is this drama that big? with the way you are describing one would think that this drama is the most talked one…
I never said anything about who to blame. My point is that as an actress, she’s been given multiple opportunities, often alongside popular co-stars and under strong production teams, yet she’s never delivered a truly standout performance or a notable hit. This drama is just another addition to that pattern.
I was replying to your claim that this drama wasn’t supposed to be “big.” From an Asian production perspective, it absolutely was: a top actor’s comeback, a well-known supporting casts, prime timeslots, and even an overseas shoot. That’s not something companies put together without aiming for the next big thing. Regardless of how this specific drama performed, when an actress is repeatedly pushed to lead projects without a track record of strong results, it’s reasonable for me to question why they keep getting cast as lead, especially since the scale of the production keep getting bigger.
So to repeat my previous reply in a simpler way: people don't talk about it because it's simply not that good, not because it's not big. The scale of the production clearly shows they intended it to be big, but it doesn't meet those expectations, just like most of her dramas. If this had been led by a less famous actor, I doubt we’d see this level of investment, especially with costly overseas shoots involved. Heck it might not even be made.
is this drama that big? with the way you are describing one would think that this drama is the most talked one…
It’s not just about the male lead being famous, this a top actor's follow-up drama after a hiatus, and he’s known for picking strong projects (+ multiple past hit projects). Lee Jongsuk’s comeback drama in tvN’s weekend prime time slot with barely any competitions in the same time slot. Yet it still hasn't managed to break 7% ratings. That's why you felt like it's not big.
The drama itself is a legal slice-of-life series written by an actual lawyer, using a similar concept as Hospital Playlist, and clearly positioned for possible multiple seasons if it takes off. Promotion started months before airing, and the production company has co-produced major titles like My Mistress, The Penthouse, and My Liberation Notes. By industry standards, this is a good production.
And yes, she’s been acting for years, but that’s exactly why it’s worth pointing out. Despite a track record of mostly lukewarm receptions, she keeps landing lead roles. Most of her roles have been as the female lead in “most anticipated next romance” dramas after a male co-star’s big breakthrough/comeback. Yet none of her projects have done especially well, and her performances have never really stood out to justify the consistent push in lead-role casting. Are you saying being in the industry for a long time automatically equals skill? This isn’t about a newcomer getting a lucky big break, this is about someone repeatedly getting lead roles, delivering average results, and still being given even bigger ones. Can you name another actress like this?
But she wasn’t cast that often, she had a 3-year gap between My Dearest Nemesis and The Interest of Love. Beside,…
Which makes it even more questionable. She took a 3-year hiatus after her last drama did really badly, and yet she still somehow landed back-to-back lead roles after: one with CHW fresh off the massive success of Twinkling Watermelon and another in this LJS’s most anticipated comeback drama (even before My Dearest Enemy aired).
Notice the pattern? She got Eulachacha Waikiki 2 when the first season was a major hit. Find Me in Your Memory right after KDW's rise from Along with the Gods. Link after YJG soared with Hotel Del Luna. Interest of Love after YYS’s boost from Hospital Playlist.
Consistent push, major co-stars, and yet none of these projects really break through, and yet even now, she’s going to lead major adaptation of Whale Star? It’s giving industry plant vibe.
I'm sorry to say this, but a Korean poet once mentioned hearing whispers from actors around MKY's age who question how she continues landing major productions and lead roles when none of her past performances or projects have truly ever stood out. He defended her, saying it’s all the result of her hard work and that those come from jealousy. But honestly, I get where these doubts come from.
She’s not untalented and clearly has a good reputation, but let’s be real: there are plenty of actresses just as capable and hardworking, if not more so than her, who’ve been sidelined into lesser productions or supporting roles after delivering similar back-to-back average to meh results. Yet somehow, she keeps getting more prominent roles with higher standing co-stars in bigger production. Her agency must be doing a really PHENOMENAL job behind the scenes.
Is Mun Ka Young the only actress available? Her last K-drama was a major flop, and now she's back again, delivering…
I don’t really understand why she keeps getting casted these days. None of her recent projects have done particularly well, most were just average at best (except for one maybe). Not even this. She’s not exactly a standout actress either, just barely passable. With such past results, others at her level usually end up in smaller productions, but she somehow keeps landing bigger roles. She just landed the main role in Whale Star when her image doesn't even fit, playing a servant. Dang it.
I was replying to your claim that this drama wasn’t supposed to be “big.” From an Asian production perspective, it absolutely was: a top actor’s comeback, a well-known supporting casts, prime timeslots, and even an overseas shoot. That’s not something companies put together without aiming for the next big thing. Regardless of how this specific drama performed, when an actress is repeatedly pushed to lead projects without a track record of strong results, it’s reasonable for me to question why they keep getting cast as lead, especially since the scale of the production keep getting bigger.
So to repeat my previous reply in a simpler way: people don't talk about it because it's simply not that good, not because it's not big. The scale of the production clearly shows they intended it to be big, but it doesn't meet those expectations, just like most of her dramas. If this had been led by a less famous actor, I doubt we’d see this level of investment, especially with costly overseas shoots involved. Heck it might not even be made.
The drama itself is a legal slice-of-life series written by an actual lawyer, using a similar concept as Hospital Playlist, and clearly positioned for possible multiple seasons if it takes off. Promotion started months before airing, and the production company has co-produced major titles like My Mistress, The Penthouse, and My Liberation Notes. By industry standards, this is a good production.
And yes, she’s been acting for years, but that’s exactly why it’s worth pointing out. Despite a track record of mostly lukewarm receptions, she keeps landing lead roles. Most of her roles have been as the female lead in “most anticipated next romance” dramas after a male co-star’s big breakthrough/comeback. Yet none of her projects have done especially well, and her performances have never really stood out to justify the consistent push in lead-role casting. Are you saying being in the industry for a long time automatically equals skill? This isn’t about a newcomer getting a lucky big break, this is about someone repeatedly getting lead roles, delivering average results, and still being given even bigger ones. Can you name another actress like this?
Notice the pattern? She got Eulachacha Waikiki 2 when the first season was a major hit. Find Me in Your Memory right after KDW's rise from Along with the Gods. Link after YJG soared with Hotel Del Luna. Interest of Love after YYS’s boost from Hospital Playlist.
Consistent push, major co-stars, and yet none of these projects really break through, and yet even now, she’s going to lead major adaptation of Whale Star? It’s giving industry plant vibe.
She’s not untalented and clearly has a good reputation, but let’s be real: there are plenty of actresses just as capable and hardworking, if not more so than her, who’ve been sidelined into lesser productions or supporting roles after delivering similar back-to-back average to meh results. Yet somehow, she keeps getting more prominent roles with higher standing co-stars in bigger production. Her agency must be doing a really PHENOMENAL job behind the scenes.