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Mystery Queen producers explain ending, hopes for Season 2

(This whole post is a bit of a spoiler alert, so for those of you who haven’t caught the ending episode, proceed at your own risk.)

I’m sure that all of you who watched the Mystery Queen finale this past Thursday were with me as I started to panic counting down the minutes and the show STILL hadn’t resolved the main mystery connecting our two leads, Choi Kang-hee and Kwon Sang-woo. And then they go ahead and bring back Kwon Sang-woo’s not-so-dead girlfriend with 3 minutes to spare. When it ended, I stared at my screen, thinking, That’s it? That’s your ending? It felt like an American mid-season finale, except there wasn’t going to be another half season to, you know, solve the mystery.

Thankfully, the producers behind Mystery Queen released a statement the day after the finale aired, explaining that they had planned this ending with a second season in mind. That’s a step up from my conjectures, which ranged from thinking the director/writer had run out of episodes to tell their story or that they were giving a big middle finger to its viewers and the station. At this point, though, the key takeaway is that the producers want a second season, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll get it.

Mystery Queen pulled in decent ratings for KBS, but they weren’t in “smash hit” territory: The ratings ranged from 8-11% in its run, which isn’t terrible, but there was definitely a slight downward trend throughout the series. The producers said themselves that if Mystery Queen had pulled in better numbers, they could have given a firmer answer on whether the second season is a go, but as of now, they’re still in talks with KBS about it. If all the stars do align, we could see Mystery Queen 2 on the airwaves as early as next year.

I have to admit, I feel torn about this whole situation in general. I grew pretty attached to our ragtag Scooby gang, and it’s a format that could easily work as a multi-season show, with its semi-procedural elements and one overarching mystery. And there were promising developments revealed in the finale that I would be happy to see play out onscreen, like Choi Kang-hee gaining her autonomy (sort of) and studying for the police exam, the secret HQ paid for by Kwon Sang-woo’s watches, and the tiny, fleeting moments of the ajumma and gruff detective maybe developing romantic feelings for each other. The show was such a tease with that last one.

However, there’s also a part of me that kind of feels cheated by the producers, because I got invested in these storylines and characters over these 16 episodes, and I didn’t get the closure I was expecting in the finale. If they were planning for a second season, they really should have announced that beforehand, instead of blindsiding the viewers like this. It almost seems like the producers planned that unresolved ending to arm-wrestle a second season out of the station, which leaves me with a vaguely uncomfortable feeling.

At the end of the day, I’m glad that there’s a possibility we might get a whole second season’s worth of episodes to continue the adventures of the ajumma detective and the grumpy teddy bear that is Kwon Sang-woo. On my wishlist for the new season is Choi Kang-hee as a divorcee rookie detective getting into a love triangle with Kwon Sang-woo and puppy Lee Won-geun. Anyone else have any wishes for the new season? Let us begin a prayer circle to the drama gods!

Given the new season only remains a possibility as of now, I just hope this doesn’t end like Vampire Prosecutor, with that cliffhanger ending at the close of its second season, and no new season in sight even though it’s going on five years now. I need closure, people!

Via Osen, TV Report

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Thank u tipsymocha for finding out the truth. I needed to hear the why

You also expressed my sentiments exactly in the article.

So I won't say more except they shouldn't have blindsided viewers like that

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Well I hope KBS will let them do it. I know the ratings weren't stellar but that's not the only thing that counts. This is a show that colud have (and already has, in my opinion) an affectionate audience. So yeah great numbers are unlikely but I'm sure they woudn't get lower either.
So, hoping there is a second season, I'm mostly curious about Hyun Soo and I live for more Wan Seung-Seol Ok banter. Hopefully they would get together this time. I mean, the husband is out of the play finally but there's Hyun Soo now haha however she seems evil so I'm not too worried.
I really wouldn't like a triangle with officer Hong, I'd rather see a redeemed Ho Chul or inspector Woo as possibile "rivals" to Wan Seung (but I like the bromance with Woo so Ho Chul would be the easiest choice). I think officer Hong intead might be contended by Seol Ok's sister in law and cutie KCSI girl. Seeing that he's such a nice guy and in kdramas nice guys are never getting the girl, why not have a love triangle with a nice guy at the center? Who knows.

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In Season 2 I want to see Seol-ok and Wan-seung solving intricate mysteries, Seol-ok & Insp Woo becoming buddies, and a lot more friendly bickering.

I also want to see her pass the police exam & divorce the cheating cheater.

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I liked the ending, I don't mind if there isn't a second season. I didn't mind that there was no romance between the leads, I like how they learned to trust each other and worked as a team.

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I feel cheated. Period. I didn't even watch the last episode because of the comments. You don't finish a drama like that "hoping" to get a second season. It's blackmail.

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This news makes me so happy! Mystery Queen is my favorite show of the year so far. I might even buy the DVD to support it!

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I want a season 2, definitely, but the last two episodes left such a bitter taste in my mouth, I wonder if i'll be able to forget and forgive it by the time season 2 comes so that I can enjoy it without the tainted memory.

