tvN Drama 'How to Become a Building Owner in Korea' Struggles with Ratings Despite Star-Studded Cast

The highly anticipated tvN weekend drama 'How to Become a Building Owner in Korea' (hereafter 'Building Owner') is nearing its conclusion, unable to overcome its narrative and directorial shortcomings. The series, which will end with its 12th episode on the 19th, has seen a decline in ratings, contrary to expectations.

'Building Owner' is a suspense drama about a struggling landlord who becomes involved in a fake kidnapping scheme to protect his family and property. The show garnered attention before its premiere due to its realistic themes and suspenseful setup. The concept of a struggling landlord resonated with current societal issues, creating a relatable element for viewers.

The drama's placement in the coveted tvN weekend slot and the success of its predecessor, 'Undercover Miss Hong,' which maintained double-digit ratings from episodes 11 to 16, further heightened expectations for 'Building Owner.' It was anticipated that 'Building Owner' would benefit from the momentum of its predecessor.

However, the reality was different. 'Building Owner' started with ratings in the 4% range for its first two episodes but dropped to the 3% range by the third episode. By the fifth episode, ratings fell to 2.6%, continuing a downward trend without recovery. The ninth episode, aired on the 11th, saw ratings plummet to 2.0%, far from the expectations of a highly anticipated show.

The casting was another point of disappointment. Ha Jung-woo returned to TV dramas for the first time in 19 years since MBC's 'Hit' in 2007, and Shim Eun-kyung made a rare appearance in a domestic drama, drawing interest. The addition of Im Soo-jung, Jung Soo-jung, and Kim Jun-han led to the belief that failure was unlikely with such a lineup.

However, post-broadcast, the initial excitement quickly waned. The primary issues cited were the narrative and direction. While the drama started with realistic suspense, viewers noted that the storyline became inconsistent as episodes progressed. The plot's abrupt and exaggerated developments reduced its credibility, and character decisions were often deemed unconvincing.

Character development also left much to be desired. The lack of depth in the characters' backstories and emotional arcs made it difficult for viewers to connect with them. While the actors' performances were commendable, the characters lacked a solid foundation to truly shine.

The direction received mixed reviews. The excessive emotional push and somewhat outdated scene compositions were criticized for being out of touch with modern drama conventions. Some scenes were seen as disrupting the flow rather than enhancing tension.

Recent episodes introduced the sudden death of a main character, further fueling controversy. Kim Jun-han's exit, without sufficient foreshadowing or explanation, was criticized for lacking coherence.

According to industry insiders, the actors based their decision to join the project on the initial scripts, not anticipating the current narrative direction. While the premise was intriguing, the limitations in direction and structure became apparent as the series progressed.

Ultimately, 'Building Owner' remains a show with a star-studded cast and an interesting premise but failed to sustain its narrative and directorial strength. The actors' reputations and performances alone were insufficient to elevate the show's overall quality, leading to sentiments that the talent was underutilized.

As 'Building Owner' approaches its finale, there is interest in whether it can deliver a meaningful conclusion. This case underscores that a stellar cast alone cannot guarantee a show's success.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr