203

KBS cuts medical mystery Beautiful Mind by 2 episodes

Well, KBS is pulling the plug early on its medical mystery drama Beautiful Mind, from 16 planned episodes down to 14, and it’s incited furor not only among fans but the producers as well.

When news first surfaced that this cutback was in consideration, the broadcaster cited the upcoming Rio Summer Olympics as the reason, which prompted discussion over adjusting the schedules for KBS’s fixed programs, of which Beautiful Mind was one. Um, you’re figuring this out now? When opening ceremonies are on August 5? Maybe it’s my post-surgery drug-fueled haze talking but nothing there adds up. Who does your scheduling and why do they still have a job?

In response to that news, a staffer from the show called out KBS’s move on their personal SNS account, calling the Olympics an excuse, the KBS line that “we’re still in talks” a lie, the move “dirty,” and that 4% ratings shouldn’t be looked down upon. But now the cutdown has indeed been confirmed, and another source from the show explained that when talks started two days ago, the cast and crew sank into a gloom; only very high-ups at KBS and series lead Jang Hyuk knew ahead of time, and the news was a shocker to everyone else.

This source added, “KBS wanted to cut Beautiful Mind as quickly as possible. They even talked about cutting down from 16 episodes to 12 at first. From the start, KBS asked writer Kim Tae-hee to cut down to 12 episodes, but the writer said that would affect the story too much, so that didn’t happen. KBS was set on cutting the show, and after multiple talks with the producers, they finally came to the decision to cut it to 14 episodes. The staff and cast were given the internal report today (July 22).”

Fans were irate as well, as the show has been generally acknowledged as being well plotted and compelling, despite its low ratings, which have been unable to break 5%. Perhaps that’s because the competition is stronger, with SBS putting out its romance-heavy Doctors and MBC chugging along with its long-running revenge drama Monster, although personally I think a show like Beautiful Mind was always going to be a cult drama. And it saddens me that KBS is so quick on the trigger finger, when once I thought of KBS as the station to give low-rated shows the most respect, letting them run their full course even when they sank down to below 2%!

To give KBS the teeniest consideration, though, I do think Beautiful Mind bears some responsibility for its fate — not for its ratings (low-rated shows get no hate from me!) but for its messy, disorganized start when it delayed filming for weeks while Jang Hyuk finished up activities in China and Park So-dam wrapped up her prior project, Cinderella and the Four Knights. And KBS did its part in buying time, trying to strong-arm Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho into an extension and then scheduling in a short 4-episode mini-drama Baek-hee Has Returned at the last minute. Had Beautiful Mind been able to premiere on time, it would have cleared the Rio Olympics and I bet KBS would have let them run the full course.

Ah, woulda coulda shoulda. Sadly the losers in this are always the fans! *sniff*

Via Sports Chosun, Seoul Shinmun, Sports Donga

RELATED POSTS

Tags: ,

203

Required fields are marked *

Oh no!!! Confirmed, I'm so sad.. this is my favorite show airing :(

Although, it breaks my heart I kind of saw this coming.. The pacing now is awesome, but being totally honest, BM started a bit messy, all the murders inside the hospital was getting ridiculous, and although I know the story needed that, it was extended too much.. Also, in initial episodes JS character was bad, she was being so dumb and impulsive even for regular people, much more for a police officer, but ironicly the one on medication to supress impulses and getting clues to resolve the murders was YO -.-' Result: didn't capture as many viewers as should have. Even I only gave it the chance after the 4 first episodes because of my love for Jang Hyuk, and so glad I did.

The premiere the same day as Doctors didn't help either, even tho Doctors's story is very plain in my eyes and like something you´ve seen before, I can't deny it has its charm, the heroine is badass and all the boys so cute.

I agree with many comments here, maybe a cable network would've been better for this show, dramas there seem to have the liberty to be different and quirky, that way it could have receive all the acknowledgment and love it deserves. I just hope the story don't suffer too much from this cut.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I really love the story. I don't know how many times I uttered on myself how good and wise the director for choosing which character for each actor. That is a brilliant casting. JANG HYUK is superb as always. He's a top actor guaranteed! PARK SO DAM is soo cute and she's a natural rather than someone who tries to act.

