The World of the Married: Review, Story, Cast, Episodes, Release Date, Budget & More

The World of the Married

“The World of the Married” is a 2020 South Korean drama starring Kim Hee-ae, Park Hae-joon, and Han So-hee, based on BBC One’s “Doctor Foster.” The series aired on JTBC from March to May 2020 for 16 episodes, shattering every viewership record imaginable. Its final episode reached an unprecedented 28.371% nationwide rating, making it the highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history, surpassing even “Sky Castle.” This wasn’t just a drama, it became a cultural phenomenon that sparked nationwide conversations about marriage, infidelity, and revenge. Available on Netflix globally, the mature content featuring explicit themes and violence drew both criticism and praise for its unflinching portrayal of betrayal’s aftermath. Kim Hee-ae won Best Actress at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards, cementing this as one of 2020’s most talked-about series. The show’s willingness to explore dark, adult themes without sugarcoating made it groundbreaking television that challenged typical K-drama formulas.

The World of the Married: Release Date, Story, Plot, Episodes, Cast, Actors Salary, Actors Net Worth, Budget, OTT Response, Trailer, Songs, Awards, Review, Ratings & More

Info
GenreMelodrama
Romance
Family
Thriller
LanguageKorean
Directed byMo Wan-il
Kim Sung-jin
Star CastKim Hee-ae
Park Hae-joon
Han So-hee
Park Sun-young
Kim Young-min
Produced byJTBC Studios
Production
companies
JTBC Studios
BBC Studios
Written byMike Bartlett
Joo Hyun
CinematographyJang Jong-kyung
Kwon Byung-soo
Edited byHan Ji-woo
Jeon Yoon-young
Music by Gaemi
CountrySouth Korean
Original networkJTBC
Original release27 March – 6 May 2020
Running time75–92 minutes

The World of the Married Storyline

Dr. Ji Sun-woo appears to have everything a successful career as a respected family medicine doctor, a loving husband Lee Tae-oh who runs an entertainment business with her support, and a teenage son. Her picture-perfect life implodes when she discovers devastating evidence of her husband’s affair with a younger woman. What follows is an explosive unraveling as Sun-woo meticulously orchestrates revenge against everyone who betrayed her, including friends and colleagues who knew about the affair but stayed silent. As she battles her philandering husband for custody of their son, the conflict escalates into all-out war that tears apart their small community, leaving nobody unscathed in this relentless cycle of betrayal, vengeance, and destruction.

The World of the Married Cast, Crew, Role, Salary, Remuneration & Net Worth

Here are the complete details of actors and actresses names in the Web Series.

1.Kim Hee-ae as Ji Sun Woo

Kim Hee-ae as Ji Sun Woo
InfoJi Sun Woo
Real NameKim Hee-ae
Salary Per Web Series$57,000 and $65,000
Net Worth$10 million

2.Park Hae-joon as Lee Tae Oh

Park Hae-joon as Lee Tae Oh
InfoLee Tae Oh
Real NamePark Hae-joon
Salary Per Web Series$1 million
Net Worth$1.5 million

3.Han So-hee as Yeo Da Kyeong

Han So-hee as Yeo Da Kyeong
InfoYeo Da Kyeong
Real NameHan So-hee
Salary Per Web Series$20,000
Net Worth$10-15 million

4.Kim Young-min as Son Je Hyuk

Kim Young-min as Son Je Hyuk
InfoSon Je Hyuk
Real NameKim Young-min
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

5.Park Seon-yeong as Go Ye-rim

Park Seon-yeong as Go Ye-rim
InfoGo Ye-rim
Real NamePark Seon-yeong
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

6.Lee Kyoung-young as Yeo Byung Gyu

Lee Kyoung-young as Yeo Byung Gyu
InfoYeo Byung Gyu
Real NameLee Kyoung-young
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

7.Kim Sun-kyung as Uhm Hyo-jeong

Kim Sun-kyung as Uhm Hyo-jeong
InfoUhm Hyo-jeong
Real NameKim Sun-kyung
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

8.Jun Jin-seo as Lee Joon Young

Jun Jin-seo as Lee Joon Young
InfoLee Joon Young
Real NameJun Jin-seo
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

9.Park Mi-hyeon as Gong Ji-cheol’s wife

Park Mi-hyeon as Gong Ji-cheol's wife
InfoGong Ji-cheol’s wife
Real NamePark Mi-hyeon
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

10.Jung Jae-sung as Gong Ji Chul

Jung Jae-sung as Gong Ji Chul
InfoGong Ji Chul
Real NameJung Jae-sung
Salary Per Web Series$248,000 to $300,000
Net WorthNot Known

The World of the Married Web Series Awards

AwardsCategoryRecipients
NANANA

The World of the Married Review

“The World of the Married” is devastatingly brilliant yet emotionally exhausting television. Kim Hee-ae delivers a powerhouse performance, portraying Sun-woo’s transformation from devoted wife to vengeful woman with incredible nuance. Park Hae-joon excels as the infuriatingly weak husband, while Han So-hee shines as the mistress. The writing keeps tension unbearably high throughout, with each episode delivering shocking twists that’ll have you screaming at your screen. However, the relentless darkness becomes draining, nobody acts rationally, and characters repeatedly make frustrating decisions that prolong their suffering. The ending disappointed many who expected darker closure. Despite flaws, it’s compulsively watchable, tackles stigma against divorced women brilliantly, and explores how infidelity destroys everyone involved. Not for lighthearted viewing, but unforgettable nonetheless, a masterclass in revenge melodrama that earns its record-breaking status.

Disclaimer: The Data is collected from various sources and some from our own research. These data can be estimated and Primes World does not make any claims about the authenticity of the data.