Royal Family gets an extension
by javabeans
Royal Family, the Wednesday-Thursday series starring Ji Sung and Yeom Jung-ah, has been granted a two-episode extension, raising its total episode count from 16 to 18. I’ve been hearing positive things about the show, despite my own disinterest in it (sorry, I just couldn’t), so it’s good news for the show — two episodes isn’t too much of a burden, and with 12 episodes aired, they have a little time to work in the extension.
According to the drama’s CP, the production had also considered a four-episode extension before nixing that possibility. Ultimately they decided that with the drama’s fast pacing, four more hours would drag their narrative too much. (At least they recognized that, since lots of shows just take the money and say to hell with the narrative flow.)
The chaebol-centered drama has been the leader in the Wednesday-Thursday ratings race in recent weeks, but has actually been losing ground as its competitors close in. In earlier weeks, Royal Family had been described as the clear winner, but with this week’s ratings, its lead has been cut down to “an uneasy first place” and “a razor-thin margin.” Its numbers reveal an uneasy trend: After starting at 7.0%, the drama had steadily climbed to 15.7%, only to see its numbers fall to 14.9%, 14.0%, 13.7%, 12.9%, and now, 12.5%.
The latest ratings (Thursday’s) for the three shows were closer than they’ve been thus far: Royal Family‘s 12.5% was up against a 10.2% from KBS’s Thorn Birds, while SBS’s 49 Days rose to a 10.8%. (Yay! And good for them; it’s really starting to get good. So cute.)
To be honest, 12% ratings is a bit low for an extension (usually you’ll have to hit 20% for that, or in this current age of depressed ratings, at least upper teens), but it’s not a surprise that MBC is willing to keep even a modest hit going, given its unsteady track record in years past.
(I suspect MBC has been considering the extension for a while, because I’d noticed that its follow-up drama, the Hong sisters’ Best Love, hadn’t set a premiere date. It’ll have an extra week now, which puts its premiere in the first week of May or thereabouts.)
Via Hankook Ilbo
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Tags: 49 Days, drama ratings, Royal Family, Thorn Birds
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1 snow
April 8, 2011 at 2:51 PM
it's good news if it works wonders for the narrative, or at least tie up the loose ends in a neat way.
jb, just curious, what was it about royal family that didn't stir your interest? was it the storyline or the cast?
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jigglybelly
April 8, 2011 at 3:12 PM
it's a question i share ... I've been watching the this drama and I find it more engaging than 49 days; though I admit that it loses on the cuteness factor. For me, the narrative and the pacing makes it a more compelling watch.
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Biscuit
April 8, 2011 at 4:07 PM
Personally, I find the fact that it's "chaebol-centered" and titled "Royal Family" uninteresting. I know, I know. I didn't even try it. But even with regular dramas that I like, I get bothered by the fact that there's chaebols in EVERY DRAMA.
And now there's a drama about it?
I might try it. Later. Someday...
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kay
April 8, 2011 at 4:41 PM
but this isn't your regular chaebol family that is so ubiquitous in kdramaland. it's like a cracked up version that makes gu jun pyo's mother seems like an angel. i wasn't interested either, but heck i gave it a try anyway and am completely hooked.
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drama fever
April 8, 2011 at 5:55 PM
I got hooked. This drama didn't focus on the romance & cute department. But the mysterious and compelling parts keep you want to find out what will happen next. I like the main guy here. He's HOT.
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dramaaddict
April 8, 2011 at 8:15 PM
Out of utter boredom I decided to watch this show, and I was hooked with episode 1, and i don't get to say that alot. Sometimes I don't even make it through half the first episode (cough paradise ranch). This show has intrigue, great characters and the story is very face paced (which i love). A must watch!
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mee
April 9, 2011 at 4:27 AM
I found it to be the most "realistic" depiction of chaebol in drama so far. Also, the chaebol are not there just to have some rich people or convenient plot point, but to explore what it takes to become a chaebol, and what growing up in such a family must be like. And it's kind of fun that it incorporates what is publicly known about actual chaebol families such as the ones controlling Samsung or Hyundai.
Insook was a poor girl who married into a chaebol family and it was no Cinderella story for her - she was treated as a non-person and marrying her also had significant costs for her husband. The chaebol daughter, Hyun-Jin, seems to be a composite of two Samsung heiresses. Insook's mistreatment by her in-laws supposedly resembles how Go Hyun Jung was treated by her Samsung ex-in-laws. She got a divorce and resumed her acting career but it also meant not being able to see her two children since the divorce.