I don't really understand why this drama is so underrated! It is a refreshing drama that is totally unique from almost every Korean drama I have watched! Maybe people want fast paced romance, but if they just stick to watching more episodes, they'll surely see how good the drama is.

As for park so dam, the character at first is really annoying, but that's how it is. It would be boring and unexciting if the female lead was so good at first. There will be no story and progress if she is perfect right at the beginning, right?

It is fascinating how the drama revolves mostly around the police station and hospital, there are always new patients with different characters and how each patient's lives changed literally and emotionally.

It is not every day we can watch a psychopath doctor healing patients.. arrrggghhhh!!!!! words aren't enough to express what great deal will be lost for cutting the episodes!!

This is not your typical drama! This is a phenomenon! If there'll be any chance, this needs to be prolonged to 20-25 episodes.

It may not be a hit in Korea but overseas I'm sure it will! I just hope overseas viewers can vote for this drama.

Pls KBS bring it back to 16 episodes. 2 more episodes won't hurt, right? please? Thanks

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am from overseas too!! And i really really wish they had given it 20 episodes in all. But what the hell...! Urghh?

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

andwaeee... I love this drama better than PSH's Doctors. ?

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Arggggh???. Just when the show is getting so good, they're cutting it by 2 eps. Then what I'm supposed to watch in KBS World after Beautiful Mind ends? You're makjang daily dramas?!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Whatever it is, Jang Hyuk is a phenomenal. He owns his character and made us think that this role is orjginally for him and never being offered to other actors. Jang Hyuk should never do KBS drama again. sigh. I will be mad if KBS is not giving him any award at the end of this year.

On the other hand, why some ppl blaming Park So Dam for the low rating? She acts well. Her character was annoying at the beginning but it changed. She can act.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

True true absolutely true you're! Jang Huyk deserves an award for his performance! He was just terrific as Doctor Lee. Period.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Potential spoiler ahead!
How nice it is for KBS to announce this after Young oh already confessed his feelings to Jin sung (in ep10). *slow claps* Now I'm uncontrollably mad.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Comment was deleted

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

All broadcasters want to have their part/slice on the 40% of the pie by offering the same content: Romance.
10% to network A, 10% to network B, 10% to network C, 10% to network D.

What about the remaining 60%?

There soon comes the time that every single show is about romance, and everyone goes "This is sooo tiring. Same old, same old."
Better stop watching TV, and watch vlogs on the internet or play games...

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

As someone noted earlier, it's all about pretty actors, no-brainer romance plots, and formula for K-dramas. Yet the American show CSI is one of the highest rated shows in Korea for a long time. Go figure.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Aww so it's official. I'm disappointed with KBS.

I love this underrated show.
I don't really care about the ratings for a show, just as long as it is well-written or entertaining, but the ratings do matter as a part of the business. Higher ratings = more profit to be made.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oh no :(

Didn't watch this past the first week, but it did have an interesting premise and got a lot of praise in recent weeks - it's a real shame KBS is choosing to cut it (something I couldn't say about, say, Moorim School).

And jb, your health is more important than our appetite for dramas - I hope you're getting lots of rest!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks, javabeans, for reporting this development. I hope you're feeling better and better. ;-)

Condolences to the Beautiful Mind cast, crew, and staff... I love your production to bits, and am sad to see it getting amputated. Bring it on home with a strategically-streamlined plot for a satisfying big finish. FIGHTING!!!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

For such a beautifully made show, why do it?

