Ex-Girlfriend Club gets shortened to 12 episodes
by javabeans
Bad news for fans of tvN’s rom-com Ex-Girlfriend Club, which has just been given a big ol’ cutdown from its initially planned 16 episodes down to 12. Official statements cite that the show is being cut “to maintain high quality” of the remaining episodes, but that’s really just doublespeak for “our ratings weren’t good enough.”
I very much dislike this practice of shortening dramas because of low ratings, even though I can certainly understand the reasoning behind cutting your losses when a show isn’t performing. Ex-Girlfriend Club’s numbers have been flagging; after premiering with a 1.16% rating, the latest episodes (7 and 8) drew 0.65% and 0.8%. That’s admittedly disappointing; when a cable drama can’t clear the 1% benchmark these days it’s usually seen as a failure. Especially when Three Meals a Day, airing right afterward, is pulling in 8% ratings, rendering the old “This is a good number for cable!” argument inapplicable.
I used to really appreciate that Korean dramas were usually allowed to finish out their runs even when performing poorly — after all, they’re only set for one season, so why not air everything you paid to produce? I understand why cutting happens, but it’s just a practice that always disappoints me. And I say this recognizing that the show has its flaws; it’s cute and occasionally laugh-out-loud, but the plot is predictable and light. I enjoy it while I’m watching it, but it’s like cotton candy: gone right away, mostly fluff. (Which isn’t an insult — sometimes you need shows like that to unwind with.)
A rep with the production of Ex-Girlfriend Club explained that the drama would speed up the relationship developments between series leads Song Ji-hyo and Byun Yo-han to wrap up in the next four episodes, since the finale date is now June 13. Interestingly, tvN is not pushing up the premiere of Oh My Ghostess, the rom-com set to follow Ex-Girlfriend Club; it has not yet decided how to fill the four-episode gap between the end of one show and the start of the next. I can’t believe they’d rather cut a cute rom-com short and create a blank space than to just let it run through its planned ending. Sigh!
Oh My Ghostess premieres as planned on July 3.
Via Star New
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Tags: Byun Yo-han, drama production, Ex-Girlfriend Club, Song Ji-hyo
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101 kdramajunkie
June 3, 2015 at 1:48 AM
This is a bad news.... a very bad one.
this drama is one of the top 3 dramas i'm currently watching and waiting each eps.
Ex-Girlfriends Club, Heard it through Grapevine & Producers.
Great acting, funny characters, hillarious jokes, perfect soundtrack...
but I guess this kind of romcom is just not for everyone and more for adult viewers.
well.... it does lack some ingredients for getting high rating such as:
- idols, mediocre acting is forgiven as long as they're famous and have lots of die-hard fans
- super rich hero falling in love into poor heroine
- mean parents try to break them apart
- makjang scenes
(side-eye to Heirs)
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102 Helly
June 3, 2015 at 3:38 AM
Anyway DB team, is anyone would be doing an overall recap of this drama? Just asking because I know I would want to hear what you think of the drama ^^
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Camille W
June 4, 2015 at 9:03 PM
That would be really awesome!
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103 pimpy
June 3, 2015 at 3:47 AM
I didnt know that a lot of i-fans are watching this drama,too bad this was not recapped by DB. I thought I'm the only one crying in the corner as soon as I heard the news. But on a brighter side, I'm happy they will end this at 12 episodes instead of 10, I am more positive of less angst and more fluff for the rest of the episodes.
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Camille W
June 4, 2015 at 9:07 PM
It seems that a lot of us felt alone watching this. How come we weren't aware of its strong online following? It really wasn't so easy to find stuff on the show, be it recaps or even news. tvN should've done some better PR on this.
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104 fishnchips
June 3, 2015 at 6:15 AM
I can't believe they're cutting Ex-Girlfriend Club when My Unfortunate Boyfriend got all its eps...smh.
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105 Dorotka
June 3, 2015 at 7:44 AM
I'm joining the club of happy watchers of this show.
And this show must have something appealing, because it is my number one to watch as soon as the subtitles are out (and sometimes even when they are not). “Producers” can wait. :--)
By that I don't want to say that ExGC is the best show ever written, but I like the unique characters there (Oh, Rara... and Lee Yoon Ji as Hwa Young!) and the theme of turning a long-term friendship into love between partners... It sometimes has this “In Time With You” vibe for me and I really like watching the scenes when Byun Yo Han and Song Ji Hyo are alone together. I think they have a great chemistry together – not the sweeping-you-from-the-floor one, but the more hidden one... hidden in their gestures and care for each other... and the one full of insecurities and doubts...
(ehm, and that gentle kiss over camera in Ep8 wasn't bad either ;--) )
I also don't understand the criticism of Song Ji Hoy's acting, I actually think she is doing a very good job portraying a normal working girl hesitating to start something more with a friend and from all the roles I saw her in this is my favourite. I also like other characters there, the sharp director seeing through everybody perhaps being my favourite :--) , and I think the actors are great. It's just a pity the writer doesn't give them enough material to work on. And that's maybe the actual reason for cutting the episodes to 12 – there is just not enough story for 16 episodes (by that writer). If that's so, then I'm happy with the cut. Better than coming with some crazy scenarios (like kidnapping Soo Jin again) and diluting the charm.
Though... I will miss Byun Yo Han... and his charisma as an actor... and as a man :--))))
Can't we have the cut 4 episodes just filled with him doing what ever mundane things... and smiling???
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106 blating
June 3, 2015 at 11:07 AM
When I heard they were going up against the producer I was kinda expecting it to not do as well as Emergency Couple. I know Ex- girlfriend clubs starts a bit earlier but its would still overlap with the producer. What a slap on SJH face. She really have some bad luck with project choice. Her acting was fine not the best.
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107 janesally
June 3, 2015 at 4:56 PM
The chemistry in this was better than EC and the story was predictable but cute I really enjoyed this, no too much drama, cute cast, but then SJH acting in this was too bland and she is not getting better I feel like she should take some acting class again or give up, I like her in running man but her acting is one of the worse I've seen, along with the girl from Angel Eyes.
Lee Yoon Ji was terrible in her long weekend drama so I was a little eworried about her, because I really like her in K2H but here she was the best, not overreacting or doing too much like in Wang's Family, I think she has future in the rom-coms hopefully she will get a new proyect soon. She should had been the protagonist here,she has the best lines and best chemistry with the cast, everytime she has a scene with SJH, I'm like you poor girl snap out you're supposed to be the start here, glad that I'm free for this drama and I can move on into something good.
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janesally
June 3, 2015 at 4:57 PM
lol sorry star not start
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Lissa
June 4, 2015 at 7:35 AM
For me I don't agree with you though. I think that Song Ji Hyo's acting here is really good but its just the character she portrays as Kim Soo Jin was the problem, NOT her acting. I can see that she portrays her character very well as Soo Jin but its just that Soo Jin is a very plain jane who gets flustered easily at lots of things and does not have much charms. The director shouldn't have given such role to Ji Hyo in the 1st place because this type of character that Ji Hyo is portraying will end up getting people bored of it. With Byun Yo Han's character as the lead actor as well, they look great together at 1st but as the story progresses, they seem really bland in whatever they do. The 3 ex girlfriends are just really annoying after a while. Too many girls in one boat equals too much bitchiness and crappy drama.
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Lissa
June 4, 2015 at 7:38 AM
AND to further add on another thing I totally disagree with you, EC was a BIG HIT. I mean DAEBAK HUGE. Their ratings for a cable tvn drama was so high and they had gotten so popular that they even ADDED ONE BONUS DRAMA EPISODE for the fans from 20 to 21 episodes. I was one of the fans ofcourse. I find Ji Hyo and Jin Hyuk's chemistry was sizzling and they had much better plot than EX-Gf Club. They even had a fanmeet to different countries because EC was really good.
