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Temptation of Wolves

Temptation of Wolves (: 늑대의 유혹; : Neukdae-ui yuhok), also known as Romance of Their Own, is a 2004 South Korean teen directed by Kim Tae-kyun. The story centers on Jung Han-kyung (), a naive high school girl from the countryside who relocates to after her father's death to live with her estranged mother. There, she enrolls in a new school and unwittingly draws the attention of two contrasting boys: the popular and gentle Ban Hae-won () and the troubled delinquent Jung Tae-sung (Kang Dong-won) from a rival group. Their rivalry escalates into a passionate love triangle, complicated by Tae-sung's hidden personal secret that ties back to Han-kyung's past, leading to themes of forbidden attraction, heartbreak, and redemption. Adapted from the bestselling 2002 internet novel of the same name by author Guiyeoni, the film was produced by Sidus and runs for 113 minutes. It marked a breakout role for Kang Dong-won, earning him the Best New Actor award at the 24th Korean Film Critics Association Awards and contributing to the movie's commercial success with over 2 million admissions in .

Production

Development

Temptation of Wolves is an of the novel of the same name by the Guiyeoni, which was first serialized online and published in book form in 2002. The project originated as part of a wave of adaptations from popular teen novels in early , capitalizing on the growing popularity of digital literature among young readers. Director Kim Tae-kyun helmed the project, with screenplay by Yoon Eun-kyung, transforming the novel's narrative into a cinematic teen romance. Key producers included Cha Seung-jae and Noh Jong-yun, with Im Choong-ryul serving as co-producer, overseeing the development under . The production partnered with for distribution, aligning with the distributor's focus on mid-budget romantic dramas targeting youth audiences. Pre-production began in early 2003 with script development, leading to the film's later that year amid rising interest in novel-to-film transitions. The emphasized the story's core elements of youthful and while streamlining the novel's episodic structure for screen pacing.

Filming

Principal photography for Temptation of Wolves took place in 2004, primarily in and its surrounding areas, utilizing urban high school sets for contemporary scenes and rural locations for flashbacks depicting the protagonist's backstory. Key filming sites encompassed various Seoul neighborhoods to authentically represent the bustling city environment central to the story's high school dynamics, while countryside exteriors near were used to evoke the isolated, nostalgic elements of Han-kyeong's past. Jin Yong-hwan employed a dynamic style featuring movements and natural lighting to infuse the visuals with the raw, vibrant energy of youth, enhancing the emotional intensity of the romance and rivalries. The central roles were played by (as Ban Hae-won), (as Jung Tae-sung), and (as Jung Han-kyung).

Plot

Synopsis

Jung Han-kyeong, a young woman raised in the countryside by her father, relocates to after his death to live with her estranged mother. Enrolling in a bustling city high school, she grapples with the challenges of urban adaptation, including cultural differences and from her rural upbringing. There, she draws the attention of two contrasting figures: Ban Hae-won, the charismatic and popular student known for his outgoing nature, and Jung Tae-sung, a reserved and introspective outsider with a mysterious aura. As Han-kyeong settles into school life, her innocent charm ignites mutual attractions from Hae-won and Tae-sung, evolving into a tense marked by rivalries and competing affections. Hae-won's bold pursuits contrast with Tae-sung's more subtle approaches, while Han-kyeong navigates the emotional complexities of these relationships alongside her ongoing struggles to fit into the fast-paced city environment. The story escalates through intensifying conflicts, particularly around Tae-sung's concealed family secret that casts a shadow over his budding connection with Han-kyeong. Culminating in a resolution that emphasizes the protagonists' personal maturation and decisive romantic paths, the film unfolds over its 113-minute runtime.

Themes

The film Temptation of Wolves explores the cultural clash between rural and urban identities through the protagonist Han-kyeong's relocation from the countryside to following her father's death, symbolizing a broader tension in youth experiences where traditional simplicity confronts modern urban complexities. This transition underscores personal reinvention, as Han-kyeong adapts to city life while living with her mother and stepfather, highlighting the emotional and social adjustments inherent in such shifts. Central to the narrative is the nature of temptation and rivalry in teenage romance, embodied by the "wolves" metaphor that depicts the predatory pursuits of male characters Hae-won and Tae-sung toward the vulnerable Han-kyeong, evoking a Little Red Riding Hood-like dynamic of allure and danger. Their intense competition forms a brooding , reflecting the impulsive and competitive aspects of adolescent desire in youth cinema. Family secrets and emerge through Tae-sung's hidden , which reveals layers of that complicate his relationships and prompt themes of forgiveness, as Han-kyeong grapples with the revelations that test emotional bonds. This motif adds depth to the characters' growth, emphasizing how concealed pasts influence present connections and the path to mutual understanding. The story also delves into the of female agency, tracing Han-kyeong's evolution from a passive newcomer overwhelmed by her surroundings to a decisive figure who actively chooses her romantic path, demonstrating resilience amid rivalry and personal challenges. Her journey illustrates a targeted appeal to teenage audiences, particularly girls, by showcasing in navigating emotional turmoil. Finally, Temptation of Wolves contrasts youthful innocence with the onset of maturity, using high school dynamics to intensify the portrayal of first love's raw emotions and the inevitable loss of as characters confront , secrets, and adult-like decisions. This thematic tension captures the transitional phase of , blending comic-romantic elements with deeper emotional stakes.

Cast

Principal cast

Jo Han-sun portrays Ban Hae-won, the charismatic and influential leader of the high school group, in a role that marked his breakout performance following his earlier television debut. makes his debut as Jung Tae-sung, an enigmatic troubled from a rival group harboring a troubled background that shapes his intense rivalry and personal struggles. This performance propelled him to stardom in South Korean cinema. Lee Chung-ah stars as Jung Han-kyung, the naive young woman from the countryside who arrives in the city and becomes entangled in a transformative journey of romance and self-discovery. For her role, she received the Best New Actress award at the 2005 .

Supporting cast

portrays Han-kyung's mother, the character who receives her daughter into a blended following the father's and the parents' prior , emphasizing tensions from the remarriage and eventual reconciliation within the household. Jung Da-hye plays Da-reum, Han-kyung's school friend, injecting comic relief through her energetic interactions and illustrating the supportive yet chaotic peer dynamics among the high school students. Additional minor roles bolster the narrative's backdrop, including as Yoo Won, a fellow student involved in the school's social hierarchies; Lee Ji-hee as Lee Bo-jung, another peer adding to group interactions; and Song Chae-min as Yu Je-hee, contributing to the ensemble of classmates. Family elements are further depicted by Nam Jung-hee as Han-kyung's grandmother and Cha Yoo-jung in a sibling role, while Oh-min appears as Han Joo-ho, representing rival elements among the youth. No notable uncredited cameos are documented. Overall, these supporting performers enhance the high school and familial atmosphere, providing context for the protagonists' experiences without dominating the focus.

Release

Distribution

The film had its theatrical premiere in on July 22, 2004, distributed by , a major South Korean film distribution company. The marketing campaign targeted a teen audience, leveraging the pre-existing fan base of the original web novel by Guiyeoni. Internationally, distribution was limited primarily to Asian markets, with DVD releases in countries such as and . Home media releases included DVDs in 2005, often in Region 3 format with English subtitles for international viewers; by the 2010s, the film became available for streaming on platforms like Viki. The runtime is 113 minutes, and it received a 12+ rating from the due to its romantic themes.

Box office

Temptation of Wolves garnered 2,189,453 admissions in South Korea, grossing approximately 15.2 billion KRW. The film ranked in the top 5 during its opening weekend, driven by significant turnout from teenage audiences. Overall, it placed 9th among the highest-grossing Korean films of 2004, trailing major hits like Silmido. Its commercial success stemmed from a strategic summer release and breakthrough performances by leads and , which propelled their stardom. International earnings were modest, primarily from Asian markets.

Reception

Critical response

Temptation of Wolves (also known as Romance of Their Own) garnered mixed reviews upon its 2004 release, with critics praising its engaging lead performances and appeal to teenage audiences while critiquing its reliance on familiar romantic tropes. highlighted the strong chemistry among the three leads—, , and Lee Cheong-ah—noting how their portrayals of high school rivals vying for a transfer student's affection created a comic-romantic yarn that resonated strongly with Korean viewers during its summer run. The film's exploration of a rural-to-urban transition through the protagonist's move added a relatable layer to the teen romance, though some reviewers found this element underdeveloped amid the central . Critics often commended the charming dynamics of the male leads, particularly Gang Dong-won's breakout role as the brooding Jung Tae-sung, which showcased his potential as a major star and contributed to the film's emotional pull in key scenes. However, the narrative faced criticism for its predictable plot and clichéd elements, including a melodramatic illness subplot and over-the-top rivalry that strained credibility. AsianMovieWeb described the story as unelaborate and unrealistic, with shallow character development, especially for the female lead, reducing her role to a passive object in the romance. The score by Lee Hoon-seok, featuring numerous pop ballads, was faulted for excessive sentimentality that amplified the film's corny tone rather than enhancing its sincerity. Aggregate scores reflect this divided reception, with IMDb users rating the film 6.2 out of 10 based on 995 reviews, appreciating its youthful energy but noting its formulaic structure. On Asian-focused platforms, audience polls were more favorable, as seen in MyDramaList's 7.5 out of 10 from over 4,200 users, who valued the relatable high school and iconic moments like the umbrella scene. Overall, while not innovative, the film was seen as a solid, if conventional, entry in Korean teen romance cinema.

Legacy

Temptation of Wolves has left a lasting mark on cinema as a pivotal entry in the early 2000s youth romance genre, bolstered by its strong initial performance that drew over 700,000 viewers in its opening weekend. The film's success helped solidify the viability of adapting internet content for the screen, contributing to a broader wave of school-based dramas that captured the and romance of during the decade. Its narrative of rival high school heartthrobs and a newcomer girl's turbulent resonated with teen audiences, influencing subsequent works that explored similar themes of youthful passion and social hierarchies. The film served as a crucial launchpad for its lead actors, propelling them into prominent careers within Korean entertainment. For , who portrayed the brooding Jung Tae-sung, Temptation of Wolves marked his breakthrough role shortly after his debut, catapulting him to nationwide stardom and establishing him as a versatile leading man in subsequent hits like Maundy Thursday (2006) and Broker (2022). , playing the charismatic Ban Hae-won, gained significant popularity from the film, which built on his earlier television exposure and led to key roles in action-oriented projects such as Cruel Winter Blues (2006) and the remake (2010). Similarly, Lee Chung-ah's portrayal of the innocent protagonist Jung Han-kyung was her first leading role at age 19, opening doors to a diverse filmography including romantic comedies like (2011) and the mystery thriller series Hide (2024). As an of Guiyeoni's hit web novel, which amassed 10 million online views and sold 1 million print copies, played a key role in popularizing the transition of digital literature to mainstream in . This trend, exemplified by Temptation of Wolves alongside contemporaries like The Guy Was Cool (2004), highlighted the commercial potential of online teen fiction and fostered a cultural shift toward embracing cyber-generated stories in visual media, influencing the proliferation of and web novel adaptations in the and beyond. The film's enduring fanbase underscores its status as a , with sustained interest through streaming platforms into the , where it maintains high user ratings and sparks discussions on its emotional depth and iconic scenes. Further adaptations, including a 2011 plan for a drama series and an earlier musical incorporating elements, reflect its ongoing cultural resonance and adaptability across formats.

Awards and nominations

2004 awards

At the 25th held in December 2004, Temptation of Wolves received two nominations, highlighting its contributions to emerging talent in a year dominated by blockbusters like and Taegukgi. was nominated for Best New Actor for his portrayal of the brooding Tae-sung, while earned a nomination in the same category for his role as the charismatic Hae-won; neither won, with the award going to Jae-hee for . also won the Popular Star Award (Film Actor), one of four recipients that year, reflecting audience enthusiasm for his breakout performance amid strong competition from stars like . The 3rd Korean Film Awards, presented in late 2004 by the Korean Film Council, honored Temptation of Wolves with the Best New Actor award for Gang Dong-won, underscoring the film's impact on launching fresh faces in Korean cinema during a transitional period for the industry post-IMF crisis. This win positioned the movie as a key spotlight for new talent, with no other categories awarded to the production that year. Further recognition came from the 24th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards in 2004, where Gang Dong-won again secured Best New Actor for Temptation of Wolves, affirming the film's role in elevating young performers in a competitive landscape featuring established hits and innovative indies. These accolades collectively emphasized the movie's success in promoting emerging actors like Gang and Jo, contributing to its cultural resonance as a youth-oriented romance in 2004's diverse film slate.

2005 awards

In 2005, Temptation of Wolves garnered significant recognition at the 42nd , held on July 8 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in . won Best New Actress for her portrayal of Han-kyung, marking a key highlight for the film's emotional depth and her breakout performance. The ceremony also nominated for Best New Actor in recognition of his supporting role and Lee Hoon-seok for Best Music, underscoring the film's strong technical contributions a year after its November 2004 release. These honors emphasized the movie's lasting appeal in spotlighting emerging talent within South Korea's film landscape. Complementing the Grand Bell accolades, received the Most Popular Actor (Film) award at the 41st on May 20, reflecting audience enthusiasm for his lead role as Tae-sung and helping cement the reputations of the film's newcomers in the industry.

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