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Arghhhhh! I hate KBS. So mad, hulk mad

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oh noes. Me and my husband just started the show and we have been watching everyday to catch up. Love the show. It was rather unconventional and kept us guessing. Of cos the female character was annoying at first with her incompetency but she is changing (where I am watching now) and I am quite interested to see where the show will go from here. I hope the cut won't affect the story too much...i also think JangHyuk is amazing here...his dynamics with his father also intriguing. Always cutting short my favourites..sigh. From Tamra to Beautiful mind..there have been a few shows that I liked that always suffer the same fate.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm crying as if somebody had died.
It breaks my heart, really. Beautiful Mind is such a good, brainy and hearty drama. Gem amongst pebbles.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

So true!!! It's a true gem I agree with you! I am watching it now and I am so saddened to know that the epis have been cut down. Wish it had completed 20. :'(

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm surprised at some of the comments on here. I am watching both Beautiful Mind and Doctors and I love both of them individually. Beautiful Mind is dark and gritty and Doctors is light and refreshing. I was upset upon hearing the news that BM was getting cut two episodes, but what is done is done. I just think it's unfair to put down other dramas just because your favorite one isn't doing well. So much bashing on Doctors just because it's doing well with the Korean audience. It just turns out Koreans tend to enjoy cheesy romcoms more than dark mysterious dramas. And that's perfectly okay. That's their preference. No need to drag down other dramas to make yourselves feel better. Even the production team was unsure Doctors was going to do so well. All I am saying is you can still watch your favorite drama without putting down others.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

+10000
I'm also watching both and totally agree with you.
Unfortunately the bashing has been going on like this ever since the ratings came out after the first week (so it's been 5 weeks now) and I see no ending to it, will probably become worse now that BM's been cut and Doctors still has 10 episodes to go. Oh well...

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Gah! It even becomes my first drama to watch now in my list followed by W. Sigh...

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Whoops I meant keeping BM's original 16 episodes rather than 14.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This is really unfortunate because I think this show has a curveball in the offing that we haven't really seen yet. Last week if I understood the translation correctly, they talked about the cellular regeneration medicine working on heart AND BRAIN tissue. This show was originally called Frankenstein. So far the cellular regeneration medicine is the only sci-fi element and it seems to me that to have considered using such an iconic title they are planning to do something a little bit more explicit. After all Frankenstein was about creating life out of body parts, so returning life to dead body parts seems like a good update. Which means that I think the actual plotline is that because the main character wants to experience emotion he's gonna try that medicine and then it's gonna be a completely different show. They could probably fit this story into 14 episodes if they knew it in advance and simply cut down on the warm-up episodes where it was more like a "House" type show.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am sad when I read this. Right now, my only top list dramas are W, Beautiful Mind, 38 task force, Wanted, The Good Wife. I don't like cheesy romance drama. That's why I can't stand watching top rated drama that focused on romance. I hope KBS stick to 16 episodes.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

It's a crappy decision to cut BM short. BM is the best K drama about personality disorder. Jang Hyuk is such an amazing actor. He is the best in depicting a psychological patient. Also through his lines, the pretentious world is all exposed naked. I love the depth of the screenplay and the narratives. I'll miss this show regardless of remaining episodes and whether the writer and all the filming crew are still able to keep up with excellent qualities.

BTW, talking about Doctors. There are traces here and there showing this cheesy show has been trying all the best to copycat DotS. Unfortunately, the romantic scenes between the OTP mostly made me flinch, unlike DotS OTP. But well, K audience are sold at this kinda fluffy soap opera anyway. Such a shame! There is even no plot to talk about. So I quit watching a few episodes.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Doctors and DOTS has barely anything in common. Don't even try. The relationship in Doctors clearly has mentor- mentee dynamics how is it DOTS's copy?

The script of Doctors won award since 2010 and the drama has a message about growth and life- not just a a cheesy romance drama like people try to paint it

You don't have to make another drama look bad just because your favorite isn't doing well. Pathetic

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Funny you think that, I couldn't stand DOTS yet love Doctors. lol

Anyway why you people just bitter about Doctos on this when in fact BM is even losing to Monster? Seriously why so bitter? Ha

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm Brazilian and I don't want the Olympics !!!

I want more Beautiful Mind, KBS, do you hear me???

