What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe World of the Married
Kang Eun-kyung · Series · 2020
If you loved The World of the Married, start with Doctor Foster (Mike Bartlett, 2015) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to The World of the Married across media.
You were captivated by The World of the Married because you enjoy watching the devastating, intricate collapse of domestic facades under the weight of profound betrayal.
Start with the source
The source
Doctor Foster
Mike Bartlett · Series · 2015
Books on the same thread
The World's Wife
Carol Ann Duffy · Book · 2014
Explores: Feminist Reinterpretation, Female Perspective, Mythology Retelling.
Just as The World of the Married exposes the rot behind a picture-perfect union, this collection offers a biting, feminist subversion of the husbands who defined history’s most famous relationships.
Betrayed
Patricia Haley · Book · 2013
Shares a thread with The World of the Married: Adultery.
If the emotional fallout of infidelity in The World of the Married hooked you, this family drama explores the difficult, transformative journey toward forgiveness after the trust is shattered.
Thus Bad Begins
Javier Marías · Book · 2016
Shares a thread with The World of the Married: Betrayal.
The World of the Married excels at depicting the suffocating atmosphere of secrets, a tension mirrored here as a couple navigates an unhappy history and the burden of hidden pasts.
Theatre
William Somerset Maugham · Book · 1977
Shares a thread with The World of the Married: Social Status.
Fans of the sharp, psychological maneuvering found in The World of the Married will appreciate how this story captures the cold, calculating jealousy that follows the discovery of an affair.
Films on the same thread
Scenes from a Marriage
Film · 1974
Shares a thread with The World of the Married: Psychological drama.
This film serves as the blueprint for the marital dissolution seen in The World of the Married, stripping away the social veneer to reveal the raw, painful reality of infidelity.
In the Mood for Love
Wong Kar-wai · Film · 2000
Shares a thread with The World of the Married: Melodrama.
While The World of the Married focuses on explosive revenge, this film captures the same devastating sense of betrayal, focusing on the quiet, repressed pain of discovering a spouse's unfaithfulness.
I Saw the Devil
Kim Jee-woon · Film · 2010
Shares a thread with The World of the Married: Obsession.
If the vengeful intensity of The World of the Married was your favorite element, this visceral thriller takes that drive to its darkest, most uncompromising extreme through a relentless pursuit.
The Handmaiden
Film · 2016
Explores: Deception, Forbidden Romance, Manipulation.
The World of the Married thrives on complex manipulation, and this film masterfully expands those power dynamics, delivering a high-stakes story of secrets and betrayal within a secluded, tense environment.
Podcasts on the same thread
Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
Esther Perel Global Media · Podcast · 2026
Explores: infidelity, emotional vulnerability, human connection.
After witnessing the fictional fallout in The World of the Married, this podcast offers a real-world look at the vulnerability and conflict resolution required when navigating the aftermath of infidelity.
Betrayal: Weekly
Podcast
Explores: infidelity, deception, trust.
Much like the shocking revelations that drive The World of the Married, this series examines the ripple effects of broken trust and the lasting destruction left behind by intimate deceptions.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The World of the Married based on Doctor Foster?
Yes, The World of the Married is a Korean adaptation of the British television series Doctor Foster. While both shows follow a woman who discovers her husband's betrayal, the 2020 version directed by Kang Eun-kyung features specific cultural nuances and character developments unique to the South Korean setting.
What is the premise of The World of the Married?
The World of the Married follows Ji Sun Woo, a successful family clinic doctor who believes she has a perfect life. Her world collapses when she discovers her husband, Lee Tae Oh, is having an affair, leading her to seek revenge against him and those who betrayed her trust.
Who is the creator of The World of the Married?
The World of the Married was written and developed by Kang Eun-kyung. This 2020 television series centers on the professional and personal life of Ji Sun Woo, whose life is upended after her husband's infidelity is revealed to her, triggering a series of intense conflicts.
Is Doctor Foster similar to The World of the Married?
Doctor Foster and The World of the Married share the same core narrative regarding a woman who uncovers her husband's infidelity. Since The World of the Married is an adaptation of the 2015 series, viewers can expect a similar premise focused on betrayal and the subsequent breakdown of a marriage.