The man who can’t get ratings
by javabeans
This is an interesting article, in that it looks at the low numbers faced by current Monday-Tuesday drama The Man Who Can’t Get Married and analyzes it from a cultural perspective. Most low-rated dramas (that aren’t disasters of writing/acting) tend to explain their disappointing numbers in terms of being too complicated for the average viewer or lacking in “makjang” (convoluted, unrealistically dramatic) qualities, but The Man Who Can’t Get Married is a bit different in that it’s also adapted from a Japanese series that enjoyed quite a lot of popularity. So why is the Korean version faltering?
The Man Who Can’t Get Married can’t attract popularity
Hidden birth secrets, mother/daughter-in-law conflicts, a handsome chaebol who falls for an ajumma without reason — it has none of those. All it has is the “man who can’t get married” who has reached the age of forty as a bachelor because of his extremely fastidious temperament.
KBS’s Man Who Can’t Get Married, remade from the popular 2006 Japanese drama of the same name, has been unable to shake off its low single-digit ratings. Compared to other dramas that have been remade from Japanese series like White Tower and Boys Before Flowers, it’s a disappointing result.
Media critics point out the main factor in the drama’s ratings failure as “the absence of conventional Korean-style drama format or characters.” That means that it lacks a fierce battle between good and evil, sudden fatal illnesses, and other customary elements of Korean dramas. Without the pretty boys, chaebol daughters, plucky and hardworking young heroines, or devoted wives and mothers that Koreans tend to prefer, the characters haven’t been able to satisfy the tastes of the viewers.
Critic Kim Sung-soo analyzes the situation, saying, “In Boys Before Flowers and White Tower, the appearance of villains to cause and heighten the conflict was close to the Korean style of dramas, whereas The Man Who Can’t Get Married shows detailed emotional threads through calm episodes, and is a Japanese-style drama. Korean viewers who are used to dramatic structuring can’t help but feel bored.”
Sticking overly close to its original source means that the drama hasn’t been able to satisfy Korean sentiments. In the earlier part of the series, the drama message board wasn’t merely about the episodes but looked at how similar the Korean version was to the original, down to its smallest details, and viewers felt the Korean version lacked appeal.
In particular, although it is recognized that the episode where the male lead (Ji Jin-hee) goes to a barbecue restaurant alone is a device used to reveal his personality, some feel that it was an awkward setup given how we are not familiar with a culture of aloneness. One netizen criticized, “It feels like they took a Japanese drama and dubbed it over in Korean. It’s taken too exactly from the Japanese version so I can’t relate to the characters’ words or actions.”
Culture critic Choi Young-kyun said, “In the case of Boys Before Flowers, the drama was adapted to appeal to Korean tastes. Now that The Man Who Can’t Get Married is in its latter half, in order to gain popularity and connect with the public, it will need to try seasoning itself with a Korean flavor.”
What I find particularly interesting about this argument is that foreign dramas are quite popular in Korea, and never is the cultural difference an issue with enjoying them (e.g., Prison Break, Lost, Hana Yori Dango). But when adapting, “Korean-ness” — however one may define that broad, general sentiment — is an essential element. An ordinary citizen doesn’t necessarily have to have a horrible mother-in-law, a Cinderella complex, a vengeful ex, or a rich chaebol suitor to relate to those oft-seen kdrama characters in those unrealistic dramas that attract such high popularity. Even when the circumstances are completely off-the-wall, it’s the feelings that people respond to, and it seems that when viewers are unable to relate the Korean-ness of the emotions, the connection falls flat.
All that said, I think those who do like this drama aren’t hindered by those factors, and for those reasons I wonder if a foreign audience may be more open to the drama. When you can see it without worrying over the cultural dissonance factor, it’s probably a lot more fun.
Via Kuki News
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Tags: drama ratings, j-doramas, Ji Jin-hee, remakes, The Man Who Can't Get Married, Uhm Jung-hwa
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101 tar
August 12, 2009 at 11:27 PM
the drama says it well (maybe not all) about Asian culture where man & woman are expected to get married at certain age (20s-30s) and if they hit that age limit..they are hard to sell, hence all the pressurize. I think more so in Korea, even though it's modern and all that. I have a Korean friend that always pestering me when to get married, said that i'm too choosy and work up the ladder and no guy dares to have me. Watching the drama really helps me to understand culture and expectations. And it's different from lots of Korean drama that i've seen, you know that three generations in one house, love triangles (ahhh they do here), the hero/heroine is terminally sick ..mean in laws etc. Watching it in Viiki...it's more fun to read all those comments. I like all the actors/actresses..i like Uhm Jung Hwa here--looks more graceful (compare in Seducing Mr.Perfect), the hair is nicer and natural (with that in Oh Vs Karl)..at least clean image for her. Ohhh Kim So Eun is so natural & fresh...hope for Korean Film Industry ...No Plastic Surgery...I will give this drama A+
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102 Nikaii
August 15, 2009 at 6:04 AM
dang! this drama series makes me lol. :D never EVER ever underestimate this tv show. it BRIGHTENS mah day. :) at least you it gives us a break from the korean cliches and storylines.
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103 frances
August 16, 2009 at 11:51 PM
Fantastic comedy!
Loved Sangoo!
Well presented by all the actors and actresses in "He Who Can't Marry", especially on acting the subtlety of certain emotions e.g. embarassment, fear, agitated, happiness on the little things in life that make it all wonderful.
A refreshing topic "getting hitch at a ripe old age" that is of concern to parents and people of the age alike. ehemmm i was there ;p
Jae Hee, although annoying at first, does grow on one.
