Angel's Temptation continues the makjang tradition » Dramabeans Korean drama recaps

13 August 22, 2009August 22, 2009

Angel’s Temptation continues the makjang tradition

by javabeans

Did you like SBS’s ratings monster of a drama, the quintessential “makjang” series Wife’s Temptation? Because coming soon to SBS Mondays and Tuesdays is a drama by the same writer, Kim Soon-ok, called Angel’s Temptation [천사의 유혹], and it sounds like the (narrative) craziness is back in full force.

Furthermore, directing is First Wives’ Club‘s PD Sohn Jung-hyun. Both First Wives’ Club and Wife’s Temptation were two very popular series that aired in 2008 and 2009 that broke the 40% ratings mark and were often buzzed about (and criticized) for their “makjang” plots — outrageous storylines involving adultery, revenge, rape, deception and the like, designed to keep viewers hooked no matter how ridiculous the stories became.

Angel’s Temptation has cast Yoon Soyi (Goodbye Solo, City of Glass) as its lead — I presume she’s the “angel” of the title, but the word sounds like it’s applied ironically, because she’s described as a femme fatale on a revenge mission. After her parents are killed and her family ruined, Yoon’s character vows to punish the ones responsible, and therefore seduces and marries the son of her enemy. This will be a complete change for Yoon, who has hitherto played mostly good, innocent characters.

Currently, Angel’s Temptation has completed the first four scripts. It will air after Dream and premieres October 12.

I’ve seen dramas with makjang elements (Boys Before Flowers and East of Eden are examples), but I’ve never been drawn to the genre itself. But as this is a Monday-Tuesday series and not a daily (like Wife’s Temptation) or long-running weekend (First Wives Club), I might check it out.

Via Hankyung

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Tags: Yoon So-yi

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1 Bellamafia

August 22, 2009 at 9:40 PM

I've been reading about 'makjang' dramas, but what does 'makjang' mean?

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2 skyluv

August 22, 2009 at 10:03 PM

^ BellaMafia, the description is in the article.

" “makjang” plots — outrageous storylines involving adultery, revenge, rape, deception and the like, designed to keep viewers hooked no matter how ridiculous the stories became. "

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3 glitzyglam

August 22, 2009 at 10:13 PM

LOL i loved jogangjicheo club and and ahneheh yoohok :) i feel like such an ahjumma!! i'll be looking forward to this one!!!

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4 Bellamafia

August 22, 2009 at 11:52 PM

@skyluv.. lol.. you're right! I need to read more slowly next time.

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5 vis

August 23, 2009 at 1:27 AM

I liked Wife's Temption until they brought back that horrible, screeching nutcase of a sister and things kinda went downhill from there. Well the ending was what I'd initially hoped for, but they could have done that last part so much better. Ah well~

I was kinda interested in Angel's Temptation since it's supposed to be a male version of Wife's Temptation. But from the sounds of it, the plot for this new drama sounds just exactly like the main storyline of Wife's Temptation though with a different twist to it. Where's the male version in all this?

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6 pabo ceo reom

August 23, 2009 at 2:40 AM

I stay clear of anything makjang for the most part. :)

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7 lol

August 23, 2009 at 7:55 AM

@ vis,

I heard the same thing (from allkpop), wasn't it suppose to be a male version????

I liked the atress in ToW , she pulled off the role perfectly...it had a great storyline (I like makjang storylines~) but yes ToA looks to be the same thing except shortened

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8 meeeeeeeeeee

August 23, 2009 at 9:30 AM

@ BellaMafia:

I hope the link below answers your question...

http://press.gnu.ac.kr/sub.asp?style=04&News_Cate1=2&News_Cate2=15&News_Idx=729

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9 Anonymous

August 23, 2009 at 10:24 AM

@meeeeeeeeeeee:

Awwwwww, Jun pyo looks so pretty in that picture.

I, for one, enjoy makjang, probably because my life-long familiarity with Bollywood movies and American soaps has made them seem less outrageous to me than the average person. "Passions" was my favorite soap, so pretty much every plot in any drama seems "realistic" by comparison.

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10 meeeeeeeeeeee

August 23, 2009 at 11:26 AM

@ Anonymous:

i only posted the link in response to BellaMafia's question. i don't particularly enjoy makjang dramas. makjang dramas in my opinion are like "funeral with loud wailing".... yes loud wailing and nothing more. same old plot and more bad acting. a perfect example --- brilliant legacy which received a 40%+ rating. why!? i don't really know. i just couldn't sit through it. it's the same for BOF, i stopped watching after episode 10.

i also don't like american soaps. i hate them with "passion" (get it/jk). hehehe... but honestly, it's just not my cup of tea.

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11 Bellamafia

August 23, 2009 at 3:26 PM

#9, omg.. you like 'Passions'? lol... me too... :-), the only soap that I followed till the end (my guilty pleasure...)

Anyway, reading from the link that #8 sent and Javabeans's description of Makjang, I feel like most of kdramas consist of Makjang plots, no? Or probably I happened to watch only Makjang dramas.. lol ..