《태유나의 듣보드뽀》
The landscape of weekend dramas is set for a shake-up as Shin Hye-sun's comeback project is about to premiere, intensifying the competition among existing weekend series. With a dominant player holding its ground, a mix of declining shows and those struggling with mixed reviews are setting the stage for an unpredictable 'weekend drama four-way battle.'
Premiering on the 25th, tvN's 'Secret Audit' is a romance drama centered around a charismatic audit manager with a secret and an ace auditor demoted to handling workplace misconduct. Starring Shin Hye-sun and Gong Myung, this series is a crucial opportunity for Shin to reaffirm her status as a 'box office queen.' Following the lackluster performance of the previous series 'How to Become a Building Owner in Korea,' which ended with a nationwide rating of 3.7%, 'Secret Audit' is tasked with reigniting the success of tvN's weekend dramas.
The appeal of 'Secret Audit' is clear. Beyond a simple romance, it promises the intrigue of an office investigation drama uncovering corporate corruption. The 'opposite chemistry' between Shin Hye-sun's precise audit manager and Gong Myung's passionate rookie is key. The storyline, which tackles workplace injustices, is poised to captivate weekend viewers weary of real-world frustrations. Additionally, it benefits from an earlier 9 PM timeslot compared to its competitors.
Currently, MBC's Friday-Saturday drama '21st Century Grand Lady' dominates the weekend drama market. Despite mixed reviews on acting and direction, it has solidified its lead with a nationwide rating of 11.1% by its fourth episode, sweeping both buzz and OTT metrics. Whether Shin Hye-sun can break through this formidable barrier is the main point of interest this weekend.
Meanwhile, SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'God and Law Office' is facing challenges. Starring Yoo Yeon-seok, it peaked at a 10.0% rating but has struggled since the debut of '21st Century Grand Lady,' dropping to a series low of 6.0% in its 12th episode. With ratings declining for four consecutive episodes, the addition of Shin Hye-sun's new series makes finding a breakthrough for a ratings rebound urgent.
JTBC's weekend drama 'Mojamussa,' starring Koo Kyo-hwan and Go Yoon-jung, is receiving polarized reactions. While Park Hae-young's sharp dialogue is praised by a niche audience, its ratings remain at 2.2% nationwide. Although it airs at a different time slot of 10:30 PM, the success of 'Secret Audit' could reshape the overall weekend night buzz.
The weekend drama competition, showcasing four distinct styles, is heating up. All eyes are on whether Shin Hye-sun can reclaim her throne as the queen of weekend dramas or if she will be thwarted by the existing strong competition.
Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr