minj99
The latest installment of KBS2’s Sat/Sun drama may be the beginning of the end
The ratings say otherwise, but Young Lady and Gentleman does not quite meet the expectations of KBS2 Sat-Sun dramas. The format itself may be at a crossroads with the growth of streaming, the rise of mini-”mini-series”, and the changing drama audience.
Story:
The commitment to fifty (two) episodes is a double-edged sword. Time to explore characters. Too much time to fill. Safety of a long contract versus the risk of trying something new. The formula is a multi-generational family romcom with truckloads of misunderstanding. Among its peers, Young Lady and Gentleman takes an unusually out-of-touch approach to romcom, and feelings of frustration exceed any satisfaction gained.
Acting:
The cast is surprisingly small for such a large drama. The plot is also very “main”-centric and does not give as much opportunity to others. For example, it is hard to call Kang Eun Tak’s role as a “main role”. Thus, the acting falls on the shoulders of the two main leads, Ji Hyun Woo and Lee Se Hee. The plot did them no favors, but their acting and chemistry more often breaks immersion than add to it. The small supporting cast shines brighter in their limited roles.
Music:
The standout here is the OST sung by Lim Young-woong, who received mainstream attention following his win on Mr. Trot. The rest of the OSTs are well produced but fail to be more than another track on a long list of Korean OSTs.
Rewatch Value:
With a 52 episode count, it is difficult to justify a rewatch. The last drama in this timeslot that I watched is Homemade Love Story, which is a more interesting watch. My 100% biased favorite from the timeslot is My Father Is Strange. There is also the biggest hit, My Only One. Even the next drama, It’s Beautiful Now, shows more promise with Yoon Shi Yoon heading the star studded cast.
Regardless, the days of fifty hour weekend dramas may be numbered, and I predict a shift away from this long format. Current trends indicate dramas becoming shorter, less than 12 episodes! Streaming giants are quickly moving into the KDrama sphere. Even if this timeslot remains a staple to local Korean audiences, the producers and KBS must feel the pressure to innovate, both in the format as well as the formula.
Story:
The commitment to fifty (two) episodes is a double-edged sword. Time to explore characters. Too much time to fill. Safety of a long contract versus the risk of trying something new. The formula is a multi-generational family romcom with truckloads of misunderstanding. Among its peers, Young Lady and Gentleman takes an unusually out-of-touch approach to romcom, and feelings of frustration exceed any satisfaction gained.
Acting:
The cast is surprisingly small for such a large drama. The plot is also very “main”-centric and does not give as much opportunity to others. For example, it is hard to call Kang Eun Tak’s role as a “main role”. Thus, the acting falls on the shoulders of the two main leads, Ji Hyun Woo and Lee Se Hee. The plot did them no favors, but their acting and chemistry more often breaks immersion than add to it. The small supporting cast shines brighter in their limited roles.
Music:
The standout here is the OST sung by Lim Young-woong, who received mainstream attention following his win on Mr. Trot. The rest of the OSTs are well produced but fail to be more than another track on a long list of Korean OSTs.
Rewatch Value:
With a 52 episode count, it is difficult to justify a rewatch. The last drama in this timeslot that I watched is Homemade Love Story, which is a more interesting watch. My 100% biased favorite from the timeslot is My Father Is Strange. There is also the biggest hit, My Only One. Even the next drama, It’s Beautiful Now, shows more promise with Yoon Shi Yoon heading the star studded cast.
Regardless, the days of fifty hour weekend dramas may be numbered, and I predict a shift away from this long format. Current trends indicate dramas becoming shorter, less than 12 episodes! Streaming giants are quickly moving into the KDrama sphere. Even if this timeslot remains a staple to local Korean audiences, the producers and KBS must feel the pressure to innovate, both in the format as well as the formula.
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