I hear tell that Impossible Heir shows signs of being a call back to the proper makjang dramas of yore, and I will admit to being woefully ignorant of this back catalogue.

However (하지만), if you'd like a tongue-in-cheek contemporary makjang with less back-stabbing, but a more amusing portrayal of the heightened drama and emotions of this genre around every bend, I'd stand behind Perfect Marriage Revenge as a recommendation, although I know you'll either really get into it, or you won't.

Another drama that has the back-stabby-twistiness but is also not everyone's cup-of-tea is Itaewon Class. Folks tend not to like the way the love interests work out in this one, but it didn't bug me because of the cast's performances, which I found grippingly emotional--from the ML to the villain to the found family. All of it.

I'm not sure what kind of story exactly is meant here, but Money Flower was a great makjang revenge story, with twists on twists... and brilliant acting from Jang Hyuk, Jang Seungjo, Lee Misook and others.

Giant? It's an old drama and it had a lot of episodes. But there were 2 distinct parts with the childhood with Kim Soo Hyun, Yeo Jin Goo and Nam Ji Hyun. Then, the adulthood Lee Bum Soo, Park Sang Min, Park Jin Hee, Hwang Jung Eum (she was really beautiful in this role) and Joo Sang Wook.

Heartless City The ML is gaining power in a drug cartel, so it's kinda more violent but full of twists.

If you mean a battle of wits drama, Vincenzo might serve a good example.
BTW loved the title of the recommendation💙. Refreshing indeed.

Money Flower, Heartless City, Misty and Watcher.

What kind of story is The Impossible Heir supposed to be that it's not?

I’ve only watched the first half of episode one, so I don’t really know what kind of story IMPOSSIBLE HEIR is (just knew it wasn’t for me) but from what I saw, especially with the love triangle and bromance TIME BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF is what I’d recommend

Heirs: Even though I didn’t love it, this drama had a decent enough plot about chaebol land and a show stealing performance by Kim Woo Bin, as an imperfect 2ML with enough heart and tons of charisma to give the rivalry for the FL a go. There is a lot to yell at and fast forward through, especially the kisses, but at least there was some entertainment value and a ton of future stars in the beginning of their careers. (And the beginning part in the US is really worth the price of admission for the cringe value and for setting the proper lens with which to watch the show—as camp). Impossible Heirs is an impossible to watch (and not fun at all) descendant of Heirs.

I am just here to say that whoever came up with the title/idea is a genius. I got a good laugh🤣🤣 How bad is this drama that an alternate drama is needed to erase it out of mind?

Reborn Rich: Song Joong-ki plays the Lee Jae-wook character outsmarting the chaebol family, Shin Hyun-been plays the Hong Su-zu character unnecessary and miscast, the chaebol siblings backstab each other like The Impossible Heir chaebol half-siblings, and bonus Lee Sung-min in one of his most memorable roles ever.

I cackled at the title. Any good Drama would do because Impossible Heir has no idea what story it is trying to tell.if it is out of left field Impossible Heir will add it to the storyline.

Mine is your standard makjang drama, elevated by its two strong, non-bitchy female protagonists (Lee Bo-young and Kim Seo-hyung, both marvelous) who refreshingly are allies rather than enemies. Their stunning fashions alone make it worth the watch!

Money Flower is the first that comes to mind. Jang Hyuk is amazing in it!

I haven't started watching this show yet. Is there any chance it could become one of those "so bad it's good" dramas?

Payback https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYgnLtyNgaQ
Reborn Rich purely for Lee Sung-min, a master class in acting. The last episodes without him on screen show what screen presence, charisma and gravitas he has as it became boring without him.

I don't know anything about Impossible Heir beyond what I just scanned on Wikipedia, but if it's revenge you're after, my favorite is Nice Guy.

Am I crazy for thinking the Impossible Heir is trying to be a Modern Day version of those underdog court-politics stories? If so, then I'd throw in a Nirvana in Fire and a Rise of the Phoenixes. 🙈

Perfect Marriage Revenge as @attiton rightly mentioned.

If you're up for c-drama, try out War Princess, Li Wei-young. Better scheming and drama.

For kdramas, check out Mine, Ruby Ring, King of Baking Kim Tak-gu, Queen of Shilla( or Queen Seondeok), Haechi, Whisper.

If you need a game of wits, and Saguek is your cup of tea, then Under The Queen’s Umbrella is fabulous. It has drama, revenge, and a fight for supremacy by individuals each of whom have a spine of steel and claws made of shards.
I think The Glory did it very well though it could be a bit dark.

Revenge, betrayal, tragedies.

Blind (2022)
Chicago Typewrite (2017)
Eve (2022
Falling For Innocence (2015)
Graceful Family (2019)
Heartless City (2013)
He is Psychometric (2019)
Justice (2019)
The Bridal Mask (2012)

My favorite Makjang ever is Graceful Family

He is in a cameo in the first episode of Suits. While his role was short and there was nothing extraordinary about it, he did it brilliantly and he remains memorable.