Age of Feeling caught up in budget woes and controversy
by javabeans
There sure is a lot of drama about this drama, which has pretty much been the case from Day 1. So now on top of struggling to cast a hero, swapping a main actress, getting its timeslot taken away, dropping the head writer, and firing one of the stars, now Age of Feeling is also struggling to pay its bills. Oy! Good grief.
The news is twofold: that the show has exceeded its production budget, and also failed to pay its actors and crew. I think this calls for a second OY! And GOOD GRIEF.
According to news reports, the production has failed to pay both its cast and staff for last month’s salary. Criticism swirled after news broke, at which point the production side hurried to do damage control and issued statements that it wasn’t a failure to pay, but a negotiation of amounts over a difference of opinion. Insert skeptical side-eye here.
One rep with production company Ray & Mo stated that they had planned to issue back payments on the 17th, but because of the exceeded budget (by several hundreds of million won, which translates to several hundreds of thousand dollars), they are not sure how much they can currently afford to pay. According to that source, negotiations are underway to pin down when these payments can be made up to both KBS and their underwater budget.
KBS issued its own official statement on the 13th, pointing out that payments were made without any differences of opinion last year, from September through November. However, beginning in December and January, differences started to arise, leading to the current situation requiring negotiations. The instant a decision is reached, they plan to pay. The rep added that every actor and staffer has their own terms of payment (in advance, after-the-fact, in installments, etc), which adds to the complications, but stated that they have every belief the production will pay up, and that the criticism was premature. (Or was it.)
Adding to the kerfuffle is a smaller dust-up about actress Jin Se-yeon, who is attracting criticism for her habit of taking on overlapping projects. She recently added Doctor Stranger to her schedule, and filming will cut into her time on Age of Feeling, which is on Episode 18 of its 24-episode run. Once instance is hardly anything to get upset about, but Jin does have a history of overbooking projects, and it’s gotten to the point where each additional instance increases the volume of complaints raised against her. (She started Gaksital while still starring as the lead in My Daughter the Flower, then when Gaksital was still going she started Five Fingers. Valid complaint or tempest in a teapot?
Via Newspim, OBS, Oh My News
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1 Mama J
March 13, 2014 at 3:04 PM
I will SCREAM, I tell you. SCREAM. This is so very good..please let it continue to be so. It has everything - PLENTY of hotness, action, intrigue, humor, gorgeous sets...
it's just really going to be a shame if it's all for nothing.
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kakashi
March 13, 2014 at 4:05 PM
on the upside, it's WAY better than I ever thought it would be. We're 18 episodes in and minor quibbles aside (alright, some major, but not major-major), it's holding it together like few large-scale dramas I have seen in my KDrama life. Sure, the life-shoot is taking its toll (remember how beautiful this show was in the beginning?) but that's only something the very critical among us care to notice. What I want to say: If they have to stop at (let's say) 20 episodes, I'm still happy. It might also mean less characters have to die. Like Mo. Please don't let Mo Il-hwa die ...
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kakashi
March 13, 2014 at 4:08 PM
hehe, more live-shoot for life.
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changhyun
March 14, 2014 at 9:10 AM
Completely disagree, it has gone down every episode after the childhood phase where it has become repetitive, too political (and not even a fun take on politics), and dull. Fight scenes and fight scenes with little to no character development, it isn't terrible, but it has become a mindless watch. Fluff.
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Blkasian
March 14, 2014 at 5:58 PM
I'm with you..It has been such a long time since I have seen such a cool, good looking guy that can fight a good fight without breaking a real sweat. When he speaks I get goose pimples. I know it is only a drama but for that hour with him in the drama I am in la..la..land.
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Waiting
March 13, 2014 at 7:40 PM
JoAnne,
I should have just stopped after reading your post. Everything else just made my head hurt.
...off to watch the next episode! I'm loving it!
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2 Quiet Thought
March 13, 2014 at 3:05 PM
In an industry apparently dominated by hustlers, Jin Se-Yeon trimming a bit of her own seems small potatoes.
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3 hias0701
March 13, 2014 at 3:12 PM
Well I guess it was a good thing KJW quit when he did.
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utopious
March 13, 2014 at 4:22 PM
Was KJW also offered the role? I only heard Lee Joon Gi. Well, this was a good thing too lol
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SD
March 13, 2014 at 5:28 PM
He appeared in the drama for a few episodes. He played Kim Soo Ok, Jin Se Yeon's admirer.
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pogo
March 13, 2014 at 5:52 PM
And a VERY good thing Lee Jun-ki didn't take the role.
Two Weeks >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> this, in every way.
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DramaFan
March 13, 2014 at 11:28 PM
To pogo,
AOF ratings is still better than 2 weeks. Episode 18 with a ratings of 12.6% . The one that I will consider a failure is the Road No.1 drama with So Ji Sub and Kim Ha Neul that has a US$10 Million Dollars budget but with ratings average of 6.6%
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pogo
March 14, 2014 at 9:27 AM
er....ok?
So being part of a messy, overbudget production that played musical chairs with its cast and writers and now can't pay them, is better than being part of a widely praised drama with steady-but-average ratings, no budget/writing/casting issues and a well-plotted out, consistent storyline, is it? All because one show maybe managed an extra percentage point in ratings?
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DramaFan
March 14, 2014 at 12:14 PM
To pogo,
Are we watching the same drama. AOF story is moving to the right direction. I am just wondering why you did not mention Kwon Sang Woo of the Medical Top Team since he was offered the role first.
windsun33
March 14, 2014 at 2:00 PM
While Road #1 did not do that great in the ratings, it has pretty well overseas.
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nugu
March 18, 2014 at 11:44 AM
how like playfull kiss did not do great in the ratings, it hit daebak overseas
4 Orion
March 13, 2014 at 3:18 PM
If they had more rules they stuck to, like actual plans on how to use funds, film, schedule etc and they pre-produced, test-screened and adjusted series and if the surely existing corruption was also not an issue, Dramaland would be a much better place.
