Hidden camera teasers: Producer meta, or Meta Producer?
by javabeans
girlfriday: Uh, do you understand these teaser-non-teasers for Producer? This is the third one of these “hidden camera” ones that show different combinations of cast members meeting awkwardly.
javabeans: On one hand, these teasers clarify my confusion over the show calling itself a “variety drama,” but on the other, they make me more confused about what the drama is actually doing. Because okay, you show the cast members in a seemingly unscripted moment, chatting as though they’re not on camera, and the variety-style editing makes it seem like they’re really shooting a reality show.
girlfriday: Like Kim Soo-hyun rocking back and forth nervously, gulping water and then picking up his empty glass over and over.
javabeans: Yes, and the long silent shot of IU and Gong Hyo-jin sitting still, and the captions assuring us that the camera wasn’t frozen — they were just that awkward. The humor comes from the “real-life” awkwardness — in fact they’re not really funny. It’s only amusing since we all know the meta behind these actors. It’s an interesting approach to a behind-the-scenes moment, and if this is what the whole show is going to be, I’m intrigued and find it refreshing. But also I have no idea what they’re doing.
girlfriday: That would be amazing, if they managed to pull off an entire drama mockumentary-style, with scripted scenes that feel totally unscripted. I can kind of see how the teasers could be that… but then also, I feel like the likelier answer is that they just turned on four cameras and told them to meet there.
javabeans: I think that’s the real answer, actually. The teasers remind me a whole lot of all of Na PD’s teasers, where you film the pre-show planning meetings, then build a whole meta narrative to accompany the show proper, and use that stuff as your promotional material.
girlfriday: You know, now that you mention it, what I felt like the Producer teasers were missing was that metanarrative. That one extra step to frame what’s going on (and poke fun at something).
javabeans: That’s it, because Na PD teasers are short and funny and easy to understand, whereas I’m still wondering what Producer is about. I don’t have trouble believing that the drama is scripted like a normal drama, and I also don’t have any problems with variety-style teasers. What I don’t know is why the drama is supposedly variety-esque, and why there’s a separate drama PD (Pyo Min-soo) filming the “drama portions,” and a variety PD who has no scripted experience (Seo Soo-min) handling all the “variety scenes.”
girlfriday: Wouldn’t it be epic if they just kept the cast in the dark (as they clearly are in these teasers) for weeks and weeks, pretending to make a drama, and then THAT is the drama?
javabeans: Actually, now I just want Meta-Producer: The Making of Producer and the heck with actual Producer.
girlfriday: OOH, like Actresses! I love that movie!
javabeans: That movie hit the perfect balance between “Haha, see them making fun of their images” and “Wait, do they actually hate each other?” and “I don’t care, it’s funny both ways!”
girlfriday: IU and Gong Hyo-jin’s teaser (showing their tense first meeting) seemed to be going for that. I wonder if it really was scripted to play it up.
javabeans: I hope it was real. But it would be smart to script it too. And it was amusing to hear Gong Hyo-jin show up for their secret script reading (which was the source of the teaser footage) and wonder at the extent of experimentation in their show, then adding as an afterthought, “We will be acting, right?”
girlfriday: And of course Cha Tae-hyun answers, “Eh, they’ll figure it out.”
javabeans: I should hope so! It’s premiering in two weeks! I hope we have a drama by then!
girlfriday: On the upside, if we don’t, they can salvage a variety show about making a failed drama out of it.
javabeans: Heck, these days variety programs get more than double the ratings of regular ol’ dramas anyway.
girlfriday: Wah waaaaaah.
Via Hankyung
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Tags: conversation post, The Producers
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1 Aneleh
April 23, 2015 at 3:18 AM
Wait, how meta is this going now? Meta-mindfuck level?
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Kiki
April 23, 2015 at 3:39 PM
Omg I love this!!! Please be good drama?
