Watch Jealously Incarnate

Jealousy Incarnate is a South Korean television drama that aired on SBS from August to November 2016. The romantic comedy series stars Gong Hyo-jin, Jo Jung-suk, and Ko Kyung-pyo in lead roles, with the supporting cast including Lee Mi-sook, Park Ji-young, Lee Sung-jae, Seo Ji-hye, Mun Ka-young, Kim Jung-hyun, Ahn Woo Yeon, Park Jung-soo, Yoon Da-hun, Choi Hwa-jung, and Park Sung-hoon.

The show revolves around the lives of three main characters, Na Ri (Gong Hyo-jin), Hwa Shin (Jo Jung-suk), and Jung Won (Ko Kyung-pyo) who are entangled in a complex love triangle. Na Ri is a weather forecaster who dreams of becoming a news anchor, while Hwa Shin is a competitive news reporter and Jung Won is a successful businessman who owns a restaurant.

The series begins with Na Ri and Hwa Shin being childhood friends who rekindle their relationship when Na Ri joins the broadcasting station where Hwa Shin works. However, Hwa Shin's feelings for Na Ri become complicated when he realizes that he has breast cancer, and Na Ri's attentions go towards Jung Won, who is desperately trying to win her heart.

As the plot unfolds, jealousies rise, secrets are revealed, and relationships become complicated. Hwa Shin's cancer diagnosis leads him to reconsider his actions towards Na Ri, while Jung Won's persistence in wooing Na Ri may or may not pay off.

Besides the love triangle, the show also tackles various social issues such as gender roles, family dynamics, and workplace politics. The characters' personal struggles reflect the societal pressures and expectations faced by individuals in modern-day South Korea. For instance, Na Ri's mother, played by Lee Mi-sook, is a working-class woman who constantly berates her daughter for not being married yet, while Hwa Shin's sister, played by Seo Ji-hye, faces criticism for being a single mother.

The show's portrayal of gender roles is also noteworthy. Na Ri's ambition to become a news anchor is met with resistance and sexism from her male colleagues, while Hwa Shin's toxic masculinity and sexual harassment of his female co-hosts is a recurring theme in the show. The love triangle also questions traditional gender roles as Na Ri is torn between the two men who embody contrasting ideals of masculinity - Hwa Shin's aggressive and competitive nature versus Jung Won's sensitive and caring personality.

The performances of the cast have been widely acclaimed, with Gong Hyo-jin's portrayal of Na Ri in particular being praised for her complex and relatable character. Jo Jung-suk's performance as Hwa Shin has also been lauded for his convincing portrayal of a man struggling with cancer, and Ko Kyung-pyo's depiction of Jung Won's vulnerability has won hearts.

The show's soundtrack, which features artists such as Soyou and Park Won, has also been a hit with audiences. The music adds to the emotional intensity of the show, conveying the characters' feelings and heightening the drama of their situations.

In conclusion, Jealousy Incarnate is a captivating romantic comedy that explores the complexities of modern-day relationships in South Korea. With its engaging plot, nuanced characters, and strong performances, the show has been widely regarded as one of the best K-dramas of 2016.