As things stand, this industry is one big mess. Bad organization, bad planning, bad contracts, so much. They feel like students trying to work on a school project. That's not how you run a business, dudes. It's not.
The entire system and half-baked way of doing things, clinging from the audiences' skirts, constantly begging for approval and changing things without being sure you can handle them just to please them is just not working, Dramaland.
Make plans, test-screen, adjust them and then stick to them, realize them, sell the thing. Other industries do it, you can find ways to do it too.
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Quiet Thought
March 13, 2014 at 3:43 PM
. . . It is also the way TV series are shot almost everywhere else in the world. You do not start a project like this without enough capital to handle contingencies! It's not supposed to be a casino out there, there are too many people whose livelihoods are being affected. In the case of Kdrama, since it is an important export industry, it is also an embarrassment to the country, like the Russians bungling their Olympic preps.
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Orion
March 13, 2014 at 3:59 PM
Exactly. Other industries do it (in other countries) and they still get money and while there are cancellations and problems there too, they don't gamble with people's livelihood or rush to film the damn thing hours before it airs.
As you say, they want to sell the hallyu, but the better connected people are, the more they can see the cracks. And the longer you let those cracks show and grow, the sooner the day it will all collapse will come.
People want fast satisfaction of urges and the need for entertainment, but you can only keep sweeping things under the rug so long before you're sitting on one hell of a mountain of dirt.
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Lindy
March 13, 2014 at 4:08 PM
I find the whole Korean system of production so incomprehensible. It seems like a really serious case of growing pains. There is a huge and growing worldwide market that is at stake here. I know nothing about the production end or corrupt practices within the industry but this whole writing to please in a shameless grab for ratings by pandering to the audience week by week seems insane to me. My husband, who is a screenwriter, tells me constantly that his first rule of writing is "I have to know where I am going to end up because the script has to be going somewhere." Lots of the dramas I've watched seem ultimately to go nowhere and it gets pretty bi-polar for the ordinary viewer.
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Orion
March 13, 2014 at 4:17 PM
I believe that is why we get so many insane and half-baked endings. When all you have is an outline and the first few episodes written, to make sure you can live-write the thing and keep up with demands, you are basically going into a story with no middle and end.
It is insane to start a script without knowing the ending. It's a no no for writing, because killing your darlings and reassessing things can only happen when you know what goes wrong and does not work. Writing takes time, revision upon revision, adjusting and it can even change entirely, but based on what will make it good, not what people ask of you.
A writer is a writer for a reason. They are skilled at what they do and they need the time and space to do it. And look at what the writer switch did here. Character goals changed, the main plot got abandoned and old characters disappeared. And this suddenly turned into a turf war between new characters we didn't see for half the series.
Sure, it's still fun on the superficial things, the fights, the hotties, the scale, but the story and quality have gone out the window. Now this happens and the cast and crew will be even more fed up and tired. So many problems, all stemming from how amateurish the whole system is. It's like trying to run a food conglomerate by using the same mentality one has when going around in a Datsun selling potatoes.
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Lindy
March 13, 2014 at 4:33 PM
"insane and half-baked endings"
Exactly! I can't fault the writers in any of this. They really are, contrary to popular opinion, existing on the lowest rung of the drama production ladder. This is true everywhere, not just in Korea. So there is always the possibility (or probability as my husband maintains) that the writer's original vision will be changed. But the insanely (no other word for it) short time between script and shooting means that there is most often no vision at all, original or otherwise. It's hard for an ordinary viewer, like myself, who wants a good story and to be entertained, to continue watching when the foremost thought is "I wonder what they are going to do to screw up a promising start this time."
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pogo
March 13, 2014 at 6:16 PM
American tv shows start out with just a premise and often no clear ending in sight, too, but they usually work on the promise that they'll have multiple seasons to work their story out. There's been the odd abrupt cancellation (Firefly, anyone?) but at the very least, the writers are told about it at the start/middle of a a season and given the chance to wrap the story half-decently.
And most importantly, they film in advance!
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Cocobeans
March 20, 2014 at 11:27 AM
Why!! Why did you have to mention firefly and break my heart again!!Sniff...That being said you also forgot to mention the lead males suddenly getting drafted in the army half way into the filming..(pours oil on the fire..fly)
whatsthescenario
March 13, 2014 at 8:22 PM
"Character goals changed, the main plot got abandoned and old characters disappeared. And this suddenly turned into a turf war between new characters we didn’t see for half the series."
Yes!!!!! OMG. It's driving me nuts. Definitely, the scale and epic journey that was promised in the beginning has become a petty turf war. What about Gaya's journey and how her fate intertwines with SJT? They have done very little about this! It's very frustrating. Endless weeks stuck in Shanghai with very little forward movement of the plot. Just side shuffles and pointless fights.
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Xiarylle
March 22, 2014 at 1:16 AM
... And, whatever happened to the Do Bi gang? There are way too many loose ends I wonder if they're able to tie them all up nicely once the show wraps up.
windsun33
March 14, 2014 at 2:03 PM
I think that far too often the actual script is written on the fly, and often gets changed near the end and it start to lose any coherence at all. I have seen that happen on a few dramas, even to the point where the script was changed because of netizen comments.
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Lindy
March 14, 2014 at 3:59 PM
I am curious about this. Are these kinds of live shoots a recent development with the rise of almost immediate audience feedback or has this been the norm for Korean television for a while? I came to K-dramas via Korean movies and these seem to be shot very tightly with a real down-and-dirty eye to the financial bottom line. Also many have writer/directors at the helm who know what it takes to get a movie shot on time and on budget and their Korean crews seem to be stellar. Are story-boards etc ever used to keep things on track? One of the best directors ever, Alfred Hitchcock, didn't shoot a frame until everything had been worked out in advance.
By the time the final episodes of many dramas are aired, the actors seem to be just exhausted! Red eyes and all. So the crews etc must be dead on their feet. Are there such things as craft unions or actors guilds looking out for them or is it just a wild west type shoot 'til you drop mentality?
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5 taegyo
March 13, 2014 at 3:18 PM
I guess now maybe we know why Kim Jae-wook left? but wow, this show.. I enjoyed the first few episodes but I fell behind, now I suppose I won't bother catching up if it's just spiraling out of control.
I don't see what the controversy over Jin Se-yeon is? Sure, it could tire her out, but I don't get why people would complain over that – it's her life, isn't it? sigh.
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trisha
March 13, 2014 at 3:41 PM
Yes it is her life. But if her decision made affecting others, that is a big issue.
In Gaksital her character was dead bfore the last ep(?) and that was in purpose since she's joining FF. I read somewhere that she took FF offer under the table. In AoF she started filming Dr. Stranger in Hungary(?) and came back late for days to AoF filming set. Perhaps other beanies can explain a lot better
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mudaepo
March 13, 2014 at 4:02 PM
Don't know anything about this particular situation but it seems to me that the fault lies with the production company and KBS, and not with Jin Se Yeon.
Contracts are written to prevent stuff like that from happening. If they weren't smart enough to add a clause like "the actress cannot star in another miniseries until the filming of Age of Feeling has been completed", they can only blame themselves. You can't be mad with her for accepting what sounds like a major career opportunity instead of staying idle waiting to see if Age of Feeling goes bankrupt or not.
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Silverteem
March 13, 2014 at 5:02 PM
According to JSY's camp she was offered Dr Stranger first but since it got delayed she took on AoF instead. Then when it did not pan out with PMY, they went back with her with AoF ending on april and DrS starting may.
And really if there was an extension on her stay in hungary then the blame falls more on SBS and her agency. But, again according to her agency they informed KBS about the delay - after the fact? I don't know.
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Silverteem
March 13, 2014 at 5:16 PM
Also, I think the entire Hungary fiasco is one kind of thing anyway, since that's the only time that JSY has to film Dr Stranger concurrently with AoF, the rest of the filming will happen after AoF ends.
Aigoooo
March 13, 2014 at 6:05 PM
If there is anyone to blame for her situation, I think it would be her agency. She is a pretty young actress and I don't think she is calling any of the shots in her career. It's probably more like just follow what her agency tells her to do.
Kastengel
March 13, 2014 at 6:41 PM
If she got offered for Doctor Stranger and confirmed, then they won't offered Park Min Young the role. Avd if she took the offer for GS after that, then it means the excuse from the agency is a moot point.
Kastengel
March 13, 2014 at 6:43 PM
As expected, some people will just points fingers at the agency to excuse her
Silverteem
March 13, 2014 at 7:06 PM
@Kastengel
Well who else will book her schedule if not her agency? I would understand if she was self-managed. Then blame her all you want. If SBS demanded more of her time, then it's really bet ween SBS, KBS, and her agency to negotiate where she goes to.
That's the whole point of PROFESSIONAL talent agencies.
plumseed
March 13, 2014 at 6:50 PM
I'm not sure about the turmoil during the Gaksital times, but from what I read about the overlapping drama issue this time around, many people are furious for multiple reasons. According to netizens, the fact that she's taking on another drama (again) while filming AoF is considered both rude and inconsiderate to the staff, because her overlap will force them to make changes and work with less time. There were articles going around that stated that KBS "reluctantly" accepted this, and they weren't happy with JSY or her company (which is understandable, and I don't think such clauses prohibiting actors/actresses to act in other dramas is allowed or commonly used in Korea). It's an actor/actress's responsibility to devote a majority of his/her time to improving his/her acting and character, and her choice to take on another drama dramatically reduces this time. Also, from what I read many were more annoyed/skeptical about this ordeal due to the fact that she's relatively a newbie with acting skills that need great improvement, yet she continuously is being chosen as the lead in multiple projects amidst an array of much more skilled, charismatic actresses.
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blairxkitkat
April 17, 2014 at 8:00 PM
I would forgive her if she could at least act well...
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pogo
March 13, 2014 at 5:59 PM
I think the issue with Jin Se-yeon is that she was already given four days' time off to do an early shoot for Doctor Stranger (at this point in AoF, that's a lot of time to be taking off, but they gave it to her and she's just the love interest, not the main heroine). But then she took an extra two days off without warning, so the AoF production is not pleased.
I'm guessing she can only get roles when her latest drams is still running and fresh in people's minds and god knows the payment situation is a mess, but knowing the conditions of the live shoot, it's rather unprofessional. She pulled the same thing with Gaksital/Five Fingers too, which is why Gaksital
****SPOILERS****
killed her character off.
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jj
March 13, 2014 at 9:05 PM
hi...i dont think the reason why her character died at the last episode is due to her accepting ff..she was at the last day of shooting gaksital wearing the same wedding gown she wears when shunji shoot her..
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henlau
March 13, 2014 at 10:50 PM
Yeah, due to her limited time when she had to jumped from one set to another.
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dearly
March 14, 2014 at 12:19 PM
You do realize that by not showing up for her scenes in "Age of Feeling"(she actually took 2 days off w/o informing the 'Age of Feeling' team), it's costing the production teams and stuff's time as well as money. They have to rent out the place and if she doesn't show up as she is suppose to, they just lost money for renting that day. They'll have to rent the place again which equals to more money and time invested. So, she is at fault for overbooking. You have to realize that despite she is a celebrity who is working hard, the staffs and production teams are too. They worked twice as hard and get paid less than she does just b/c she's an actress. She doesn't have the excuse to take an additional 2 days off just because she's a celebrity. It's unprofessional of her to do that.
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6 mel
March 13, 2014 at 3:31 PM
Its funny how much slack she gets for double booking dramas when others do it also. For example the actor who plays the lawyer in lets eat was one of the 2 male leads and pretty much the entire time he did that drama he was also staring in can we love
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Yasmin
March 13, 2014 at 3:48 PM
Yeah but in can we love his part wasnt that big so he could afford to do both parts. The problem is she went on a four day filming trip to hungary for Doctor Stranger while still filming AoF and then came back late...that is the reason for the backlash against her.
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Mar
March 13, 2014 at 4:00 PM
I think you mean flack?
I think to be fair to actors we should note that it is common for character, secondary, and tertiary characters to sometimes take on multiple projects, I would assume as their schedules allow. In American TV a higher profile example off the top of my head would be Mark Pellegrino who concurrently portrayed Jacob on Lost and Lucifer on Supernatural.
And to be fair to Shim Hyun-tak-his role in Can We Love was secondary at best, and while he was the 2nd male lead on Let's Eat, it was not a live shoot. Yoon Do-joon tweeted he finished all of his scenes at the beginning of January.
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pogo
March 13, 2014 at 6:04 PM
She got the time off to do the drama, but the real reason behind the criticism appears to be that she took extra days off (over and above what the production had already granted her) to do Dr Stranger's location shoot. Her last-minute decision to do Five Fingers was also what forced Gaksital's final treatment of her character - she needed too many days off, and the production just did not have the time to accommodate her.
It's unprofessional to just be taking leave without warning when the live shoot system is already so tight, and girl or no, she deserved this particular backlash.
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7 oneclearnight
March 13, 2014 at 3:44 PM
What a mess. KBS, stop bullshitting everyone. Cases like this have happened before - last one I remember was with Faith - where staff didn't get paid on time. The production team probably can't pay because with mediocre ratings, they can't charge premium rates for ads, and apparently overseas sales haven't been as good as they thought they would be. They probably can't pay as much as promised. Such a shame, I hope they get everything resolved soon. :(
As for Jin Se Yeon - well, plenty of actors work on more than one show at once, I think the problem lies with the fact that she's still got her commitments to AOF but is (apparently) insisting on working on DS at the same time. Whoever's in charge of the filming schedule for AOF must be getting pissed at her if she's double booking herself in two shows without negotiating with them first. Not to mention that she must be so tired. If I was in her shoes, I wouldn't do it but it's choice, her career. *shrugs*
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topper
March 13, 2014 at 5:42 PM
The production company is in charge of the budget, not KBS. Exceeding the budget is not under KBS control. Outsourcing of risks. But KBS now have to do the PR.
This system is not viable for the long term quality of Kdramas though.
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eunchans
March 13, 2014 at 6:05 PM
Well, I meant KBS' optimistic comment that everything will work out soon etc. This will probably take ages to get sorted out and for people to finally get paid. I know that the production company are the ones that fund the show.
I agree. :(
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topper
March 13, 2014 at 6:07 PM
True this. Sigh.
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8 Meow
March 13, 2014 at 3:46 PM
What Would Anthony Do?
...
He'd never let it get this bad in the first place! :P
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Mrmz
March 13, 2014 at 5:01 PM
I think this shows what would've happened if Anthony had switched his head writer like he intended :P
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john
March 13, 2014 at 5:07 PM
Meow ~
Anthony might use a product placement. Since this show is set in the late 1930's, I'm not sure how he could pull that off.
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Gidget
March 13, 2014 at 9:30 PM
John @ 8.2
Maybe promotion of tourism? But then again, to do that effectively they'd need to re-imagine the content delivery system.
Perhaps also promoting old iconic brands like Coca Cola, Ford, Everlast, General Electric (appliances), (and even Camel cigarettes in smuggling scenes). It wouldn't be inappropriate to use American-made products for that time period. Back then, they were a status symbol. They'd just need to use period-appropriate models and packaging.
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9 Abbie
March 13, 2014 at 3:56 PM
I am kind of glad I haven't started watching this yet (I know!) but I feels so bad for everyone! I really hope this gets cleared up soon so everyone gets their money and everyone is happy.
As for Jin Se-yeon, I am of the feeling that she's afraid she'll take a trip into obscurity if she doesn't take project after project and overbooks in the meantime. I've never seen her act, to my knowledge, so I wonder if her continuous casting is valid and a testament to her acting abilities. Anyone care to comment? As it is, I think she could possibly work herself too hard and end up with health issues if she isn't careful. She's only human, after all.
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10 hummie
March 13, 2014 at 3:59 PM
Yikes... I guess production companies really *can* run out of money mid-production, which was a storyline concern in King of Dramas. I thought that was a weird plot device, too :P
I think people may take an issue to JSY's over-bookings because it's been on-going, and it seems like a lack of loyalty to the current drama that is filming. There is also the fact that it makes scheduling even more difficult and stressful.
I wonder how actors like Song Ji-hyun who have two gigs going (Running Man/Emergency Couple) manage? Maybe because Running Man takes less than a day to film?
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Javabeans
March 13, 2014 at 4:09 PM
People like Joo-won and Seung-gi (and I presume also Ji-hyo) do get it written into their contracts that the drama has to allow them certain days to film their variety programs. (I believe Seung-gi has turned down dramas that wouldn't allow him to do 1N2D.) But that's slightly different because they all did their variety work first as an ongoing thing, so anyone who wanted to cast them understood that they would have to schedule around it.
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vereelimee
March 13, 2014 at 4:23 PM
Yes, but you'll notice that Song Jihyo takes breaks from Running Man. As does Lee Kwangsoo, especially when they have a drama on the air. Also the time conflict was one reason Song Joongki left Running Man.
In most cases I think the pros will try not to overwork themselves. Besides variety is much different than two dramas at once. One day a week us doable but not every single day without all your sleep.
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Stuart
March 13, 2014 at 6:26 PM
When does Song Ji Hyo take breaks from RM? She even filmed in the Australian episodes while Emergency Couple is still filming, and ended up in hospital during a Drama that she was filming while also doing RM
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11 DramaFan
March 13, 2014 at 4:02 PM
This has happened before in a kdrama Faith The Great Doctor where Lee Min Ho and Kim Hee Sun was the main star. The Director and Producer Kim Jung Hak owed money to the cast and crew. Later on He committed suicide. This is nothing new in the kdramaland.
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anotherfan
March 13, 2014 at 4:45 PM
And also in The World We Live In with HB and SHK. The production company wasn't able to make enough money cause the ratings were low. I think eventually all the debts for various actors and crew were recently settled last yr (?) since SHK knows the pres of the production company well or something like that.
It's probably only the higher profile dramas with this problem where it gets aired to the public. I am sure it happens more than we know. However at the same time, that is why they have to milk a good and popular drama for all it's worth, all it's money and then some. Give the audience what they want to see.
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Javabeans
March 13, 2014 at 4:59 PM
No, for World there was a recent report that both Song Hye-gyo and Hyun Bin gave up on seeking their pay because they just figured it would never happen.
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bjharm
March 13, 2014 at 6:13 PM
yeah I read that delay in payment fees also had a hand in Jeong Da-bin's suicide also, she had promised family money and it never came in/delayed
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fab
March 14, 2014 at 2:33 AM
No! You're serious?! One can only hope that they all at some point realize that this system is not working.
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12 Evie
March 13, 2014 at 5:05 PM
Well, I think Jin Se Yeon joined Five Fingers because Eun Jung was cut abruptly due to T-ara's scandal, and SBS was in desperate need for a replacement. I read somewhere that she agreed to replace Eun Jung because SBS had given Jin Se Yeon her first leading role in My Daughter, the Flower, so she felt obliged to help them out.
As for Dr. Stranger, I also read somewhere that she was actually cast for that drama before Age of Feeling, but ended up doing the latter drama first because Dr. Stranger was pushed back. Anyways, apparently the people behind Dr. Stranger told her agency that filming wouldn't overlap with Age of Feeling, but when she recently went to Hungary to film some scenes she got back late.
Anyways, that's all I know in terms of the whole Jin Se Yeon controversy. I just wanted to share this to provide another possible perspective. Please don't take my words as absolutely correct though, these are things I've just read!
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pogo
March 13, 2014 at 6:33 PM
Personally, it sounds like a bunch of PR spin her agency is putting out to attempt to deflect the criticism - kdramas usually have no problems replacing cast members with scheduling conflicts in the runup to a production, and it's not like she's enough of a known name to have been cast so far in advance (and considering the role was still being shopped to Park Min-young right before we heard JSY got it, their story sounds somewhat, let's say, inaccurate to me).
I get that her team wants her on to the next project esp considering this one's payment situation, but this particular overscheduling mess is really all on them.
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Kastangel
March 13, 2014 at 6:48 PM
Thank you for voicing the exact opinion as mine.
It is kind of eye rolling excuse about her being offered so far earlier and the first choice before Park Min Young and even LSJ only confirmed not too long ago and he is playing the central character.
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13 owl
March 13, 2014 at 5:16 PM
Kerfuffle. Such an adorably descriptive word for what's going down behind the scenes of our gangsta crazy kdrama. I like it a lot, javabeans. But I ♥ Mo Il Hwa.
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14 HeadsNo2
March 13, 2014 at 5:20 PM
Whyyyyyyyyyyyy.
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canxi
March 13, 2014 at 5:49 PM
I'm sorry the prayer circle didn't work! D: I'll pray harder next time!!!
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ilikemangos
March 13, 2014 at 5:51 PM
*hugs*
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john
March 13, 2014 at 5:59 PM
Heads~
My condolences.
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pogo
March 13, 2014 at 7:04 PM
All my condolences, Heads. I hope you have some REALLY good recapping luck in the future, you've certainly earned it.
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Curly Nadine
March 13, 2014 at 7:04 PM
Heads, we ♥ you.
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whimsyful
March 13, 2014 at 7:24 PM
Condolences, Heads! If this terrible curse continues, you can always try recapping a drama you've already finished, like you did for White Christmas. That way there's no wtf ending shenanigans.
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owl
March 13, 2014 at 7:34 PM
Aw, HeadsNo2. It must be a drama-rational curse. Actually, I can't wait for ep 18 recap (just watched it)!
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yuka5470
March 13, 2014 at 8:11 PM
you and your bad recapping luck...
i dunno if should cry with you or laugh at your tears...
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yuhoo
March 13, 2014 at 9:50 PM
I'd light more candles for you dear.
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15 Bonnie Katzell
March 13, 2014 at 5:33 PM
You know this is unfair to Kim Hyun Joong. He struggled to change his image and he so did that lost out on city Conquest for god only knows so many reasons which I think would have been good for hid career.. I just pray this doesn't falter because someone didn't budget clearly enough to see into the future.. Let's hope all ends well for everyone involved including us fans who appreciate and love this drama. Not just for KHJ but for every effort put into this...
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poth
March 13, 2014 at 5:55 PM
Uhm...the biggest loser will be the crew who worked hard for this drama...KHJ is likely going to benefit or get something from this somehow still, since he belongs to powerful Keyeast.
Fangirls are always lamenting how poor KHJ is, but maybe this is a lesson learned for his company to not keep sticking him to high budget productions,and as the lead...he's not much of a draw when it comes to dramas, esp for korean audiences.
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pogo
March 13, 2014 at 6:08 PM
I think the bigger issue is the crew and smaller supporting actors who won't get paid, and let's be real here, they are FAR less likely to be in a position to be ok without a month's pay than Kim Hyun-joong.
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dearly
March 14, 2014 at 12:26 PM
I agree. Many times, people forget about the crew and smaller supporting actors. Those high-profile actor/actress gets paid first. And those after them, gets something or nothing at all. And the sadder part? That high-profile actor/actress even gets endorsement while those below them don't. So, if I was in a company that hired those actors/actresses/production crew, I would definitely pay the production crew first. Without them, the drama wouldn't be possible. Who would set up the stage? Who would do this and that?
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16 Mary-x
March 13, 2014 at 5:43 PM
What would Anthony do....
