‘Jealousy Incarnate’ K-Drama: Jo Jung Suk’s Character’s Condition Indirectly Brings Rising Threat Of Breast Cancer In Men To Forefront

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On Wednesday, August 24, the Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) started airing their new K-drama to take over the Wednesday and Thursday time slot at 10 p.m. KST, Jealousy Incarnate. It is a light-hearted comedy about two anchors at a broadcasting station in a fierce competition that ends in love. Needless to say, it is more light-hearted than its predecessor, Wanted, which was very serious, probably in the same vein as the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) K-drama Master: God of Noodles.

Since it is light-hearted, there are many opportunities for Jealousy Incarnate to be comedic. One situation is very comedic as Jo Jung Suk’s character has a condition that seems to put him in an awkward situation with Gong Hyo Jin’s character. Just so it is out there, the condition Jung Suk’s character has is breast cancer. Although the situation was meant to be comedic, Jung Suk’s character may have indirectly brought to the forefront the rising threat of breast cancer in men.

Before continuing on how Jo Jung Suk’s character’s condition is indirectly bringing to the forefront the rising issue of breast cancer in men, it is best to detail what Jealousy Incarnate (also known as Don’t Dare to Dream) is all about. The K-drama, which replaced Wanted, stars Gong Hyo Jin, Jo Jung Suk, Go Gyung Pyo, Lee Mi Sook, Park Ji Young, Lee Sung Jae, and Seo Ji Hye. In the debut episode, the broadcasting company SBC is looking for its next big news anchors. In the running are Lee Hwa Shin (Jung Suk), an announcer who did overseas reports in Bangkok for the last three years, and Pyo Na Ri (Hyo Jin), a weather forecaster who only gets 60 seconds to talk about the weather every night.

Pyo Na Ri strives to become a news anchor by doing anything and everything asked of her. In one situation, she accompanies SBC to Bangkok to assist Lee Hwa Shin with his promotional video to become a news anchor. While there, Na Ri is given the task to do make-up, wardrobe, and almost everything behind the scenes to make anchors look good on television.

While awkwardly assisting Lee Hwa Shin, Pyo Na Ri suddenly feels up the left side of his chest. At first, Hwa Shin think Na Ri is impressed with how hard it is, but eventually, he becomes more insecure and reserved as Na Ri constantly tries to feel up his chest. Lee Hwa Shin even goes as far as to accuse Pyo Na Ri of sexual harassment.

Eventually, Pyo Na Ri reveals her family has a history of breast cancer, and what she felt on Lee Hwa Shin’s chest feels like a lump, one that needs to be checked by a specialist. Hwa Shin counters that he is a man and does not have breasts. Reading some of the comments on streaming sites on the first episode, there are clearly a good number of K-drama fans who think the angle might be ridiculous, especially the younger fans.

Believe it or not, this story angle in Jealousy Incarnate just brought to the forefront a rising issue in men’s health. Despite what men might say or the perception in society, men do have breast tissue in their chest — just not a lot of it. This fact can put men at risk for having breast cancer. According to an article written by USA Today last year, breast cancer cases among men are actually on the rise. Technically, the number is still low, given that in the United States alone, only 440 men died of breast cancer, but it is a very unusual case.

Statistically, breast cancer among men in South Korea is not just on the rise but also more prominent, as detailed in a medical report by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Some of the main reasons why breast cancer among men is on the rise, as reported by the Truth About Cancer, includes the consumption of commercial meat and dairy products, commercial vegetables sprayed with pesticides, unfiltered tap water, certain sundry products, plastics, processed foods with a lot of additives, artificial sweeteners, MSG and other preservatives, and canned foods. Given that South Korea is the number one country when it comes to consuming instant ramen noodles, there might be a correlating link.

Ultimately, there might be no reason why Jealousy Incarnate used a story angle centered on male breast cancer, but it indirectly made some K-drama fans wonder and even investigate the situation.

Jealousy Incarnate airs on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 p.m. KST on SBS. For those who do not have access to SBS, it can be viewed for free, with ads, on DramaFever and Viki pending region.

[Image via Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS)]