KBS announces global youth action romance Moorim School
by javabeans
KBS has announced production of a new drama, Moorim School, but what surprises me about the announcement isn’t its plot or subject material but the bold claims the broadcaster is putting forth, calling the series “killer content” that’ll usher in “a new Hallyu paradigm” to break the “stagnant drama market” out of its current plateau. That’s a pretty big promise; you sure you want to be talking so big so early?
In the drama, students at Moorim School are taught the valuable (and rather intangible) virtues of honor, faith, survival, sacrifice, and communication—exactly how, I don’t know, but that’s what they tell us. The word moorim refers to the martial arts realm; it’s not merely the technical skill of fighting, but the whole philosophy and world of martial arts. So I was hesitant to call the drama “Martial Arts School,” which has a slightly different connotation; the school isn’t a place that merely teaches students how to fight, and is instead touted as an antidote to the traditional education machine that focuses on grades and specs and resumés.
The drama plans to gather a diverse group of students and teachers to undergo special life lessons about the meaning of “true heroism,” and notably will feature a sizable international cast alongside the Korean cast, playing characters who arrive at the “global youth campus” for differing reasons. (Suddenly I’m getting a mental image of X-Men meets Kung Fu Panda.) The producers will not restrict the casting of foreigners to actors already active in Korea, but intend to hold auditions for international actors in China and Thailand with the hopes of discovering new multilingual talent.
Most of KBS’s descriptions are sweeping and overarching, so the plot itself remains unclear. KBS wants to set itself apart from the usual production format, be entirely pre-produced in advance of its airdate, showcase diverse stories including martial arts and romance, target international viewers and share in a cultural interchange that everyone can relate to, and feature “the beauty of Korea’s four seasons.” That… is a tall order. Can you also vacuum my living room and make me cocktails? I mean, those are all worthy aims, but I hope they’re not biting off more than they can chew…
Attached to direct is PD Lee So-yeon of the dramas Baby-Faced Beauty and Prime Minister and I—neither were ambitious paradigm-shifting series, but they were both light, cute romances. And at the end of the day, I don’t need you to transform a whole global market; I just want you to entertain me and make me smile.
Moorim School plans to broadcast in January 2016 as a Monday-Tuesday drama.
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1 mary
July 13, 2015 at 12:09 PM
If they cast Rim Oppar, this is my chance.
*flies to audition*
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Orion
July 13, 2015 at 12:19 PM
This is why I lurv you. Always considering the positive in things. I promise to watch this if you get cast. If only for the chase scenes.
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darcyM
July 13, 2015 at 4:21 PM
I would love to see the behind the scenes footage if Rim + mary casting happened
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bbstl
July 13, 2015 at 4:31 PM
Mary, break a leg!
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Peridot
July 14, 2015 at 11:57 AM
And the Mary-fangirls will support you :)!
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2 Orion
July 13, 2015 at 12:18 PM
I just want them to stick to their plans for once. Not panic and start apologizing and/or messing things up as soon as the show doesn't become an instant hit. They have the biggest record of trying new formats, premises and ideas. Also, the biggest record of backpedaling instantly on those ambitions and messing it all up.
If you're going to try new things, pick a couple each time and remain devoted to those choices from start to finish. Sure, the current audiences aren't interested, but running away scared each time will never create the audiences you can sell those new ideas to. And try as you may, the current ones just have different tastes. I don't need them to vacuum and make me cocktails. I just want them to, for once, finish pouring us a damn cup of coffee.
And this doesn't sound like a promising drama on the not-messiness, so Ori will run away while she can.
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iamdeb
July 13, 2015 at 12:56 PM
amen.
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kalel
July 13, 2015 at 11:05 PM
Μaybe the key words here are "non live-shooting"...If the drama is pre-produced then, perhaps, we might have a chance of drinking a proper cup of coffee (and plus being offered a muffin with it ;-) )
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Orion
July 14, 2015 at 12:00 AM
Pre-production plays a huge part, but it won't help until certain mindsets and business realities evolve. Pre-production would also make them even more eager to people-please from the get-go. No live feedback = must make as sure as possible people do not walk away = "mass appeal" and we all know what that means. Given the current typical drama audience, it certainly not mean quality storytelling and talented creators/cast.
I'll trust their idea of pre-produced ambition when I see it. With 'Descendants of the Sun', because I don't think I dare watch this one. Right now and judging by their habits, it's either domestic ratings or selling rights abroad = idols/hallyu stars and fangirl material. I fear and expect them to aim for the latter, given the information out. KBS2 has not exactly shown much trust there. Look at the most recent example with 'Producers'. Shameless backpedaling and oppadoration.
I have lost all trust, as you can tell. :P It will take a lot to win it back and I'm not holding my breath for it.
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kalel
July 14, 2015 at 2:39 AM
You're probably right! Nonetheless, any new era takes some adjusting time. When old habits plus outdated minds and/or ideas are out of the picture, things shall improve fast. Younger people will take over, fresh ideas will be presented and audiences will follow.
That's a phase every popular product must go through in order to be updated. Even telenovelas (the most profitable entertainment product globally, no doubt) went through major "make-over" to keep their appeal to the audiences. Considering the hundred of millions of viewers and the decades these shows are successful, it sounds bizarre. It did happen, though!
So the main goal is " to keep the standards of the genre intact and get rid of anything that interferes with quality". I am optimistic about changes even if they initially come from the wrong people, for the wrong reasons and end up failing in full glory. We just need a few baby steps to the right direction and I think pre-production in k-dramas might be a promising beginning :-)
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Orion
July 14, 2015 at 3:43 AM
Agreed there. They are improving pretty fast and at least trying new things. I love-hate KBS because of it. At least its hired creators dare to go places, even if they're not always allowed to by the end. And with so many people full of talent working in these industries, they will find their own way. Hopefully, room will be made for all types of works and preferences as the industry matures and adapts. :)
3 j2hr
July 13, 2015 at 12:24 PM
who will win the race? international casts speak broken korean or korean casts speak broken english?
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4 redfox
July 13, 2015 at 12:34 PM
I actually dont think going for the international market per se deserves cheers. it may destroy the very things that make korean dramas so appealing.
big declarations are always dangerous. in the end, life mostly revolves around the same things and how far off the orbit can you get...unless it is cinematic quality which is always welcome
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ellenelle
July 13, 2015 at 5:19 PM
Yep, aiming for an international market doesn't seem like a good thing. International drama viewers like dramas because they are NOT like the shows produced in their home country (at least I do), and going international would mean making the content and style of dramas more similar to foreign television. That I do not support.
However, including international actors in the cast of dramas I entirely support. Although Korea is still quite homogeneous, it has an increasing number of immigrants and a tendency for close-mindedness. I think it would be great to see foreigners (and not just Asian or White people, but I know that's hoping for too much) on television.
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nomad
July 13, 2015 at 5:55 PM
me too. Especially not those that show people sleeping with each other after one date, or banging each other in any room. Frankly there are a dime a dozen of those in my country.
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kalel
July 13, 2015 at 11:18 PM
HAHAHA, for how long may SK dramas avoid reality and the 21st century? Their cinema has left "childhood" long ago and most tw-dramas do show s-e-x among adults who aren't always married (OMG, right? ;-) )
Vulgarity is one thing and perpetual "infancy" is another. The truth always lies somewhere in the middlle. Besides, some of us have also grown up :-)
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Gidget
July 13, 2015 at 10:33 PM
"International drama viewers like dramas because they are NOT like the shows produced in their home country (at least I do), and going international would mean making the content and style of dramas more similar to foreign television."
Exactly!
So by international, they mean from elsewhere in Asia?
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5 iamdeb
July 13, 2015 at 12:37 PM
Or maybe just hire more competent (or maybe even good!) writers and don't force them to stay in the kdrama cliche box so they can exercise their creative freedom. Also take more chances on unknown actors who have real acting chops!
There have been amazing dramas that have come and gone during this general kdrama stagnancy and still it seems the industry has not learned much from them. This will change nothing, i'm sorry but making huge claims and promises like this is a waste of time.
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6 crazedlu
July 13, 2015 at 12:47 PM
Eeeeee!! Thought they would never do a concept like this! Excited!!!
But... that means they better cast well. And by cast well, I mean Lee Hyun-woo. Haha. Or someone amazing like him. Like, Yook Sung-jae. Ha.
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pogo
July 13, 2015 at 12:57 PM
It's a school drama? I bet they'll use that as an excuse to cast idols.
We can still hope they turn out as good as Yook Sung-jae.
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changhyun
July 13, 2015 at 7:32 PM
I find YSJ heavily overrated (not bad, but not as good as people tout him to be) but I think Lee Hyunwoo is a great actor in the projects he's been in.
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pogo
July 13, 2015 at 7:57 PM
well, he is the best actor among the recent group of under-23 idol-actors who've featured in a role of any substantial length, is all.
Lee Hyun-woo is great, I was so sorry when his Scholar WHo Walks the Night cameo ended.
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gyugu
July 13, 2015 at 8:16 PM
true, he can't even make it to the 2nd episode. That damn Gwi LOL.
7 pogo
July 13, 2015 at 12:58 PM
*insert surejan.gif*
Just get a good writer dammit. No Group 8 mediocrity please!
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8 Mandy
July 13, 2015 at 1:18 PM
"I don’t need you to transform a whole global market; I just want you to entertain me and make me smile."
Exactly. They can aim high but claiming they'll usher a new Hallyu whatever just induces eye rolls from me. Like that's so easy. What KBS needs - in fact, MBC and SBS too - is a good drama, with great characters, engaging plot, talented actors and intelligent direction. They don't need to claim it will be amazing. When the drama comes out, viewers can do that for them.
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L.
July 13, 2015 at 3:29 PM
What KBS needs – in fact, MBC and SBS too – is a good drama, with great characters, engaging plot, talented actors and intelligent direction.
That's what every TV network in every country needs.
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kalel
July 13, 2015 at 11:42 PM
...plus, less PPL, less idols and their entourages, less broadcasting invasion of the writers' work, less actors with restrictions (whetever that maybe, in a big range of age and/or demands), less greedy CEOs ( go find yourselves some other industry to butcher , people with MBA-and-not-always-from-a-prestigious-university) and NO MORE live-shooting, please! The tyranny of the masses has always been the worse enemy of creativity! Freedoooom!
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9 kororo
July 13, 2015 at 1:18 PM
Hoping *sending prayers* for great writers, actors and actresses cause this could be great !!
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10 kuromitsu
July 13, 2015 at 1:33 PM
"Murim"?
So this is the "The Breaker" manhwa adaptation that isn't actually a "The Breaker" manhwa adaptation.
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little-muffin
July 13, 2015 at 9:14 PM
I thought of The Breaker too when I saw the word 'Murim'!
Well obviously this is not adaptation of it though since the story is very different. I think it'll be difficult to portray the martial arts in real life action though.
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11 damadelpuente
July 13, 2015 at 1:39 PM
"Suddenly I’m getting a mental image of X-Men meets Kung Fu Panda."
I thought the premise sounded more like the love child of Street Fighter and Dream High. (or more like the love child of Street Fighter and Dream High goes 1N2D, with the whole "feature of the beauty of Korea's four seasons"). it's too early to judge this hybrid, though.
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Gidget
July 13, 2015 at 10:37 PM
Even NaPD had to cut 4 seasons to 2.
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12 TrinPie
July 13, 2015 at 1:46 PM
I'm surprised they are doing auditions. I don't know how things really work behind the scenes but it seems like auditions are almost non-existant for kdramas. They throw out names of popular actors or idols, see if the netzines like, then go with that actor even if they may not be the best fit or even the best actor. It seems more a popularity vote then how good the actor is.
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whimsyful
July 13, 2015 at 2:38 PM
Maybe they want some new blood? I'm glad they're doing them though. Hon and Girl K both held auditions, and discovered nice new talent in the form of Im Joo Eun and Han Groo.
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TrinPie
July 13, 2015 at 3:15 PM
I'm definitely glad also. I think they should do it more often to be honest. I didn't know Girl K held an audition but I'm glad they did, because Han Groo is one of my favorites right now.
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13 danna
July 13, 2015 at 1:50 PM
High school drama, international cast, completely preproduced, martial arts blah blah...does the mainstream Korean drama watching population care for any of this? Could b a huge a travesty waiting to happen
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14 Mini Roo
July 13, 2015 at 1:54 PM
yesss school life drama. I like those
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15 mindy
July 13, 2015 at 2:43 PM
WOW those are huge promises. I really hope they deliver because I'm always looking forward to great dramas! Prove yourselves, KBS!!!
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16 nasalhazel
July 13, 2015 at 3:18 PM
New Hallyu Paradigm might be my new band name, though.
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17 soapbox
July 13, 2015 at 3:36 PM
Hope they pull through this time with something creative since it's pre-produced. And not like how they claimed Producer was going to be the first of its kind since it was to be filmed like a mockumentary. But then after the first week they backpedaled on that idea and kinda went back to the usual format.
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18 czak
July 13, 2015 at 4:11 PM
Big words indeed. But i think if this is a sports centric drama ive been waiting for like how Last Match blew me away then i am excited for this.
And Since -his is a youth drama I would love them to cast tried and proven young actors like lee hyun woo, kwak dongyeon, seo youngju and the likes.
But then for the most parts, I am all for audition.
I am always skeptical with actor idols or model turned actors but there has been some that has won me over over the years and they did do auditions and got casted and turn out so amazing, so i am not opposed to it for this drama.
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19 Kinki
July 13, 2015 at 5:01 PM
Lee Kwang Soo for Director of the School
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20 ellenelle
July 13, 2015 at 5:10 PM
L.O.L.
I'm going to follow this to see how it fails. But I give props to KBS for keeping on trying to come up with original, innovative concepts. And this one seems pretty good on paper - saved all the pompous comments ("new hallyu paradigm"? What is that even supposed to mean?)
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Gidget
July 13, 2015 at 10:40 PM
Preproduced?
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21 alpha
July 13, 2015 at 5:55 PM
They can revolutionise as much as they want. I wont be watching it anyway. The reason I watch korean dramas is because of their own uniqueness and charm. If they are gonna make a complete shift I aint even gonna bother.
I can already smell failure.
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22 gugugu
July 13, 2015 at 7:51 PM
the thing about kbs is that it's trying to be different and start trends but it only REALLY works every blue moon. themes that sweep the entire drama scene/fad like "bread" (kim takgu) or idol dramas that are actually good (dream high) ...those are hits that are different, and successful...but kbs needs to just calm down and stop thinking "THIS IS THE ONEEEEE I CAN FEEL ITTTT"
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23 Lilly
July 13, 2015 at 10:20 PM
sounds sort of boring
would rather see show reality show about most haunted spots in Asia with real Korean ghost hunters and a shaman thrown in with them
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24 rainerust
July 13, 2015 at 11:21 PM
I thought of the The Breaker immediately when I saw "murim". Although it isn't the only manhwa that features that. I liked The Breaker (and other manhwas) but er the grandiose sweeping statements have me a little worried and a little cynical. Just...please focus on having the good writing and the good story??!
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25 ara
July 14, 2015 at 12:41 AM
"entirely pre-produced in advance of its airdate"
^
There, lay half of my fate on them, wish it luck,
Even a martial drama school is a fun genre
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26 Camelia
July 14, 2015 at 8:33 AM
tq JB
Jackie Chan martial director,
hope no injuries
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27 Cee
July 14, 2015 at 9:04 PM
This feels so superficial, corny, and messy to be very honest.
Not even bothering to get my hopes up
.... except if I audition and they accept me LMAO
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