Cable drama Yacha makes a splash, sells overseas
by javabeans
I’ve mentioned cable drama Yacha before as a new OCN show boasting a high budget, special effects, and lots of action. The 12-episode series premiered last weekend to a very impressive — one might call it shockingly high — ratings number of 3.5%. To put it into some perspective, this is a cable drama that airs on midnight on Fridays, where anything above 1% would be hailed a success.
Yacha is set in the Joseon era against the backdrop of a secret organization running under the king’s authorization. The story unfolds around two brothers and one woman, and incorporates themes of fate, ambition, and revenge.
The buzz has been building and Yacha has sold broadcast rights in Japan, which is doubly noteworthy since the drama has barely aired in Korea and boasts no big-name stars. (The leads include Jo Dong-hyuk of Winter Bird, Jeon Hye-bin of Scale of Providence and Seo Do-young of Friend, Our Legend, so they’re not complete unknowns, but they don’t command the international fanbase that usually comes with foreign success stories.) Yacha will be airing in Japan sometime next year.
According to a source with the production house, Yacha made a strong impression with its short teaser video, and also has the added draw of Damo and Jumong’s writer, Jung Hyung-soo, and Joseon Mystery Detective Jung Yak-yong PD Kim Hong-sun.
Okay, now with that out of the way… I have to say I kind of hated it.
Caveat: I didn’t finish watching the first episode, so take what I say with a grain of salt. But as I tried to sit through it, my sense of distaste kept growing and I felt like I needed to get away from it, so I stopped.
I was looking forward to Yacha with some curiosity and optimism, since the last cable show I watched turned out to be so fantastic (Joseon X-Files). And right away, I could tell that this drama had a lot of skill and attention to detail poured into it. It’s super stylized so that it’s not so much a sageuk as something out of a graphic novel. The colors are washed out, the contrasts are intensified, and there’s an almost glossy sheen to the imagery — dark, gothic, beautiful in a haunting way.
The drama is also edgy in a way that you just don’t get on broadcast television, and I don’t just mean the nudity or sex or violence, although those all push it into the realm of 19+ cable show. It’s the way it stylizes those elements — it turns killing into a thing of beauty, shooting out blood in artistic arcs, letting it spatter in beautiful sprays. In an early scene, a woman is tied up against a wall, where arrows are shot into her for sport while she screams in agony. The sex is cold and lifeless, even when you’ve got a four-way going on that ought to be titillating or exciting but is sorta just there for shock value. It reminded me of how I felt watching 300 — beautiful in a polished, antiseptic way.
I actually felt like I was watching hentai — and I pass no judgment on hentai; it’s just not what I was expecting when I tuned in for a high-budget, buzzed-about, fusion sageuk drama. I like to think I’m not a prude, but who knows, maybe I am. If not liking this kind of stuff makes me one, I’m okay with that.
On the other hand, if this kind of thing floats your boat… go for it! And tell me what you think! I checked out before I got a good grasp of the story, so let me know if I’m missing something great.
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Tags: cable programs, Jeon Hye-bin, Seo Do-young
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1 swui
December 16, 2010 at 5:41 AM
I didn't like 300 too. It's all gore and blood for no good reason...so most likely this is not for me too.
I'm ok with a little ecchi but hentai is a lttle hard to swallow. It just felt ..sick.
Guess that makes me a prude too?
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2 bjharm
December 16, 2010 at 5:41 AM
The Korean 'Spartacus blood and sand' if you like that sort of thing
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Mars
December 16, 2010 at 7:08 AM
Your description nails the vibe I got from this drama from the previews!
Now, I'm morbidly curious.
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jeanie65jh
December 16, 2010 at 7:47 AM
That is exactly what this sounds like! From the cold over the top sex scenes to the graphic novel cinematography to the stylized "pretty scenes" of blood splattering. Spartacus Blood and Sand" held my attention for about 3 episodes and I couldn't do it anymore. 300 was kind of fun but in retrospect, very cheesy. Having said all that...That is one pretty poster!
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Barbara
December 16, 2010 at 9:47 AM
HAHAHA! I swear that's the first thing I thought when I saw the trailer.
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3 Ad/commercial in Kdrama
December 16, 2010 at 5:49 AM
I'm not familiar with how Kdrama get their funding.
For American TV show, it's about 42 minutes of actual show + 18 minutes of ad.
I noticed that most K-Dramas are about 60+ minutes. How many minutes of ads for a typical Kdrama?
And what are the normal start time?
I see some 9:55pm, some 9:45pm etc....
So for example, Secret Garden starts at 9:45pm, when does it end? (11:15pm?) how many minutes of ad?
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glacierkn
December 16, 2010 at 6:25 AM
I'm not totally sure either, but it seems that there are commercials in between shows, not during shows. I like that system a LOT better than America's.
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estel
December 16, 2010 at 6:32 AM
A lot of advertising happens in product placement items within the drama itself. There are no add breaks during dramas, but if I remember correctly, there's usually about five or ten minutes of adds before/after the drama.
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December 16, 2010 at 6:42 AM
I too have asked that question. I seen that the average air time for a drama is 60 but sometimes for some it passes 5 to 10 min.
So there are no commercial breaks in a drama or show?
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Soxxy15
December 16, 2010 at 6:42 AM
I too have asked that question. I seen that the average air time for a drama is 60 but sometimes for some it passes 5 to 10 min.
So there are no commercial breaks in a drama or show?
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sumee
December 16, 2010 at 7:22 AM
The adds are always aired before and after the drama... As far as I remember the run time for advertisements is like 10 mins each time !
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Ad/commercial in Kdrama
December 16, 2010 at 7:30 AM
Is it like that only for primetime drama?
What about daytime drama? Variety shows? news programs etc...
p.s. It's great for the audience that there are no ad breaks during the show.
miss unknown
December 16, 2010 at 9:24 AM
@ Ad/commercial in Kdrama
As far as I know, variety shows are the same. They aired ads before and after the show. There are no commercial in between like American Tvs here, which is why I love it more! XD
Ace
December 16, 2010 at 7:27 AM
I watched a live episode of Secret Garden when I was in Seoul last month and noticed that there was a short break somewhere during the middle of the show. I didn't time it so I'm not sure the minutes exactly, but I would say around 5 minutes. I tuned in at 10pm exactly and it has already started, it ended around 10:50pm. There were tons of commercials afterwards, before the next show came on.
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4 Hannah
December 16, 2010 at 5:52 AM
Spring Waltz guy is in it?
Kinda wanna watch now.
But not enough to actually watch it.
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Kender
December 16, 2010 at 7:29 AM
I had the same reaction, especially since I'm also watching him in Invincible Lee Pyung Kang where he is DARLING.
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Rens
December 16, 2010 at 7:03 PM
omg what happened to spring waltz guy?! He bears no resemblance to spring waltz guy at all..
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Sada69
December 17, 2010 at 1:54 PM
Can't stop laughing...are you guys talking about Jo Dong-Hyuk, the sexy ravishing hero of the story?
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anais
August 28, 2011 at 11:27 AM
I think you're confusing Yacha's Jo Dong Hyuk with Spring Waltz's Oh Ji Ho. They're both manly men with raspy voices that are surprisingly higher than befits their manly image.
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5 archaenon
December 16, 2010 at 5:54 AM
I love 300.
I love Spartacus
Rome was amazing.
This is up my alley. Now if Korea could make something like Boardwalk Empire, I'd be set.
Where can you get this drama btw? I haven't seen it anywhere tbh.
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mskololia
December 16, 2010 at 5:58 AM
Viki.com is showing....
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lixin64
December 16, 2010 at 6:01 AM
If you want to stream it, try viki.com
If you want to download it, try am-addiction.com (you have to register, but it's free)
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Sada69
December 17, 2010 at 1:55 PM
Oh my gosh....soooooooooooo with you!!!
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Branewaiver
December 11, 2012 at 4:10 PM
Agree. Keep minds open everybody. I love spilled blood for a good cause.
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6 mskololia
December 16, 2010 at 5:57 AM
I anticipated this one based on earlier press about it, and did expect something different.
After watching most of epi 1, the shock value was there, but I did not understand what was happening so I need to see it fully subbed. It appears that characters are cold, colder, and cold/ruthless still....I have to understand the storyline and so will hang in there until subbed to see if there is anything compelling about it.
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7 Janny
December 16, 2010 at 7:55 AM
Okay so I was just fast-forwarding though the first segment on Viki (since it wasn't fully subbed yet) and I have to say that I regretted doing so....it feels kinda gross to me....well no offense to anyone out there who thinks it is good. Guess it's just not my cup of tea.
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8 Selli
December 16, 2010 at 9:59 AM
Urgh, I never watched 300 either, so I'm definitely not going to watch this!! XD It'd just make me cry and feel disturbed. The scene with the woman who got shot you described...how can anyone even think of that stuff?! @_@~ I don't get it.
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9 schreber
December 16, 2010 at 10:10 AM
It wasn't a terrible first episode, though being use to the overly trendy dramas I was taken aback by some of the stuff they showed (the obvious cable-only stuff). That said they need to tone down the blood splatter/gore factor since it is just overdone/cheesy to say the least.
I'm actually kind of curious about the female lead's reason for revenge, the synopsis for her character doesn't really sell me on the idea of her doing whatever she's going to do out of spite/or from being rejected by one of the male leads (since he wanted her to be with his brother instead of him).
Given the closing scene in episode 1 I have to wonder how they're going to pick up in episode 2.
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10
December 16, 2010 at 10:19 AM
I couldnt even finish the trailer it made me sick
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11 crazylu
December 16, 2010 at 10:36 AM
guess i'm a prude too.
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12 elisa
December 16, 2010 at 10:41 AM
pictures remind me of...sin city hahahaha
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13 fab_ahjumma
December 16, 2010 at 10:53 AM
A few questions as I'm new in kdrama land. What is a cable drama? How is it different to a normal drama? (Apart from it being aired at midnight)
What is hentai? Name of a show or a word?
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Jenny
December 16, 2010 at 11:32 AM
hentai is japanese (へんたい) that means material that is sexually explicit (pornography is also called hentai)
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faan
December 17, 2010 at 8:58 AM
I think that in this context, JB was specifically referring to animated Japanese porn.
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sandy80
December 16, 2010 at 12:30 PM
a cable drama could be different from the normal drama cause its on a cable channel and so it would be uncensored and shows some daring stuff that is unusual in kdrama land still not every cable drama is like that and they are not many anyway
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fab_ahjumma
December 16, 2010 at 8:15 PM
thank u both :)
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14 Christy
December 16, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Ir mostly reminds me of Rome (the series made by HBO).
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mskololia
December 16, 2010 at 3:26 PM
I actually liked Rome, and followed it...The ending was noneventful, but it was a wild ride while it lasted. I will give this one a chance once the subs come out.
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15 kkrazy
December 16, 2010 at 1:08 PM
"I like to think I’m not a prude, but who knows, maybe I am. If not liking this kind of stuff makes me one, I’m okay with that."
Yeaaaah, me too.
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16 Keeley
December 16, 2010 at 2:16 PM
I'm not bothered by extreme debauchery and really like graphic novel type stuff- so I took at look at this drama. Although I have no idea what is going on so I think I'll wait a few weeks for subs to come out- but so far it seems exciting and interesting.
I may not be the best judge though because even if it sucked I'd still watch it for Seo Do-young ;)
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17 danna
December 16, 2010 at 2:54 PM
300 is exactly what crossed my mind too when i watched this...that and Sin City
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18 Atsirk
December 16, 2010 at 3:43 PM
Darn. Seo Do-young is here? I didn't even recognize him! OMGosh. Is he the antagonist here?!
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19 x0mi07
December 16, 2010 at 4:11 PM
first 6-8 minutes has around a total of probably 1 minute's worth of gross foursome with the king but other than that and the overblown cg blood effects, it looks like it has a cast with pretty solid acting chops (from the first ep anyway).
i don't think i'll continue to watch it but it's interesting to see what will happen to the three leads. their back story seems to be pretty good i'm kinda excited for it.
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20 glencorajane
December 16, 2010 at 5:08 PM
Given your description, i am not surprised it got sold to Japan. They have a penchant for such gory stuff... Some of their Samurai flicks are somewhat like that.
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21 yolili
December 16, 2010 at 7:03 PM
Javabeans, was wondering whether you have heard of a currently airing cable drama on eChannel called 'Angsimjeong' starring Kim Ha Eun of CitC fame?
Its based on Joseon era too & features a secret organization as well.
Further info: http://www.viki.com/channels/2015-angsimjeong
The thing is this cable drama is so LOW profile and the English subs are only like less than 10% done for the episodes, so it's quite a struggle to follow the drama knowing zilch Korean and basically, I'm just enjoying the visuals, fighting scenes and Kim Ha Eun :D
KHE's character is more kick-a... here but her character's background is similar to that in CitC.
KHE garnered a lot of love in CitC, so would love to know your take on her latest sageuk drama.
As for Yacha, I'll be checking it out soon, thanks for your take on it.
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22 kooriyuki
December 16, 2010 at 7:55 PM
the screencaps here somehow reminds me of Kurosawa Akira's films (Seven Samurai, and the likes).
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23 ivy
December 17, 2010 at 6:57 AM
From your description of the show, I can certainly see why they managed to sell rights to Japan. Given that there are Japanese films that touts themes of stylized/artistic "violence", this may sit well with some the audience there
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24 Miriel
December 18, 2010 at 5:23 AM
I watched the first episode and I really liked it! I'm really looking forward to what happens in the next few episodes. The violence and the sex didn't make me blink because...well, I watch HBO and, like other people have said, the show does resemble some HBO shows (and even Dexter, in parts). But the violence here was much more campy...I didn't think it was squick-worthy or very convincing. But it is a really interesting show. Watch it, definitely.
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25 Your Opinion Shouldn't be that restrictive
January 9, 2011 at 7:49 PM
I think you have to watch it first before judging. Seriously guys it's not violence for violence...There's a huge story behind...And this show it's make for adults. It's more realistic than shocking...It doesn't talk about a girl who infiltrates a band so she can do something bla bla and bla...
Personally I think you can criticize whatever you feel like it. But in my opinion you don't have to be so Judgy or try to stereotyped every thing...Give it a go with an open mind...that's all...
Why will it be no sex in this show ? Why the sex is not supposed to be cold ?? I remind you that this scene describes sex between a king and some courtesans. Girls who probably DO not want to have sex but I have to (fake it----the sound) because the guy is the king.
The guy shooting the girl in the first place why don't you tell in your critic that he did that because she was trying to run away...This drama talks about some specific time in history where some people were leaving differently...And if they have to shock people so they can through the reality of this time..so go for it..
Seriously I give it go and I was positively surprised by the outcome...I would say I better watch Yacha than YAB or Boys over Flower..
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26 vic
June 3, 2011 at 4:00 AM
can please someone tell me why there are gladiators in this show? i'm pretty sure there were not gladiators in korea back then :)
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27 Rokujo no Miyasudokoro
June 29, 2011 at 8:20 AM
Hi
I had the exact same impression as all you "prudes." This drama is definitely not for the fangirls or grannies. But it does draw a lot of attention! :P
-Rokujo no Miyasudokoro
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28 Rokujo no Miyasudokoro
July 1, 2011 at 9:31 AM
So i just finished watching this....only 12 short episodes!
I don't get the ending at all!
Someone who watched it explain to me? This isn't a much talked about drama, but the acting and effects were great!
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29 Noelle
August 26, 2011 at 3:02 PM
Sounds like showtimes spartacus. Love that show. So who knows I might like this.
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30 anais
August 26, 2011 at 9:47 PM
I made it through the gory first episode, which let me glimpse a bit of its soul, and I found that little bit very compelling. So glad that I stuck with it because this is turning out to be a really great series. I'm in episode 3 only, but so much has transpired already that I'm surprised that I'm not already at episode 7. By contrast, Warrior Baek Dong Soo started out great, went blah for a really long time, and finally kicked into high gear with Episode 16. I was surprised that it was already Episode 16. Felt as if I had only gotten through 10 or 12 episodes worth of material.
Hopefully, after finishing up this Series, I'll be as impressed as I am now.
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anais
August 27, 2011 at 6:46 PM
Episode 8 or 9, and I'm totally engrossed. Did another near all-nighter. And Jo Dong Hyuk leaves me speechless. I could watch that man forever.
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bd
October 2, 2011 at 10:00 PM
I can see why JB wasn't exactly enthralled after the 1st ep. - the violence was a bit overstylized, esp. the blood splatter (just too much, made the already fake looking blood look even more fake), but it gets better, esp. when the main character finds himself elsewhere.
Only a 3rd of the way thru, but thus far can say that it's one of those dramas where it gets better as it goes along (along the same line, I LOVED Joseon X-Files, and the best eps where the ones in the middle.)
What I want to know is why Jo Dong Hyuk isn't a bigger star; he has the looks, the on-screen charisma and the acting chops to be a big star.
As for Warrior Baek Dong Soo, it was better when it was about the 2 leads as younger boys (like the younger actors better as well).
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31 wellwellwell
June 23, 2013 at 3:13 AM
Here's my rant...How do I put this? This drama sucks.
I was put off by the first few minutes when it came out three years ago, and now that I got around to watching the entire drama, my reaction is still the same. I made myself watch it since I know that sometimes dramas turn out unexpectedly greater than I initially anticipate, but this one bombed. I especially skipped through most of the scenes of the Japanese island. No one looked or behaved Japanese, which is typical of Korean dramas, but this was way worse. The writers just threw the Japanese girl (who made me want to barf every time she showed up on screen) in as the reason for him to get off the island, kinda like how it was mentioned that the foursome in the first episode was for shock value, but I couldn't buy into it at all. There was no chemistry between the characters for the show to be enjoyable in the least.
Ok... I'll say something constructive. The drama would have probably been better if they had extended it rather than put in so many special effects. Vital parts of plot development and character study were glossed over by blood, gore, and swordplay.
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