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2 Bili Bala Pabo Bara
April 23, 2015 at 3:32 AM
Damn, this is fun!
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3 dkaoru
April 23, 2015 at 3:56 AM
I have such a high expectation for this show.. am a bit scared to actually watch it...
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4 SilentSquee
April 23, 2015 at 4:02 AM
Er... I have no idea what to think or expect from this show now.
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5 sunnyxshin
April 23, 2015 at 4:10 AM
Don't let me down...but I think it'll be a good drama because I trust CTH and KSH's decisions. ;)
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6 kororo
April 23, 2015 at 4:30 AM
I'm ridiculously excited for this show, ottoke...
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7 Charlie
April 23, 2015 at 4:56 AM
i don't think this show will be a hit, the ratings will be 10% or 12% no more
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alua
April 23, 2015 at 5:05 AM
It doesn't need to be a ratings hit, it needs to be good.
Well, that's what I'm hoping for.
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girl
April 23, 2015 at 7:54 AM
For the sake of the actors' careers the ratings kinda have to be high. One bad project affects a korean celebrity much more than it would affect a western celeb. Koreans then to be a bit more unforgiving than us.
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kimchikay
April 23, 2015 at 8:16 AM
Not true.
I remember You're Beautiful - with Park Shin Hye and Jang Geun Suk. Yeah the ratings were averaging around 9-10% however the show was definitely a hit online and internationally and it got a huge fan following, they did a concert and it was popular enough to have its own Chinese and Japanese version.
So no, I don't believe you need to have high ratings for a drama to be good and/or popular.
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iamdeb
April 23, 2015 at 8:19 AM
No, a VERY BAD drama (or very bad performance) is more damaging than a good drama with not so high ratings. I don't think people will turn on them if the ratings aren't super high.
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Jon G.
April 23, 2015 at 10:07 AM
Ratings are one (very important) metrics, but not everything.
Quality per se is not measurable at all, on the other hand.
As Kay wrote, YAB was a flop rating-wise, and was mediocre quality-wise, but was still considered a success because of other factors that created enough public resonance.
Even a full-fledged flop does not necessarily destroy the careers of ALL people involved if there is some consensus as to who to blame for it. Actors and actresses with enough to their name will probably suffer the least from such an event. It's much more difficult for rookie lead actors and of course the production/writing team.
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Sailor Mars
April 23, 2015 at 7:56 AM
Comment was deleted
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Meahri
April 23, 2015 at 12:21 PM
The ratings for the first episode should actually be considerable because of all the hype the drama has generated thus far. In addition you have the respective fans of Kim Soo Hyun, Cha Tae Hyun, Gong Hyo-Jin and IU. I have a feeling followers of 2 Days & 1 Night and RunningMan will also be tuning in.
Am hoping the writer and directors succeed with whatever they're planning. Either way, I can't wait for this to start. It definitely looks different and fun.
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8 nasirwet
April 23, 2015 at 4:57 AM
Cant wait!!!!
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9 kobrakiddo
April 23, 2015 at 5:19 AM
Are there subbed videos for all the teasers on youtube? Been looking around but couldn't find any.
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liberty
April 23, 2015 at 5:49 AM
dramafever.. they're already posting english sub for teaser 1&2.
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10 Luv_KimRaeWon
April 23, 2015 at 6:12 AM
I am at work and couldn't watch the trailers but this is the first time that I didn't even get what GF and JB said in the article.I also don't know much about variety shows either, I feel completely at sea.
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xilem
April 23, 2015 at 6:50 AM
+1
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i know
April 23, 2015 at 12:50 PM
same
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Beanfan
April 23, 2015 at 10:47 PM
Haha.. me too! I thought I was just slow, but I couldn't understand JB and GF either!
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11 coby
April 23, 2015 at 6:59 AM
I heard that the premier was moved to 15th of May instead of 8
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12 Orion
April 23, 2015 at 7:03 AM
See, this is where the habit of folks using the actor names for characters really confuses me and why I wish we could all just learn to distinguish between the two. Are these teasers of our four characters meeting or the actual actors?
If it is the characters, I get it. They are reality-style promos of the four people in the drama meeting and the drama itself might be in mockumentary style, or fake reality show style. But if they are the actors out of character, what exactly does this tell us about the drama itself? Nothing. So what's the point then?
Why have your cast pretend-meet and be pretend-awkward (it looks like acting to me) to promote a fictional story where they act as fictional characters? If they were promoting a variety show, fine, have a staged "meeting" as a promo. But this is a drama and they have fictional roles. So?
I am beginning to wonder if even they know what they are doing. If they cannot even decide how to promote it.
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gugugu
April 23, 2015 at 4:41 PM
In my opinion they are just feeding the hunger expectant fans are getting for the star-studded drama, with a hit writer at its helm. You get to see how they themselves feel about just making the drama, but I do agree that I would like a teaser more similar to the bus one, where everyone was in character.
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Hmm
April 25, 2015 at 9:11 PM
Soo Hyun mentions that he and IU worked together before. Which was Dream High. He then say that they are friends.
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13 Cynthia
April 23, 2015 at 7:22 AM
I love Kim Soo-hyun dorky laugh! :D
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14 girl
April 23, 2015 at 7:51 AM
That's so damn uncomfortable to watch. I don't understand what they want to do with this drama and apparently the actors have no idea either. Oh this should be funny.
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15 Mandy
April 23, 2015 at 8:06 AM
I honestly just expect Producer to be a regular drama. I hope it would be different because everyone expects it to be, and they hyped it to be - but I doubt that. I thought this was a fun way to show the BTS rather than it bringing actual meaning to the drama. But because they call it 'variety-esque', we think it may have some correlation. *shrugs*
I don't personally care for ground-breaking, I just want awesome/epic like YFAS. May 8 can't come sooner!
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16 ML
April 23, 2015 at 8:18 AM
Is it just me or does anyone else notice GHJ's and KSH's super skinny legs??? Looks scary!
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17 kimchied
April 23, 2015 at 8:19 AM
as a big fan of 2d1n and kvariety, as well as kdramas, i am lapping it up. :)
my bet is that they are going to have the drama portions be the stories involving the production of variety shows, and the more variety-esque ones present as the actual fictional season 4 of 2d1n, or music bank etc, or pull-out character interviews etc.
for these teasers - most likely it's just them as actors and not their Producer characters, and it feels a lot like a drama BTS (for those who love watching drama BTS video you should get what i mean!). The bus teaser is probably the more accurate one :)
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18 Sandra
April 23, 2015 at 8:20 AM
I already got confused lol. I just need a drama which I can enjoy watching it without a headache because of complexity or confusing story line. I think I should see the next teaser before deciding to watch it or not whoever the stars in it.
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19 iamdeb
April 23, 2015 at 8:21 AM
This drama will either be really good or a hot mess. Either way, I'm watching for KSH
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20 iamdeb
April 23, 2015 at 8:23 AM
I hope this drama is good but Ive already lowered my standards. I don't like overhype in general because it usually leads to dissapointment.
Either way, I'm watching for KSH playing an adorkable character again which is forever my favorite for him.
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21 toni
April 23, 2015 at 9:19 AM
I think these awkward meeting teasers are just them as their real life selves while the one in the bus is the actual teaser for the drama where they have characters. I think I've seen dramas before where the "behind the scenes" were part of the promotional materials.
Either way, I can't wait! I trust Gong Hyojin's decision in doing this drama (and I heard they actually accepted a bit lower salaries compared to their past dramas to just star in this one).
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22 Milky
April 23, 2015 at 9:37 AM
It's not fake.. I'm a fan of IU and that kid is awkward to the point that I feel bad for her. ( she's very respectful though and many people think she bright and stuff cuz that's what she shows on tv)
She's awkward on first meetings and hard for people to approach (because She's shy) but very chatty and warm once she's comfortable around them.
I think it's more like, they are drawing the characters with elements from the actors real personality.
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23 Catalina
April 23, 2015 at 10:38 AM
I'm really looking forward to Producers. It'll be interesting to see Kim Soo Hyun follow up character after the success of My Love From the Stars. The stills of his character are adorkable.
As for the "teasers" they are just behind the scenes footage.
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24 Rose
April 23, 2015 at 10:52 AM
I think you can't expect people not to watch the drama with this kind of teasers!!! Teasers are so amusing, they all are acting!!!:)))
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25 M
April 23, 2015 at 11:37 AM
I actually think this is real and probably happened before the script reading (their clothes are the same)..?
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26 Calzeralzer
April 23, 2015 at 11:54 AM
I am really looking forward to this drama! I think it would be amazing if this drama was done in a mocumentary style. Either way I will definitely be watching this drama, Gong Hyo Jin is one of my favorite actresses, she always seems to make good drama choices.
Can't wait to see what this drama turns out to be, because as of now I have no idea what to expect.
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27 jam
April 23, 2015 at 1:06 PM
wow that was hard to watch LOL im just trusting the writer/producer know what they're doing! and like many of you said, there has to be a reason why CTH/GHJ chose this drama!
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28 99
April 23, 2015 at 1:26 PM
KSH and CTH together just makes me think of how they're both Jeon Jihyun's most famous on-screen boyfriends haha
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29 iamdeb
April 23, 2015 at 2:38 PM
I read that the premiere date got pushed back? I hope everything is ok behind the scenes.
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30 Lena S.
April 23, 2015 at 3:47 PM
The sound effects were lame but I'm actually looking forward to this drama, i hope i don't get disappointed.
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31 channel
April 23, 2015 at 7:02 PM
ahahha. This is a good laugh. At least everyone, even the actors, are lost as to what the drama is going to be like but I'm still digging it.
Are there going to be pairings? Are we going to have love square? will Gong Hyo Jin be paired with Kim Soo Hyun or it's just IU? ehhhhhhhh it's driving me nuts.
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32 lala
April 23, 2015 at 9:44 PM
cant wait! im going to watch dream high again..before this..haha
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33 evelynray
April 23, 2015 at 11:09 PM
These teasers are confusing me. It would be amazing if these were the hidden cameras of their first meeting set up by the real producers of 'Producer' to make it look real for teasers. But then, it would be even more amazing if these were all scripted, because, they were acting to make it look like real first meeting. Hahahhaa, i don't know how to tell if it was real set up or scripted too.
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34 ilikemangos
April 24, 2015 at 12:37 PM
They're wearing the same clothes as their first script meeting so they probably filmed this before heading together to it. The awkwardness is not scripted for those who are fans of the actors. The maknaes (soo hyun and IU) are usually shy and awkward around new people.
The "hype" surrounding this project seems to come more from the viewers and fans who can't wait for this to air rather than the production team hyping it up. One short teaser, filming in secrecy and being all hush hush about it, barely any promo, and this short meet-greet/preview whatever you wanna call it) is all we got from this show. Hope we can get more, but perhaps they want to surprise us, considering most people don't even know what to expect.
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35 chacha
April 24, 2015 at 4:00 PM
I am freaking disappointed with most of the comments I have seen. It is not the drama you know. They're just showing us glimpses of how these actors are getting together for the drama. Goodness gracious! The "teasers" are just flavors, making people have interest in it. I can't even... aaargh. Okay let's just wait for the drama and watch. You haters dont't watch.
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36 Carinne
April 26, 2015 at 11:43 AM
I'm not sure why they need to tease us with these footages. We all are gonna watch it (the premiere episode) regardless. Pointless, IMHO. Well, make you love or hate a celeb more or less, I suppose. Haha~ IU doesn't look like a team player.
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