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108 Sravs
June 3, 2015 at 10:16 PM
Please please please I want 16 episodes .. I really loved this drama.
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109 Apple
June 3, 2015 at 10:18 PM
This news make me sad. I've seen is many dramas but this drama is really funny nd makes me laugh . I'm totally sad now. This is worst news ever
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110 takefive
June 3, 2015 at 10:32 PM
Here's one more tally mark to put on the disappointed list for this drama being shortened to only 12 episodes. I am so sad. This was actually a drama that I really enjoyed and fell in love with. I connected with the characters right away and everyone portrayed their characters so well. This drama was such a treat every Friday/Saturday. I'm going to go cry in a corner now...:(
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111 cheekystyle
June 3, 2015 at 10:38 PM
I can't believe it. Someone please tell me this is a joke? Why does TVN keep doing this?! I'm so annoyed. They'd rather cut down the drama and leave the time slot blank for 4 weeks before the next drama? Why not just let it run its full course? Nice going TVN. I'm so disappointed in you! It's way too soon to say goodbye to this drama as I started to connect with it so well. I loved the simple storyline and the very relatable characters. Such a shame that it will be cut down. They'd better be able to wrap up the remaining 4 episodes nicely WITH A BOW ON TOP too...or I will be even more disappointed. :/
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112 pandamanda
June 3, 2015 at 10:43 PM
So...this means my current favorite OTP will no longer keep me company after next week? What is this sorcery?! Someone pinch me please! I am really enjoying this show, so when I heard the news, I got so sad. I love Ji Hyo's and Yo Han's chemistry so much! They are so sweet and natural with one another. All the BTS show the whole crew laughing and having so much fun together. It's really a shame that it has to end so soon. Hoping Ji Hyo and Byun Han will have better luck in their future projects. <3
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113 Sora
June 4, 2015 at 7:26 AM
Byun Yo Han shouldn't have been the main lead in the 1st place they should've chosen someone else who is a veteran in the acting industry and someone who have great chemistry with Ji Hyo. I'm not saying Yo Han doesn't match well with Ji Hyo in this drama but there is something lacking in there. The drama is not captivating enough. And the 3 ex-girlfriends are just plain annoying instead of spicing up the storyline.
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blueribbon
June 4, 2015 at 10:48 PM
What are you talking about BYH is a great actor. He has a couple movies under his belt most of them being indie films, you can't blame him for trying to get ahead and noticed after Misaeng. If crappy Idols are allowed to be first leads then he certainty can and with more rights. BTW JH and BYH have good chemistry.
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kalel
June 5, 2015 at 10:07 AM
Considering the fact that the script really has a few (or more than a few) flaws, it's true that their chemistry has saved the day in ExGC. Their level in acting is way beyond average -even if average is the new trend in kdramaland - and talent has built this thing called "chemistry", by all means.
BTW, CJH is not considered a veteran actor either whatsoever. And yet, they were cute together in EC. The fact that that one had run all its scheduled episodes made all the difference. So when tvN cut ExGC short I stopped expecting any sort of development in the side stories.
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114 Camille W
June 4, 2015 at 9:02 PM
The preview for ep 9 tho! But while i'm psyched i'm a little worried. Things look like they've been accelerated. And can I cheer cuz Young Jae finally found out abt Hwa Young's lie. I think we'll get more insight into his reaction tomorrow. Fighting ExGC!
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115 Laurensia N
June 5, 2015 at 2:13 AM
Actually, I have a big expect for this drama before. Because I'm really like both Byun Yo-han and of course Song Ji-hyo. and another great actress including Lee Yoon-ji. But, since the beginning the plot was really to weak and slow for kdrama. Although, I still enjoying it, because I thought that ExGC is catchy and light story. Just have a thought like reality show. Enjoy the chemistry, how they talking each other.
Another compliment, Byun Yo-han play such as badass playboy in here and totally nailed it.