Romantic and awkward scenes of Dr Jang and Jae Hee...so funny and loving.
Thanks for an interesting, full of fun comedy, and not the common "dying" and sobbing Korean drama. You gave me and my husband interesting few weeks of drama dates :). Cheers!
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104 baglover!
August 21, 2009 at 12:55 PM
I was hoping that you would know which are the brand(s) of bags that the character of Jae Hee carries in the series? I especially love the white tote bag that he carries at the last scene with the doctor in the hospital, and the blue version of it. If you know where I can get them that would be fantastic!!! <3
Back to topic, this was the funniest drama I've seen so far. My mom and I were so hooked on it we did a marathon from 6pm to 330am to finish the last 8 episodes !!!
I'm surprised that the Korean audience weren't as hooked as we were!
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105 Retta
October 3, 2009 at 3:52 PM
As an American thoroughly enchanted and addicted to KDrama, I LOVE this
one! is it because it has mature actors and storyline? maybe...I mean really the only alternative to growing older is death...I digress
Jin Ji Hee is so handsome...and I am a fan of Uhm Jung Hwa...I loved the cast and the cute dog.
This is an all time favorite and is at the top of my list to own. I look forward to watching it again...it's so funny and endearing, and I was surprised that the ratings were low. This was just an excellent series. I also enjoyed the little snips in between the episodes of Jae Hee...brilliant...even now I get tickled thinking about it...
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106 cathy
November 12, 2009 at 8:05 PM
I like this drama ,more realistic
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107 anjell
November 17, 2009 at 7:53 PM
i also watched this drama and liked it a lot! ;)
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108 Julieputy
November 20, 2009 at 9:42 PM
I love Uhm Jung Hwa. She's so adorable in that show while hinting Ji Jin Hee that she likes him. Go Uhm Jung Hwa!
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109 strawberrynkiwi
December 2, 2009 at 10:19 AM
i also really enjoyed this drama. it might be not be the type of drama that you finish over 2 days. but it was entertaining and different. and i love how it is realistic, realistic romantic story is much more appealing to me. i get really sick of the same k-drama ingredients' the article mentioned.
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110 lilly
December 8, 2009 at 9:58 AM
There is lack of Kdrama cliches simply because it is based on Jdrama. Jdramas tend to be (I think) deeper than Kdramas- about feelings because most of time they don't need to exxagerately act the loving, friendship, emotional parts which comes more naturally- while Kdrama are mostly better on the outlook work.
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111 CebuGirl
January 12, 2010 at 9:36 AM
I think it was a great adaptation. While remaining true to the story, it is not too Japanese. Nor is it too Korean. Ji Jin Hee did his own version, and it wasn't bad. Abe-san would fit a Japanese. He did a great job as well. And Uhm Jung Hwa here proves she can also play reserved/conservative. And actually, I already felt the Korean touches here and there, though subtle. Which is great, because too much slapstick could ruin the adaptation. And it was a great plot as it is.
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112 showlove
January 26, 2010 at 10:30 PM
Well said! I thought this drama was extremely cute and very funny too watch. It's one of my favorite dramas and I do agree, Koreans tend to like the melodrama types of stories.
I think this drama has a very Japanese theme to it, but it still keeps its Korean touch. I actually thought it was better than the original itself.
It's an easy-going, fun-loving, innocent and enjoyable drama. :] It's like that of Jdramas which connect feelings/love/family and such. Not like Korean dramas which are mainly based about the love and dramatic events.
But it's just me. i tend to like Jdrama themes more because they have a variety and its not just the same ol' cliche kdrama story lines.
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113 violin
June 1, 2010 at 4:28 PM
i saw the Japanese version and bits of the Korean one. The key difference i think is in the characterisation of the male lead. In the Japanese version he is cool, aloof and his idiosyncrasies stood out in a real but funny way. In the Korean version, it came out more like obsessive compulsive behaviour.
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114 Tabo
October 25, 2010 at 9:23 PM
This is the first Korean drama I have finish watching, more realistic, and the lead actress did a great job here
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115 Bert
June 2, 2012 at 5:08 PM
Koreans should step out on their comfort zone on Film makings, this few years your industry in films are wonderful.. so keep it by trying more circumstances
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116 Jhona Lee
September 11, 2014 at 6:56 PM
i really really like this series because its fun to watch and i really praise the actors and actresses in here..theyre amazing especially Ji Jin Hee....this is kinda refreshing series to watch..i really like the fact that Ji jin hee change his acting here..it shows how good actor he is...
i like this series, the timing, its very funny..especially the episode 6..haha...XD..lol.. im from the philippines and i think if this will be aired in our country..it will gain a very high ratings because this is something refreshing and very enjoyable series..i just got sad when i found out that koreans doest like it..but personally i like it even if im not korean...i hope to watch this series in our country with our languange..
i know its kinda late to watch this but i really enjoyed this one..:D
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117 Jhona Lee
September 11, 2014 at 7:13 PM
i really like this series..it makes me laugh all day by watching all the episodes and cant get over it..XD..
i hope to see this drama in our country back here in the philippines..we well surely accept this drama wholeheartedly....
i was very moved by this series..i just found out that this series didnt catch korean hearts... i pity them for not watching this...XD
i really like the episode 6...XD
good job The MAn who cant get married...
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118 Jhona Lee
September 11, 2014 at 7:17 PM
im not yet done watching it....im on episode 10 and im really enjoying it so far..:D ....
hope to see more of this kind of series
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