What's Up and Poseidon lose their airdates » Dramabeans Korean drama recaps

128 February 21, 2011February 21, 2011

What’s Up and Poseidon lose their airdates

by javabeans

Yeah, so this sucks: Two dramas that were given upcoming timeslots have had them yanked, meaning the university-musical-theater drama What’s Up and the hot-guys-at-sea drama Poseidon are both adrift once more. Thanks, SBS.

(By which I really mean: fuck you. No Eric, Im Joo-hwan, Im Joo-eun, or Kim Kang-woo? *rages ineffectually*)

It was announced just a week ago that What’s Up would be on the air next month, but contrary to those reports, an SBS rep, CP Kim Young-sub, stated on the 20th that it’ll no longer get the post-Paradise Ranch timeslot.

If you’ll recall, SBS had announced cancelling the 9pm drama hour just days before the What’s Up announcement, and they’re close to deciding to cancel it after all. They’re still debating, according to CP Kim, who said, “The 9pm drama can be considered a failure,” but that as regards the format, “I think we need challenge and a change.” Another possibility on the table for that 9pm hour is to attempt a new format akin to the Friday dramas (one-offs, one-acts, and the like).

What’s Up began filming in July 2010, and is currently 90% done with shoots.

Then there’s Poseidon, the maritime police drama starring Eric and Kim Kang-woo as frenemies at sea. It has also been cut loose by SBS, which had had it on its slate for a May broadcast as a Monday-Tuesday series.

Alas, the SBS drama department decided last week in internal meetings to go with a different drama instead, and announced on the 20th that it had never fully committed to Poseidon in the first place (BS, I be calling it), and that it therefore hadn’t strictly cancelled it, merely decided not to air it. Oh, okay then. Then you were an idiot for giving an airdate for a drama you hadn’t strictly decided on, is that it?

Poseidon had begun shooting with the May premiere in mind, but now is looking at continuing its shoots with the pre-produced model in mind. (Not that it has much choice; it’s either continue filming and hope for an airdate later, or just give up now, wasting all that time and money.) One broadcast rep stated that because the drama has already invested a sizable amount into the large production budget, it has a good chance of getting a broadcast as a pre-produced series that has had the time to take advantage of high production values.

In order to continue the production, the drama will have to work with the actors’ schedules, because some shoots have been delayed. Combined with the above issue, there’s a chance the drama may lose some of its cast. One rep from one of the actors’ agencies stated, “The actors [Eric, Kim Kang-woo, Kim Ok-bin, U-know Yunho] are big stars, and if they get offers from other companies, they can’t just be held back thoughtlessly. It looks like the production company will explain its position within the week, which we’re waiting for.” (Uh-oh. Looks like someone wants out?)

One Poseidon rep took an optimistic approach to the pickle they’re in, saying that despite SBS dropping the drama from its schedule, because of Eric’s popularity as a Hallyu star and the interest from foreign markets, there’s a likelihood that the drama will manage just fine, regardless.

You know what else it sounds like? SBS doesn’t know what the hell it’s doing. And here I thought MBC was the station o’ desperation.

Via TV Report, Hankook Ilbo

128

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51 xiaoSxin

February 21, 2011 at 4:49 PM

GODDAMMIT SBS. You dared mess around with WHAT's UP. *curseswithrage*

I feel really sad with these news when I think about what the actors feel (actually just LJH is enough to drive me bonkers and off the walls) with their drama getting shelved. All their hardwork..

LIM JU HWAN 이주환님 힌내세요!! 임주환님의 팬들 항상 기다 리릴게요 화이팅!

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52 jen

February 21, 2011 at 4:51 PM

*GASP*

How dare they not air Poseidon with such a stellar cast!!
I've been waiting for Kim Kang Woo to make a comeback forever!! Grrrr and Eric too!

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53 haruka

February 21, 2011 at 4:53 PM

And I thought the Mon-Tues slot fails not because of the slot, it was the drama themselves. Exception on Wish Upon a Star and bits for Personal taste, imo.

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54 win

February 21, 2011 at 4:54 PM

What the...NOOOOO! I want to see Eric and KKW...together...in one show!!! Whyyyyyyyyyy?!?!?!?

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55 sunshine

February 21, 2011 at 5:07 PM

Are you KIDDING?! The next thing you know KBS will be joining in on MBC's and SBS's shenanigans as well. (And I'm just really pissed What's Up isn't going to air ASAP.)

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56 autumnscribbles

February 21, 2011 at 5:14 PM

Damn you SBS, damn you!!! why announce the air date in the first place when you plan on changing the format anyway??? geez getting everyone's hope up like that...

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57 Christy

February 21, 2011 at 5:19 PM

NOOOOO.

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58 didi_tricesaria

February 21, 2011 at 5:22 PM

stupid!!!!!!!... I have a hunch that Poseidon could be big hit!!!! Shame on SBS for not making such commitment to Poseidon...

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59 cha_maeri

February 21, 2011 at 5:26 PM

Nooooo, this makes me soo sad. Mostly because of Im Ju-hwan.

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60 boo

February 21, 2011 at 5:39 PM

Perhaps the filming postponement of Poseidon made the execs at SBS doubtful that everything will be ready for airing on time. That's a possibility right? We don't know and yet start condemning SBS. These dramas with its potential WILL see the light of day I believe, but maybe just later. Everyone be patient and don't whine like a child for God's sake...

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Reina

February 21, 2011 at 5:49 PM

Yeah you're right. Nice to see a cold-head comment here. I myself am pissed at SBS before, but now after calmed down, I realized we don't know what happen inside SBS discussion team. They all experienced people doing their job. They must have their valid reasons for this. It's not like 1 people decided this. It's a vote and discussion among a committee/board, so whatever decisions they have come up, it's already through serious thinking and consideration. Seems like major tv stations in Korea starting to have more careful thinks regarding their upcoming dramas, like Birdy Buddy case. Their decision might or might not right, they not God, but they do what they think it's best course of action.
And, as someone else mentioned, it's possible they already see both drama pieces and decided it's not good enough. At least this possible with What's Up, with 90% filming done.

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xylophonic

February 21, 2011 at 7:27 PM

Isn't the writer of What's Up really popular for high-quality dramas like Sandglass and Story of a Man? I realize many things can screw up a drama like poor direction, but I don't really think it's likely that it's the quality of What's Up that prompted the cancellation.

That being said, I find the whole situation just even more baffling. They better have a good reason and not just a dumb impulse born of paranoia.

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61 mellowyel

February 21, 2011 at 5:40 PM

Was so looking forward to What's Up... oh well. Praying another broadcaster picks up these dramas - they honestly seem too good NOT to, so this whole dropping thing seems ridiculous.

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62 Doris

February 21, 2011 at 5:49 PM

Hi,

OCN and TVN should pick up on these 2 dramas.

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Infiniti512

February 21, 2011 at 6:21 PM

Yeah put it on cable with more half nakie RickWoo!

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63 pumpkinattack

February 21, 2011 at 6:48 PM

If anyone needs me, I'll be in the angry dome!!!

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64 Auntiemame

February 21, 2011 at 7:11 PM

Hmmm ... Let's hope it's not the Peter Principle at work here. And, SBS hired the scheduling guy from MBC.

Sad . . .

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65 Kaye

February 21, 2011 at 7:15 PM

LET ME JUST SAY WHAT A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!!! ARGH...I HAVE BEEN ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE DAY TO SEE ERIC ON SCREEN AGAIN IN POSEIDON IF HE WASN'T IN THE OTHER DRAMA WITH YEH AND THIS GETS YANKED! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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66 churasan

February 21, 2011 at 7:22 PM

SBS seems so wishy washy lately, what's up with that? These two dramas seemed like real quality dramas with good casts and interesting storylines - do they seriously think they can find better dramas to replace them with...?! Really disappointed.

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67 MIA

February 21, 2011 at 7:53 PM

From reading some other reports, I get the sense that SBS is not dropping Poseidon, just that they could not air it as originally scheduled. And it seems they based their decision on the delay in filming the drama. If this is the case, then the Poseidon situation is not SBS's fault but the Production Company.

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Kaye

February 21, 2011 at 10:49 PM

Thank goodness! Mia, you make a really good point. I really don't mind a delay if its due to production or if their waiting for the right spot to place it in their future lineups. It could be like Paradise Ranch and be put on hold and aired a little bit later. It'd be great to see Eric's return to tv anyhow...i mean why cancel it and have wasted all that time not to be aired at all.

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68 BJ

February 21, 2011 at 7:56 PM

BOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Not happy

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69 Mai

February 21, 2011 at 7:58 PM

Damn it, I was so looking forward to these two so much! What in the world would posses them to cancel them when there are stellar cast members involved? This totally ruined all the hard effort that the production teams have put in..not to mention we won't get to see ERIC!!!

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70 jaykay

February 21, 2011 at 8:17 PM

WTF...
come on SBS, show everyone you have atleast some amount of intelligence.
what's up and posiedon wer gonna do great, expecially because of the cast!

i just really wanted to see eric again and my daesung in what's up:(

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71 Rachael

February 21, 2011 at 8:23 PM

Well if MBC wanted to continue breaking it's ratings curse they suddenly have two keen options they should pick up just to spite SBS. It would be hilarious.

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72 leonardswench

February 21, 2011 at 8:54 PM

Bastards!

Are they trying to make MBC look good?

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73 ivy

February 21, 2011 at 8:56 PM

I don't give a rats ass that SBS isn't airing. Let's hope whatever else they choose in favour of these dramas are actually excellent picks, OR let their ratings burn in hell.

I don't care who picks it up... Shelve them a little longer if they want but I goddammit I want to see them broadcasted! Like if you can't get it on a network TV at least on cable or something. The trailers I've seen of What's Up were really pretty amazing. I am so in love with the cinematography.

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74 Rexy

February 21, 2011 at 11:19 PM

Auggggggghhhhhh!!!! No Eric? No university musical?! Is SBS on crack?! Noooo!! *beats head on table*

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75 anotherfan

February 22, 2011 at 12:12 AM

Wow interesting. Hopefully those 2 dramas will see the light of day and get aired eventually. I'm wondering what dramas they are going to air instead.

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76 Lilian

February 22, 2011 at 1:29 AM

After how shiteous HTTG and Strongest Chil Woo were, I think reps could care less about Yunho and Eric.

I was excited about What's Up since the cast is fresh and promising.

It would also be kinda ridiculous to pass it up considering Daesung's in it and Big Bang is making their comeback. Its the perfect time to snag VIPs for viewership.

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Phi

February 22, 2011 at 2:41 AM

well probably SBS could care less about Daesung since he's the newbie in the drama world any way

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Suou89

February 22, 2011 at 11:57 AM

As much as I love Eric and Yunho, and know they have many fans, I admit they have not yet made big impacts in acting. They A class singer and idol, yes, but as an actor, they are average at best, IMO. SBS couldn't pick a drama or decided to air them as soon as possible just based on them. Plus perhaps there wary-nes about the failures of some big budget action drama lately. I believe if script, story, acting, directing of drama really good, they will get airing time eventually, don't worry. The same goes for What's Up, they couldn't pick it immediately just because of Daesung and Dream High success. Was it true that MBC dropped it before WU went to SBS?

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Phi

February 23, 2011 at 11:49 AM

Eric's previous dramas Phoenix (2nd lead) & Super Rookie got great rating. Korea Secret Agent also had good rating. His last two, Que Sera Sera & Strongest Chil Woo didn't fair well in the rating department but he got praise for his acting in Que Sera Sera from Korean critics as well as our own Dramabeans :D

Like you I don't believe in start studded casts of A listed actors & idols = rating guarantee (don't wanta name the series XDD). To me it's most largely based on the script, plot & directing and what the viewers' drama taste bugs. From what I heard, Korean viewers usually like rom-com, comedy or sageuk more than action so may be SBS is having a 2nd thought? idk

I just hope because of Poseidon filming delay due to the weather, SBS could not fit it to the previously scheduled May09 airdate and it'll be slotted for the 2nd half of the year. From Dramabeans' article, it said SBS do not really cancel Poseidon right?.... bad SBS toying with our hearts & minds XDDD

Hope the best for What's Up and another network will pick it up soon.

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Phi

February 23, 2011 at 11:52 AM

^ stars studded..... lol bad typo XDD

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77 maeumi

February 22, 2011 at 2:44 AM

I bet SBS is gonna regret this decision quite soon in the future.

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78 SpongeBob

February 22, 2011 at 6:18 AM

Wow!! Javabeans is getting vulgar!!

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79 SpongeBob

February 22, 2011 at 6:19 AM

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80 Sisneyace

February 22, 2011 at 6:20 AM

No no no!!! I've been waiting for "What's Up" for so long!!! SBS sucks!!! I think I am going down to Seoul and protest in front of the SBS offices.

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81 matinsoleil

February 22, 2011 at 8:28 AM

Fu** you SBS! Is SBS really managed by professionals?? There're so many people with hatred thoughts right now and I'm pretty sure reactions a that strong in Korea!

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82 Venus

February 22, 2011 at 10:24 AM

WTHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! SBS REALLY !!! REALLYYY!!!... this is crazyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy..

Ok my damn question is WTF SBS is going to show on those time slots?....cause I think SBS just doomed itself for the rest of the year.... OMG I mean NOOO ERIC!!!!! wthhhhhhhhhhhhh....

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83 minayuki

February 22, 2011 at 8:01 PM

FUCK.
Did you hear that?
My life just shattered around me.
NO ERIC?!
W H Y.
W H Y.
W H Y.

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84 Im Ju Hwan

February 22, 2011 at 10:34 PM

I'm so upset they pulled my show again. For the second time. I'm so mad. After I trained so hard. After I practised all those killer moves.

I really have no luck with dramas. First they cut Tamra to 16 eps. Now they can What's Up.

WHAT's UP with you guys, SBS??????

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85 kims

February 23, 2011 at 4:40 AM

this really sucks! I'm so waiting for What's up to air for so long now!

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86 jomo143

February 23, 2011 at 1:12 PM

Maybe they are trying to drive down the cost and are renegotiaing for a later release?

This really shows what the real risks were for the fictional MSOAN drama team.

I guess it's true in the US, too, that shows are started before they get picked up. Most of them, however, only do a few shows - not almost complete the season.