• JTBC Dramas In A Sluggish Swamp Last Year; Will Son Ye Jin and Song Joong Ki Be Able To Make Any Difference This Year?

    Will JTBC dramas, which fell into a stagnant ratings last year, be able to write a successful drama this year?

    Last year, JTBC dramas performed poorly. There were four works with ratings of 0%. In addition, the overall ratings of the drama exceeded 1-2%. Many leading actresses, including Go Hyeon Jeong and Jeon Do Yeon, joined the team but failed to become relief pitchers. Failure to balance the quality of the work with the popularity is cited as a reason for the failure.

    In addition, the antipathy only increased due to the historical distortion issue of 'Snowdrop'. JTBC, which once solidified its status as a "K-Drama Master" by releasing several hit series such as 'Secret Love', 'The World of the Married', 'Itaewon Class' and 'Sky Castle', recorded the lowest ratings of five major broadcasting companies in 2021.

    In the midst of this, more diverse genres such as romance, human drama, action, and fantasy are visiting the small screen this year. Here, top stars such as Song Joong Ki, Son Ye Jin, and Park Min Young add their strength.

    As the first runner, ‘Thirty, Nine’, which includes Son Ye Jin, Jeon Mi Do, and Kim Ji Hyeon, will appear. 'Thirty, Nine', which airs first in February, is a real human romance that deals with the friendship, love, and life of three friends who are about to turn forty. It is expected to form a consensus by putting women ahead of the trend, which has become a mega trend.

    The real romance of Park Min Young and Song Kang also visits the small screen. 'Forecasting Love and Weather' is a work romance depicting the work and love of the Meteorological Agency people, hotter than tropical nights and more unpredictable than local heavy rains. The combination of roco queen Park Min Young and trending Song Kang alone is raising expectations. In particular, director Cha Young Hoon of 'When the Camellia Blooms' takes on directing and raises curiosity.

    Kang Ha Neul and Lee Yoo Young's 'Insider' was also included in the lineup for the first half of the year. 'Insider' is an action suspense in which a judicial trainee who fell into the abyss during an undercover investigation fights to win the fate that was taken from him. The action of Kang Ha Neul and Lee Yoo Young, who boast extraordinary acting skills, raises expectations.

    In addition to this, 'My Liberation Diary' starring Lee Min Ki and Kim Ji Won, 'Green Mothers Club', which draws the women's romance of mothers such as Choo Ja Hyun and Lee Yo Won, 'Cleaning Up', which contains the desires of three security service cleaners running in the stock war, and 'The Good Detective Season 2' will be aired.

    The most anticipated drama is 'The Youngest Son of a Conglomerate'. Song Joong Ki, who made tvN's 'Vincenzo' a hit, and Shin Hyun Bin, who rose to the top spot with 'Hospital Playlist', unite. In addition, actors such as Kim Shin Rok firmly support the play.

    At JTBC, which had a painful year, attention is paid to whether actors such as Son Ye Jin and Song Joong Ki can become relief pitchers.

    Source[1]

  • Lee Kyung Gyu secretly helped Hong Jin Kyung debut on TV and she didn’t even know for years

    Lee Kyung Gyu's star-making influence goes beyond Kang Ho Dong, as Hong Jin Kyung shares how he helped her kickstart her career.

    On the April 24 episode of KBS 2TV’s Problem Child in House, legendary comedian Lee Kyung Gyu appeared as a guest—and a touching story from the past was revealed.

    Hong Jin Kyung surprised everyone when she said, “He’s the teacher for all of us. Personally, he’s the one who helped me debut.” She even pinned a carnation flower on his chest to show her gratitude.

    Lee Kyung Gyu smiled and said, “I still remember when Hong Jin Kyung walked up the stairs onto the stage for the first time.”

    Hong Jin Kyung then shared her journey to becoming a star. “I joined a supermodel contest, but only the top 3 winners were noticed in broadcasting. I got a special prize, so I had no chance to be on TV."

    She continued, "At first, I was just a backup for a show. But somehow, I became a regular the next week. I never knew why."

    She added, "I thought the PD gave me a shot. But then one day, I randomly met Kyung Gyu sunbae, and he told me it was actually him who recommended me.”

    Kim Sook asked with a smile, “So Kyung Gyu sunbae said nice things about you to the PD?”

    Lee Kyung Gyu playfully replied, “Don’t say it in such a childish way,” making everyone laugh.

    He then explained more seriously, “The show was Scoop TV Entertainment, and I was pretty much the main MC. When Jin Kyung showed up, I saw her determination and passion."

    He added, "While others didn’t seem serious, she really stood out. I told the PD, ‘She seems unique. Why not keep her on the show?’”

    Kim Jong Kook chimed in, “So if the main MC said that, doesn’t that mean you basically got her in?”

    That made Lee Kyung Gyu happy. He grinned and replied, “Exactly! You speak well. Be like him!”

    He added, “After that, Jin Kyung’s career took off. She started doing shows with Lee Young Ja and just kept going.”

    Fans are now calling Lee Kyung Gyu not only a top MC, but also a quiet star-maker behind the scenes!

    Source: [1]