Gong Hyo-Jin and Jo Jung-Suk star in the SBS drama 'Jealousy Incarnate.' (Photo : YouTube/SBS Drama)
SBS's Wednesday and Thursday drama "Jealousy Incarnate" posted strong viewership ratings since it premiered on Aug. 24. The on-going drama stars Gong Hyo-Jin and Jo Jung-Suk.
In an interview with local reporters on Sept. 28, Wednesday, the 36-year-old actress discussed the character she portrays in "Jealousy Incarnate" and revealed the secret behind the show's popularity. The twelfth episode of the SBS drama, which aired on Aug. 29, Thursday, recorded a national TV rating of 13.2 percent.
The "Master's Sun" actress expressed that her portrayal of a fair employee in a workplace, Pyo Na-Ri, appears to resonate with viewers well. In the show, Pyo Na-Ri is a weather broadcaster with an optimistic personality.
Graduating from a third-rate college with no enough connections, Pyo Na-Ri is brimming with insecurities. Regardless, she continues to persevere and work hard to keep her place at the station.
"My role is far from naïve and innocent," The Kpop Herald quoted Gong as saying before a group of local reporters. "My character resembles many other ordinary women in workplaces in that she may talk behind the back of her boss without hesitating. It seems to satisfy ordinary career women and resonate with them."
However, many weather forecasters took offense at the supposedly unflattering portrayal of their profession in the series. Shortly after "Jealousy Incarnate" premiered, weather forecaster "A" of a major broadcast network expressed her displeasure during an interview with a local news outlet Star News, as cited by All Kpop.
Even though the drama is fiction, weather forecaster A stated that the character has downgraded their profession too much. Weather forecaster A added, "We gather information about the weather and even write articles. Our job is distinct from announcers."
"The part where those who do not make it as announcers become weather forecasters is exaggerated," the real-life weather forecaster stressed. "Stuffing our butts with pads and trying to show our body line is portraying us without knowing our job."
Helmed by PD Park Shin-Woo, "Jealousy Incarnate" depicts the fierce competition and romance between an anchor Lee Hwa-Shin (JO) and weather forecaster Pyo Na-Ri inside a broadcasting studio. It is written by Seo Sook-Hyang, whose previous works include MBC's "Miss Korea" (2013-2014) and KBS 2TV's "Romance Town" (2011).
Check out SBS's "Jealousy Incarnate" below:
