The Absolute Ruler of 8 PM, The Iron Fortress of KBS Weekend Dramas That Never Crumbles When discussing the "guaranteed check for viewership ratings" in the Korean broadcasting industry, KBS weekend dramas are indispensable. Even now, when the media environment is changing rapidly and OTT platforms have become the mainstream, blurring the concept of watching live broadcasts, Saturday and Sunday at 8 PM is still undeniably KBS's exclusive stage. In an era where dramas on other broadcasters or time slots are evaluated as "doing well" if they pass 5% and cheered as a "jackpot" if they pass 10%, KBS weekend dramas show numbers on a different level from the start. This is because, beyond simply the fun of the drama, sitting around the TV with the whole family or eating dinner while watching the drama on weekend evenings has established itself as a lifestyle pattern and culture. This powerful fandom, called the "concrete viewer layer," is the force that makes people not easily switch channels no matter what competing works appear.
10% is Basic, Amazing Number Games Running Towards 30% Compared to the days when legendary works like My Husband Got a Family or My Only One recorded phenomenal viewership ratings of over 40%, it is true that current figures have somewhat lowered. However, it is only a relative deprivation; maintaining ratings in the mid-10% range is still the dignity of KBS weekend dramas. Although recent works have been evaluated as somewhat sluggish, if they ride the word of mouth even a little that they are fun, they show the potential to break through 20% in an instant and look over the 30% high ground. This means that the loyalty of the fixed viewer layer is that high, and at the same time, it is an indicator proving that the medium of TV still exercises powerful influence over the middle-aged and older generation. I Prescribe Love also started amidst these expectations and is drawing praise as "As expected of a KBS weekend drama" by showing an unusual upward trend from the beginning.
A Detached House Where 3 Generations Live Together, Is it Fantasy or Cliché? There is criticism that KBS weekend dramas follow somewhat banal settings rather than leading trends. However, that "familiarity" might be the biggest reason viewers seek this time slot. Unlike the reality where nuclear families are accelerating and single-person households are surging, the world inside the drama still adheres to the large family form where three generations live together in one house. Instead of matchbox-like apartments, a two-story western-style house with a yard becomes the main background, and scenes where the whole family gathers in the living room to peel fruit and talk are essential elements. These settings act as a kind of fantasy stimulating nostalgia for the family community that is disappearing in reality. Even if one asks back, "Where are houses like that these days?", the warmth and stability given by the noisy stories of large families provide an emotional sanctuary to viewers wrapping up their weekend evenings.
Wealth Gap and Enemy Families, Classic Devices Triggering Conflict The core driving force leading the narrative of weekend dramas is, of course, "conflict." And the most classic and effective devices for that conflict are "wealth gap" and "enemy relationships." One family has high social status and is wealthy, while the other is set as an ordinary or working-class family, dealing with episodes that occur as the two families intertwine. In addition to this, setting up an antagonistic relationship where they growl at each other due to past ill-fated relationships makes the drama even more exciting. I Prescribe Love also strictly follows these basic formulas. It might be so obvious that it feels stale, but the taste varies widely depending on how the writer mixes and twists these ingredients. Just as a familiar restaurant is scarier, the strategy of this drama is to attract viewers' appetites by adding tangy seasoning to a known taste.
30-Year-Old Grudge, The Taste of 'Makjang' Born from Spouses' Escape This new work, I Prescribe Love, seems to advocate healing and romance from the title, but hidden behind it are the "spicy" makjang (over-the-top/soap opera-like) codes unique to weekend dramas. The story of why the two families have lived as sworn enemies for over 30 years is dumbfounding. It is the setting that the spouses of each family fell for each other and ran away in the middle of the night. It is not simply a bad relationship due to personality differences or business problems, but a relationship entangled in a love affair that destroyed families, so the confrontation between the two families is inevitable and the emotional rift is bound to be deep. This stimulating setting becomes a catalyst that instantly raises the viewers' immersion. It cleverly borrows the aesthetics of makjang dramas, making you curse "How can they do that?" while being curious about the next episode.
