Ji-hyun (“100 Days My Prince”) as Oh In-kyung, the headstrong middle child based on Jo March; and Park Ji-hu (“All of Us are Dead”) as Oh In-hye, the quick-witted youngest sister based on Amy March.
The K-drama series also stars Kang Hoon (“The Red Sleeve”) as Ha Jong-ho, the sisters’ childhood friend based on Laurie, and Kim Mi-sook (“Marathon”) as Oh Hye-seok, their rich, albeit snobby, great-aunt based on Aunt March.
Like most of the other adaptations, the K-drama series is also led by women behind the camera, directed by Kim Hee-Won (“Vincenzo”) and written by Chung Seo-kyung (“The Handmaiden”).
Alcott published “Little Women,” her semi-autobiographical novel, in 1868. Over a century later, Alcott’s exploration of timeless topics such as love, sisterhood, grief, and coming-of-age still rings true to the masses. Until today, the classic is often referenced in popular culture and adapted into other forms of media.
Since its publication, the beloved classic has been adapted to the screen and stage multiple times. Among the major film adaptations, the 1933 and 1994 versions are among the most famous and critically acclaimed, which star Katharine Hepburn and Winona Ryder as Jo March respectively. The most recent major film adaptation is Greta Gerwig’s 2019 version. Led by Saoirse Ronan as Jo March, the film received numerous accolades and rekindled interest for the classic.
“Little Women” is currently streaming on Netflix, with new episodes every Saturday and Sunday until October 9.