Vamos!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

So if it's not a rating hit (for example, moorim school), it gets cut...but if it's a ratings hit, it gets extended (DotS). I wish they would just let shows run its' normal run without cuts or extensions so we would appreciate it as is. Cutting it makes us wonder what could have been and extending it will only add filler episodes.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

The way things have been going in Brazil, they might end up wished they had cut down the Olympics to make room for the drama instead of other way round.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

*flips table*

they're stuck in a ratings rat race. shame.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Smh do people really need to drag Doctors in order to praise BM? also you don't get to dictate what the Korean public should & shouldn't like; If someone likes cliche light-hearted dramas let them like it.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm really bummed by this news? I was so looking forward to the last 6eps , especially after ep. 10's ending. I had a feeling a pre-emption was coming but a hack saw? Not so much.

With that being said, in retrospect, I wonder if that's was the flashbacks were all about at the very end of #10...?.

I ❤️ Jang Hyuk and I have been thoroughly been enjoying his charachter's development. I hope the ending doesn't get jacked up because of this decision. I'll just pray for the best....??

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I don't know how tight the shooting schedule is, but I feel like KBS could have doubled up on episodes the week before (like 2 eps a night), or aired on different nights. Or moved the time for the last 2 episodes.
I haven't even seen Beautiful Mind (just isn't my type of genre), but I've heard so many good things and I'm truly disappointed for the fans and cast and crew.
Of course, if the show was able to stick to schedule from the start instead of being delayed, it would have made the cut just fine. But still, KBS should have handled this better.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

When will they learn. Get anyone other than Jang Hyuk as the male lead and the ratings will be higher. Many years ago, there was less competition and everything got high ratings, but now its a different story.

There was a reason why after they started cutting his screen time in Empress Ki that the ratings skyrocketed. Even the 2 week filler drama before Beautiful Mind had double Beautiful Mind's ratings.

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Eh? Jang Hyuk wasn't in Empress Ki, if I read your post right. And he's been doing a fantastic job as Young-oh, so I don't know what you're going on about. Plenty of us love his performance and can't praise it enough.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

oh, please check your fact before you post. lol

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

You're drunk, go home.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

To be honest, this is a rational decision. Broadcast companies are clearly profit-oriented so why would they drag on a show with 3-4% ratings. I'm pretty sure most programmes will do better. From the perspective of a fan it's sad but it's nothing to fault KBS for really.

Also, the opening ceremony for the Olympics may be on the fifth but stuff like football qualifiers are played earlier I believe. It's not that bad of an excuse.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This reminds me of MBC cutting A New Leaf by two episodes in 2014. But Beautiful Mind has arguably got it worse. While ANL ended up with 16 episodes (from the original 18), BM will now only have 14, which makes it obviously shorter than most dramas on terrestrial TV. I am really sorry for everyone involved in BM, and hope that they'll manage to rise above the restrictions that have been most unjustly imposed on them.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

A BIG DAMN IT !
This is the drama I so look forward to each week especially from ep. 4 onwards.... DARN IT DAMN IT .... omg... I hardly use such @!$#%@! words ever ... let alone F... ok stop... I will not stoop so low....aigoooo *cries*
*prays for a miracle*

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

my family and friends love Beautiful Mind! When I introduced this drama to my family members and friends, they were sceptical. After much persuasion, they watched it and found the drama to be so, so good!!
The script is great! The acting, especially Jang Hyuk is marvellous!
it's cruel of KBS to cut down this drama! PLease let us watch and enjoy to its fullest blook!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

https://www.change.org/p/let-the-kdramafans-worldwide-respect-and-be-heard-petition-to-withdraw-shortening-of-orig-episodes
I'm not sure if y'all know this, but a petition has been started (the link above) to have the show play all the way to 16 episodes and I hope that everyone can sign it. Was that with others.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Please consider signing this petition to avoid the Drama being shorten to 14 episodes and the crew being heartbroken, they need to know that somewhere in the world (not in Korea apparently) lots of viewers appreciated theur work to come up with such an interesting concept and overall great Drama!
We are at 9000 signatures now! Please join in so Beautiful mind production crew will know about our love for their work, at least!
Cheers

https://www.change.org/p/let-the-kdramafans-worldwide-be-heard-beautiful-mind-kbs-drama-petition-to-withdraw-shortenining-of-orig-episodes

