Korean television dramas are witnessing a shift, particularly evident in the declining viewership of KBS weekend dramas and renowned makjang dramas. Once considered a guarantee for high ratings, KBS weekend dramas like “Beauty and Mr Romantic” and works by famous writer Kim Soon-ok are facing challenges that signify changing viewer preferences and evolving standards in storytelling.
Notably, recent KBS weekend dramas have failed to replicate the exceptional ratings achieved by predecessors like “My Only One” and “Young Lady and Gentleman,” which reached peak ratings of 49.4% and 38.2%, respectively.
Despite efforts to reverse this trend with new casting choices and narrative themes, dramas like “Beauty and Mr. Romantic” continue to struggle with declining ratings and relevance. The overuse of familiar plot elements has failed to resonate with modern audiences.
Similarly, makjang dramas crafted by renowned writer Kim Soon-ok, famous for the “Penthouse” series, have encountered setbacks with works like “The Escape of the Seven” and its sequel. Viewers have criticized these dramas for lacking coherence in storytelling, leading to diminished interest and poor ratings despite substantial production investments.
In contrast, the success of tvN’s “Queen of Tears” exemplifies a new direction in drama storytelling. With a peak rating exceeding 20%, “Queen of Tears” resonates with audiences domestically and internationally by subverting clichés to evoke contemporary empathy.
Unlike outdated KBS weekend dramas and nonsensical makjang narratives, “Queen of Tears” enriches its storytelling with black comedy and relatable character developments.
These trends reflect evolving viewer preferences and increasing demands for substantial narratives that engage and resonate. Traditional viewers of KBS weekend dramas no longer seek outdated clichés, while modern audiences appreciate dramas that balance stimulation with coherence and completeness.
The era where makjang dramas and weekend dramas were viewed as ratings guarantees has passed, ushering in a new era of storytelling that caters to discerning viewers and changing times.