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Failing Ja Myung Go may call it quits early

News is starting to leak that SBS’s Ja Myung Go [자명고] is hurrying to wrap up and will very likely end early, falling short of its initial 50-episode plan to sign off at Episode 39.

Ouch. I actually feel sorry for the drama production, because it’s like they’ve essentially given up on their grand historical series.

Ja Myung Go got off to a weak start, and was soundly beaten by Queen of Housewives, unable to pull itself out of single-digit ratings. It was banking on improving once the adult characters replaced the children about 12 episodes in. After all, the series was heavily promoted with its pretty lead stars, Jung Ryeo-won (My Name Is Kim Sam-soon) and Park Min-young (I Am Sam), playing rival sisters.

However, ratings didn’t pick up much, and now, with 19 episodes broadcast, the drama is pretty much toast.

A representative from SBS’s drama department said, “It’s true that because the ratings are lower than we’d thought, we’re looking at cutting down the drama. However, the reduction is only one of many possible plans. We could continue with all 50, or we could cut it to 39. We have not confirmed it yet.”

However, a different source within SBS says that internally, the station is considering Ja Myung Go‘s fate to hinge upon the performance of their new competitor, MBC’s new series Queen Seon-deok. They’re waiting — and hoping — that things will improve after the current competition, Queen of Housewives, ends its 30% ratings run. Queen Seon-deok starts May 25 and shares genres with Ja Myung Go in that it’s a long-running epic historical series, but boasts bigger stars (Go Hyun-jung, Uhm Tae-woong, Lee Yo-won) and a fresh start, so I’m thinking, get ready to send Ja Myung Go off.

While dramas are often extended when performing well, cutting a series short mid-run seems like a drastic move. Korean dramas, unlike American series, don’t cancel dramas because of poor performance. Furthermore, there are many dramas that have even lower ratings than Ja Myung Go, and they’re not considered failures.

For instance, its timeslot competitor, Story of a Man, has even lower numbers, yet is considered more of a mania drama. (Ja Myung Go‘s hovering around 10%, while Story of a Man is in the 7%-8% range.) It does help that Story of a Man is being lauded for its tight writing and strong storytelling, while Ja Myung Go routinely gets complaints even from its fans that it moves too slowly.

One tangential point SBS must consider is that the series to follow Ja Myung Go is the recently announced Kim Bum—Joo Jin-mo vehicle Dream, which will enter filming in early June for a September premiere. An early send-off here would likely also affect Dream.

Via Newsis, My Daily, Newsen

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Fascinating... this is the first time I've heard of cutting a drama short. Maybe they're trying to artificially make the plot move faster, in doing so?

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i can't help thinking that cutting down to 39 episodes may tighten the plot and speed up the pace, which i'm all for. then again, the more recent episodes (i saw 18 last night) are getting more interesting. truth be told, i don't think they'll beat queen seondeok (immensely looking forward to it. eom tae-woong!). sad because i thought the story actually had potential when it first started out...

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hmmm its better if they finish it earlier...... as i can see the first episode was a sum up of the whole story.... so when i watch the next episode it gets me sleepy.... very slow story not catchy and forgettable story line. Although the casting is good, the place and all but the problem is the execution.

I do hope they could do something about it because i actually love this kind of drama series.... Its not too late anyway after all they work hard lets give them some credit...

Maybe i could start watching again dont you think??

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Yet again, SBS shows no respect for its own shows. They pretty much ruined King and I by cutting its episodes, then extending it when it did well again, then cutting it AGAIN when its ratings fell again. Or remember how they slashed and butchered Buchinmoo? How can anyone produce quality when its own broadcasting station treats it like garbage? SBS really doesn't learn its own lessons, does it?

Poor Jamyunggo. :(

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IMO they should honestly cut it - let's face it ....this drama will not cross over S.Korea to any othe country. It's the story telling that sucked. I think the production team realizes that and so they should cut it to 39 and let Dream air.

Queen of Housewives is all in the 30% because something happens in every episode - unlike JMG... it's not that sagueks are boring- it's the way the stories are told and the pace. JMG revealed the full story line in the first episode (or so did the viewers think)

QoH rock on !! :) I hope the finale will be awesome

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i have to agree. I started watching but got frustrated. it took too long to get through the first ep but the by the end of the 2nd i liked it. unfortunately, that pattern continues in the subsequent eps. i think that it would be better to cut it, but i do think that they need to think about the other projects it will affect.

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Well, I can only repeat: The insane prologue of 12 episode probably killed it for most ppl~ It could have easily been shortened to at least half that amount. Personally I find prologues tiring, especially when it comes to sageuk dramas... took me two or three times to get thru the prologue phase for Jumong, but then I was hooked :P I'm not sure what sustained me thru the Ja Myung Go prologue... probably the hope that the phase would end so (which I was sorely mistaken). Things ARE finally getting interesting though (well, the real story has finally set off).

But I dunno, to shorten the drama might not be too bad, but it kinda depends on whether the rest of the series will get a decent pace to maintain or if it'll be all rushed. I guess that can only be determined in retrospect.

Anyway, Queen Seon-deok will most likely do a better job than Ja Myung Go in raking in the viewers.

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I agree with what an above commenter said (even though I haven't seen this). If they cut it to 39 episodes, maybe the writing and storyline will get tighter. Longer isn't necessarily better.

In other news is ANYONE watching Brilliant Legacy/Shining Inheritance? I just watched the 2nd episode last night and I'm loving it. This is where I wished I knew Korean because I'm ready to watch the next episode NOW.

(But first I've got to catch up on Story Of A Man. The subs came out extra fast this weekend and I've got 3 episodes to catch up on).

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Is that first picture, with the woman in the red dress with the battle gloves... is that Jung Ryeo Won? She looks different...doesn't look like her at all..

@mie, @asarako - is this drama worth watching?

The synopsis of this story, taken from koreandrama.org, seems pretty awesome:

2000 years ago...Princess Ja Myung and Princess Nak-Rang are born on the same day and time to the same father but different mothers. It is predicted that one princess will become the nation’s savior while the other will bring the entire nation down. Using her family’s powerful background, Princess Nak-Rang’s mother successfully establishes her daughter as the savior princess while Princess Ja Myung, who is branded the princess of destruction, escapes death with the help of her mother and grows up among the common folk. When she learns of her true identity, Princess Ja Myung returns to her Kingdom...

That story is thrilling!

I wonder why people aren't watching? And, even if people aren't watching, how come people are complaining?

I would think that a story of how Korea came to be, with legends coming to life, with swordplay and romance and heartbreak.... beautiful period costumes and period speech.... it is an almost can't-fail proposition.

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@samsooki - The woman in red is park min-young :)

The synopsis of the drama in written form is way more exciting that the drama itself. 4 episodes was all I could take. Can't wait to see if Queen Seon-deok will live up to its hype though.

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I am actually enjoying Ja Myung Go, but then I happen to like long period dramas of whatever country of origin and I actually found the prologue very interesting - I like the leads well enough but I am more interested in the scheming secondary characters like Ja Myung Go's stepmother. Plus, I am a sucker for backstories: here, Jumong, Kingdom of the Wind, Legend (but all those backstories were much much shorter than JMG, true).

This said, 50 episodes is just too long for this kind of story. 39 would be just fine.

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I think waiting until they're 12 episodes in to replace the child actors and to set the story is much too long. It's like a book - shows need good leads, something to grab the attention of viewers so they'll keep watching...

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i actually just started to watch this drama last week and so far i wouldnt say its all that bad....i did miss the first 12 episodes so that could have something to do with it, but from this point im enjoying it just like any other family drama thats on during the week......if they do cut the episodes down i hope it'll make the drama better and those people who are complaining and/or bored just shut up
( i kind of think if people dont like the drama then dont watch it...but for Gods sake dont complain!)

