| [YEAR-END REVIEW (5) DRAMA] Drama market gets globalized, theme-driven (Source) |
2008/12/25 |
With the new year less than a week away, the drama market merits a moment of reflection. The year 2008 proved to be a trying time for Korean dramas.
Pummeled by an economic crisis and competition from hit American and Japanese series, the domestic market cut down on the number of miniseries it aired in November. Yet despite cutbacks, a few stellar pieces stood out this year that, along with a dramatic increase in theme-driven dramas, softened the blow.
Here is a recap of the highs and lows of 2008, along with a glimpse into 2009.
Drama Recession
Around November, KBS, MBC and SBS responded to the economic downturn by slashing their drama budget. KBS discontinued their 7:40 p.m. daily KBS 2 TV dramas, MBC their special weekend dramas and SBS their Friday premium dramas as part of their autumn program reforms.
Various factors contributed to the reduction, including an increase in wages for celebrities and screenwriters, which upped production costs, along with a decrease in... |More
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| New drama takes on an old theme (Source) |
2008/10/27 |
Whenever a series with a similar theme to a previous hit comes out, it is almost certain to get severely criticized.
KBS' "Worlds Within", a new drama that bears striking similarities to SBS' "On Air", will face judgment tonight when it airs its first episode.
Like "On Air", this star-studded series tracks the drama production process. But unlike its predecessor - which revolved around a manager, an actress, a scriptwriter and a producer - "Worlds Within" focuses on the relationship between two program directors, played by celebrities Song Hye-kyo and Hyeon Bin.
Through Song and Hyun's characters, viewers will get an inside look into the world of television, with a bit of romance on the side.
But will it be compelling enough to nab the same high ratings as "On Air"?
KBS has done everything in its power to make sure "Worlds Within" does not flop.
Not only did they bring Song and Hyeon on board, they enlisted the director of KBS' "Full House", Pyo Min-soo, and the scree... |More
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| The world Hyeon Bin and Song Hye-kyo act in (Source) |
2008/05/15 |
Drama's big names have gathered. Director Pyo Min-soo of "In-soon is Pretty" will direct, and writer Noh Hee-kyeong of "More Beautiful Than a Flower" and "Goodbye Solo" will write, and Hyeon Bin of "My Name is Kim Sam-soon" and Song Hye-kyo of "Full House" will act. It's an outstanding group worthy of the drama "On Air". Their work is "The World They Live In", a drama about a director's work and love. Hyeon Bin plays a promising director, Jeong Ji-oh, and Song Hye-kyo plays director Joo Joon-yeong, who has experienced directing plays and tries a miniseries. Overcoming the complications that arise from unspoken barriers within the drama field is the foundation of the story. Of course, it also ties in love into the competition of the two producers. The production company, YEG, said, "Director Pyo Min-soo, who has a prominent way of subtly expressing emotions, and writer Noh Hee-kyeong held a long search for actors who could embrace the character in the best way".
"Worlds Within" was t... |More
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| Sometimes, it's good to be proved wrong (Source) |
2007/01/01 |
There are times when I feel glad to learn that I was wrong. I used to guess that my 30s would be an end to my fun because of my favorite poem, "Hitting Your 30s and the Party Is Over". However, I'm glad that I was wrong, because, voila, I'm officially a 30-something now and the party has just begun. Also, I used to jeer at made-in-Korea TV dramas for their love of such cliches as a lead character suffering amnesia or some kind of an incurable disease. However, I found myself proved wrong again last year, especially with a bundle of well-made TV dramas by A-1 scriptwriters like Noh Hee-kyeong of "Goodbye Solo" and "A Miracle" and Kim Do-woo of "Fox, What Are You Doing ?"
Speaking of Noh Hee-kyeong, whom I have called "Mr". in my past few columns, I have to correct myself as she is Ms. Noh. And I, who love being a woman, am immensely glad to say that we have another talented woman on the TV scene. After wrongly changing the gender of Ms. Noh, I had a call to correct me from a reader. Al... |More
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| A smorgasbord of holiday DVD reviews (Source) |
2006/10/03 |
For some, Chuseok is a season for family gatherings. For others, it's a chance to catch up on some PG fun with piles of movies spread all over your living room carpet.
"Barefoot Ki-bong" is a story about a 40-something bachelor with a mental disorder. His entire world is devoted to pleasing his old mother (He is nicknamed "a barefoot Ki-bong", because he is often seen running home after work to bring food for his mother). Then one day, he decides to attend a marathon competition, hoping he'll be able to fix his mother's teeth.
The film, based on a true story that aired in a TV documentary series, is touching and warm. But it's also naive and anachronistic.
For a family film with an edge, try "The Birth of a Family", by Kim Tae-yong. The film depicts loving family members not tied by blood.
Kim insists that the principle of a family is love, not blood. Decide that for yourself after watching the film. The supplements of the DVD are fulfilling; it comes with voice commentary by the f... |More
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