Jang Seo-hee returns as KBS villain in 'Desire's Trap', first broadcast August 10

Jang Seo-hee is back on KBS. Playing the villain.

Desire's Trap (욕망의 덫) premiered August 10 on KBS 2TV. Directors Lee Dae-kyung and Jeong Gwang-su brought writer Gu Ji-won's script to life—a revenge story about a woman falsely accused of murder, clawing her way back against the weight of desire and circumstance. The production held an online press presentation that same morning.

Jang Seo-hee plays Joo Mi-ran, the final villain. She's a former nanny turned PR director at the Cheongma Scholarship Foundation, someone who appears gentle and devoted on the surface but harbors unchecked ambition and secrets. She'll fabricate murder charges to protect herself.

"I want to show more of a dual-natured inner self rather than something sinister," Jang said at the press event. "Villains have reasons. Many people cause harm to others due to their own twisted reasons." She hopes viewers reflect on themselves while watching. As for Joo Mi-ran's arc, Jang wants her punished. "I hope people live well so they don't end up like Joo Mi-ran."

On playing a villain committing evil acts, Jang didn't hesitate: "Of course I'm prepared to be criticized. The more I'm cursed at, the more people watch our drama." She's earmarked the second half of 2026 for taking that heat.

Jang also spoke about staying sharp. She asked the director from the very first shoot to flag anything that felt off in her performance, even though he was younger than her and initially hesitant. Outside perspective keeps her objective.

Jeon Hye-won, taking on her first leading role in the drama, said she is "trying to pour everything" into it.