Pls give them a chances to play another drama. Very like it :D
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116 Camille W
June 5, 2015 at 12:39 PM
Just saw ep 9 raw. My feelings are mixed. While I like the cute moments between our OTP, its so obviously rushed. We didn't really get to linger on the cute scenes. It was one scene after the other. I literally felt like I had just watched 2 episodes mish-mashed into one. So this made the ep feel long. tvN I blame u for messing with my show.
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Camille W
June 5, 2015 at 10:16 PM
And that was when I watched it raw. The subs made a difference. But something did feel off abt ep 9
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117 Lizzy
June 7, 2015 at 3:51 AM
lol this Surplus Princess all over again. They said the exact same thing about cutting it. Well, I'm not watching this one here, but I feel bad for everyone who does and enjoys it cause I remember the frustration when Surplus Princess got cut down.
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118 nts
June 7, 2015 at 4:21 AM
i really like this light comedy. this was the first drama following every week in 2015 :(. really sad that it is cutting down.. wish to complete 16 ep.
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119 Love the drama
June 7, 2015 at 5:39 AM
I've been waiting for this drama every week and this kind of news was truly completely make my day turn to worse. I don't think that is a relevant excuse to shorten the drama. I believe the audiences have some faith on this drama. I don't give any comment on the actors and actress. They have done their best for this drama. I also believed that the producer and anyone involved in this drama have done their best and they must be disappointed on this kind of news. I am hoping for more than this. I am not happy with the decision on shorten the episode. I just not happy and deeply disappointed. I was happy all the time watching the drama because in my point of view this drama make me laughed and I even kept watching the same part all over again. I am completely frustrated and deeply disappointed.
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120 Odessa Jones
June 7, 2015 at 9:39 PM
Episodes 9 and 10 made me smile, but dropping in and seeing how many of us would like MORE makes me sad. It's one of those shows I look forward to all week, and I hate that there's only one week left.
I suspect tvN must rely much more heavily on domestic Korean advertising than the big three broadcasters. That could explain why tvN is so quick to cancel things, while the big three have recently aired some pretty low-rated and frankly BAD shows that didn't suffer cuts. The last trendy on the big three to lose episodes was Blademan way back in October, am I right?
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121 lisa
June 9, 2015 at 7:52 AM
Long time lurker, first time poster! I wanted to chime in, in case tvn or anyone else in kdramaland monitors the west's opinions on such things.
Hugely disappointed in the shortening and will be wary of tvn going forward.
I love this show for all the things it doesnt have, as much as for all the things it does. It doesn't have: abusive men, extended childhoods, domineering parents, nasty mothers, absurd & childish romance tropes, adult women who act 12, etc. What it does have: independent women in careers, realism, relationship nuances, grown up humor, thoughtfulness, errors in judgement without self loathing or societal castration, etc. I love the characters and laugh out loud every weekend watching this. The leads are perfect in their roles and i think he brings out the best of SJH. She's much better here than EC. I will seriously miss the cast & the otp. It's absurd a horrorshow like Hyde gets a full run and this little gem gets cut. Boo.
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122 LAI
June 11, 2015 at 10:52 AM
DAMMMMMN!!!! i have watched the 1st episode and decided i want to wait til it's done and just download it so i can watch it all the way, because i can't stand waiting for a week for the next episodes (it drives me nuts) and now this!? -_- I am actually watching because of Song Ji Hyo. I'm glad people actually like this drama despite the low ratings. I am also surprised at comments about SJH's acting. maybe because i love her in RM that i just automatically love whatever drama she's in, even EC. i really enjoyed it.
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123 Camille W
June 12, 2015 at 3:12 PM
I love that ExGC is still going strong despite the cut and low ratings. I just saw ep 11 raw and it was awesome. Can't wait for the subs. I m so over the cut now. I recommend this show to everyone.
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124 Kang Tae Su
November 19, 2015 at 2:53 PM
I really actually hated this drama. Main character was really annoying. I was rooting for 수 진 and the director. Yech.
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