KUALA LUMPUR: Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel Little Women has been retold many times, and its latest adaptation is a South Korean one which premieres on Netflix this Saturday.
Directed by Kim Hee-Won of Vincenzo fame, it is set in modern-day Seoul and tells the story of three sisters who fight against a corrupt corporation and its 70-billion won (RM230 million) slush fund.
In an online interview today, Hee-Won said that the 12-episode mystery drama was packed with hard-hitting twists and a solid storyline.
"Once again, I'm working with screenwriter Chung Seo-Kyung of The Handmaiden and Decision To Leave. We reimagined the original novel by posing the question, what if the sisters were Korean?" said Hee-Won.
The new drama's heroines are sisters who grew up in poverty but get embroiled in a major incident involving the wealthiest family in South Korea.
Kim Go-Eun of Goblin and The King: Eternal Monarch plays the eldest sister Oh In-Joo, who wants to protect her family with money, and whose only dream is to live a happy and comfortable life.
Nam Ji-Hyun of 100 Days My Prince plays the second sister Oh In-Kyung, a dedicated news reporter who aims to do what is right.
Park Ji-Hu of All Of Us Are Dead plays Oh In-Hye, the youngest sister who is still in high school and excels in art, but often feels that her elder sisters overprotect her.
Besides Go-Eun, Nam and Park, Little Women also stars Wi Ha-Joon of Squid Game who plays the mysterious Choi Do-Il who strikes up a close friendship with In-Joo.
Go-Eun said: "We had a great time filming the series early this year, and it is an honour to work with Hee-Won, who is open-minded, kind and understanding."
She described her character as the "funny girl" of the story who lifted everyone's spirits in an otherwise dark drama.
"In-Joo always does her best, she may stumble and fall, but she loves her two younger siblings and wants to give them a good life."
Nam said that playing In-Kyung was a break from the norm, as she was not a "girl next door".
"I really admire In-Kyung, she is an Iron Lady who is tough, brave, serious and focused. She is cool under pressure and results-oriented," said Nam.
Park said: "In-Hye is an interesting but challenging character who is sensitive and compassionate. I can strongly relate to her, as she is making the transition from girl to woman."
Wi said: "Choi is a genuine and sincere friend of In-Joo who is always there for her. I love him, and I love the idea that Hee-Won and Seo-Kyung have totally transformed a best-selling English novel into an exciting Korean drama."
Hee-Won said that the ensemble cast was passionate and powerful.
"We really have a dream team that brought this wonderful story to life. The three main actresses had such a warm chemistry which made them a perfect team."
Hee-Won paid tribute to production designer Ryu Seong-Hee for coming up with a "perfect" set design.
The series' new episodes will be released twice a week on Saturdays and Sundays for six weeks and the final episode will be on Oct 9. Each episode will be approximately 60 minutes.
The official trailer for Little Women