Though its official premiere hasn’t aired yet, the series 'The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun' is already gaining traction.
MBC’s new daily drama 'The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun,' set to premiere on June 9, recorded a viewership rating of 2.9% with just a special preview episode, which was not even the first full episode, making a powerful impression on the small screen.
According to Nielsen Korea on June 7 KST, the preview special that aired the previous day scored a 2.9% rating in both the Seoul metropolitan area and nationwide. Considering many dramas these days hover in the 1% range, surpassing 2% with a pre-release clip is remarkable. It seems the drama's storyline, emotional depth, character setup, and performances have already stirred viewer anticipation.
'The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun' follows 'Desperate Mrs. Seonju' in MBC’s weekday evening drama slot. The series is helmed by PD Kim Jin Hyung, known for his nuanced direction in 'Meant to Be,' and written by Seol Kyung Eun, acclaimed for tightly-woven plots and realistic dialogue in dramas like 'Hide and Seek' and 'Two Women's Room.'
Starring Jang Shin Young, Seo Ha Joon, Yoon Ah Jung, and Oh Chang Suk, the drama builds on the familiar revenge genre but adds emotional depth to explore a new layer. Director Kim described the series as “a story about Baek Seol Hee, a woman who would even swallow the sun for her daughter,” highlighting the symbolic weight of the narrative.
At the center is Baek Seol Hee, played by Jang Shin Young. Living a humble yet peaceful life with her daughter, who is preparing to enter a prestigious international high school, Seol Hee’s world is shattered by a sudden accident that turns her daughter’s life upside down. A line from Seol Hee: “Out of all the things I’ve ever heard, ‘Mom’ from my daughter is the sweetest," sets up a happy scene that quickly flips to the daughter lying in a hospital bed. At the edge of despair, Seol Hee vows revenge, saying, “In this world, wrongdoers must be punished, no matter who they are.”
But the drama isn’t just about revenge. It’s a layered emotional journey fueled by maternal instinct, a sense of justice, and the desperate will to restore lost peace. This gives The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun emotional depth that goes beyond typical revenge plots, aiming for a humanistic resonance.
These emotional undercurrents also play out in the characters’ relationships. While Seol Hee and her daughter face collapse, Min Kyung Chae (Yoon Ah Jung), heir to Min Gang Distribution, lives a starkly different life. Still, Kyung Chae faces intense internal pressures and conflicts within her chaebol family. Adding to the tension is Kim Sun Jae (Oh Chang Suk), whose sudden approach complicates the dynamic. His line, “How far do you trust me?” hints at a psychological game beyond mere romance.
Another key player in Seol Hee’s revenge arc is Moon Tae Kyung (Seo Ha Joon), a newly appointed executive overseeing new business at Min Gang Distribution. While Seol Hee pursues justice for her daughter, Tae Kyung investigates the truth behind his parents' deaths from 25 years ago. Both characters head toward a common enemy from different starting points, establishing a core axis for the unfolding plot.
The preview’s climax ramps up intensity, showing Seol Hee fiercely confronting those who stand in her way: “My child is on the brink of death. What wouldn’t I do?” This line acts as a declaration of the show’s direction, not just an emotional outburst. A high-speed chase sequence and a web of character entanglements underscore the drama’s layered structure, blending emotion, action, and suspense into a gripping narrative.
Jang Shin Young returns to TV after three years with this drama. At the press conference, she shared, “I was thirsty for acting. I poured my heart into this, thinking I just need to do my best.” Her performance in the preview was both restrained and explosive, and her expressive eyes and controlled delivery made Seol Hee a deeply convincing character.
The cast expressed strong affection for the project. Seo Ha Joon, who plays Moon Tae Kyung, said, “I was drawn to this character with a complex family history. He’s not simply a man driven by revenge. As he meets people, he’s torn between vengeance and emotion, allowing for various storylines to unfold. I think I’ll be able to show new sides of myself.”
Oh Chang Suk, who plays Kim Sun Jae, shared his love for playing villains: “In MBC’s 'Game of Witches' three years ago, I gave up both a girlfriend and a wife,” he laughed. “I felt a thrill in the shouting and fighting scenes as a villain. It’s a different kind of satisfaction from playing the good guy.”
Yoon Ah Jung, who plays Min Kyung Chae, focused on her character’s relationships to express emotions naturally. “I thought the emotions would show more clearly through clashing with different people. I also used styling, neat makeup and hair, strong suits with subtle details, to reflect Kyung Chae’s confidence as a CEO.”
Rising actress Lee Lu Da, playing Baek Mi So, shared how her idol background helped her acting. “As a member of WJSN, I received lots of love and learned how to give back. That widened my emotional range. Mi So is a cheerful and lovable girl, but also gets hurt and grieves. I drew a lot from those memories to express both sides.”
Director Kim Jin Hyung emphasized, “The difference between a cliché drama and a classic one is coherence. The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun is a revenge drama with a solid foundation.” Rather than unrealistic sensationalism, the drama stays faithful to emotional logic and conflict, aiming for a polished, high-quality story. The show's intention of being a ‘sentimental revenge drama’ is embodied through its script, direction, and characters.
SEE ALSO: MBC's new daily drama 'The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun' starts with strong ratings
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