Changing a JSON value in the db, will cause scope item to turn into a JSON string?

Hey,

So I'm having a little trouble with altering JSON objects in a MySQL database via the RESTapi, when I change a value it will update the bound scope object, but it will change it into a JSON string, then if I refresh the page it will actually parse the JSON correctly.

example:

table:
animal

id:int(ai) | name:string | interests:json

1 | Mr. Sniffles | ["mewing","taking over the world","catnip"]

So the in my controller this will get me a object:
$scope.animals

[{
id: 1,
name: "Mr. Sniffles",
interests: [
"mewing",
"taking over the world",
"catnip"
]
}]

Which is great, but now if I HTTP PUT to /animal/1
interests : '["mewing","catnip"]'

It will change the scope object into:

[{
id: 1,
name: "Mr. Sniffles",
interests: '["mewing","catnip"]' // (string)
}]

Then if I refresh the page it will change it into:

[{
id: 1,
name: "Mr. Sniffles",
interests: [
"mewing",
"catnip"
]
}]

Thanks in advance,