The man who can’t get ratings
This is an interesting article, in that it looks at the low numbers faced by current Monday-Tuesday drama The Man Who Can’t Get Married and analyzes it from a cultural perspective. Most low-rated dramas (that aren’t disasters of writing/acting) tend to explain their disappointing numbers in terms of being too complicated for the average viewer or lacking in “makjang” (convoluted, unrealistically dramatic) qualities, but The Man Who Can’t Get Married is a bit different in that it’s also adapted from a Japanese series that enjoyed quite a lot of popularity. So why is the Korean version faltering?
The Man Who Can’t Get Married can’t attract popularity
Hidden birth secrets, mother/daughter-in-law conflicts, a handsome chaebol who falls for an ajumma without reason — it has none of those. All it has is the “man who can’t get married” who has reached the age of forty as a bachelor because of his extremely fastidious temperament.
KBS’s Man Who Can’t Get Married, remade from the popular 2006 Japanese drama of the same name, has been unable to shake off its low single-digit ratings. Compared to other dramas that have been remade from Japanese series like White Tower and Boys Before Flowers, it’s a disappointing result.
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Read the rest of The man who can’t get ratings (560 words)
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Post tags: drama ratings, j-doramas, Ji Jin-hee, remakes, The Man Who Can't Get Married, Uhm Jung-hwa
the drama says it well (maybe not all) about Asian culture where man & woman are expected to get married at certain age (20s-30s) and if they hit that age limit..they are hard to sell, hence all the pressurize. I think more so in Korea, even though it’s modern and all that. I have a Korean friend that always pestering me when to get married, said that i’m too choosy and work up the ladder and no guy dares to have me. Watching the drama really helps me to understand culture and expectations. And it’s different from lots of Korean drama that i’ve seen, you know that three generations in one house, love triangles (ahhh they do here), the hero/heroine is terminally sick ..mean in laws etc. Watching it in Viiki…it’s more fun to read all those comments. I like all the actors/actresses..i like Uhm Jung Hwa here–looks more graceful (compare in Seducing Mr.Perfect), the hair is nicer and natural (with that in Oh Vs Karl)..at least clean image for her. Ohhh Kim So Eun is so natural & fresh…hope for Korean Film Industry …No Plastic Surgery…I will give this drama A+
dang! this drama series makes me lol.
never EVER ever underestimate this tv show. it BRIGHTENS mah day. 
at least you it gives us a break from the korean cliches and storylines.
Fantastic comedy!
Loved Sangoo!
Well presented by all the actors and actresses in “He Who Can’t Marry”, especially on acting the subtlety of certain emotions e.g. embarassment, fear, agitated, happiness on the little things in life that make it all wonderful.
A refreshing topic “getting hitch at a ripe old age” that is of concern to parents and people of the age alike. ehemmm i was there ;p
Jae Hee, although annoying at first, does grow on one.
Romantic and awkward scenes of Dr Jang and Jae Hee…so funny and loving.
Thanks for an interesting, full of fun comedy, and not the common “dying” and sobbing Korean drama. You gave me and my husband interesting few weeks of drama dates
. Cheers!
I was hoping that you would know which are the brand(s) of bags that the character of Jae Hee carries in the series? I especially love the white tote bag that he carries at the last scene with the doctor in the hospital, and the blue version of it. If you know where I can get them that would be fantastic!!! <3
Back to topic, this was the funniest drama I've seen so far. My mom and I were so hooked on it we did a marathon from 6pm to 330am to finish the last 8 episodes !!!
I'm surprised that the Korean audience weren't as hooked as we were!
As an American thoroughly enchanted and addicted to KDrama, I LOVE this
one! is it because it has mature actors and storyline? maybe…I mean really the only alternative to growing older is death…I digress
Jin Ji Hee is so handsome…and I am a fan of Uhm Jung Hwa…I loved the cast and the cute dog.
This is an all time favorite and is at the top of my list to own. I look forward to watching it again…it’s so funny and endearing, and I was surprised that the ratings were low. This was just an excellent series. I also enjoyed the little snips in between the episodes of Jae Hee…brilliant…even now I get tickled thinking about it…
I like this drama ,more realistic
i also watched this drama and liked it a lot!
I love Uhm Jung Hwa. She’s so adorable in that show while hinting Ji Jin Hee that she likes him. Go Uhm Jung Hwa!
i also really enjoyed this drama. it might be not be the type of drama that you finish over 2 days. but it was entertaining and different. and i love how it is realistic, realistic romantic story is much more appealing to me. i get really sick of the same k-drama ingredients’ the article mentioned.
There is lack of Kdrama cliches simply because it is based on Jdrama. Jdramas tend to be (I think) deeper than Kdramas- about feelings because most of time they don’t need to exxagerately act the loving, friendship, emotional parts which comes more naturally- while Kdrama are mostly better on the outlook work.
I think it was a great adaptation. While remaining true to the story, it is not too Japanese. Nor is it too Korean. Ji Jin Hee did his own version, and it wasn’t bad. Abe-san would fit a Japanese. He did a great job as well. And Uhm Jung Hwa here proves she can also play reserved/conservative. And actually, I already felt the Korean touches here and there, though subtle. Which is great, because too much slapstick could ruin the adaptation. And it was a great plot as it is.
Well said! I thought this drama was extremely cute and very funny too watch. It’s one of my favorite dramas and I do agree, Koreans tend to like the melodrama types of stories.
I think this drama has a very Japanese theme to it, but it still keeps its Korean touch. I actually thought it was better than the original itself.
It’s an easy-going, fun-loving, innocent and enjoyable drama. :] It’s like that of Jdramas which connect feelings/love/family and such. Not like Korean dramas which are mainly based about the love and dramatic events.
But it’s just me. i tend to like Jdrama themes more because they have a variety and its not just the same ol’ cliche kdrama story lines.