Western Medicine vs. Eastern Medicine, Pride Battle of Medical Families Over Alleyway Business The ill-fated relationship between the two families expands beyond the private realm to the public realm. One side is the "Fair and Just Clinic" representing Western medicine, and the opposite side is the "Sunny Traditional Clinic" representing Eastern medicine (Hanbang). The two hospitals facing each other clash over every issue regarding attracting patients. With feelings already hurt to the limit due to the spouse escape incident 30 years ago, adding a turf war means there is literally not a single quiet day. The sight of a doctor holding a stethoscope and an oriental doctor holding an acupuncture case grabbing each other by the collar in the middle of the alley evokes laughter that is both comic and pathetic. The professional rivalry between Western and Eastern medicine provides colorful episodes to the drama and is utilized as an interesting device showing the cultural differences between the two families.
The Second Coming of Romeo and Juliet, Forbidden Love Blooming in Enemy Families The highlight of this drama is undoubtedly the romance of the children. The setting that the children of enemy families, whom the parent generation hates so much, fall in love is an immortal cliché that has been endlessly varied since Romeo and Juliet. In I Prescribe Love, it even foreshadows the crisis of "double in-laws" where siblings get entangled with the children of the opponent's family one after another, not just one couple. The parents are anxious to eat each other alive, but the children fall for each other and can't live without each other. The tension coming from this ironic situation and the process of winning love despite opposition present chewy fun to the viewers. The biggest viewing point of the drama is whether they can melt the 30-year-old grudge of the parent generation with love and achieve true harmony.
Yoo Ho-jeong's Return After 10 Years, and Kim Seung-soo's Return to Main Job One of the success factors of weekend dramas is casting with a perfect harmony of new and old. If young actors are in charge of fresh romance, middle-aged actors hold the center of the play with solid acting skills. This work is also gathering topics in terms of casting, and in particular, actress Yoo Ho-jeong's return to the small screen after 10 years catches the eye. The reliability of the drama rises in that it is a work chosen by her, who was loved for her elegant yet firm acting, breaking a long hiatus. Also, Kim Seung-soo, who has been active with a friendly image in variety shows recently, returns to his main job as an actor and exudes a dignified charm. In addition to them, veteran actors whose names everyone knows are positioned in large numbers, pulling viewers in front of the TV screen with flawless acting skills.
Dysfunctional vs. Sticky, The Inside Story of Two Contrasting Families The contrast between the two families, whose outward appearances and inside stories are different, is also interesting. The family of the "Fair and Just Clinic" practicing Western medicine looks like a cultured and harmonious family that followed an elite course on the outside, but in reality, they are on the verge of festering and bursting due to indifference and hypocrisy towards each other. On the other hand, the family of the "Sunny Traditional Clinic" practicing Eastern medicine looks like a dysfunctional family where loud voices are exchanged often, but at decisive moments, they are united by a sticky affection caring for each other more than anyone else. In the process of these two families with contrasting family cultures colliding and mixing, it makes us reflect on the true meaning of family. A house that looks perfect but is cold, and a house that is noisy but warm. Which side will viewers empathize with and send their support to?
Ratings Vertical Rise, The Writing Power of 'Lady Ok' Writer Exploded The script for this drama was written by writer Park Ji-sook, who was recognized for her solid writing skills through The Tale of Lady Ok. While not losing the unique breath of weekend dramas, she is fixing viewers' channels with witty lines and fast development. As a result, the viewership rating, which started at 14.3% in the first episode, jumped to 17.2% in just four episodes through word of mouth. The strategy of washing away the fatigue of weekend evenings with a light and cheerful atmosphere rather than a heavy and serious story was effective. As the episodes continue and the conflict and romance between the two families begin in earnest, the upward trend in ratings is expected to be even steeper. I Prescribe Love is expected to easily break through 20% soon and occupy the 30% high ground, rising to the ranks of national dramas. If you are looking for a drama where you can laugh and enjoy without worry on a weekend evening, this prescription will be the sure answer.
댓글
댓글 쓰기