Runaway: On the run for four more episodes?
by girlfriday
Looks like Runaway: Plan B is gearing up for a possible extension, upping the episode count from 20, to 24. It’s somewhat surprising that KBS wants to extend, given that the ratings aren’t exactly where they’d like, for such a star-studded cast and big-budget production.
But the middling ratings (hovering around 12.2% this week, TNS) aren’t the only factor in greenlighting the extension. For one, the drama has a loyal and vocal fanbase (Rain fans are no joke) and it’s being praised for the overall story and look, described as “fresh.” I don’t think that the look is all that new, but I do enjoy the tone of it, now that we’re actually in the thick of Ji-woo’s emotional journey. (Whereas the first few episodes just focused on the slick, thereby losing a good chunk of the audience, methinks.)
Another factor in pushing for the extension is KBS’ next drama on the Wednesday-Thursday slate: Choi Su-jong‘s President, which they understandably don’t want to premiere against Daemul‘s strong first-place showing, with such a similar premise to boot. It seems smart to extend Runaway through to the end of Daemul‘s run, giving President a chance to scoop up Daemul‘s audience.
Storywise, I don’t mind the extension because Runaway is finally getting good. It was mildly amusing before, but now that Ji-woo and Jin-yi are working together, the chemistry and goofy antics are adorable (see below). It’s become less run-run-run, and more character-centric, so I’m much more invested in the main storyline, and each episode’s table-turning twist.
The production crew and cast are in talks to weigh the decision, and Runaway Episode 17 airs Wednesday, November 24.
Via Hankook Ilbo
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Tags: drama ratings, Runaway Plan B
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1 ohemgee
November 19, 2010 at 12:28 PM
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
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ohemgee
November 19, 2010 at 12:29 PM
best friday news ever.
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2 angelpur
November 19, 2010 at 12:35 PM
...sigh. still havent got around watching this. bit hesitent because it didnt do as well as expected...and im watching too many kdramas at the mo...but is this worth giving it a shot?
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Angel
November 19, 2010 at 10:08 PM
I say... DEFINITELY! I'm totally hooked! even though I'm not a Rain fan. :P
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3 Lacey
November 19, 2010 at 12:38 PM
COOOL! RUNAWAY IS PRETTY GOOD!
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Nars
November 19, 2010 at 12:45 PM
Lol! IT'S MODERATELY OK!
I liked your response :)
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4 myweithisway
November 19, 2010 at 12:43 PM
I rather hope they would extend it, it's really getting good now
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5 Birdie
November 19, 2010 at 12:53 PM
I was put off by the cheesiness in the first few episodes, but Rain's character goofiness did grow on me as I watched the drama. I can't say Lee Na Young's acting does anything for me. She is not expressive and I can't feel empathy for her character. Unfortunately chemistry between her and Rain is lacking. The policemen couple chemistry is a lot better. So, I would say the ratings is pretty reflective of how good the drama is.
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jean
November 19, 2010 at 8:55 PM
OMG! TRUE! I FIND THR POLICEMAN COUPLE HAVING MORE CHEMISTRY THAN THE LEAD COUPLE!!
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houstontwin
November 21, 2010 at 5:19 AM
Yes the police couple is adorable!
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Dragana
November 30, 2010 at 8:29 AM
Totally aree with you on this point, although lately chemistry between them seems to be improving. On the other hand, police couple chemistry is great.
All together, show has gotten much more interesting as it is progressing.
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6 nokcha
November 19, 2010 at 12:56 PM
Now that it's more dramatic and less silly, I'm hooked. I don't like the idea of extensions since it seems to dilute the drama, but we'll see....
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7 danna
November 19, 2010 at 1:17 PM
o wow i didnt realize that Daemul and President would be running in the same time slot once Runaway got over...lol.....that would've been so much fun to watch...female President vs male President....lol....damn KBS...though i'm happy for Runaway and Rain fans...but i'm still curious how the Korean public will react to President since we just had Daemul this year
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8 jojo
November 19, 2010 at 2:37 PM
Four more episodes ONLY if he sings, rips his clothes off and dances... I'm getting hot thinking about it...
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kay
November 19, 2010 at 2:45 PM
lol i like the way you think
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9 MsRetta
November 19, 2010 at 4:03 PM
I liked this from the start. No matter what the reason for the extension maybe the show wont suffer from 'rush everything in the last two episodes' syndrome.
Cool.
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10 Stephanie
November 19, 2010 at 6:24 PM
The only thing that saved this show was the fact that I only have kbs in my country. So I stayed long enough for the char development to get going. I must say, I think runway had the worst first ep I have ever watched. 2nd is PK's 10 min opening dream sequence.
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11 Dory
November 19, 2010 at 7:02 PM
I thought kbs dont do extensions.
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ohemgee
November 19, 2010 at 7:11 PM
here's to hoping that they do!!! ^_^
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12 kirara
November 19, 2010 at 7:28 PM
I started watching this.. Already went through ep 5 or so and I went back to reading your recaps for Ep 1 and 2 and man.. I have to agree that is just cheesy and goofy... i mean they are basically just running.. chase, shoot. run a marathon in the street.. rest in the hotel then it starts all over again with Rain and policeman.