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This is one of the BEST OF THE BEST drama I have ever seen. Its really SAD that KBS decide to cut the episodes. PROTEST !
This drama truly deserve the best drama award.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I totally agree with you on this! I rather watch this Beautiful Mind drama rather than the stupid cheesy kind of romance drama,like the lovey dove type like flower boys series as for example eww~sorry! i'm not into that. i'm so tired of it. i love a mixed of mystery or anything that involved very secretive and add adventurous through their story to it. like for example like KBS' tv drama of Iris 2. wow! that's gotta be one of my favorite. trust me,it won't dissapoint anyone and i've watched more than two times if not three already! now,that's more like it. instead of lovey-yawn-dovey drama,blablabla,yaddayaddayadda..hehe..sorry i'm just like that! ;)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

this drama is the best in my honest opinion. and it is not because of my two favorite male actors jang hyuk & hyun min were in it. but the story itself is so mystery so sad yet so beautiful and it keeps me waiting wanted to know what would happen next. now,KBS ruined it all. who cares about the low rating!? didn't they care about us international viewers here when they were tryung to introduce it and play it on our tv screen? especially when it is meant to show for the kbs world viewers? come on. just wtf is this bs,huh!? know what? even a movie that had won many awards did not even makes me wanted to see or watch. if the plot is sucks,anyway. or something like that. you see i'm a fan of movies like Rush Hour series and they did not win anything but it brightened up my day. does it matters? yes,at least to me. so kbs,why can't you think before you leap? even your ridiculous romance-soldier drama turned me off! glad i did not watched it until it finish. i mean what kind of bull is that when a soldier where his life had been many times been suffered been attacked during the battlefield and who supposed to die had been brought back to life!? just wtf is that!? i think that dude had been dead and been alive around three times already and it is getting boring later on because it does not makes any sense. and that lady doctor always get angry almost all of the story thinking where is his man when she supposed to understand that his job is tough. stupid plot! now that,need to be cut as a whole! sorry for the fans but even people around me of whom i know started to piss off. and the stopped watching the Descendants of the Sun drama. ok,now i'm done explaining.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

*they

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This is the very first Kdrama I have decided to watch and am very intrigued. Beautiful Mind reminds me of House and Dexter.

I feel shortening the series serious will damage this plot. I really want to see how Lee Young-O adapts to reality, calculating his way back to normality.

I have to disagree with the idea that this plot is disorganized. There are large ideas at hand here, and 16 to 20 episodes would clear up the confusion us fans face.

Hoping for the best. Cheers.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Saya benar-benar keberatan dan sedih,kecewa... 16 episode sudah seperti rencana kenapa harus dirubah dengan "HAL ITU",ini yang akan menjadi kemundurangka KBS!!!!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I really aprreciate and love this drama, it's more interesting than "doctors". This drama makes me curious about what's next. I feel fraustrated knowing that they cut it early. ?

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hi guys!

There is a current project to try and get the Beautiful Mind Special Making DVD with a price of $53-$55. We need to meet 500 pre-orders before September 5th to avail of this DVD. For more details, please see this post: https://stuckonhyuk.wordpress.com/2016/08/29/help-us-make-the-beautiful-mind-special-making-dvd-become-a-reality/

Let's all show KBS that Beautiful Mind is one of the best Kdramas this year and show our support to the cast and crew by availing this DVDs. Thank you!! <3

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

My heart is breaking at the thought that such a spectacular show will have no more episodes. :(
"Beautiful mind " is the most amazing show I have seen till now. No other show can compete with it. Period. And watching it I have become a huge fan of the lead actor. Doctor Lee steals the show and the medical things have been so accurate!! Shame they cut down the episodes. It should have completed atleast 20 episodes in all. Very disappointing and sad. :'(

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I loved the story of this drama, true its as an bit boring at start but after the story started to move on, after the episode 9 ,mix up with all feelings,pain,sadness,desesperation,and most love..... Love beast everything since you accept it .

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *