Ja Myung Go kicks off with a whimper

66 March 11, 2009April 5, 2009

by javabeans

So, who caught the premiere of Jung Ryeo-won‘s new grand historical series Ja Myung Go [자명고]? (It has apparently dropped the “Princess” from its title.)

…Nobody? Well, you’re not alone — ratings were abysmal (4.1%), considering the months of hype leading up to it.

After trying to maneuver its premiere to evade ratings behemoths East of Eden and Boys Before Flowers, Ja Myung Go‘s Monday “special” broadcast pulled in a weak 5.8%. But that wasn’t too upsetting, since specials that air before a drama’s premiere tend to draw low numbers.

But its first episode on Tuesday aired at probably the worst time ever — it had to contend with the ever-increasing numbers for BBF and the grand exit for Eden.

Song Seung-heon, of East of Eden

So, let’s talk about ratings.

I find ratings fascinating. It’s one of those things we try to have both ways. The numbers totally don’t matter, except when they’re good and then they do, but then once they go bad we try to say they don’t matter again.

In Eden‘s absence on Monday, Boys Before Flowers shot up to its personal best, 35.5%. As I said, Ja Myung Go‘s weak special broadcast isn’t a big deal, but I would have expected a higher number given Eden‘s absence. Ah, the power of baseball.

Tuesday, however, meant that Eden was back with its last two episodes. It finally broke the 30% barrier for the first time in a while with its finale, although technically the last episode had no prime-time competition — Eden‘s episode 55 drew a 25.8% against Flowers‘ 31.2% and Ja Myung Go‘s 4.1%. Because of the pre-emption from the day before, Eden‘s finale followed in the 11 pm hour with a 30.1%.

Boys Before Flowers

Like I said, to some extent these ratings numbers don’t mean much. Yet, on the other hand, it’s fascinating to look at the trends, as though they represent more than mere viewing habits.

And whatever our opinion on television ratings, the fact is that they drive the business, and to completely disregard them would be ignoring a key facet of the industry. While they may not indicate a drama’s quality, they do affect productions in significant ways: money, accolades, prestige, future work for the actors and crew.

I wouldn’t write off Ja Myung Go yet, however — it will have its chance to recover; with 50 episodes, there’s a lot of time to build. Plus, MBC’s next offering doesn’t look like very strong competition: 16-episode drama Queen of Housewives [내조의 여왕], starring Kim Nam-joo (Voice of a Murder) and Oh Ji-ho (Single Papa in Love).

Personally, I’m more interested in seeing if the tragically flawed but inexplicably addictive Boys Before Flowers will be the first miniseries (i.e., non-daily) in a while to break the 40% barrier. (I say it will.)

Via TV Report, My Daily, Yonhap News

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51 belleza

March 12, 2009 at 6:11 AM

@Kobe,

"Bichunmoo rated pretty poorly too. "

Yeah, but I think Bichunmoo flopped partially because it already aired in China by the time it got back to Korea. I mean, people who wanted to see it, already saw it, you know?

Ja Myung Go kinda fits in a niche in that it's going to be an idol romance with some intrigue, lotsa pretty costumes and lotsa romance, and above all romance with a lot of romance on top of the romance. It's even going to be romantic. It's the equivalent of the Taiwanese costume-idol drama, somewhat like how Iljimae was (which "brilliantly" fused Princess Pearl-slapstick with tropes vaguely reminiscent of both Batman and Naruto . . . ) It's also the unofficial sequel to Kingdom of the Wind, which was the unofficial sequel to Jumong, who was the Chuck Norris of Korea, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife, and I will have my vengeance in this life or the next . . . .Uhh what? Anyway, I think JMG has a decent shot to do solid mid-teen numbers, depending on how Story of a Man fares..