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Personally, I was not upset that they left it hanging like that because it felt to me like a promise from the show runners that they are not done yet in telling the story of Seol Ok and Wan Seung... I could watch this drama for multiple seasons and enjoy the dynamic between our two leads as they continue to solve cases... My take on the drama was that it felt like an origin story of Seol Ok and Wan Seung. It is also possible that they will follow the Elementary way wherein they change Moriarty to a girl a.k.a maybe Hyun Soo??? either way the show has yet to introduce Seol Ok's arch nemesis... So pretty please drama gods let there be season 2 and then 3 and 4 and so on....

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I knew it!!!! I knew the dead gf was alive!!!! My prediction came true!!! Maybe I should start my own psychic business lol (jk)
But I seriously hope there is a season 2 because I too need CLOSURE!!!! So much closure!!

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The ending had second season written all over it. As early as NEXT year seems like forever.

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I know, right! I want this season by winter!

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Just say NO.

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I'm midway through this and now I'm not sure I want to continue... I love kdramas because second seasons are almost like new shows, no previous experience needed!

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I think they should tape a just in case wrap up long episode while all the cast is around and alive (well, accidents do happen) so if another season isn't allowed they don't leave us all stranded!

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yes for 2nd season! hihi!

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I was watching the last episode with nervous anticipation, because I kept looking at the clock and there was so much left to go, I didn't know if we would catch up to everything. And then at the end...BAM, Seo Hyun-soo is still alive! I think I ran around in circles screaming WHAT?! for a few minutes and it is still processing in my head. Being my first K-drama, I didn't know if I should expect a second season like on American shows. But I would have been happy if everything had been resolved. At the same time, I really like these characters and the way they interact, and I would like to see more, so I'm a bit torn. Since I just finished it a few minutes ago, I want to know what happens next, and I want that guarantee that there's a second season. It's pretty upsetting if they pulled a Shyamalan twist without it. Looking to Sherlock, they usually gave us a cliffhanger when they knew they were getting another season, but the last season did not have a cliffhanger, and the ending looked like the end of Mystery Queen except for that unfinished case. It's clear there that they aren't sure about another season and don't want to upset the fans. But it would really leave a bad taste in people's mouths if there was not a second season of Mystery Queen.

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The problem is nothing was resolved in the drama. Not the main lead's relationship with her husband, with her mother-in-law, nor the main actor's relationship with his own father. The relationship between the two lead actors wasn't really clear either. I was really rooting for this drama. It offered at least for me, something substantial compared to other dramas. I even recommended it ri some friends. But I am thinking of taking back my recommendation. It was a very big disappointment. I know this comment is a bit too late. Even then, I went out of my way to look for this blog just to make this comment. That is how disappointed I am. A season 2 is a good idea. Not sure though if I still look forward to it, not after the producers, directors and writers messed big time.

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Yay!!! I was SOOOO annoyed when I got to the ending and I went like ... that was it? WTF?!!! I couldnt wait for the recaps to see if others felt the same way... phew... here's to season 2 then... pali pali

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I was super upset!!! Give us 20 episodes or Give us a season 2 !!!!

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Though I thought the story was loosing interest I liked the overall show. Nevertheless, I felt cheated by this ending.
I hope writers don't start to "blackmail" stations this way as an habit. I also waited for a third "Vampire Prosecutor" season

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hi^^ i am an avid fan of K-drama ... i understand of course season 2 of a particular drama series depend on its rating but here in my country philippines ... i think a lot of people i know watched it ... me and my nephew and niece recommend it .. so please make the season 2^^ i feel bad also not to see much romance of Choi Kang-hee and Kwon Sang-woo .. they look cute together = ) i am always positive about kdrama ... please .. season 2

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Season 2 is happening!! it was confirmed a few weeks back! Check dramabeans for mystery queen posts!! MOre WS and cute ahjumma!! ;) :)

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really = ) OMGee im so excited i guess both my nephew and niece will be thrilled as well ... thank you so much rainbow unicorn ^^ you made my thursday so well = ) hugs

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Definitely hoping for 2nd season ! The chemistry beetwen ahjumma n detective Ha is too good for just a frienemy/partner relationship. Let alone the unfinished case about Hyun Soo. But for me, i think the live triangle will be better if it happens between ahjumma, detective Ha and detective Woo ?

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Definitely hoping for 2nd season ! The chemistry beetwen ahjumma n detective Ha is too good for just a frienemy/partner relationship. Let alone the unfinished case about Hyun Soo. But for me, i think the love triangle will be better if it happens between ahjumma, detective Ha and detective Woo ?

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Just finished watching season 2. I still have unfinished business with it. Are they gonna leave secretary kim like that? They didn't put him behind bars and detective ha's brother is still on rhe phone saying he's made up his mind. Oh my gosh! I need season 3.

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Is there a Queen of Mystery 3? You can not end it without them getting married. Regardless this should have at lease 11.

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