ENTERTAINMENT
KBS Drama 'Splendid Days' Faces Challenges with Low Ratings and Mixed Reviews


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.

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.

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