Song Ki-Baek, portrayed by Ko Kyoung-Pyo, epitomizes the archetype of a single and 33-year-old announcer within the broadcasting domain. Revered for his decorum and etiquette, Ki-Baek experiences a pivotal juncture when an impulsive outburst jeopardizes his professional standing, culminating in an unprecedented career crisis.
Concurrently, On Woo-Joo, essayed by Kang Han-Na, emerges as an industrious TV variety show scriptwriter, enchanted by Ki-Baek’s abrupt linguistic deviation. Intrigued by his predicament, Woo-Joo orchestrates his inclusion in her program, instigating a cascade of events that ensue.
JTBC’s “Frankly Speaking” maintains a stable viewership course, serving as a conduit to Ki-Baek’s inadvertent descent from esteemed announcer to an unanticipated luminary of the variety TV realm across the initial six installments of its 12-episode tenure.
“Frankly Speaking”: A Newsroom Comedy
The abrupt transition in Ki-Baek’s vocation unfolds consequent to an unexpected electrocution mishap on Woo-Joo’s reality series set, wherein Ki-Baek, albeit reluctantly partakes. This fortuitous incident bequeaths upon him an incapacity to equivocate, a quality ostensibly advantageous for a news presenter, albeit discordant within the confines of JBC’s broadcast ethos.
Estranged by the dearth of institutional support and propelled by unfiltered veracity, Ki-Baek unreservedly castigates the network’s integrity, precipitating his departure, much to Woo-Joo’s consternation, who bears culpability for the mishap as mentioned earlier.
Contrary to conventional portrayal, Ki-Baek’s newfound outspokenness imbues him with a nuanced demeanor, deemed “thoughtfully rude” by a discerning colleague. His forthright disposition, far from engendering antipathy, is a commendable counterbalance to the entrenched deference to authority pervasive within JBC.
The romantic comedy vehicle starring Go Kyung Pyo, Kang Han Na, and Joo Jong Hyuk garnered a marginal uptick in viewership for its recent airing on May 23rd, as per Nielsen Korea’s statistical assessment.
Frankly Speaking attains an average nationwide rating of 1.4 percent, commensurate with its preceding Thursday’s performance, and is available to stream on Netflix.
“Frankly Speaking” airs biweekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:50 p.m. KST.