Based on Episode 1, I found When Night Comes (also Every Night or Every Time It’s Night) to be part fun, and part corny. Its attempts to be slick and cool keep the action moving, but aren’t entirely successful — and while they’re not complete failures either, it falls short of its goal, landing it in Rivals territory: good acting by its leads, a few interesting scenes, peppered with a few ridiculous ones. Still, there’s hope.
Stars of MBC’s When Night Comes were on hand on June 17 in Seoul for the press conference introducing their drama. Kim Sun Ah, Lee Dong Gun, Kim Jung Hwa, and Lee Joo Hyun were in attendance as their new series tries to take over from its predecessor Yi San’s successful ratings.
When Night Comes kicks off next Monday, but its competitors got a head start and premiered today: SBS with its long-awaited Gourmet (starring Kim Rae Won and Nam Sang Mi), and KBS with Eric’s sageuk comedy Strongest Chil Woo. Ratings-wise, Gourmet came out on top, with its first episode posting 13.2% ratings versus Chil Woo’s 11.5%. For their second episodes, Gourmet’s ratings went up 2.9% (to 16.1%), probably taking all of the 2.4% that Chil Woo lost (total 9.1%).
I’ve seen the first episodes of both, although I’ll wait until I catch the second episodes before weighing in, but here are my predictions:
If When Night Comes proves to be a good show, it’ll probably split ratings with Gourmet, which looks like it’s on its way to being a hit. On the other hand, if Night disappoints with mediocrity, Gourmet will take the night, leaving Night to trail in second place with middling ratings. But I’m betting Chil Woo will probably be a spectacular failure either way (I enjoyed it, but yeah, it’s pretty awful).
SONG OF THE DAY
Spicy Soda - “소심 Blues” (timid blues) [ Download ]
Let’s choose to look at this positively and not as a sign of trouble, shall we?
MBC’s long-awaited When Night Comes may have been garnering buzz for its lead stars Kim Sun Ah and Lee Dong Gun, but it’s had far less luck hanging on to its supporting actors. First, Lee Soo Kyung dropped out abruptly after filming had already commenced in Japan to headline the cast of her own drama, the upcoming Lawyers of Korea. Slated to play the third leg of the love triangle, she traded up from a supporting role in Night to a leading one in Lawyers.
Then, model-singer-actress Park Jiyoon was brought in to fill her spot, but almost as quickly as her role was announced, she suddenly pulled out of the project.
Now they’ve cast Kim Jung Hwa to mix up the budding romance between the two leads; her character is described as an overtly sexy woman who manages to also convey a cute and lovable appeal. Frankly, I think her image is a better fit for the description than Lee Soo Kyung as a “sexy fox” type seductress — Lee’s past roles have been more cute and cheery — although Park Jiyoon’s image also works.
With only about two weeks left till the series airs (June 16 premiere), hopefully this is the drama’s final cast shakeup.
Fresh-faced young actress Han Hyo Joo (love her!) has been cast as Lee Junki’s love interest in the upcoming drama Iljimae. Looks like the Junki version just got a leg up over the Lee Seung Gi version. The drama airs in April on SBS.
Coming off a very recent public breakup with longtime boyfriend Lee Dong Gun, actress Han Ji Hye has come out saying, “No matter how much I’m in love, if my parents oppose the match, I’d give up my love.” Is it a revealing truth, or damage control in the post-breakup scramble to look better than the ex? Either way, the girl annoys me to an irrational degree. Can’t explain it; she just always looks so smug.
The just-premiered “season drama” (based on the U.S. multi-season model, a la Auction House) Before and After: Plastic Surgery featured a surprise cameo by actress Kim Jung Hwa — who waived her performance fee for the occasion. The first episode of the series on the 6th brought in a 8.6% rating.
Jeon Ji Hyun and the cast of her upcoming film The Man Who Was Supermanwere on hand for a press conference on the 7th in Apgujung. Movie opens the 31st.
Kim Jung Eun denies that publicity over her romance with fellow actor Lee Seo Jin is a “marketing ploy” for her newest film, The Happiest Moment In Our Lives. She says her relationship is her private life, but she’s not the type to tell interested people, “Excuse me, please don’t talk about my personal life.” But I’m sure she’s eager enough to add, don’t forget her movie opens on January 10!
SONG OF THE DAY
Brazilian Taco - “이별보다 쉬운 사랑” (a love easier than farewell) [ zShare download ]
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SBS’s new Wednesday-Thursday drama, War of Money (쩐의 전쟁), kicked off to a healthy ratings start in the 16%-17% range, then jumped up to above 24% for its second episode. That’s enough of a leap to be considered noteworthy. (And anything above 20% in its first week is quite a feat.)
This drama had quite some buzz leading up to its premiere, probably mostly due to the casting of lead actor Park Shin Yang, who is perhaps best known for his role in Lovers in Paris. As for me, the only actor I’m familiar with is Shin Dong Wook, from Cloud Stairway and Soulmate.
. SONG OF THE DAY
War of Money OST - “Simple Life” by Sweet Sorrow
[ zShare download ]
