This time, it’s due to the fact that two of his works got drastically different ratings. While one drama reaches the top with record ratings, the other faces controversy and disappointing results despite high production costs and expectations.
The two series in question are KBS2’s weekend drama series “Iron Family” and tvN’s weekend drama series “When the Stars Gossip.”
First, let’s look at the controversial “When the Stars Gossip,” which despite a production budget of KRW 50 billion, struggles to gain traction. Written by Seo Sook-hyang, the series is set in a space station and features a love story between its characters. Its stellar cast includes Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin, and the project took three years to release. However, the result was disappointing to say the least.
Premiering with a domestic rating of 3.3% (according to Nielsen Korea), the drama saw a sharp decline. In the third episode, ratings dropped to 2%, hitting a low of 1.8% in the fifth episode. While the sixth episode saw a slight recovery to 2.9%, it remains well below expectations. Both critics and viewers criticized the drama for its weak plot, outdated dialogue and unnecessary bed scenes.
Compared to last year’s tvN weekend drama “Queen of Tears,” which started with a 5.9% rating and ended with 24.9%, “When the Stars Gossip” is a major disappointment. Given that tvN’s weekend dramas generally exceed expectations, this failure represents a serious blow to writer Seo Sook-hyang’s career.
In stark contrast, writer Seo Sook-hyang’s other drama, KBS2’s weekend drama “Iron Family,” is thriving. The drama recorded a national rating of 19.0% on January 19, securing the top spot across all channels. With approximately 3.484 million viewers, the series is on the verge of surpassing the coveted 20% mark.
“Iron Family” focuses on warm, heartfelt stories of family conflict and reconciliation, resonating with viewers of all generations. Its relatable plot and outstanding cast performances won the hearts of viewers, cementing KBS’s reputation for delivering hit weekend dramas.
Despite being written by the same writer, the contrasting outcomes of the two plays can be attributed to differences in themes and approach. “Iron Family” taps into traditional family values that resonate deeply with Korean viewers, ensuring a stable audience base. By contrast, “When the Stars Gossip” struggled to establish relatability with its unconventional space setting and unrealistic premise.
While “When the Stars Gossip” disappointed with its disappointing plot and controversy, “Iron Family” offered stability with a solid script and likable characters. This case highlights the importance of choosing the right topic and performance style, even for an experienced writer like Seo Sook-hyang.
This situation emphasizes that the success of a drama does not depend solely on the skill of the writer. A harmonious combination of script quality, innovative themes, direction, casting and alignment with audience preferences is essential.
Writer Seo Sook-hyang’s previous works include “Pasta,” “Don’t Dare to Dream,” “Wok of Love” and “Miss Korea.”
