KBS fills out spring drama lineup with Third-Rate My Way, Sang-shik and Nara
by javabeans
KBS has finalized the next set of dramas in its weeknight lineup, filling up its schedule through June with the previously announced Third-Rate My Way (which recently confirmed leads Park Seo-joon and Kim Ji-won) and a new project titled Sang-shik and Nara (alternate interpretation: Land of Common Sense).
Third-Rate My Way is getting the Monday-Tuesday timeslot following ajumma-comeback drama Perfect Wife, which recently kicked off to decent response, albeit low ratings. The drama features characters with unpromising futures living as side characters in their own lives: Kim Ji-won will play a young woman who’d dreamed of being a television presenter, who now works the info desk at a department store, while Park Seo-joon plays an ordinary office worker who was once a hotshot Taekwondo fighter. The show will be a youthful story of growth and romance, which sounds like it could be really uplifting and poignant, especially in the hands of two actors who are well-matched for talent and charisma.
As for the Wednesday-Thursday drama: I would have translated the title literally as Land of Common Sense, if not for the fact that the characters are punnily named, providing the reading Sang-shik and Nara (to be even more literal, it’s Sang-shik’s Nara), where Sang-shik is the name of the male lead and Nara is the leading lady. The drama was initially titled Secretary Kim (secretary refers to a government position, not the everyday office secretary), who is our main character, Kim Sang-shik.
Sang-shik is described as a “wacko secretary” who dreams of being a top diplomat: Good-looking, athletic, and a competent fighter, he is described as “halfway between Jang Geu-rae [of Misaeng] and [spy comedy] Kingsman.” Nara, meanwhile, is a diplomat with strict principles who never does things by half-measures and doesn’t know how to hide even the smallest emotion, who’s described as halfway between the perfect diplomat and a nutjob.
Sang-shik and Nara sounds like it could be a cute, offbeat comedy in the style of Chief Kim, although I have to pause a little when I see that writing is Kim Kyung-se of Superdaddy Yeol, which tried for poignant and sweet but ended up a tonal misfire. It will be a Wednesday-Thursday drama following Mystery Queen, the Choi Kang-hee and Kwon Sang-woo sleuther that kicks off next week in Missing 9′s timeslot.
This means that Seo Kang-joon’s drama, From a Distance, a Green Spring, has fallen off the books at KBS, since it was in the running for a spring broadcast. That project is based on a webtoon of the same name, featuring a slice-of-life story of friendships and growing up into adulthood. The description of that drama seemed promising, but it seems it’ll have to wait a while longer to see the light of day.
RELATED POSTS
Tags: Fight My Way, Kim Ji-won, Park Seo-joon, Seo Kang-joon
Interview with Kim Yoo-jung
Hello Dramabeans series
![[2022 Year in Review] The Bean Count](https://www.dramabeans.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/beancount_2022.png)
Required fields are marked *
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
1 ilchul
March 7, 2017 at 3:09 AM
I'm so excited for Park Seo Joon's new drama!! ^__^
Required fields are marked *
Martin J Simwaba
March 7, 2017 at 3:16 AM
Me too, iam already loving it
Required fields are marked *
Sera The Ms Temper
March 7, 2017 at 3:47 AM
Let us pray earnestly this will be a good drama. I hope the drama will focus much on these two characters and relationship development.
Required fields are marked *
boomboompow
March 7, 2017 at 5:23 AM
What a dream pairing, please don't let it be a waste.
Required fields are marked *
2 fgh
March 7, 2017 at 3:10 AM
i'm still in awe that this is happening.
PARK SEO JOON.
KIM JI WON.
Required fields are marked *
bbstl
March 7, 2017 at 10:48 AM
K-I-S-S-I-N-G! well, we hope ?
Required fields are marked *
3 Ryan
March 7, 2017 at 3:21 AM
I thought it's Jang Nara drama ?
Required fields are marked *
Martin J Simwaba
March 7, 2017 at 3:29 AM
Hahaha! Me too. But when i looked at the photo closely, i couldn't see Jang Nara on that face.:D
Required fields are marked *
paroles
March 7, 2017 at 4:35 AM
Me too! After that I thought it was casting for 2 new actors called Sang-shik and Nara. Then I read the text and realise I was very wrong lol.
Required fields are marked *
bjharm
March 7, 2017 at 6:29 AM
lol I think her name Nara has the same meaning land
Required fields are marked *
4 Martin J Simwaba
March 7, 2017 at 3:26 AM
Atleast i won't have to miss him in Hwarang so much.
Required fields are marked *
blnmom
March 7, 2017 at 3:03 PM
I'm just relieved his hair is back to normal.
Required fields are marked *
5 Sera The Ms Temper
March 7, 2017 at 3:30 AM
So Kim-Park's new drama will compete against Whisper SBS and Rebel MBC - strong competitors and they have the advantage since they started early but probably will have more advantage once the latter two finished (My Sassy Girl wil replace Whisper & Lookout will replace Rebel). But for the sake of these two, I hope this will be a good drama. Perfect Wife is good. If Defendant is not s strong competitor, I think PW can get around 7-8% rating.
As for Sang-shik and Nara, lol why Jang Nara crossed my mind? better go with this title (and this sounds cute too) than Secretary Kim because KBS already has Chief Kim now. lol. If Namgoong Min is not doing Chief Kim now, I will probably see him as Sam Shik. This looks like a good romcom, until I saw it is from writer of Super Daddy Yeol. sigh.
Required fields are marked *
Grapes
March 7, 2017 at 4:03 AM
I don't think Whisper will achieve the same ratings Defendant does, because the synopsis of the drama sounds similar to many other legal drama nothing new. Also Defendant has some legal aspect so people might want to try something different, that's my assumption.
Required fields are marked *
Sera The Ms Temper
March 7, 2017 at 4:18 AM
I also dont think it will not achieve high rating like Defendant but I guess it will at least stay two digits too. Lee Bo Young is pretty famous in Korea especially after My Daughter Soo Young and I Hear Your Voice and this is her comeback after her last drama in 2014. Defendant and Whisper both are legal drama with different approach. Plus, the writer is also credible enough.
Required fields are marked *
Sera The Ms Temper
March 7, 2017 at 4:18 AM
*I also don't think it will achieve
Required fields are marked *
Mia
March 7, 2017 at 5:09 AM
Being known doesn't guarantee anything anymore. Big names like So ji Sub, Shin Min Ah, Ji sung and so on have had dramas with very poor ratings before, so the main issue will always be the plot, not the actors' popularity. That's only used when giving out awards.
Required fields are marked *
Sera The Ms Temper
March 7, 2017 at 5:23 AM
You are right. I was just pointed out possible few reasons .Whisper has a solid team from writer (The Chaser, Empire of Gold and Punch) , director and casts. I am not also guaranteeing any rating winner, i just made assumption which is always rebuttable.
Grapes
March 7, 2017 at 5:35 AM
Add to the list Gong Yoo, Hyun Bin, Lee Jeon Ki and Lee Young Ae although her current drama has a double digits but I don't think it's successful as it meant to be, Chif Kim is more popular.
Ryan
March 7, 2017 at 4:40 AM
Yeah, but since LBY is popular there & the writer I heard is the good one, so I think Whisper will get 2digits rating.
Required fields are marked *
Sera The Ms Temper
March 7, 2017 at 5:55 AM
The writer is the most credible one and the bonus part, his drama always have solid casts too. Even his drama not the hit ones like Kim Eun Sook, but all were cricitically acclaimed.
Required fields are marked *
6 hiromi
March 7, 2017 at 3:37 AM
I've been a silent reader for years but this time I really have to comment this news because OMG I'M so happy for Park Seo Joon. I'm currently loving him in She Was Pretty, like, I fell pretty hard for him - and it's funny bacause a lot of people didn't like is character in that drama... but for me it was like a revelation, lol. So oppa, fighting é_è
Also, I've read Third-Rate My Way is gonna be a friends to lovers romance, and god that's my jam. Please be good, drama.
Required fields are marked *
Sera The Ms Temper
March 7, 2017 at 3:43 AM
I loved him in SWP too, but so much love was given for the second lead that in this drama that he was kind of ignored (and same goes to Hwarang too). I dont know how much you have watched him, but in case you haven't he was great too in Kill Me Heal Me, Witch's Romance and I Summon You Gold. I cannot wait to see him and Kang Ha Neul's new movie- hopefully lot lot of bromance and yes these two are gems. ?
Required fields are marked *
hiromi
March 7, 2017 at 4:01 AM
I'm liking Siwon's character, too, but Park So Joon has a way to deliver his character's fragility that really really REALLY got me, lol. I must confess i watched like 6 or 7 episodes of Witch's Romance when it was still airing and I don't know why but I dropped it. Now I'm so gonna rewatch it from the beginning xD And I'm also gonna watch KMHL and the one with Kang Ha Neul. Thank you :D
Required fields are marked *
Nadila Nadila
March 7, 2017 at 4:12 AM
@hiromi I'm the opposite, I dropped She Was Pretty at ep.12 and manage to finish Witch's Romance XD I want to repick She Was Pretty again honestly
Required fields are marked *
lan_lan
March 7, 2017 at 5:19 AM
Just butting in to say from experience that following a drama live vs being able to watch in one go with no weekly waiting in between really gives a different favor to the drama. While SWP was airing I started losing interest a third of the way. However when I picked it up again after it finished and started from the beginning I enjoyed it so much more than the first time and totally fell for PSJ vs severely disliking his character's actions from the first time. The same thing also happened with Pinnochio (losing interest during live watch, but totally loved it after binging).
Nadila Nadila
March 7, 2017 at 5:41 AM
Yeah, I remember binge watching Witch's Romance before, and following She Was Pretty live at the time, I'm thinking of rewatching it from the beginning again to see how it ends, even tho someone already spoiled the end for me haha
Sera The Ms Temper
March 7, 2017 at 4:22 AM
Welcome to fangirls club for Park Seo Joon ? hehe. I have been his fan from Summon You Gold's days but hardly to find other fangirls ?
I like Si Won too, but I love PSJ more in SWP. ?
Required fields are marked *
hiromi
March 7, 2017 at 4:59 AM
Somehow, repiking dramas once you fell for an actor is so satisfying xD
(... I just realized he I've seen Park Seo Joon in Dream High 2, too. Amazing how a good character and a good script can really do the difference!)
Hope Seo Joon popularity can grow even more, he now has officially a place in my heart, just pick your dramas wisely, oppa, lol <3
Sera The Ms Temper
March 7, 2017 at 6:00 AM
My wish is to see him and Kang Ha Neul as next Yoo Ah In in a few years. As long as they pick good projects, they can be there.
7 JYlove
March 7, 2017 at 3:37 AM
Rise Park SeoJoon x Kim Ji Won
can't wait ~ ?
Required fields are marked *
8 wackycashew
March 7, 2017 at 3:54 AM
PSJ-KJW pairing should be awesome!!!
Required fields are marked *
9 Alice
March 7, 2017 at 4:26 AM
I was actually looking forward to For a Distance, A Green Spring :( Too many workplace dramas nowadays... And it'll be good to actually air a drama with a "spring" title in it during Spring.
Oh well hopefully this means Seo Kang-joon gets to practice his acting more.
Required fields are marked *
Grapes
March 7, 2017 at 5:42 AM
I this the current trend in drama land is thriller (Voice, Defendant, Missing 9, even Strong Woman has thriller twist).
Required fields are marked *
Grapes
March 7, 2017 at 5:43 AM
*think
Required fields are marked *
10 evelynray
March 7, 2017 at 4:46 AM
Glad that it isn't named Secretary Kim as it would be mixed up with currently airing Chief Kim, haha.
Not sure if I can say I am looking forward to Sang-sik and Nara, but I am curious about the casting. Definitely looking forward to Third Rate My Way!
Required fields are marked *
11 yrlvv
March 7, 2017 at 4:55 AM
Rebel: 30 Jan - 9 May
Defendant: 23 Jan - 21 Mar, Whisper: 27 Mar - 16 May
Ms Perfect: 27 Feb - 2 May, TRMW: 8 May - 27 Jun
Saimdang: 26 Jan - 4 May
Chief Kim: 25 Jan - 30 Mar, Mystery Queen: 5 Apr - 25 May
Missing 9: 18 Jan - 9 Mar, Radiant Office: 15 Mar - 4 May, Ruler: 10 May - 13 July
Required fields are marked *
Chi
March 7, 2017 at 3:47 PM
MBC Lookout: 15 May - 4 July
Lee Shi Young, Kim Young Kwang just confirmed
Required fields are marked *
bacon181
March 7, 2017 at 7:35 PM
So, Mystery Queen is on KBS right? replacing Chief Kim. I just got a little confuse read that these chain of series will replacing missing 9 which I knew broadcasted on MBC. haha
Required fields are marked *
12 kanz
March 7, 2017 at 4:57 AM
Errr I'm happy there's new drama featuring diplomats.. because it's so underused and I didn't really know any other drama featuring diplomacy or international relations in general other than K2H. But but.. the writer seems so unconvincing.
By the description alone, it could be successful like Chief Kim or a total flop if not done right.
Required fields are marked *
Sera The Ms Temper
March 7, 2017 at 5:31 AM
You are right. The writer worries me. But since he/she only wrote one drama, maybe we need to give second chance? Who knows it can be better. Super Daddy Yeol was based on webtoon and we all know many drama adapted from webtoon are quite disappointed.
Required fields are marked *
13 john
March 7, 2017 at 6:38 AM
Kim Ji Won, ❤️.
I hope it is a good project.
Required fields are marked *
14 Flightey Gazelles
March 7, 2017 at 6:59 AM
Ha, and we just commented on how many dramaland secretaries are named 'Secretary Kim' lol!! Maybe they read the thread?.
Looking forward to seeing Park Seo Joon. I dropped Witch's Romance, after almost two years(watching KMHM in between), went back and watched it and fell sooooo hard for Park Seo Joon. Sauna scene, anyone? Phew!!
Required fields are marked *
15 esjpx
March 7, 2017 at 7:01 AM
It will be a Wednesday-Thursday drama following Mystery Queen, the Choi Kang-hee and Kwon Sang-woo sleuther that kicks off next week in Missing 9′s timeslot.
Shouldn't it be Radiant Office after Missing 9, which is on MBC?
Required fields are marked *
praise
March 7, 2017 at 8:25 AM
@nnaxx , I think it was because the major stations have the same time slot.
Required fields are marked *
esjpx
March 7, 2017 at 8:29 AM
But Mystery Queen is on KBS, right? Chief Kim hasn't ended yet.
Required fields are marked *
praise
March 7, 2017 at 8:41 AM
@nnaxx she meant wed&Thur time slot , missing 9 and cheif kim, the time slot is what she meant ,since this drama is a wed-thur time slot.
Required fields are marked *
16 praise
March 7, 2017 at 8:44 AM
or it was a mistake
Required fields are marked *
17 fay17
March 7, 2017 at 10:38 AM
Recently I have been hoping for two new pairs to work on screen randomly, one is kang ha neul- Seul Gi and Song Joon Ki- Gong Hyo Jin. I hope the dramagods answer my prayer.. Just thought I would mention since a new drama is being talked about lol.
Required fields are marked *
Purple
March 7, 2017 at 11:22 AM
Are you me? Cos I am praying for the Kang Haneul and Seul GI pairing as well.
Required fields are marked *
pogo
March 7, 2017 at 12:30 PM
I will accept this as the drama gods' offering in place of a Yoon Doo-joon/Kim Seul-gi reunion, the idea of Kang Ha-neul/KSG is killing me.
Required fields are marked *
fay17
March 7, 2017 at 12:48 PM
LOL purple did you see the variety show episode [forgot the name of it] where these two impersonated the saranghaeyo scene from goblin? I think they sold me on those 5 mere minutes lol. I think a lot like us have been worked up about this new potential pair, so any new drama news makes me excited, :D
Pogo Ikr? Sigh...even after so many noise on YDJ-KSG, nothing happened yet. Let's hope 2017 is the year our wish gets granted finally.
Required fields are marked *
azamions
March 7, 2017 at 4:25 PM
Yes!!! Happy together omgsh!!
And the bit where Kang Haneul tries to convince Kim Seulgi to choose him,,,mann so smooth
Anyway yeah that episdoe of happy together is totally the only reason why I ship them two together as well haha :p
Required fields are marked *
bacon181
March 7, 2017 at 7:37 PM
Yes still wait for the day that Kim Seul Gi get lead role on a 16 episodes drama
Required fields are marked *
maya2825
March 7, 2017 at 9:07 PM
Yeayyy for Ha Neul & Seul Gi, these two are sooooo cute on Happy Together and in recent Soompi artice, Seulgi said she wished to be Ha Neul's ideal type. I ship them! <3
https://www.soompi.com/2017/03/05/kim-seul-gi-reveals-whose-ideal-type-like/
btw, Kim Ji Won, finallyyyyy..missing her on my screen!
Required fields are marked *
18 pogo
March 7, 2017 at 12:32 PM
Hope this drama does well for Kim Ji-won's sake, it's high time she broke into lead roles and there's an unfortunate tendency to cast rising young actresses by the wayside if they lead a drama that doesn't do so well in ratings (while idol-actresses and similarly flopping actors in the same age group keep scoring chance after chance).
Required fields are marked *
19 sharreb
March 7, 2017 at 4:28 PM
Im glad PArk Seo Joon is gettting more roles and in the leads- Hwarang really isnt memorable for him as a character and im glad hes now opposite of Kim Ji Won who we missed
After this casting was confirmed the casting i really hope to hear
Kang Ha Neul and Kim Seul Gi- they were so adorable in Happy Together - they would match well plus both are great actors... Praying praying
Required fields are marked *
sananas
March 8, 2017 at 10:55 AM
Omg Kang Haneul and Kim Seul Gi are precious! Their parody is so cute!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UI5P-7WGRo
Required fields are marked *
20 kate
March 10, 2017 at 9:43 PM
Aahh..
I’ve been a silent readers of the Korean drama for years but this time I really have to comment this.
Oh, My G..
xcited much this drama.
To Park Seo Joon, stay humble and stay natural with your action move. I love the way it is.
My friend called me "Korean drama addict"
I hope you can visit here in the Philippines. :))
Required fields are marked *
21 Missa
April 29, 2017 at 5:02 PM
I'm looking forward to Park Seo Joon's new drama!!! Rom-Com is his forte plus a beautiful leading lady :)
Required fields are marked *
22 larus
June 1, 2017 at 1:56 AM
I am interested in Land of Common Sense. I think they will cast mature actors in their 30- 40 s and I really like it. It sounds that the lead characters combination could be hilarious. He is a “wacko secretary” who wants to be a diplomat and she is "halfway between the perfect diplomat and a nutjob".
I wonder if if Cha Seung Won received the offer for this role. He said that he will play in a romantic comedy soon and I totally see him playing in this.
Required fields are marked *