Back in March, we were all excited for the airing of three highly anticipated dramas: Thank You (Jang Hyuk & Kong Hyo Jin), Witch Amusement (Han Ga-in & Jaehee) and The Devil (Joo Ji Hoon & Shin Mina). The cast, staff and the script writers for the dramas were top-notch, naturally creating a massive hype around these dramas. Specifically, Witch Amusement and The Devil received the most attention while Thank You was sort of ignored in the mediasphere.
But this is what we Koreans call “반전” or a complete twist. Despite all the hype and sky high expectations, Witch Amusement and The Devil failed to dominate the Wednesday/Thursday night slot, ending with 12.9% and 7.7% Nielsen Ratings respectively, while Thank You captured the hearts of the entire nation making fans sob and laugh in front of their tv screens with 20.5% Nielsen Ratings.
Although many of our readers believe that Nielsen ratings are not indicative of the drama’s popularity, it accurately depicted my interest level in these dramas. I was literally glued to my computer screen while watching Thank You. I cried when Bomi’s (Spring) family became Blue Island’s outcast because Bomi had AIDS and I was so happy when Jang Hyuk came back to take care of Bomi and her mom. I could go on and on about all the times this drama made me cry, laugh and smile, but I won’t so you can enjoy them yourself. It’s totally worth the time and effort you put into to enjoy this drama.
I also like The Devil a lot, but I totally understand why the ratings are low. Unless you are hooked from the start, it’s really hard to follow the story mid-way. The story is just too complicated with tarot cards, psychometry, perfectly planned murders and family secrets and if you don’t dedicate your time and energy to really understand the mystery, it’s really easy to loose interest. With that said, I followed it from the start and it’s truly an amazing drama. Nothing in the drama is typical or obvious and it keeps you at the edge of your seat to figure out whether or not Kang Oh Soo (Uhm Tae Woong) will find out who’s behind the murders.
Finally Witch Amusement started out very hip and interesting, but it started to drag on in the middle making it unbearable to complete the drama. From what I remember, it started to get boring when the three guys in her life, housekeeper (Jae Hee), sunbae (Kim Jung Hoon) and chef friend (Dennis Oh) all realized that they had feelings for her around the same time. It as obvious from the get-go that she was going to end up with Jae Hee, but the development of the romance was very very extensive and the ending was blah. But it was filled with lots of eye-candies to sort of make it worth my time.
Another round of high profile dramas will start next week and we’ll keep you informed of the best series out there.
Han Ga In is truly a beauty. Jae Hee is cute. Dennis Oh is gorgeous. These were the reasons I watched Witch Amusement over and over again. Is Han Ga In a natural beauty? or has she been into ‘plastics’ makeover?
I LOVE JAE HEE! He’s great in Witch Amusement if you look closely ar his MANY CUTE facial expressions! So natural and realistic. Enjoyed watching the drama, wasn’t disappointed at all… 15 episodes at one go! Ga In is pretty and good at crying!
hahahahaha i knew it…thank you kicked both those serie’s asses…^_^
THANK YOU is the BEST!!!! man, all of them in there is soooo good! hahahaha the little girl always made me cry and laugh esp. when the grandpa called her “ugly”
she was so good singing the song AREUMDAWOON SESANG. she’s gonna be a great singer someday^^ good actor too^^
JANG HYUK is my favorite actor of all! ever since windstruck man, how long was that ago? and kong hyojin, gosh she is so BEAUTIFUL!
no series can beat KOMABSEUBNIDA!!!
By far “Thank You” was the best out of the three!
My Ratiings: Best to least
1. Thank You—-I love it from the beginning to the end!! sad because the little girl had AIDS but very happy with the actor and actress
2. Witch Amusement—-Like it but not as much…kinda drag a little and the ending is sooooooooooooo blah!!!!!
3. The Devil—–Didn’t like it as much because the drama is soo confusing if u don’t understand……..almost gave up on it but took the chance to finish it and the ending is somewhat a little sad ending but perfect that both the main guy actor die together but the female actress stayed alive and not only that but witness both crime from the beginning and end…how ironic is that!
heh, the old korean dramas is still the best. nowadays, korean wave just drop and hong kong drama’s wave is rising HOT!
hope to see more and more of korean dramas like my girl, goong and stairway to heaven.
anyhow, hk drama– moonlight resonance was really nice.