"Temptation of Wife" a Big Hit in Mongolia

Revenge-themed drama "The Temptation of Wife" has made its heroine Jang Seo-hee a huge star in Mongolia. A story about a wife, who returns from the dead to avenge her cheating husband and his lover, "Temptation of Wife" (a.k.a. Wife's Revenge) has topped 80% in drama rating since it was aired by a Mongolian TV station. A close associate of Jang said that she has been invited by Korean businessmen in Mongolia to visit the country to boost their morale and meet her Mongolian fans.

Immensely popular "Temptation of Wife" has reignited the Korean pop culture wave, or Hallyu, in Mongolia. "Jewel in the Palace" ("Dae Jang Geum") made Lee Young-ae a household name in Mongolia a few years back, and now Jang is enjoying the same privilege.

However, SBS, which has the broadcasting rights to the drama here in Korea, is not happy with the situation, because the rights to the drama have never been sold to the Mongolian TV station. In essence, Mongolia has been watching a pirated version of the drama. Many Korean TV programs are being aired in Mongolia without proper copyrights arrangements, but Korea has no legal means to regulate the piracy.