≪Tae Yuna’s Oh Ye≫
Today's notable entertainment
From ‘Mongtteun Fam’ to ‘Uline’, networking entertainment that swept broadcasters
Today's notable entertainment
From ‘Mongtteun Fam’ to ‘Uline’, networking entertainment that swept broadcasters
≪Tae Yuna’s Oh Ye≫
‘The era of content overflow’. For readers who are wondering what to watch, reporter Tae Yu-na and Ten Asia will serve as an ‘entertainment guide.’ It adds fun to watching the program by delving into hot issues in the entertainment industry, as well as watching points, major characters, and behind-the-scenes stories.
Networks disguised as ‘Line’ or ‘Sadan’ are sweeping the entertainment world. They are putting forward the reason that they are a trustworthy combination, but the repeated chemistry is causing a sense of déjà vu and even fatigue. The complacency of the production team, which tries to go easily without much thought, is what is disappointing.
Looking at recent entertainment programs, there is a trend to cast familiar and proven members rather than new combinations. Representative examples are Ahn Jung-hwan, Kim Yong-man, Jeong Hyeong-don, and Kim Seong-ju, also known as the ‘Mungtteun Fam.’ They received a lot of love for their bickering sibling chemistry in JTBC's 'Around the World Package - We Must Float Together' in 2016, and later worked together from seasons 1 and 2 of 'We Must Come Together' to 'Ahn Jung-hwan's Hidden Qatar'. Recently, not only did they reunite for 'United Returns', but they are also appearing together on MBC Every1's 'Country Cop Returns'. Actors Shin Hyeon-jun and Oh Dae-hwan, who appeared as regular members until Season 4 of 'Country Police', will no longer be able to join.
However, as 'Untidy Returns' and 'Country Cop Returns' were broadcast around the same time, there are many opinions that their chemistry is boring. It was a situation that inevitably led to the question, ‘Are those four people again?’ At the press conference for 'Country Cop Returns', Ahn Jung-hwan seemed to be aware of this and emphasized, "(The four characters) will show sides that we haven't seen before," and producer Kim Dong-ho also said, "The chemistry between the four of you has been proven. We will create chemistry within the framework of the police." Although I was confident that there were many differences from existing programs because I was showing it, it was difficult to shake off the feeling of déjà vu.
The viewership ratings were also below expectations. The first episode recorded 0.6%, the lowest figure since the start of Season 2 of ‘Country Cop’. This is a shabby performance compared to the series' average viewership rating of around 1% so far and the emphasis on 'proven combinations'.
This situation is not limited to ‘mungteunfam’. The most representative one is ‘U-Line’. At some point, Yoo Jae-seok has been showing off his personal relationships with his family members, also known as 'Yoo Line', on the variety shows he appears on.
When MBC's 'What Do You Do When You Play?' changed from a one-member system to a five-member system, Jeong Jun-ha and Haha, who were members of 'Infinite Challenge,' were recruited, and Lee Mi-joo, who worked with them in tvN's 'Six Sense,' was brought in. Park Jin-joo, who stood out in WSG Wannabe even when the group expanded to 7 members, and Lee Yi-kyung, who was liked by Yoo Jae-seok when he appeared as a guest on 'The Sixth Sense', were selected as members.
In addition, Netflix's 'Korea Number One' and Disney Plus' 'The Zone: You Have to Hold on to Live' featured Lee Kwang-soo, a representative 'U-line' who worked with him on 'Running Man' for a long time. tvN's 'Skip' also created a familiar combination with Jeon So-min, who is also on 'Running Man'. ‘The Zone’ will return for Season 2 in June.
Familiar chemistry that has been seen many times can guarantee stable fun, but it is not easy to bring freshness. However, from the production team's perspective, it would be easier than worrying about new combinations and taking on the risks. There is nothing wrong with the cast in that they can reduce their adjustment time and work comfortably with their own people.
The problem is the expiration date of networking entertainment. Content becomes increasingly outdated. As more and more people come out, ‘generational change’ also becomes difficult. It even makes you wonder if it's a 'connection cartel'. Accordingly, viewers are becoming more enthusiastic about web entertainment where new faces stand out. Content can no longer be created solely through networking. It is a time when both the production crew and cast need to think, challenge, and take risks.
Taeyuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr