It's highly anticipated (best premiere ratings for MBN drama) but Viki's subtitle group ruined it!
Generally Sagueks take a bit longer to sub because of how Korean is structured differently to its ‘modern’ form. Mr Queen is a recent example of it being a smidge slow at the start but as the series picks up pace, it can be quicker!
I’m very grateful for this drama I. Now I won’t find a really well put together drama, with the cast and plot…
It’s been so good hasn’t it! Have you watched the other shows PJB has penned? Slightly different experience but Fiery Priest might be worth checking out.
I wonder if Vincenzo signalled something to Han Seo a plan when Han Seok was busy terrorising Cha Young? Either way I’m not convinced Cha Young will die because she got shot on the right shoulder, nowhere near the heart!
This is a well thought out & written article! Thank you so much for putting in the time and effort into this. I loved your unique perspective of if shaking the KDrama industry rather than an atypical here’s why it’s wrong sci-fi wise etc. I agree it’s a turning point and I anticipate big improvements/ more dramas willing to take risks. Or as you say perfectly, ‘a signal that Kdramas should offer better science fiction’
As an avid viewer, I’ve seen the recent series with a sci-fi edge improve with each succession. What’s interesting (and perhaps concurrent in the rise of mainstream western media in the background eg) Marvel, Stranger Things & cerebral genre fusion series like Life on Mars to name a few) is that the audience is looking for higher quality shows. Tighter scripts, writing that doesn’t underestimate their intellect as well as the full enjoyable package etc.
Quite rightly, the Kdrama industry shouldn’t follow western templates and do its thing. Great shows have come out if it like the ones you mentioned- Train etc. However something doesn’t seem to work overall when they mix it up.
Best example is TKEM. It should’ve worked on paper- a big Hallyu star helming an excellent cast in a romantic story across parallel dimensions. That and it has Netflix backing it up- surely it must be good!! The premise sounded future like but it didn’t hit home sadly. There was confusion in the plots, the home audience yawned and reached for makjang TWOTM instead - probably because a) makjangs 99% do well half the time b) comfort in knowing the quality you would get by tuning in.
I believe kdramas are at its best when it doesn’t imitate and is confident in its identity, whether it be makjang (eg) penthouse) or coming of age (eg) weightlifting fairy bok joo). In fact when it’s an adaptation like Life on Mars, it was done excellently being faithful to its source material and giving its own flavour- resulting in a delightful standalone series that doesn’t come across as a campy tribute.
With Sisyphus, it soared as an action blockbuster series. Regardless of the flaws or qualms, I personally enjoyed it as an adrenaline thrill ride which kept me watching. I know ratings can be a big thing in Korea but TKEM’s ratings didn’t detract for more sci-fi esque shows made. In fact I think there’s still so much potential in this genre, that it’s still new in the industry. I’m excited to see what’s next and I hope they embrace it while and let creativity flourish! That’s what fuelled so many classics before too and for more classics to come too.
It’s insane how much ‘additional’ footage they filmed from BR’s perspective but isn’t integrated in the main show? My mind is buzzing with all the editing possibilities..,
As an avid viewer, I’ve seen the recent series with a sci-fi edge improve with each succession. What’s interesting (and perhaps concurrent in the rise of mainstream western media in the background eg) Marvel, Stranger Things & cerebral genre fusion series like Life on Mars to name a few) is that the audience is looking for higher quality shows. Tighter scripts, writing that doesn’t underestimate their intellect as well as the full enjoyable package etc.
Quite rightly, the Kdrama industry shouldn’t follow western templates and do its thing. Great shows have come out if it like the ones you mentioned- Train etc. However something doesn’t seem to work overall when they mix it up.
Best example is TKEM. It should’ve worked on paper- a big Hallyu star helming an excellent cast in a romantic story across parallel dimensions. That and it has Netflix backing it up- surely it must be good!! The premise sounded future like but it didn’t hit home sadly. There was confusion in the plots, the home audience yawned and reached for makjang TWOTM instead - probably because a) makjangs 99% do well half the time b) comfort in knowing the quality you would get by tuning in.
I believe kdramas are at its best when it doesn’t imitate and is confident in its identity, whether it be makjang (eg) penthouse) or coming of age (eg) weightlifting fairy bok joo). In fact when it’s an adaptation like Life on Mars, it was done excellently being faithful to its source material and giving its own flavour- resulting in a delightful standalone series that doesn’t come across as a campy tribute.
With Sisyphus, it soared as an action blockbuster series. Regardless of the flaws or qualms, I personally enjoyed it as an adrenaline thrill ride which kept me watching. I know ratings can be a big thing in Korea but TKEM’s ratings didn’t detract for more sci-fi esque shows made. In fact I think there’s still so much potential in this genre, that it’s still new in the industry. I’m excited to see what’s next and I hope they embrace it while and let creativity flourish! That’s what fuelled so many classics before too and for more classics to come too.