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bz
April 10, 2011 at 12:39 AM
How is that legal
its not like GHJ is a convicted felon
Surely Korean laws allow her to see her children
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MMM
April 11, 2011 at 10:18 AM
That's funny. I was thinking that "K" was based on GHJ as well.
I think the title gives the wrong impression and people avoid watching it. But people who are tired of fluffy kdrams with no substance (like I am) should give it a try.
It really is a quality drama. Very well thought-out and very dark. It's scary to think that a separate world like that could really exist.
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myra
April 8, 2011 at 6:06 PM
Tbh I can't stand Insook. She gets on my nerves. RF isn't bad, the story telling is quite compelling but I just find the YJA's character really annoying.
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2 MJP
April 8, 2011 at 3:01 PM
Yippee!!!!!!
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3 malta
April 8, 2011 at 3:11 PM
why is he holding a teddy bear?....umm, haven't watched this show, but the teddy bear thing might make me!
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kay
April 8, 2011 at 3:45 PM
he's holding a teddy bear bc when he was around 13 years of age in the orphanage, a small boy was murdered, and our hero was framed as the murderer. the teddy bear was somehow used as evidence against him i think. and then our heroine had patched it back up for him and he's kept it ever since.
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4 jojo
April 8, 2011 at 3:18 PM
I may give Royal Family a try after it's over. As series go, 18 eps isn't too bad. As for 49 days, I've been enjoying reading the recaps, but will wait until it's over to watch. The 24 eps are not confirmed and that makes me nervous. JB, you say it's cute, but what if 49 days becomes 49 weeks? Yikes!
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5 Nika
April 8, 2011 at 3:27 PM
I am currently watching this show and think it’s amazing! Acting is great (though I was not a fan of ANY actor in this show before premiere and had for a while issues with leading actress), the plot moves fast and keeps you on the edge. And consider that I began watching it without subs and any understanding of Korean. It doesn’t focus on the romance, but still all interactions between characters are very interesting and little by little you discover new unknown facts which are unpredictable and quite surprising. All in all I would recommend this drama to everyone who looks for something more than love triangle and bickering romance (not that it is bad but sometimes you want to try smth different) After watching 12 ep I still don’t know how it will end but I really hope that the main female character Kim In Suk didn’t commit unforgivable crime and would be able to find peace and happiness and Ji Hoon would be able to accept his and her past and dark side if his angle and have a bright future.
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IstayedoutallNight
April 9, 2011 at 2:12 AM
Yes i totally agree with you - while 49 days is OH SO CUTE!! *squeels*, royal family is GRIPPING!! I've watched it since the first episode without subs, and I like how it is portraying chaebol not as a romance-plot device but as a real good story! I didn't know anything about its actors but the pacing/directing/acting/editing is excellent. Overall, it has good drama, which is what its called in the first place
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6 Linda165
April 8, 2011 at 3:29 PM
I'm waiting for more subbed episodes before begin to watch it.
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7 kay
April 8, 2011 at 3:49 PM
i'm loving this drama so far and i think it's a lot better than 49 days, although that one does win in the cute department. i fell for this show after the scene where ji hoon has the flashback to when he was brought in as a criminal and met in sook for the first time and she smiled at him. the soundtrack was perfect.
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liz
April 8, 2011 at 3:51 PM
I think both dramas are good on their own, why compare?
No need for this.
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kay
April 8, 2011 at 4:48 PM
it's like saying i like chocolate more than vanilla even tho both are good. not trying to start a fan war, just stating my opinion. i say it's better in terms of the overall acting and production values imo of course, but that doesn't mean i'm not loving 49 days either :)
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Birdie
April 8, 2011 at 7:42 PM
Nothing wrong with stating your opinion. Love to hear it. This website is full of opinions. Most of us frequent it to read JB, GF and others' opinions.
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8 liz
April 8, 2011 at 3:50 PM
You see I love 49 days, but love Thorn birds too. So I get sad either getting lower ratings.. lol
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9 tombrady's girl
April 8, 2011 at 6:32 PM
Sad to see Thorn Birds dead last. Although it's got the makings of a makjang, it's a cut above that bec of the solid writing, directing and acting. The story turns very quickly and you are kept guessing as to when to truth is revealed to the key players. I am hoping the fast pace continues until the end. It is also refreshing to watch a drama where all the actors are exceptional. I think this must be Han Hye Jin's best work yet - she was always good but I didn't think before she's got this range. I hope she gets recognition for it at the year-end awards despite the poor ratings.