I don't think Song Ji Na's Story of a Man will be a big hit. It's on the wrong station, should have Kim Kang Woo playing the lead, and the storyline may be too real for the current climate. That'll open up either Ja Myung Go or Kwon Sang Woo's Cinderella Man. Cinderella Man is going to be DOA show, unless it has a lot of kissing scenes between Kwon Sang Woo and Kwon Sang Woo. So, presuming Cinderella Man is in the cellar, and Story of a Man does mostly 18-22s, there's enough there for JMG to do respectable mid-teens throughout its run. Finally, it doesn't look like it'll have to face Queen Seon Duk.

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52 likeOMN!!!!!!!!

March 12, 2009 at 6:28 AM

OMN!!!!!! JRW's neck is terribly scary! does anyone notice that?

and for the ratings, yep u'rryt.. it counts.... even if it's lyk a bunch of numbers...

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53 spinkystar

March 12, 2009 at 7:18 AM

Ja Myung Go drama is very good( actors, actresses,their costumes, photoshoots, webside, posters, press conference…). I think it will be famous in the asia. I am not Korean - Rating is not important for me !

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54 mzpakipot

March 12, 2009 at 7:16 PM

ratings does have an effect on some viewers....
i might check this out, the guy looks hot though..^^

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55 juju

March 12, 2009 at 9:37 PM

I hate to steer things away from the actual discussion, because I had all these things to say about ratings, but HOLY HELL IN A HANDBASKET those BBF boys (especially Kim Hyun Joong) look STARVED. I know it's well known they're not eating well, and shoot, I never notice things like weight loss or gain, but here I was, a little Juju sitting here, educating myself about K-TV ratings, and BAM, two skeletons are staring back at me from the BBF pictures.

Le sigh...

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56 Jess

March 13, 2009 at 12:15 AM

I still think Jung Ryeo-won looks too modern to be in an ancient series... I half expect her to come out in jeans :)

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57 belleza

March 13, 2009 at 1:50 AM

"I still think Jung Ryeo-won looks too modern to be in an ancient series… I half expect her to come out in jeans"

When we first saw on-set images a few months ago, when Jung Ryeo Won was very underweight, I actually thought "Wow, who knew some Korean princesses were heroin addicts. Mayeth hath my spoon my fair prince? I do love the FUUUUUUUUUSION!! :D "

But, seriously, yeah, I think the main leads all seem rather modern looking for this show. But, I think it'll work in its favor. And I think the dresses both princesses are wearing are absolutely gorgeous.

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58

March 13, 2009 at 11:57 AM

um question people where do u watch this??????????????

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59 mikki

March 14, 2009 at 8:33 AM

i've watched ja myung go and it rocked!
i will continue watching it even if the ratings are not so good..
you guys should try watching it..

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60 lily

March 15, 2009 at 3:14 PM

I will try it.

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61 Kiki

March 20, 2009 at 11:53 PM

wow! thanks for responding... i could of wikepidia it too! LOL! Your right...make over does wonders!! Well i can understand taht in her other drama, she's plays the poor hardworking mother of two who have a strong will so no time to pretty one self. So she is playing the evil woman iin her huh? Can't wait to see it!!

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62 Annie101

March 23, 2009 at 2:16 AM

i don't know if you'd be willing dramabeans, but could you cover ja myung go? i mean i know it's long, but it's got me hooked from the first ep. viikii is really concentrated on BBF right now, so there are hardly any other people working on other drama subs too. or something about upcoming eps. thanks again. i really can't wait till BBF is over. i know that's rude. but that drama is just shoved up my face through my butt and overrated!!

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63 yeoni

March 25, 2009 at 11:39 AM

I feel the same as you annie101, but once BOF finished hopefully people will concentrate on Ja Myung Go. I really want some decent consisent subs for Ja Myung Go.
I love BOF but I kind of hate it at the same time, I'm just relieved that it's ending soon!

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64

April 3, 2009 at 12:45 PM

hey what happen, why tthat don't show Ja Myung Go Episode 8
what taking that so long ...... Dan She's hot??????

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65 Lynx

April 10, 2009 at 6:59 PM

Here's the episode ratings and overall ratings:

Source: http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Boys_Before_Flowers/Episode_Ratings

Didn't hit 40%. Came close past 35% for episode 18 :)

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