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Good. I wish the whole concept of "fusion sageuk" would end early too. More character and story, please---less fusion.

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@ 8- mishane, I'm watching Shining Inheritance too, and dayummmm it's one drama to watchout for. I 'm loving it a lot. I love stories with the guy not liking the girl but ends up liking her as well as the original plot of the inheritance. I can't wait to see episode 2 ! I am so glad it's 24 episodes, who knows this might turn out lik Goong's popularity.

Just thinking about the next episode makes me excited !!!! So far so good, SBS should have moved this to Ja Myung Go's timeslot :)LOLLLL it's rating is doing far better than average drama. soon to reach the 25-30 % rate

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I sense another hectic filming session for Kim Bum......

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Perhaps I'm just generalizing but many of the Mainland Chinese friends I have seem to appreciate the drama more than my cousins do.

I've never seen it myself but I distinctly remember my friend calling me, crying about a scene that touched her heart.

<--- Anyone recall that scene? Apparently it was between two young children. The princesses guard?

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the main problem with this drama is....... my gosh, I don't even know what's wrong with it!!!!
when I gave up after episode 5, I swear I tried to watch again but there's something that just doesn't feel right about it!
they took 12 episodes in the children phase?!!! OMG even if the drama was starring one of my favorite actors/actresses, I don't think I would last that long until I see the adults!!!!!
I thought the dramas tend to drag in the middle part since they already established a base of loyal fans (Jumong... EOE...), but to drag the 1st 12 episodes that's just so hilarious and stupid!!!

I feel sad for Jung Kyung Ho though!!! poor guy cause he really impressed me in episode 1 and I really love him, but I just don't think I can watch this drama anytime soon!!!

speaking of Queen Seon Dok, dammit!!!!! I was thinking about ignoring this one since it's LONG and I'm already busy and occupied most of the time!!!! but I read all of your comments about how good Uhm Tae Wong is, that I had to watch few episodes of "The Devil" to see why he is that loved, and OMG I'm joining the "fangirling all over him" club :D I lurve him in that drama (and that drama is so addicting too!!! an example of a drama that garnered very poor ratings, but it was of high quality and great acting). So I think - just for the sake of that cutie ahjussie- I'll watch Queen Seon Duk :D

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I sensed everything was wrong from the beginning. The cast, the so-called "fusion" sageuk genre. If it had planned for 20 eps in the beginning then it probably would be all right, but 50? I'm not surprised at all if it has to cut short.

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I'm watching this drama and loving it, but people are right it is WAY too slow. It took forever for the main character adults to not only be introduced, but to actually MEET each other. The main guy STILL doesn't know that Ja Myung is a GIRL! SLOW SLOW SLOW!!! If this drama had started off at a quick pace with short references to the children and focused on the relationships between the MAIN adult characters (Ja Myung, Ho Dong, La Hee, Il Poom)instead of the MINOR adult character ( La Hee and Ja Myungs mothers, the sister in law, Ho Dong's stepmother to name a few) it would have been MUCH better.:)- Tragic Really, for a great story to be so ill produced.:(

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yahh. i agree.

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I think Korean dramas depend on ratings way too much. Sure, ratings are important in certain aspects but it doesn't determine a good drama. I hate when production companies extend dramas because the drama is raking in high ratings. Sometimes the original amount of episodes is perfect already and when they chose to extend it, it just becomes draggy.

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Well I guess thats good for me, because then i wont have to work so hard to finish the drama.. it'll save me 10 or so episodes.

I've been kind of watching it, but I waited forever for the kids to grow up.. I mean the kid actors were great but it took them to ep 13 to bring them Of AGE. That just was like slow to me.

I'm on 17 with Chinese subs and I know we havent even hit Halfway into the drama, and the pace is still slow.. more background story and not so much about the main characters..

And wow, based on T's comment, the lead guy still doesnt know she's a girl?? dang.. ok now its going to be much slower, I wonder if she found out if she's a princess yet? Probably going to be another while for that to happen..

