*hammering (not hampering)

True!

bips99 ~

The strength of the support characters is one of the reasons Rebel has done so well, imho.
Veteran actors, given some decent storylines, helps to draw a viewer in. Kim Byung-Ok, Seo Yi-Sook, Son Jong-hak bring out the best.

Well, I'm in the opinion why bring unnecesary subplot to the character that is not supposed to support your narrative purpose? They will prevent you to focus your whole narrative and your show will no longer have purpose and cohesive. It's happen with alot of show. But I agree though, a great writers will find a way to make their side character a functional to their plot and story. And Sageuk genre used to make important side character functional. Tomorrow with You is still 4 episode, and slowly we are start to see a character side giving more important role to the story. I don't think I will classify Tomorrow with you as something who rely so much on two chemistry between the lead because even when they are not together, they are a such strong character on their own.

@bips99 ah... now I got your point.

But we're still on the early stage of the show. I think it's pretty normal for a drama to keep its focus on the main leads first before digging deeper into the supporting characters conflict. So I guess this is not the problem, or at least not the main one.

However, I do agree with you that the dialogues are a bit weak. Sometimes, I found them lack of... I don't know... oomph? They're just not compelling enough to engage people's attentions or leave deep impressions. I don't know who the writer is, but I guess he/she isn't much of a wordsmith.

@nchoe : well this time disagree with you nchoe, the dialogue might be not witty but they are good and at times so deep. But it's just me though who are so into the story.

@John I think we can't compare romcom with Sageuk. Saeguk drama stories tends to be more complicated, hence they have so many characters (sometimes, you can't even decide who the main lead is since there are some strong characters in one show) complete with their own story and arc. They often need longer episodes to be able to develop their characters properly, 20 episodes are barely enough. While romcom dramas are often solely focus on the main otp with much simpler conflict to solve.

@missjb Oh... not at all, I personally like the dialogues. I glued to my screen whenever I see the the characters have conversations (I especially like So-joon's bff lines when they're at the bar).

I'm just thinking the dialogues is not kind of dialogues that would make most people attracted to.

There was a big discussion on the news item which was about KES new drama - how PBG is not really her type. She tends to go for more masculine look rather than the flower boy look. plus jo in sung recently said that he wanted to work with her and she had approached him for DOTS. so its probably him or won bin

@bips99 oh I never read anything on that. I just assumed. By the way I thought Song Jong Ki is quite a flower boy type, not the masculine one. Or maybe I am the only one see him a flower boy type? Gong Yoo, Lee Min Ho, and Hyun Bin defnitely masculine type. I doubt Won Bin will be ever back but if KES succesfully made him comeback, she has my respect. If not I hope she is able to bring back Kang Dong Won.

@Kiara you are right. Based on her past patterns, she chose the popular actors as the main leads, and the second leads the underrated ones. Her next project should have Kim Ji Won as the main lead, this girl had worked with her in two projects already. About time for her to land her lead role.

I dont think Kim Ji Won is famous enough to lead KES drama. I think KES formula is bang first episode + popular actors. It likes love at first sight, when you fall in love already you can by pass the flaws.

SJK wasnt the first choice for DOTS so its more like: his time has come, its more about timing than her type.

I dont know how much hands on KES in casting but in goblin and dots, everyone has been perfectly cast.

@Chi that's why I and Kiara shared the same opinion that KES should have the underrated and talented ones in her drama, someone like Kim Ji Won will do. I thought Kim Ji Won has gain some popularity as well, maybe not that big to be KES leading role. But who knows?

Like bips99, I also feel like Jo In Sung is a good bet, especially if she's considering doing a sageuk.

Or she might switch it up and choose the most flowery of flower boys. With all her successes, people are paying closer attention to her writing and plot and character tropes (and flaws). To escape being boxed in, she may tweak things around. When people complained about her female characters, she did make an effort to strengthen their characterization.

I dont think KES take risk in actors, small roles maybe. She only take popular actors that she knows will deliver the roles. She has everything plan out from start to finish. With her name now she can get any actors she wants, she wont go for lesser actors. Why take risk when everything else is available?

I watch Kim Ji Won interview on KBS. She said she only want pretty role. Kim Ji Won doesnt stay in the spolight. She has a hit drama, disappear then come back few years later. Kim Ji Won might be popular but she hasnt really make the name for herself yet. She is more like a trending actor than a popular actor.

I search back for Park Shin Hye and Lee Min Ho. They already lead, have small hits before heirs. They already have lots of cfs by the time they got cast.

Oh with you on that.. consecutive successes for years.. is a real talent.. a talent to die for..

at the end of the day, in a profession where writer holds little importance and recognition.. she has create a brand of herself..

And to other saying, she takes big names.. the thing is.. big names want to or agree to work with her. Anyone would love a famous name to headline their drama..it just speaks a lot about KES strength... and her secondary couples/side actors win viewers love not from ep 3/4/8.. but from ep 1 itself.. and she is fair enough to give each character its arc..

And lastly, known faces don't guarantee success.. so i really don't see that as a parameter of success.. these very same faces have headlined dramas with excellent creds and yet failed..

I don't know.. but well.. there is clearly sthg that KES does.. which no one else can..

And in case of her last two dramas, a HUGE factor has been the director. His frames are to die for.. the color, the grandeur of the scenes.. that is what has added max charm
PS: I want to watch NA PD or the guy directing reply series.. team up with KES..

*********
Really??? was DOTs offered to JIS? KES said in some interview that she was super skeptical of SJK.. but once she saw him in uniform she knew he would reign the young hearts..

If she manages to get Won Bin back on screen, she definitely has my respects too.. And with UF being a flop, i thought KES would make it a personal task to relaunch KWB's drama career :)

The dramas fail have more to do with bad writing or directing. Very few times dramas fail because of bad acting.

@reaat

I agree mainly her male leads who pulls the viewers, she always chose trendy males for her dramas.

But why is it always the males actors who gets recognitions in korea! Its not fair for the actress who's always working hard.

Like when SBS gave a prize for LMH in LOTBS and JJH got eating prize Ior something in that category, don't have anything against LMH but she was working hard shooting scenes under the water in this cold weather and spending hours in the water is not that easy it's uncomfortable...sigh

SJK is known more for his roles than running man.
I am reiterating myself.. but i find this accusation unfair that KES benefits largely because of her male leads.

Rather, she has bolstered career of her male leads.

Hyun bin got his super stardome because of SG and was able to demand the hefty price for ekyll hyde on SG laurels.

KWB literally shot to limelight from heirs.

LMH was known because of BoF (primarily).. got his chinese superstardom thanks to this show..

Gong Yoo - he has always been a star.. and apparently him and won bin being the only two actors with whom KES desperately wants to work..

SJK again.. was popular.. but this insane stardom because of KES..

@ kiara

I know the majority who watches dramas are females, and it's sad to see that females ignoring each others hard work and give all the credit to the male, not only fans or viewers also the writers who wrote those females weak characters are also females, why can't they write a strong independent female lead who doesn't need to depend on the male lead to help her or being overshadowed by the male.

They should set a good example for the young girls to be powerful independent and to stand up for themselves.

Anyway it might be this the trend in korea, who knows!

I am in the minority maybe, who appreciate female lead character more. Maybe I am fangirling actressess more than actors. That's why I am more than willing to watch a female centric drama, or bold and strong female lead as long as not a candy, or damsel in distress heroine type, regardless how boring that drama is. For eg Night Light.

@sera The Ms Temper

I am in the minority too who cheer for the females.

Night Light and Mr. Temper and NGJ has strong smart female lead.

I love LHN in Voice too because she's strong and doesn't give in easily despite the harsh atmosphere she's in and being attacked by her superiors even JH character attaked her in the beginning but that didn't weaken her.

Also th female lead in Chief Kim is so confident and smart, and she stands up for her believes.

I dropped DOTS too. Enjoyed Goblin but don't expect to watch it again -- it was nothing like top-10 level. Watched Heirs (notice I say nothing about enjoying it).

I'd summarize this thread by saying KES seems like the Chinese Food of scriptwriting (?). Tasty but not filling.

@15.1.2.3.5 Lord Cobol,

I’d summarize this thread by saying KES seems like the Chinese Food of scriptwriting (?). Tasty but not filling.

ROFLMAO! Reminds me of an apocryphal fortune cookie prediction: "You will be hungry in an hour."