The Two Women
A poignant one-hour KBS2 Drama Special, The Two Women (2024) takes place in the Korean countryside in the year 1949, a year before the Korean War began, and focuses on the lives of two young women who both love the same man. One woman, Youngbok (Kang Mi Na, Hotel Del Luna, Moonshine), is Korean, and the other woman, Sachiko, is Japanese (Choi Ri, Goblin). The man they both love, Seo Rim, is played by the prolific actor Ha Joon (Who Are You?, Radio Romance, Black Dog, 3 Days, Gapdong: The Serial Killer).
Some of the best parts of this short story in drama form are gorgeous cinematography and truly outstanding acting, especially by the two female leads. Although, honestly, I did find some of the story implausible, it was admittedly a very difficult time period in Korea's history, so some unlikely developments in personal relationships could be possible, considering the fact that often simply surviving might prove to be an impossible feat!
The Story:
Lonely but lovely Koo Youngbok (Kang Mi Na), living in the countryside all by herself in her late in-laws' empty home, works hard in the fields picking produce with other women in her village. The year is 1949; the Japanese occupation of Korea has been over since 1945, and in her quiet time she often stares at one photograph she has of her husband Lim Seo Rim (Ha Joon) who went missing in Japan during the occupation. Her marriage had been a contract affair arranged by her own parents, now also deceased, and Seo Rim's parents. She has never met Seo Rim in person! Because he's been gone from Korea so many years she wonders if he is still alive, and if he is, whether he knows he was married to her by contract! His parents had generously bequeathed her their home until such time as their son may return to take up his duties as husband and landowner.
Because she owns the home outright, while many others in the community do not own their homes, Youngbok is often made fun of by jealous young people in the village. She will walk away from them with some sarcastic comment, which doesn't do much to warm them to her.
Then one quiet evening, as she gazes once more at the picture of the husband she has never met, suddenly there he is in front of her shocked eyes! As she moves toward him in a trance, a beautiful young girl, obviously pregnant, appears from behind Youngbok's contract husband, hooks her arm on his, and greets Youngbok with an inquisitive smile. Who is this girl living in her boyfriend's home? A servant? Youngbok is quick to inform this couple that she is Seo Rim's contract marriage bride, and that the home behind her belongs to Seo Rim and her! Seo Rim is surprised but also obviously taken with how pretty Youngbok is. The girlfriend, a Japanese girl named Sachiko, not surprisingly appears jealous and threatened by the situation.
As time passes all three young people try to make the best of the situation, but the two women often fight, and Seo Rim hides away, studying his books. Then one day Youngbok enters his study and finds Seo Rim dead at his desk! Now Youngbok is a grieved widow - of sorts! - but still has to deal with the pregnant Japanese girlfriend who appears to have no money to be able to return to Japan. Since Japan had killed her brother Youngbok is in no mood to play nice. Eventually a baby is born to Sachiko and unbelievably Youngbok finds herself enjoying the baby. Sachiko also mellows toward Youngbok and incredibly the two women become friends over taking care of the infant and taking long walks together!
Rumblings of war on the horizon threaten their peaceful lives. How will these two women and a baby survive a new war? What will happen to their now very strong friendship, so strong that they seem likely to sacrifice their own individual lives to protect the other person?
Currently this unique drama special can be viewed on Viki at THIS LINK. Enjoy.