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@ 8- mishane, @15 otk

I've now watched several episodes of Brilliant Legacy/Shining Inheritance....unfortunately, the best episode so far is Episode One!! It has been quite draggy and melodramatic since then. Hope the potentially interesting love triangle wiil fulfil our expectation as the secondary male is just one PERFECT guy.

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In my opinion, the execution of the drama led to the low viewership ratings...I, too, agree with other ppl that the pace of the drama is too slow. I watched the latest episode (Ep 18) and the drama is getting more intense now but still low ratings.

I am a big fan of sageuk dramas and i personally think that this drama has the potential to do better in the ratings. Maybe strong competition from other dramas attributed to low ratings...Maybe 39 episodes would be enough to complete this drama...

Whatever the production company decides on the final number of episodes, I would continue watching this drama, regardless of the ratings.

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It took 12 episodes to get to the adult story? No wonder it's doing badly.

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There are three dramas on TV at the same time , the viewers chose drama that is easy to understand (Queen of Housewives ) I think Ja myung go is a attractive drama but it is unlucky.Episodes of childhood are so long , they are bore the viewers . Team of Ja myung go have to work hard ( actors , actress, director... ). Three main characters ( Jung Ryeo-won , Park Min-young , Jung kuyng Ho) act perfecly.

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i just started Queen of Wives & it is really good & funny, no wonder the competition is suffering. i just don't like how there are so many love triangles that seem to involve the main married couple.

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i think they count on rating too much when you think about it there are other really good shows that have bad rating but are good shows .i watch this show even though at begining it was slow its getting good intense hope they can continue the story and make everything seem right with the episode cut

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I love to see it though it will stretch a little since the beginning - at the Ep.12th.

But I do not want to cut EP, It will be better when I left in a more interesting story makes it more fun and more complex. I think actually better than excision.

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i'm surprised because i know it's june now,
but i really enjoy ja myung go
i'm sad they've cut the drama,
but it's one of my favorite ones....
haha.

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koreans do depend on the ratings too much i wish they would just air all 50 episodes because i actually really like the drama and its very interesting....for those who say the drama was no good fyi there are many other dramas that suck like BOF i thought it was too much drama and completely annoying the only reason the ratings were high was becuz the cast looked good but their acting wasn't

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i PERSONALLY think ja myung GO IS A GOOD ASS DRAMA i mean yeah like one of the comments above BOF is just PLAIN stupid i watched 3 episodes and was LIKE EWW? WTF dumb ass drama!

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I look forward to each episode. Can they at least show the last few episode like 45-50.

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thats the first time i heard of cutting a drama short. i really like ja myung go, i look forwatd to watching it every week

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Thank you sir.. for movie..

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I like the show and wouldn't be able to watch it without the subtitles. I tell my other non-Korean speaking friends to check it out. :)

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Once they introduced the adult characters, this series rocked. It is so sad it
ended early. My absolute favorite series.

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it's weird. i really like this drama. the reason why it moves slow is because of what's going on in the plot. i was really looking forward to 50 episodes.

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im from the united states and i'm not korean or either speak korean. but i am totally obssessed with korean sagauek dramas. i just finished watching kingdom of the winds and it was super great! although i was sort of dissappointed of the ending because throughout the whole movie i was like omg when can they be together! lol but ja myung go seems like a very interesting movie. maybe i'll watch it and skip some parts. lol

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SERIOUSLY WHAT?! I watched the drama and it was GOOD...towards the middle -ending and stuff. I was bawling in tears...its been awhile since I've done that. Lasst time was Stairway to Heaven 5 yrs ago.

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hi i want some pictuer drama korean princess jamyung ep the end
ples send to my emil

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I did like that series a lot & hoped it is with more episodes as 39 is few for such a good story with lots of details & scens can be added.
Actors were very promissing ... I admire their performance

Any way adoring Ja Myung Go cut me unhappy for the very sad ending so soon ( it would be more bareable if series is 50 episodes than only 39).

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