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kay
April 8, 2011 at 7:17 PM
agreed. han hye jin is wonderful in thorn birds.
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creidesca
April 9, 2011 at 2:59 AM
The ratings for Thorn Birds has been slowly increasing, so there's still hope w/ 8 episodes left to go. May be it could go in the same trend as Uhm Tae Woong's Resurrection?
May be even hammer the drama's official twitter page w/ requests for a Director's Cut DVD--we already know of 1 scene that got cut (and at least of another due to it being posted on the Making Of page at the official HP).
I also wonder if there are any plans for extension, because the EP 7-8 written preview ended up giving scenes that eventually appeared in EP 8 and 9 (not 7 & 8). Then there was that 1 post from the drama's official twitter acct, posted in English in response to another person: "thanks for your attention n interest. Who knows? If it has more attention episodes can b extended=D"
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Yasmin
April 9, 2011 at 6:16 AM
Yeah, I really like watching thorn birds!! It's labelled a melodrama and normally that isnt my type but I haveavtually enjoyed watching it with th suspense keeping me at the edge of my seat!! Was really disappointedthat it got low ratings but will continue watching it till the end!! Hope the bitchy best friend gets what she deserves and eun jun and young jo get together!! His daughter is soo cute, can't wait until everything is revealed!! SOOO EXCITED!!!!!
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Beng
April 10, 2011 at 9:07 AM
oh, i love watching thorn birds too! i never knew i would get so hooked. I watched the first 10 episodes in 2 days. Now, i'm practically all the sites just to see if eps 11-12 are already subbed. In fact wait for it so i watched it both without subs. I love all the casts, including the daughter =)
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10 saranga
April 8, 2011 at 7:15 PM
ooooh! i hadn't realized the hong sisters' drama is airing after royal family! so soon! hehe to be honest i'm not deeply crazy about any dramas airing right now... i am reasonably entertained by 49 days, royal family, and midas, but i'm really looking for something comic and light soon :)
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11 omo
April 8, 2011 at 8:58 PM
I dislike extensions but I hope this one works. Gosh, there are so many layers in the characters that nobody seems to be what they really portraying. I really hope they don't drag it out too long that people get tired of peeling back the layers. Love, love, love Ji Sung in this role.
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12 martha
April 8, 2011 at 9:40 PM
i like all the dramas on going right now. thorn birds, midas, royal family, 49 days, heck i even like "all that glittersa is gold" (sparkling). so im like on stand by a lot waiting for new epis to down load at kimchidrama.com.
its a smorgasbords of dramas, you got a banker, a lawyer, a film producer, a ghost, and an editor.
even tried watching , paradise ranch just because of joo sang wook but i just couldnt go on watching anymore. ugh.
im soo looking forward to all the new dramas coming nxt mth.
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13 Jetsu
April 9, 2011 at 2:10 AM
Out of the Wed-Thur dramas, I'm only hooked on Royal Family. Intense, fast pacing & unpredictable. Insook & Ji hoon (main leads) are great. I've watch a bit of Thorn Bird, but it's so-so. 49 days .... haven't seen it, but don't think I will.
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14 Arhazivory
April 9, 2011 at 5:44 AM
Hmmm...after all the comments here, I might just give Royal Family a try.
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15 blueangel
April 9, 2011 at 7:58 AM
Haha Ji Sung holding a teddy bear!
I kind wanna check this out but i'm not really into this type of drama revenge all that. But i do like Ji-sung-so maybe on my to-watch pile.
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16 cathy
April 9, 2011 at 4:32 PM
i don't like this kind of drama , so many brainless characters, especially actress with ugly nose job, sorry .
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drama fever
April 9, 2011 at 10:49 PM
Haha...I agree. She looks too old for Ji Sung. He's Hot !
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17 maracarrero
April 13, 2011 at 10:46 AM
This is an excellent drama with so much intrigue and red herrings. It is one to watch for all ther interesting characters and so many chaebols, you don't know which way to look. Wow!
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18 Flo Oy Wong
April 20, 2011 at 11:00 PM
I started watching Royal Family with much interest but am giving up after several episodes because of the poor quality of the subtitles. I had also given up on Dae Mul for the same reason. Good English subtitles for these K dramas are essential. The best subtitling that I have found so far are the YA Entertainment K dramas.
Having said the above I am truly enjoying Thorn Birds and the adorable 49 Days. 49 Days is best when the adorable Grim Reaper appears on the screen. The narrative is wonderful and it's good to see how love is defined and expressed in 49 Days.
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