Same Writer, Opposite Results
Renowned drama writer Seo Sook-hyang, known for hits like Pasta and Don’t Dare To Dream (or Jealousy Incarnate), finds herself at the center of public attention as her two current dramas yield starkly contrasting results. One is breaking records with soaring ratings, while the other struggles with disappointing viewership despite high expectations and a massive budget.
The two dramas in question are KBS2’s Iron Family and tvN’s When the Stars Gossip.
When the Stars Gossip: High Expectations, Low Results
With a production budget of 50 billion KRW (approximately $38 million) and a star-studded cast featuring Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin, When the Stars Gossip had high hopes pinned on its success. The romantic drama, set aboard a space station, promised an innovative concept and took three years to produce.
However, the show’s ratings have been underwhelming. After premiering with a 3.3% nationwide rating, it dropped sharply to 1.8% by Episode 5, before slightly recovering to 2.9% by Episode 6. Criticized for a weak storyline, outdated dialogue, and unnecessary controversies, including a much-debated bed scene, the drama has failed to connect with audiences or critics.
Comparatively, tvN’s previous weekend drama The Queen of Tears concluded with a peak rating of 24.9%, highlighting the disappointing performance of When the Stars Gossip.
Iron Family: A Weekend Hit
On the other hand, Seo’s other drama, Iron Family, has been a resounding success. Airing on KBS2, the weekend drama focuses on family conflicts and reconciliation, striking a chord with viewers of all generations.
Its January 19th episode achieved a nationwide rating of 19.0%, drawing nearly 3.5 million viewers and cementing its position as the #1 program across all networks. With its warm storytelling and strong performances, Iron Family is poised to surpass the 20% rating milestone as it nears its conclusion.
Why the Drastic Difference?
The contrasting success of these two dramas highlights the importance of audience connection:
- Relatable Themes: Iron Family capitalizes on traditional family dynamics and relatable emotions, appealing to a stable viewership base.
- Niche Concept: When the Stars Gossip experiments with an unconventional space romance setting, which, while ambitious, has struggled to resonate with a broad audience.
Critics argue that while Seo’s writing talent is undeniable, the choice of subject matter and execution play a significant role in determining a drama’s success.
Lessons from Success and Failure
This case demonstrates that a drama’s success depends on more than just a star writer or cast. Factors like relatable themes, narrative depth, directing, acting, and alignment with audience preferences all play a critical role.
Seo Sook-hyang’s previous works, including Miss Korea and Wok of Love, further show her ability to craft compelling narratives. However, the starkly different trajectories of Iron Family and When the Stars Gossip serve as a reminder of how crucial it is to balance creativity with audience expectations.