Review: The Tale of Lady Ok – Is It Worth Watching?

Set during the Joseon period, this historical drama follows Goo Deok, a servant who suffers constant abuse from her "owners" and plans to escape with her father at the first opportunity. Along her journey, she meets Cheon Seung-hwi, a storyteller who becomes her first love.

However, due to a series of unexpected events, her path intertwines with that of a noblewoman, and Goo Deok ends up becoming Ok Tae-young, a legal expert (or lawyer) who puts helping others above her own interests. Yet, she lives on a knife’s edge, constantly fearing that her secret will be revealed, which could cost her life. With this ever-present tension and an intense dose of drama, this show might hook you from the very first episode—if this kind of series is your style.

The cast of The Tale of Lady Ok includes actress Lim Ji-yeon as Ok Tae-young / Goo Deok (also known for The Glory on Netflix), and actor Choo Young-woo as Song Seo-in / Cheon Seung-hwi / Sung Yoon-gyeom. Directed by Jin Hyuk, the series received positive feedback from both the public and critics, particularly for Lim Ji-yeon's performance as Ok Tae-young / Goo Deok.

One of the series’ strongest themes is how Goo Deok's understanding of justice evolves as she experiences life in the aristocracy and deepens her knowledge of the law.

As a servant and commoner who endured physical and psychological abuse, Goo Deok saw justice as a tool to defend only the most vulnerable, which is, of course, one of the roles of law. However, it is through her father-in-law, a kind-hearted aristocrat, that she learns justice must serve anyone in need, regardless of their social class. Justice must be impartial.

Goo Deok—Lady Ok—faces this ideal multiple times throughout the series, and how she handles these situations is a powerful reflection on how we view our justice system.

The classic image of a blindfolded statue of justice symbolizes impartiality; justice doesn’t see whom it protects but instead upholds the law equally. The drama reminds us of this again and again.

Another compelling detail is the irony of Goo Deok’s “freedom.” When she leaves her life as a servant and becomes a noblewoman, she ends up trapped again... only now in a gilded cage.

As Lady Ok, she must constantly stay alert to prevent anyone from discovering her secret. Her marriage is a strategic agreement, where husband and wife maintain their social masks and safeguard each other’s secrets.

She can never dream of having children or leaving the region she lives in, because outside of it, she’s still just a fugitive servant. In the end, Lady Ok is just as trapped as Goo Deok once was. The only difference is that now, under the guise of nobility, she can make a difference in other people’s lives thanks to her illusion of freedom.

One of the most admirable aspects of this character is her selflessness. Unable to fully live as either a servant or a noblewoman, she ends up devoting her life entirely to helping others and defending their causes.

She constantly puts others’ needs before her own. In doing so, Lady Ok transforms not only the lives of those in need but also the entire village around her, including the aristocratic women who once saw her as a threat. She earns not just their admiration, but also their affection perhaps unknowingly receiving what she herself never had.

On the other hand, Lady Ok’s husband, Sung Yoon-Gyum, is also fighting for a cause. As part of a minority, he seeks safety and the right for his people to exist freely.

However, the contrast in how each of them fights for justice is striking. While Lady Ok nearly erases herself as an individual to live for others, her husband puts the cause (and his own identity) above all else, even abandoning loved ones at risk of death in the name of his mission.

In the end, it’s up to each viewer to decide how valid it is to fight for a greater cause while leaving those closest to us behind.

Of course, not everything is perfect. Many viewers might find the series slow and emotionally heavy, especially since it doesn’t spare Goo Deok from physical and emotional suffering right from the first episode.

However, for fans of this genre (or for those willing to give The Tale of Lady Ok a chance) there’s a well-directed drama here, with beautiful cinematography, captivating characters, and a strong lead who inspires us to be fair, yet impartial.

And you—do you enjoy this kind of drama, or do you think real life is already hard enough without adding more drama to fiction? Let us know in the comments below!