After the two revenge dramas "Mermaid" and "The Wife's Temptation" achieved tremendous success in succession, the leading actress, Jang瑞希, was crowned with the title of "Queen of Revenge." Below, we will compare these two revenge dramas starring Jang瑞希 from three aspects: popularity, plot, and character.
Recently, Jang瑞希's new drama, "The Wife's Temptation," has not only swept through Korea but also gained immense popularity in China. The explosive popularity of "The Wife's Temptation" inevitably brings to mind the classic Korean drama "Mermaid" that once swept both China and Korea. After the two revenge dramas, "Mermaid" and "The Wife's Temptation," achieved huge success in succession, the leading actress Jang瑞希 was crowned with the title of "Queen of Revenge." Below, we will compare these two revenge dramas starring Jang瑞希 from three aspects: popularity, plot, and character.
Popularity Intensity: "Mermaid" and "The Wife's Temptation" are evenly matched
Jang瑞希's breakout work, "Mermaid," caused a viewing craze in both Korea and China, allowing the audience to remember the vengeful goddess Yaryeong who compared herself to a mermaid. In 2002, when "Mermaid" aired in Korea, its ratings once broke through 60%, setting a record for nine continuous long episodes totaling 247 episodes. Through her brilliant performance in "Mermaid," Jang瑞希 won five awards at once: MBC Acting Grand Prize, Best Actress Award, Best Couple Award, Most Popular Female Lead Award, and Best Actress Award, catapulting her into the ranks of top Korean stars. After landing in China, "Mermaid" remained extremely popular despite being replayed multiple times, with consistently high ratings.
Jang瑞希's new work, "The Wife's Temptation," did not start well when it premiered last November, but as her revenge storyline unfolded, the ratings soared, breaking through the 40% mark, making it a truly hot drama series. It is no easy feat for a show airing during the post-work hours to achieve such high ratings, which led to the drama being humorously nicknamed "The Temptation of Returning Home." With the popularity of "The Wife's Temptation," the plush toys representing the protagonist quickly became a hit, selling out immediately upon release. Although the story is only halfway through, the sustained popularity of "The Wife's Temptation" already rivals the former Korean sensation "Mermaid."
Plot Complexity: "The Wife's Temptation" Slightly Edges Out "Mermaid"
Although both revolve around the theme of female revenge and involve real-life issues like mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts and extramarital affairs, "The Wife's Temptation" and "Mermaid" differ greatly in their plot settings. "Mermaid" tells the story of the heroine seeking revenge on her biological father who abandoned her and her mother, but most of the drama depicts trivialities of daily life. Through some everyday details, the soul of the drama, Yaryeong, is vividly portrayed as brave yet vulnerable, strong yet lonely, hateful yet gentle. Bearing deep resentment towards her biological father, Yaryeong deliberately intrudes into the lives of her half-sister Re-yeong and her fiancé Ju-wang, but her flames of vengeance are ultimately extinguished by the tenderness of love.
Compared to "Mermaid," "The Wife's Temptation" has a more intricate and gripping plot. The appearance of the despicable characters Jo Bin and Eun-ri adds urgency to "The Wife's Temptation." While "Mermaid" is also a revenge drama, occasional comedic elements make it an enjoyable watch. On the other hand, "The Wife's Temptation" captivates viewers with its dramatic twists, suspense, and emotional turmoil. The tragic fate of Eun-jai in the drama makes viewers indignant, and Eun-jai's self-destructive revenge leaves viewers in anguish.
Character Charm: Yaryeong vs. Gu Eun-jai - Equal Appeal
In "Mermaid," Jang瑞希 plays Yaryeong, who wields a sharp sword of revenge against her biological father who once abandoned her and her mother. The beautiful and cunning writer Yaryeong alternates between gentleness and venomousness. Her life goes off track due to hatred, but surrounded by love, she finally lays down her sword of revenge and seeks her own happiness again. Yaryeong's alluring Latin dance and passionate drumming in the drama leave a lasting impression. Beautiful and talented Yaryeong not only successfully charmed the male lead but also sparked a "Yaryeong Craze" in Korea.
In "The Wife's Temptation," Jang瑞希 plays Gu Eun-jai, another charming character. Especially after the revenge storyline begins, Eun-jai's unique charm of being both righteous and villainous becomes irresistible. Moreover, the seductive tango Eun-jai performs to entice her ex-husband in the drama leaves a lasting impression. Besides the allure of graceful dancing, Jang瑞希 specially sang for "The Wife's Temptation," offering vocal allure to the audience. The 73rd episode featuring Jang瑞希's version of the theme song "Unforgivable Sin" set a record-high rating of 40.6%, showcasing the extraordinary charm of her vocal allure.