I watched this show to get an another perspective into Korean society. At first glance, everything about this show was old-fashioned. Both the set and even more so the behavior of the characters shows little modern approach. However, it is possible that this show is intended precisely for a conservative audience. But this show managed to portray the impression of a social prison.
There is a strict power imbalance within the family, where the older ones are allowed to boss around the younger ones, bully them and even beat them. The children and the in-laws have the duty to sacrifice themselves.
And even the male ex-partners have rights to commit crimes against the women without the fear of punishment. They are allowed to stalk, beat, blackmail and kidnap them. This is a terrible picture of a society! But as I said, probably this show was made for the very conservative part of the Asian society (and the equally conservative viewer of the Western society). Whereby I don't know if the makers wanted to warn or just to achieve recognition among affected women.
The main character Do-Ran goes through one humiliating experience after another in 53 episodes, but she always forgives everything, goes back and lets herself be beaten and humiliated again. She is satisfied when she is allowed to serve. She behaves like a masochist. She is an object that the family can use and discard at will. Sexual submission and humiliation within her marriage to Dae-Ryuk is only hinted at.
When finally, after 52 episodes, an independence - socially and financially - is achieved, she allows herself to be persuaded and again submits to her submissive, externally determined role. The script claims that it is all about love. An obvious lie, because love cannot be a prison.
Do-Ran, to my frustration, has fought and allowed herself to be mistreated for absolutely nothing. Do-Ran is a part of society and she thinks it is right how she was treated. She is no better than her tormentors. In the end, I lost my sympathy with her. As a viewer, I was also cheated because the story brought me no development for the better, no hope.
The scriptwriters apparently do not understand any other than the authoritarian behavior they describe. To explain Do-Ran's return to her prison, her opponents suddenly turn into friendly loving people in the last episode.
Not only is the viewer taken for a fool, no, the appalling message of the creators of this show is to brazenly claim that Do-Ran is to blame for her fate and that the others had the right to mistreat her. After all, she is guilty because she is the daughter of a murderer. This is called hereditary guilt.
This drama, intentionally or not, takes a look at the dark side of Korean society. One wonders how big this shadow is. I recommend not to watch this show. If you do, only with a great distance.