"I Thought She Was a Maid"... 'Bridgerton' Sophie Baek, the Birth Secret Hidden Behind 'Ward'

As Netflix 'Bridgerton' Season 4 was released on the 29th, it has sparked a global sensation, with Korean-American actress Yerin Ha playing the lead role of 'Sophie Baek', whose ambiguous identity is piquing viewers' curiosity.

On the 30th (Korean time), foreign media outlets like Forbes focused on the meaning of 'Ward', which is mentioned as Sophie's identity in the show, and her complex family history.

◆ What is a 'Ward'?

In the show, Sophie wears a maid's outfit and does menial tasks, but legally she is not a maid; she is a 'Ward'. In the Regency era, a 'Ward' refers to a person under the protection of a legal guardian after their parents have passed away. Sophie is actually the illegitimate daughter of Earl Penwood. Before his death, the Earl left a substantial inheritance to his wife Araminta on the condition that she takes care of Sophie.

◆ The Stepmother Who Imprisoned Sophie for Money

The problem lies with the stepmother Araminta. To secure her inheritance, she keeps Sophie close as a 'Ward' but treats her worse than a maid, exploiting her. Because of this, Sophie becomes a 'borderline' individual, living a working-class life despite having noble blood. Forbes analyzed, "This dual identity causes conflicts in social status in her romance with Benedict, while also serving as a backdrop for Sophie to grow as an independent character."

◆ From 'Becket' to 'Baek'

The production team changed the original surname 'Becket' to the Korean surname 'Baek' to match Yerin Ha's casting. This implies that Sophie inherits her mother's (Korean) legacy, adding cultural depth to the typical Cinderella story.