I think the only really reason I'm watching this is because of Daniel Henney, he's easy on the eyes but I wish he'd just stick to one language.. Its okay if he can't speak korean.. just choose 1 language so I don't really have to switch back and forth.. I'm not a korean speaker so its hard to determine whether i need to listen or read subtitles.
I'm glad that story is going to be more about the characters... I was hoping Rain and Kieko would get back together.. the character of Jin yi is kinda of strange.. I can't tell if Jin Woo has a thing for her or its just merely money.. but I haven't watched far enough to know.
Anyways.. I'm okay with extension or no extension.. I'm not sure what else would they need to fill out 4 extra episodes.
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@.@
November 20, 2010 at 12:50 AM
haha I too was wondering whatever happened to Kieko since we haven't seen her again (and I'm on episode 14) and it's not like they broke up. plus, her character description appeared in the synopsis for the drama...
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13 bjharm
November 19, 2010 at 8:47 PM
Maybe they counting on overseas sales so increasing the number of episodes is for that?
But then again they have to take into account Rain and he may already have something else on already.
I can not comment on how good or bad the show is as I stopped after the first episode.
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14 jose
November 19, 2010 at 8:59 PM
1 episode and i liked it !!!!!!!!! i didn't like the first 5 minutes but then the rest was good :)
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15 Hallyusurfer
November 19, 2010 at 9:34 PM
I give up on this drama.
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16 vianne
November 19, 2010 at 10:10 PM
I think Rain's acting is rather good especially during serious scenes. The policemen couple definitely has more chemistry and the girl is more interesting to watch than the lead.
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theasianstalker
November 19, 2010 at 11:02 PM
The kiss scene with handcuffs... :D
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17 @.@
November 20, 2010 at 12:38 AM
In this case, I think an extension could work. The story just gets better each episode, and it's still complex and has enough mystery that with a few extra episodes, it won't slow down. That said, I think that to watch Runaway, you don't necessarilly have to be a Rain fan. I don't even like action thrillers (hence, I didn't watch Iris, for example). It's somewhat in the middle, and for someone like me, who goes for romantic comedies, it's intriguing and yet fun enough to keep me hooked. I enjoy this show so much and laugh so hard, that my mom always comes in to see "what the heck is so funny". Also, the storyline is getting more emotional and romantic (feelings-based) and yet it still keeps its action-comedy part, so that blend is pretty refreshing to see.
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18 lgem
November 20, 2010 at 12:51 AM
This guy (Rain )has the capability to mix action and comedy into movie or drama as I watched this drama.good for him.
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19 dana
November 20, 2010 at 2:10 AM
Good news! How adorable is Bi Rain at the beginning of episode 15. Lol!
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20 Joy
November 20, 2010 at 7:41 AM
Yey! More Rain more fun and excitement, extension ???? Yes I'm all for it. Thanks girlfriday.
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21 my take
November 20, 2010 at 4:11 PM
i like this drama. liked it even from the beginning. he was on an assignment to get that precious object from the guy having the pool party. if he had to get out a boat in the middle of the ocean and swim to shore to get it, so be it. after all his motto is "if it can be done, we do it". to me all that running was showing how long and to what extend he was trying to keep from getting arrested by an obsessed detective. the international flavor was good too, i really enjoyed the interaction of dialogue. his character his simple and often appearing as though nothing is serious to him except it's price tag. and once he got attacked after contracting with Jiny i gradually saw the character change. through her he is dragged into and exposed to a deeper world were people are really going for big money (gold) in this instance and power, and they do anything to get to it. the character has some good traits, in that he won't kill and only fights in self defense and survival (except with Kia) that is. yep, this drama gets better and better, but in watching kdramas, for me i usually skip the first to third episodes anyway, with the exception of a few. i plan on watching President, but this gives me a lead into watching it, as Fugitive shows imaginative possibilities that could be at work behind the scenes in obtaining an office like that. no Jiny and JiWoo's characters don't compliment each other. i don't see how the could. she's been living a life of total fear while his doesn't seem to fear much of anything. but circumstances bring them together. the other couple has good chemistry cause their lives are a lot a like. their circumstances are the same, their work is the same, their environment is the same. their a good match. i totally like both couples. extension? maybe. but i think it can be wrapped up in the last 4. i think it's been underrated. living in the US you get to see every kind of cheesy nonsensical drama/movie. compared to them, i like it. (just my opinion)
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22 em,sie
November 20, 2010 at 9:11 PM
YAAAAHHOOOOOOO!!!!
THANKS KBS FOR EXTENSION!!!!! MORE RAIN ACTION SCENES.... ♥♥♥
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23 my take
November 20, 2010 at 9:38 PM
KBS has announced no extension because of Rain's tight year end schedule.
they met for discussion about it, and decided to go with the original plan. it's ok, by me. read the announcement on myjungjihoon blogspot today.
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