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Korea’s Infamous “Temptation of Wife” Just Dropped on Netflix!

  The legendary Korean “makjang” drama returns — this time, on Netflix. Remember Temptation of Wife ? Yes, that drama — the over-the-top, twist-filled rollercoaster that basically defined the “makjang” genre in Korea — is now making its grand comeback on Netflix, and fans are buzzing. Whether you loved it back in the day or found yourself yelling at the screen in disbelief, there’s no denying this drama left a serious mark. Seeing it resurface now brings back a wave of nostalgia, mixed with a little “I can’t believe this is happening again” kind of excitement. The Plot & Appeal of Temptation of Wife Originally aired in 2008 on SBS, Temptation of Wife tells the dramatic story of Goo Eun-jae (played by Jang Seo-hee), a woman betrayed by her husband Jung Gyo-bin (Byun Woo-min) and his mistress Shin Ae-ri (Kim Seo-hyung). After losing everything, Eun-jae throws herself into the sea—but miraculously survives. She returns under a new identity, “Min So-hee,” and begins a careful...
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A K-Drama That Blends Romance and Thriller: When the Camellia Blooms

 "A Perfect Blend of Romance and Thriller: Must-Watch K-Drama!”

🌸 When the Camellia Blooms in Ongsan

The 2019 Korean drama When the Camellia Blooms is a show full of charm. It masterfully weaves together romance, as love blossoms between the lead characters, and thriller, as the female protagonist faces a looming threat. At the same time, it beautifully captures the warmth and close-knit relationships of a small-town community.

This drama is also one of the hit works by Im Sang-chun, the writer behind Netflix’s latest sensation Chicken Nugget. During its original broadcast, When the Camellia Blooms became a massive hit in Korea, warming the hearts of viewers throughout 2019.

Starring Gong Hyo-jin and Kang Ha-neul, the drama became widely loved for their incredible chemistry. But beyond that, its compelling storytelling, seamlessly blending romance and thriller, has made it a show that many consider their "all-time favorite K-drama." 🔍


📌 1. Drama Information

  • Title: When the Camellia Blooms (동백꽃 필 무렵)
  • Year of Broadcast: 2019
  • Episodes: 40
  • Starring: Gong Hyo-jin, Kang Ha-neul, Kim Ji-seok, Oh Jung-se, Yum Hye-ran, Son Dam-bi, and more
  • Writer: Im Sang-chun (Chicken Nugget, Fight for My Way)
  • Available on: Netflix, Wavve


📌 2. A Quick Look at the Story! 🏡

In the small town of Ongsan, Dong-baek (Gong Hyo-jin) runs a bar called "Camellia" while raising her son, Pil-gu (Kim Kang-hoon) on her own.

She wants nothing more than to live a quiet life, but as a single mother, she constantly faces judgment and prejudice from the townspeople.

Then one day, Hwang Yong-sik (Kang Ha-neul), a warmhearted yet outspoken police officer, enters her life. 🧑‍✈️

"I’m always on your side, Dong-baek!" he declares with unwavering sincerity. But Dong-baek, afraid of getting hurt, struggles to open her heart.

As if things weren’t complicated enough, a figure from her past suddenly reappears—her first love, Kang Jong-ryeol (Kim Ji-seok), now a famous baseball player. Discovering Dong-baek and Pil-gu’s existence turns his world upside down.

But beneath the town’s quiet charm lies a dark secret. A serial killer known as 'Ggabuli' lurks in the shadows. 😱

Dong-baek is the sole survivor of one of Ggabuli’s past crimes, but having never seen the killer’s face, she remains his target.

Who is Ggabuli, and why is he after Dong-baek?

🧐 A perfect blend of romance and thriller—When the Camellia Blooms is a must-watch!

📌 3. What Makes This Drama Special? ✨


💛 A Heartfelt and Authentic Love Story

Dong-baek and Yong-sik’s romance isn’t your typical "rich guy meets poor girl" K-drama cliché. Instead, it beautifully portrays what it truly means to support and believe in someone you love. Their relationship is warm, sincere, and deeply moving.

And let’s be real—every single thing Yong-sik says is pure comfort for the soul.

Especially this:

"Dong-baek, don’t worry. Just trust me."

If that doesn’t make your heart flutter, what will? 🤭


🕵️‍♂️ A Love Story with a Thriller Twist!

The presence of a serial killer known as ‘Ggabuli’ takes this drama far beyond a typical romance.

"Wait… was I watching a rom-com or a thriller?"

That’s exactly the kind of suspenseful twists this drama delivers. The mystery of who Ggabuli really is keeps you on edge, adding an extra layer of excitement! 🔎


😂 A Cast Full of Scene-Stealers

This drama isn’t just about the main leads—the supporting cast absolutely steals the show!

From the sharp yet warm-hearted lawyer Hong Ja-young (Yum Hye-ran), to the seemingly cold but secretly softhearted Choi Hyang-mi (Son Dam-bi), and the hilariously cunning No Gyu-tae (Oh Jung-se)—every character adds their own unique charm, making the drama even more unforgettable.



📌 4. Character Analysis 🧐

🌸 Dong-baek (Gong Hyo-jin)

  • A strong, independent woman raising her son, Pil-gu, while running a bar.
  • Deeply wounded by society’s prejudices, but grows stronger through Yong-sik’s love and the kindness of the townspeople.

🧑‍✈️ Hwang Yong-sik (Kang Ha-neul)

  • A warmhearted and sincere police officer with a strong sense of justice.
  • Famous for his iconic line: "Dong-baek, I’m always on your side!"—a phrase that won over countless fans.

⚾ Kang Jong-ryeol (Kim Ji-seok)

  • Dong-baek’s first love and a well-known baseball player.
  • Struggles with his feelings after discovering Dong-baek and Pil-gu’s existence, despite being married.

😈 Ggabuli (Identity withheld to avoid spoilers)

  • The serial killer who terrorizes Ongsan.
  • A looming threat to Dong-baek, keeping the tension high until the very end.

📌 5. Behind-the-Scenes Facts 🎬

  • Writer Im Sang-chun had already showcased her talent with Baek Hee Has Returned and Fight for My Way. With When the Camellia Blooms, she once again earned praise for her realistic and heartfelt depiction of ordinary people’s lives.
  • At the highly prestigious 56th Baeksang Arts Awards, the drama took home four major awards: 🏆 Grand Prize (Daesang) – Drama Category 🏆 Best Actor – Kang Ha-neul 🏆 Best Supporting Actor – Oh Jung-se 🏆 Best Screenplay – Im Sang-chun
  • Kang Ha-neul made his highly anticipated return to acting with this drama after completing his military service. 💂‍♂️
  • Gong Hyo-jin conducted extensive research to authentically portray the struggles of a single mother.
  • The drama’s filming location, Guryongpo Japanese House Street in Pohang, became a major tourist attraction after the show aired, significantly boosting the local economy.

👉 [Explore Guryongpo Japanese House Street here!]


📌 6. Conclusion: Is When the Camellia Blooms a Must-Watch? 👍

Love, family, resilience, and heartwarming moments of healing—all of these elements come together beautifully in When the Camellia Blooms. More than just a drama, it feels like a heartfelt lesson in life.

At its core, the message "Love takes courage" lingers long after the final episode, reminding us what it truly means to love and be loved.

If you haven’t seen it yet, now is the perfect time to binge it. Highly recommended! 💕



👩🏻 Ajumma K’s Comment:

"For me, the real highlight of this drama is the townspeople! They may act harsh and critical toward Dong-baek, but when she’s in danger, they’re always the first to protect her. In Korea, we call this kind of personality ‘Tsundere’—cold on the outside, but warm and caring on the inside."



When the Camellia Blooms, Korean drama, K-drama, romantic thriller K-drama, Gong Hyo-jin, Kang Ha-neul, Kim Ji-seok, Oh Jung-se, Yum Hye-ran, Son Dam-bi, K-drama recommendations, best Korean dramas, must-watch K-dramas, Korean romance drama, Korean thriller drama, K-drama with serial killer, K-drama small-town setting, Netflix Korean drama, Baeksang Arts Awards winner, Im Sang-chun, Chicken Nugget writer, Fight for My Way writer, Korean drama with strong female lead, heartwarming K-drama, suspenseful K-drama, single mother K-drama, healing K-drama, K-drama with mystery, Korean drama with deep storyline



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