The Korean television drama Wicked Woman, Stepmother has become the talk of the town, captivating viewers with its gripping plot twists, intense emotional conflicts, and a stellar cast that brings the story’s complex characters to life. As the latest episodes aired on Genie TV and ENA every Monday and Tuesday at 10 PM, fans found themselves drawn deeper into the tangled web of family drama, personal ambition, and the relentless pursuit of inheritance that defines the series.
At the heart of Wicked Woman, Stepmother is Kim Young-ran, portrayed with remarkable nuance by actress Jeon Yeon-bin. According to TopStarNews, Jeon delivers a “perfect transformation,” shifting seamlessly between two polar-opposite personas: a tough, emotionally scarred bodyguard from a humble background and a warm, capable kindergarten teacher named Boo Semi. This duality is not just a matter of appearance—Jeon’s ability to convey both the hardened exterior and the vulnerable, secretive inner world of Kim Young-ran has been widely praised, heightening viewers’ immersion in the show.
But what makes the drama especially compelling is its exploration of the blurry lines between good and evil, real and fake. As TopStarNews reports, Jeon’s character stands “on the boundary between good and evil, real and fake,” injecting tension and vitality into every episode. The psychological depth she brings—capturing the pain, resilience, and cunning of someone shaped by hardship—raises the show’s emotional stakes and keeps audiences guessing about her true motivations.
The series’ central conflict revolves around the inheritance of the Ga Sung Group, a powerful family-owned conglomerate. The stakes are sky-high, and the fight for control is nothing short of ruthless. According to iMBC Entertainment News, the drama’s latest episodes center on a high-stakes showdown between Kim Young-ran and her stepdaughter, Ga Sun-young (played by Jang Yoon-joo). Their rivalry, set against the backdrop of the late Chairman Ga Sung-ho’s funeral, ignites a psychological battle that only intensifies as the plot unfolds.
The first major clash between the two women comes at the funeral itself, where Ga Sun-young arrives with the singular goal of securing her father’s fortune. Upon discovering that Kim Young-ran had officially registered her marriage to the late chairman, Ga Sun-young is incensed. In a chilling exchange, Kim Young-ran asserts, “I am your mother from now on,” a line that sets the tone for the icy, relentless confrontation that follows. Ga Sun-young, unwilling to back down, plots to remove her stepmother from the picture—going so far as to manipulate the media and attempt to tamper with the will, as detailed by iMBC Entertainment News.
Yet, Kim Young-ran is no pushover. Anticipating her stepdaughter’s moves, she allies herself with Chairman Ga’s personal attorney, Lee Don (played by Seo Hyun-woo), and escapes to the remote village of Muchang. This strategic retreat not only thwarts Ga Sun-young’s pursuit but also marks a turning point in the power struggle. Kim Young-ran further destabilizes her adversaries by exposing an incriminating audio file of Ga Sun-woo (played by Lee Chang-min), Ga Sun-young’s brother, attempting to sell off the conglomerate. This revelation sows discord between the siblings, with Ga Sun-young desperately trying to redirect media attention by holding a press conference and claiming her brother attempted self-harm—a move that only deepens the rift in their relationship, as reported by Sports Hankook.
As the battle for the inheritance heats up, new alliances and betrayals emerge. Ga Sun-young, refusing to concede defeat, seeks out Kim Young-ran’s estranged mother, Kim So-young (played by So Hee-jung), whose own lack of maternal warmth and shameless pursuit of wealth add yet another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. The prospect of Ga Sun-young and Kim So-young joining forces spells fresh trouble for Kim Young-ran, raising the tension and uncertainty about who will ultimately prevail.
Despite being beset on all sides, Kim Young-ran finds support in unexpected places. With the backing of Lee Don, the steadfast Jeon Dong-min (played by Jin Young), and the residents of Muchang village, she begins to carve out a new foothold, setting the stage for a dramatic counterattack. The show’s depiction of these shifting alliances and the psychological warfare at play has kept viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering whether Kim Young-ran will be able to protect her hard-won place in the family—and the fortune that comes with it—from her formidable adversaries.
Beyond the cutthroat inheritance battle, Wicked Woman, Stepmother delves deeply into themes of family conflict, emotional pain, and personal growth. Kim Young-ran’s struggle to reconcile her role as a stepmother with her own traumatic past is portrayed with heartbreaking realism. Her strained relationship with her stepdaughter, the complicated dynamics involving her husband and daughter, and the ever-present threat of betrayal from those closest to her, all serve to underline the show’s central message: that the pursuit of power and security can come at a steep emotional cost.
The drama’s resonance with audiences owes much to its willingness to confront these uncomfortable truths head-on. As Sports Hankook observes, the “fight between two women for the Ga Sung Group’s inheritance is becoming more and more fierce,” with neither side willing to show mercy. The show’s writers and directors have managed to weave a narrative that is as suspenseful as it is emotionally rich, challenging viewers to consider the true nature of loyalty, ambition, and redemption.
Episodes of Wicked Woman, Stepmother are available for free on Genie TV’s VOD service immediately after broadcast, with additional streaming on the OTT platform TVing. The series has consistently drawn high ratings and sparked lively discussion on social media, with fans dissecting every twist and turn in the plot, and speculating about the fates of their favorite (and least favorite) characters.
As the drama approaches its climax, the question on everyone’s mind is clear: Can Kim Young-ran outmaneuver her enemies and secure a future for herself, or will the forces arrayed against her prove too powerful to overcome? With each episode raising the stakes and deepening the intrigue, one thing is certain: Wicked Woman, Stepmother has firmly established itself as one of the most compelling dramas of 2025, offering viewers a masterclass in suspense, character development, and the timeless allure of a good old-fashioned family feud.