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17 visesten
March 13, 2014 at 5:46 PM
It's seriously crazy that actors and production crew can end up not getting paid at all… Poor Kim Hyun-Joon, he's had particular bad luck with his latest dramas and he's delivering a pretty good acting performance in this one. About Jin Se-yeon, I actually don't like her as an actress and her tendency to overlap her projects doesn't help at all. It's rather unprofessional and I think the complaints are totally valid, especially with live shooting where things can get really bad toward the end of a drama run. That's when they all have to pitch in last minute effort with frenzy to make it work and scheduling disruptions like that makes it even harder. I also think that it'll generally leave a bad impression with the people involved and that's hardly a good thing in the entertainment world.
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18 ilikemangos
March 13, 2014 at 5:51 PM
Her filming longer than usual in hungary was probably an honest mistake on her part (because i'm sure she takes her job seriously with consideration to productions she's signed onto), but i could see why a live-shoot big scale production would get mad at her. It's not even about loyalty as much as it is about filming on schedule and getting material into editing as soon as possible so it could air on time. (Although one does wonder if it even matters in a show where characters are so easily written out, storylines are dropped, and central purposes no longer matter). Of course, this is a major flaw with live-shoot and no single person should be blamed. The drama system itself needs some serious reforming.
That said, Jin Se Yeon should be the least of their worries if you consider the more serious issues -- like the financial debt this show is getting itself into. They're probably making the whole jin se yeon situation an even bigger deal in hopes that it would cover some of the more glaring imperfections of live-shoot/lack of organization in this production.. You'd think with all the scary stories we hear about actors/actresses getting sent to hospital working themselves to the bone, or production crew not getting paid that people would finally open their eyes. Doesn't seem like a secret to anybody since we've all got an idea of what goes on behind close doors and headlines are hard to ignore. In k-ent, they just choose to look the other way, because k-dramas in general is all about $$$..
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canxi
March 13, 2014 at 5:59 PM
It doesn't seem like production staff is mad at Jin Se Yeon, rather the public. I dunno, that's how I read "attracting criticism". I do get it, though...it does seem unprofessional to overlap LEADING roles. I wouldn't be surprised if production is not even worrying about her though with all the other things not going right--things they should really fix.
I feel like the next batch of bad news for the show (if any; hopefully not) is that it will probably be ending early. To which the original head writer is probably laughing and/or crying.
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pogo
March 13, 2014 at 6:11 PM
it does seem to be public backlash against JSY, and I can't say they're wrong - this is not the first time it's happened, with her. Once is understandable, but this is what, thrice now?
I mean, it's not as if she doesn't know the realities of the live shoot system, though on one hand I really can't blame her for legging it to a production that's more likely to actually pay her.
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Kastengel
March 13, 2014 at 6:54 PM
@Silverteem
She is an actress. So, public has the right to have opinions on her decisions and actions concerning her work.
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Silverteem
March 13, 2014 at 6:38 PM
The public backlash is exaggerated. It's not her fault at ALL to have her shoot extended in Hungary, and if anyone's responsible for informing KBS about the delay it's her agency - that's what they get paid for. And ofc with this financial issues now popping out, I would really hardly blame her (or her agency) to start working on a production that will actually be paying her (them).
What does the PUBLIC have to concern with her work anyway? The PUBLIC are mere spectators, they're not the one's having to endure bitter cold winter weathers and foregoing sleep to work and NOT get paid. It's not like it affects them in any way at all.
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pogo
March 13, 2014 at 6:50 PM
What does the PUBLIC have to concern with her work anyway?
er, the South Korean public are the ones expected to watch this show and get it its ratings, which translates to money for the production.
And of course nothing is her fault and she/her agency bears no responsibility for any of her professional decisions (which forced last-minute character write-offs on even a show that was a huge hit, so most definitely paying her), oh no they don't.
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Silverteem
March 13, 2014 at 6:59 PM
I don't what happened with her previous works, but for argument's sake, let' just assume it was on JSY's part fault - but how much of it was really HER choice?
And I'm merely talking about NOW, in which case, why is the blame on JSY?
Also I don't know if you're being sarcastic. I'm rather confused with your second phrase.
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Kastengel
March 13, 2014 at 11:40 PM
You have your own opinions that it is not her fault and we have ours. You don't have to force us to agree with you on this. It is obviously, we have different views and perspectives to look on things. So let's stop to this.
canxi
March 13, 2014 at 6:52 PM
I agree. But at the same time I feel like if I was part of the staff affected by the misdoings of the production company I'd be pretty annoyed with it. It's not like everyone can take on another thing to get paid while working still working on the non-paying drama--and that's probably what the public is thinking while criticizing her. Plus knowing the live-shoot system and how it works--things not always running on schedule--I can see why people would be upset that she takes on another responsibility and shows up late for her other one (even if it isn't her fault or all her fault).
I can understand both sides...
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ilikemangos
March 13, 2014 at 7:21 PM
The public plays a major hand in all things k-ent related, that is fact. More importantly, in dramaland, where it's obvious they cater to the public -- it's all a ratings battle.
It's a shame then considering the power the public holds that they don't use it for something more meaningful other than criticizing actors/actresses, even idols(who go through a vigorous, intense trainee period). See, if they focused their attention on helping reform the harsh working conditions of live-shoot and use their voice to impact k-ent industry then maybe they wouldn't have to see such issues crop up. It's a ripple effect of chaos for everyone involved.
But you are right that the public doesn't care because it's not them enduring the bitter cold, and it's not them doing multiple performances in one day. That's what's so wrong about the public and the industry..
How much does it take before people say that's enough? It kind of scares me when nothing changes even after the suicides of many entertainers.
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Silverteem
March 13, 2014 at 7:25 PM
I abused the upvote system and gave you 10 votes, I would have given you a 100 had I been less shameful, but 10 votes for now - all from me.
Cheers mate! :)
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canxi
March 13, 2014 at 8:05 PM
But, I'm sure no one is oblivious to the live-shoot system. I think everyone knows and the industry definitely knows but no one is making a move to do anything just yet--not even the actors who take part and are sometimes victim to it, not that I've seen anyway. I think this is a situation where things are easier said than done. I don't think big wigs change their minds so easily either--even if the public rises up and gets involved in a big way. I'm sure people are definitely criticizing it as much as we are here, though.
Hopefully one day...
But, lol, how did it come to this? For this particular situation I don't think the live-shoot system is nearly as much of a problem as the production is and has been. I just hope everyone can get paid...
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Ppasun
March 13, 2014 at 10:48 PM
"If you are so worried about the general state of things in K-Dramaland, why don't you do something about it?" If I ask you that question, I'm pretty sure your answer would be "but what can I do? I am just a viewer and I am not even Korean." And you'll get the same answer if you ask one of the "public" in Korea. What can I do, I'm just a viewer. I consume dramas to relieve stress and divert myself. I am not going to join some social crusade and add to my stress over dramas. The one thing I can do and have been doing is, though, to vote with my remote. It's just that it's still the Wild Wild West when it comes to K-Dramaland. Signals are mixed, things are constantly changing and the industry is trying to learn exactly what makes the audience tune in and stick around. Pre-produced shows are not the answer because quite many of those went belly up while many live shot ones did very well for themselves. Big star power is a plus, but not always the charm. They are trying to figure out and even after they do, things would have changed yet again. Do we want an ethical, healthy Dramaland where everyone's hard work pays off and people get paid today? What industry doesn't? But businesses being businesses, risks must be taken and some will thrive while others fail. Hopefully the Wild Wild West days of the K-Dramaland will mature into a more viable business model, but you will always have failed enterprises in any industry anywhere, not just K-Dramaland.
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Silverteem
March 14, 2014 at 6:14 AM
It's less about what we can do as 'viewers' but rather what we should be refraining from doing. Criticisms are alright, but we, knowing fully well the situation of the k ent should not add furthermore frustrations to the artists who are as much of a victim to the overall slave conditions of trying to please not only the businesses but US as consumers of the products.
windsun33
March 14, 2014 at 2:14 PM
The so-called "public" in Korea is just as bad as here in the US when it comes to being mean and vicious just for the sake of being mean and vicious. So I would not be surprised that much of what the supposed "public" (ie, anonymous online posters) is ignored.
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19 canxi
March 13, 2014 at 5:54 PM
Wow, my head hurts. It's always something, AoF. I don't even think I'm gonna watch this drama anymore...
What is going on? Seriously. As my friends would say: "Get your life." (Essentially means get your shit together!!!!)
Kim Jae Wook is probably relieved he got fired right now.
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liz
March 14, 2014 at 5:56 AM
maybe they fired him because they knew they wouldn't have money to pay him, so cutting down the supportive roles would help more - he played a supportive role but I'm sure his payment isn't little/small like most supportive roles are.
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20 korfan
March 13, 2014 at 9:00 PM
Wow. What an unfortunate situation for this production to be in.
While I'm not watching this drama, I do hope things get settled fairly for all those involved.
Regarding the actress who double-books projects, while I can contemplate both the pros and cons of concurrently filming multiple dramas, what particularly stands out in my mind is the possibility that while on a new project, some accident and/or injury may occur that would prevent her from continuing on the project that was already running. ........ I'm not saying filming concurrently can't or shouldn't be done, but safety issues are certainly something to think about.
Again, I hope things work out.
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21 Sam
March 13, 2014 at 9:42 PM
We know someone who manages one of the KBS production studios. he said due to competition with cable channels, lack of funding from the govt/investors, changing audiences preferences, etc.. there is less and less certainty about their future. Years ago, at least 3 dramas filming on the lot. Last year, 1 drama. it was like a ghost town. Dramas now film on location bec of audience demand. doubt there is much time to plan scenes. They can't predict weather, lighting, noise, etc… unlike on a set. I don't think you can't really change the way they do things. To tell a company to slow down is a lost opportunity to make $ to pay their staff. the competition will win if you let them. You have to keep up with the drama "Joneses". So who can really forecast the filming costs... if the audience expects a (real) gorgeous home, a beautiful lake, filming onsite in jeju, etc.? We want to see the "Man from the Stars" penthouse & crazy CGI, plus the high paid mega stars as the leads. So are we not part of their ill-mgmt equation? unfortunately this drama is pretty bad.
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bjharm
March 14, 2014 at 12:45 AM
part of the trouble is making a drama in Korea is it like gambling, they always hoping the next drama going to be a hit so they can pay for the last three that where not, tough luck if you part of the production crew we can not pay you this month we using the money on another 'gamble' ie drama. Such action have to be against the law in soooo many countires other than Korea it seems.
As for the live shooting thing linked to constant writing and script changes, it must be hell for any actor, it ok for the pretty faces they just look good and say whatever on the script, no worries about trying to get into character, as by the end of most drama they have none left that makes sense anyway
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22 kanz
March 13, 2014 at 10:32 PM
This drama has so much drama behind it that make me reluctant to watch.. I just hope Korean entertainment industry can take lesson and not make the same mistake..
Regarding Jin Se Yeon, how on earth she's busy starring drama is beyond me. In Five Fingers, she basically had almost the same expressions, her worried face is no different than her sad face and so on and so forth. I don't hold personal grudge, but she made me FF all her scenes because her boring acting. Sorry to rant here!
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23 jyyjc
March 13, 2014 at 11:03 PM
I'm gonna be attacked for saying this but...for once I'm glad it's Kim hyunjoong headlining the drama because a talented lead actor is sparred from taking this drama on. *runs*
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Tara
March 14, 2014 at 12:18 AM
That's a very mean-hearted thing to think and write!!!!
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24 yonghwagf
March 14, 2014 at 1:10 AM
I don't think jin se yeon is really at fault though, yes she shouldn't do two projects at the time but taking on a lead role in gaskital is really something big for a rookie actress like her although she's already a lead in my daughter is a flower, but that's a daily drama so getting a lead role in gaskital Is a big chance for her. Getting the chance to be a main lead again for doctor stranger is also a good chance for her thus I can understand why she choose to take the project although she's already committed to her age of feeling. She must be really tired too! Her agency is the one that's suppose to plan everything nicely for her though but they don't seem to be doing a really good jo. I can't say I'm a fan of jin se yeon but as a big gaskital fan I like her although she's limited as an actress ( acting ) so jin se yeon hwaiting!!!
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25 fab
March 14, 2014 at 3:02 AM
Seems to me a lot is to blame on the budget(who ever manages that). Fire the head writer and a star actor? And judging from the recaps, the violence hasn't even decreased, even worse the episodes are filled with mindless fighting and little with the promised story and so on.
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26 Dames
March 14, 2014 at 4:32 AM
I'm not against Jin Seyeon or anything but I think he keep doing the same character in all of her drama.
Yes, she can act, she has depth in her acting but not quite hit the perfect depth like Moon Geun Young in her teen and early 20s. One thing, for me I think that her acting is forgettable.
I can't really find one character that memorable and worth the praise or anything.
Maybe she can play a different and variety role in the future.
She still young, I think she has potential but please be more selective dear girl...
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27 mirela
March 14, 2014 at 6:12 AM
i gave up on this drama long ago...first episodes had me excited and boom down hill we go!! i had high expectation from this drama it looked soo good! and both the leads looked badass i was like finally something different!!! but then the writer was fired then the second lead man fired too and the new writer..is fucking retarded!! this show doesn't make sense anymore and it becomes more and more ridiculous...not to mention how suddently the second lead female became the first one...like over night! wtf??? i tho the main leads are SJT and Gaya were supposed to have a relationship and suddenly the most annoying weak female character OR became his love interest??? WHAT?? i'm not talking about the plot twists anymore..they are just dumb and senseless... i can't handle this much stupidity in a show so i gave up a while ago..it bothered my brain..they hired retarded monkeys brains as script writes..clearly korea can't handle strong females i'm dissapointed
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28 CheshireAsh
March 14, 2014 at 6:51 AM
Le Sigh.
This show had me so pumped at the onset but definitely lost traction fast. Still after sitting through 18 hours of it, if they don't at least finish that will be the most annoying thing. There are still some good parts to this show, despite it needing to be streamlined in a serious way...but I'm in it for the long haul at this point so I just hope they finish! I hate being left hanging @_@
Also, does anyone else feel like the illusive leading man role is to Kim Jae Wook what an Oscar is to Leo DiCaprio? :X
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pogo
March 14, 2014 at 11:00 AM
Also, does anyone else feel like the illusive leading man role is to Kim Jae Wook what an Oscar is to Leo DiCaprio?
hahahaha I just cracked up
but KJW really needs to get a leading man role, and a good one at that - I'm sick of k-ent wasting him in things like Who Are You and this.
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29 emma
March 14, 2014 at 8:31 AM
It sucks that you dont get paid for your work. I know Runaway plan B starring Rain and Lee Na Young had the same issue and there was no reports that the balance payment is made.
It is not acceptable to just start filming without enough budget and hoping that advertisements will make up the balance. It almost borders on scamming and just live day by day.
However I really believe this story came out to deflect Jin Se Young's issue. Thanks Evie, for explaining why her projects Five Fingers, Doctor Stranger and AOF crossed paths. In any case, most lead actresses have only one drama a year, I am not sure why she get so many offers, is her fee low or her agency just so great? She is not THAT popular.
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30 Mei Hwa
March 14, 2014 at 8:53 AM
no more suicide.... (praying...)
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31 goldeng
March 14, 2014 at 9:24 AM
omg more drama? now I kinda understand why all the swapping and firing happened... and the fact that this happens in well known broadcast companies make it worst. there must be last time issues that might affect one's budget but how they let it reach the hundreds of thousands mark?? Thats serious! the industry might want to reconsider all that on the spot planning/filming/writing to do what the crowd wants. if I were se yeon Id be like "bite me".. sure, taking a drama thats filming overseas while doing another drama might not b professional but firing people in the blonk of an eye and not paying on time isnt professional either...
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32 panshel
March 14, 2014 at 10:18 AM
And because Age of Feeling is a period drama, PPL is not possible, says Anthony.
I have noticed Jin Se Yeon overlaps projects. Don't know why all these dramas cast her while she's filming another drama (especially since she's not that good of an actress). When does she sleep?
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33 ann
March 14, 2014 at 1:06 PM
She's not as popular as Suzy or Park Shin Hye but her participation in primetime dramas seems like she is at the same level with Suzy and Park Shin Hye.
Acting skill, she is better than Suzy. (my personal observation)
Acting experience, she is newbie compare to Park Shin Hye.
.... Kim Hyun Joong is improving. Not really impressive but I love his determination and willingness to play the lead in this 'controversial' drama.
AoF fighting!
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Vell
March 14, 2014 at 3:21 PM
I drop this drama long ago. It's a decent drama, I wish them luck and succesfully end filming it without much more trouble.
Kim Hyun Joong is doing a good job here, maybe not a great performance but better.
Jin Se Yeon is okay. She can act, that for sure. I think her acting is at par with Kim Hyun Joong.
I think JSY is like the candy type, sunshine girl on set that dont cause much problem. Look at her standard cheery smiles from all the BTS pix :-). The kind of girl that every Oppa would love. She maintain her good rappo with her oppa co-star like Park Ki Woong, Joo Won and Lee Jong Suk that she knows during her modelling years before debut.
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dearly
March 15, 2014 at 12:20 AM
I've seen her act and I actually thought she's stiff and on the same par as Suzy. Both are boring to me despite how sweet they look. I just can't stand their presence on the screen. They're pretty much useless to me b/c they give off such a dead vibe. I much prefer Park Shin Hye although I don't like her drama selections.
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34 okdubu
March 14, 2014 at 7:51 PM
all i can say is....
poor headsno2
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35 nugu
March 18, 2014 at 11:48 AM
i am still loving this drama so far,, 6 episodes more to go!!!!
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