Dear Heaven revolves around , a young woman raised by her stepmother after her mother’s death. Her stepmother favors her own daughter, Ji-young, and treats Ja-kyung as an unwanted burden.

Veteran actress Han Hye-sook received the SBS Grand Award (Daesang) in 2006 for her complex, morally grey portrayal of the mother. Why It Still Matters

Ja-kyung dreams of becoming a fashion designer and falls in love with Kang Young-sun, but their relationship is torn apart by family schemes, misunderstandings, and class differences. After a devastating betrayal, Ja-kyung leaves everything behind and rebuilds her life from scratch. She eventually meets a kind doctor (Jo Yeon-woo’s character) and finds new love—but the past refuses to stay buried.

Dear Heaven is a prime example of the "makjang" genre—dramas known for their over-the-top, sensationalist plots. While some critics found the writing by to be logically inconsistent or clichéd, audiences were captivated by her ability to weave intricate emotional motivations for 14 main characters.

The subplot regarding Eun-joo’s true parentage explores the nuances of motherhood. It questions whether motherhood is defined by biology or by the act of raising a child, highlighting the sacrifices women make for their daughters.