Reporter Kim Se-ah from TenAsia delves deeply into entertainment issues.
KBS's new weekend drama 'Splendid Days' has kicked off with a modest 13% viewership rating in its first week, a disappointing start compared to its predecessor 'Please Take Care of the Eagle Five,' which concluded with a stable 20% rating. This is particularly underwhelming given the production team's initial target of a 30% viewership. Additionally, the acting performances have come under scrutiny, raising concerns.
The high expectations for the show have made the ratings even more disappointing. 'Splendid Days' was penned by writer So Hyun-kyung, known for her successful KBS weekend dramas like 'My Daughter Seo-young' and 'My Golden Life,' which garnered attention from the outset. The lead roles are played by Jung Il-woo, known for his solid filmography, and Jung In-sun, who has a broad public recognition, further heightening expectations.
However, viewer reactions to the lead actors' performances and the drama's setting have been mixed. Jung Il-woo's acting, in particular, has been criticized for being awkward in certain scenes. Some viewers have also found the drama's scenarios to be excessive and difficult to understand, hindering their immersion.
The portrayal of a remarried family by Lee Tae-ran and Yoon Hyun-min has also been criticized. The dialogue between Go Seong-hee (played by Lee Tae-ran), who becomes the matriarch of a chaebol family through remarriage, and her stepson Han Tae-joo (played by Yoon Hyun-min) at the dinner table has been deemed overly contrived. Some viewers have commented that these scenes lack realism and feel more like a theatrical performance.
Despite being in the early stages, there is hope for a turnaround in the latter half of the series. Many viewers are optimistic about the writer's storytelling prowess and the potential for the plot to develop more compellingly. It's not uncommon for weekend dramas to start slow and see a surge in ratings later on. 'Please Take Care of the Eagle Five' also began with a 10% rating but eventually peaked at 21%, achieving significant success.
Nevertheless, the production team and actors cannot easily dismiss the burden of the initial poor performance. Given the fierce competition in the KBS weekend drama slot, there is a pressing need for quick improvements. Revisiting the drama's settings, dialogues, and actors' emotional expressions seems necessary to enhance the show's appeal.
Kim Se-ah, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr