Dubbed as a binge-worthy series for the adults, the drama shines for its realism and many plot twists and turns that take you through a roller-coaster ride of emotions.

The drama employs an investigative format to unravel the truth of a husband’s infidelity, slowly revealing suspicions and evidence, which makes it easy for us to follow.

After discovering she was betrayed, Ji Sun-woo begins plotting her revenge with a graceful and calm exterior masking her anguish and anger. She later exposes her husband, Lee Tae-oh, and humiliates the mistress in a way that isn’t overly fake or dramatic.

The show also employs racy scenes (not typical in K-dramas) to further showcase and intensify the transition from the feelings of love to anger.

The usual trope for such plotlines tend to follow a drab housewife and successful working husband who ends up cheating. This show, however, turns it on its head and makes the Sun-woo a successful doctor while Tae-oh is portrayed as a weak husband who “feeds off” his spouse. This makes the emotional turmoil that she experiences all the more relatable, especially when Tae-oh doesn’t have many virtues except for perhaps looking younger than his age.

The lead couple also has a 14-year-old son, who makes some questionable decisions in the course of the story, particularly in how the nasty divorce plays out.

It is evident that the show revolves the theme of marriage. Yet, the show actually discusses more than just marriage and infidelity.

For one, it suggests that the person who you need to be most wary of might not be the mistress, but your closest friend. The Sun-woo’s best friend knew of the affair yet failed to mention or even hint at it. The friend even happily attended a gathering with the mistress present. This proves that it can be worse to have fake, conniving friends.

Moreover, the story digs deep into Sun-woo’s backstory to justify her vengeful present-day decisions. Let’s just say it involves her parent’s own marital woes, something she felt powerless to change. And while she can’t change her past, she is now able to effect changes to her life, choosing to destroy before getting destroyed.

Read Next

Are Ku Hye Sun & Ahn Jae Hyun Over? Here's How To Prevent A Divorce From Getting Ugly

The show has been praised for its understated acting too, given the emotional plotline. Instead of spiraling into a typical family drama with loud shouting matches, the actors manage to portray emotion subtly yet powerfully. As such, viewers are kept at the edge of their seats waiting for the eventual showdown.

In the end, the fine acting manages to convey different emotional facades without coming off contrived.

The show especially highlights the maturity and prowess of a woman who has gained years of life experiences. Sun-woo doesn’t give up after her marriage fails. Instead of crying and lamenting the failed relationship, she picks herself up and becomes an even better version of herself. Through Sun-woo, we learn how a woman can lose her marriage without losing her dignity.

Read Next

13 Most Shocking Celebrity Cheating Scandals

"I Was A Mistress For 15 Years And His Wife Never Found Out"

Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston: Should You Ever Get Back With Your Ex After A Divorce?

The World of the Married is available for streaming on Viu.com and the Viu app.

Text: Shi Min/Nuyou, Translation by Ho Guo Xiong