Season 2 talk for Misaeng the manhwa and the drama
by girlfriday
If any drama could go on for multiple seasons, it’d be Misaeng, the slice-of-life workplace series that’s become cable network tvN’s newest sensation. Expectations were high from the start for the adaptation based on a cult hit manhwa, and it translated into both critical acclaim and ratings success (Episode 12 that aired last Saturday recorded 6.1% ratings). Talk obviously turned to the possibility of a second season, an extension, and the future of the source material, and drama producers and manhwa creator Yoon Tae-ho gave statements on the next move for Misaeng.
First, about the possibility of the current drama being extended beyond its planned 20 episodes, producers said, “There will be no extension for Misaeng. It’s a project based on Yoon Tae-ho’s original manhwa, and the plan is to continue fitting the content into 20 episodes and end it there.” Thank goodness, since I think an extension at this point would be purely for extra ad revenue, at the expense of the story.
The practical reason given was that an extension wasn’t plausible given the production pace. Other dramas often shoot with A and B teams and multiple editors all working at a furious pace simultaneously to get the drama done, but on Misaeng, PD Kim Won-seok reportedly shoots every single frame, from inserts to establishing shots, and edits every second of the show himself. It totally shows too, because the series hasn’t dropped in quality since the start, and the show’s star is hands-down the director.
When asked about whether Misaeng would consider a second season, producers stated, “Creator Yoon Tae-ho is planning a second season of Misaeng [the webtoon] to launch in March. The big picture is to do [the webtoon] in three seasons. And talk has begun concerning the possibility of Misaeng Season 2 [the drama].”
Manhwa creator Yoon Tae-ho gave a statement confirming that March 2015 is the goal for getting a second season of the webtoon out, and when asked about the future of the characters, all he said was, “The only thing I can say with certainty is that Jang Geu-rae will not become a manager or president.” Ha, does that even count as a breadcrumb?
Both PD Kim Won-seok and creator Yoon Tae-ho are reportedly leaving the door open for collaborating on a second season of the drama, but considering that Season 2 of the webtoon doesn’t exist yet, it’s early to be committing. This is a hugely successful case where the manhwa’s popularity built buzz for the drama, and the drama’s acclaim has in turn boosted sales for printed copies of the manhwa. The printed version just surpassed two million copies sold this week (which is more than double the number just weeks ago before the drama aired).
Because of the nature of the loose storytelling in the drama, I can see the series easily continuing on for three whole seasons if they wanted to. I’m always wary of adding seasons to a show that I love (What if they ruin it? What if they save the best nuggets for later? What if they run out of ideas and just bring in a baby?), but I think it’s safe to say that if they have two ingredients, I’m sold: PD Kim Won-seok and Lee Sung-min. If we get more of them, I have a hunch that the rest of the pieces will just fall into place. What can I say, I’m as smitten as our Yes-man is: Where Chief Oh goes, I go.
Misaeng airs on Fridays and Saturdays on tvN.
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Tags: adaptations, Misaeng
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1 happybyul
November 27, 2014 at 1:05 PM
AHHH I'm so happy there's going to be another season!!! And another after that!! It's one of my favorite shows at the moment and I'd probably eat up any number of seasons they threw at me haha
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changhyun
November 27, 2014 at 3:00 PM
I KNOW this is fantastic news because this is hands-down part of my favorite dramas of all time!
Also, SIX POINT ONE RATINGS!!! 6.1%!!! Congratulations Misaeng team! I remember seeing them make various promises to cheer on office workers if they hit 3%, but they hit 6!!! So proud of them
http://www.allkpop.com/article/2014/10/zeas-siwan-kang-so-ra-and-rest-of-misaeng-cast-members-make-promises-to-viewers-for-a-3-rating
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MP
November 27, 2014 at 4:44 PM
I think they already fulfill their promises.
Lee Sung Min http://www.soompi.com/2014/10/29/misaeng-lee-sung-min-to-give-out-free-hugs-before-the-work-day/
Kang So Ra- http://www.soompi.com/2014/11/07/kang-sora-keeps-misaeng-viewer-ratings-promise-through-chicken-beer-party-with-office-employees/
Im Siwan a.k.a Captain Jang- http://www.soompi.com/2014/10/30/misaeng-im-siwan-visits-treats-office-employees-to-an-afternoon-snack/
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Nissa
November 28, 2014 at 1:46 AM
thank u
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kdramas
November 28, 2014 at 10:25 AM
I read that the cast will be making new pledges which, haaaaa, is adorable!
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2 happybyul
November 27, 2014 at 1:06 PM
*they're THINKING of adding another season haha I was too excited there for a moment:D
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3 misaeng
November 27, 2014 at 1:07 PM
Absolutely love this show. The best TV show I've seen in a really long time.
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4 Okay
November 27, 2014 at 1:18 PM
Didn't creator Yoon say on Misaeng Radio episode 9 that "I don't know when but season 2 will definitely come sometimes next year"?
I listened to it two weeks ago so maybe I don't remember that well...
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5 Waiting
November 27, 2014 at 1:23 PM
Oh yes! Yes! YES! I squealed when I saw the post title. I am totally on board for more of the same awesomeness we are getting. More of the Director and the characters - love them all but especially Manager Oh (Lee Sung Min).
Thanks Santa!! I'll take two more seasons in a one-size-fits-all, please!
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Megumi
November 28, 2014 at 12:47 PM
Lee Sung Min is such a fine actor, he reminds me of Sohn Hyun Joo, respected veteran actor among his peers but very underrated by the media and public alike, everything changed when SHJ hit it big with 'Chaser' and now he's been playing leading roles in movies and dramas alike, LSM is doing the same thing with Misaeng, he has totally hit stardom now, he so deserves it, I'm happy for Siwan too who is proving to be a really lovable and formidable actor in his own right.
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6 Caitlyn
November 27, 2014 at 1:27 PM
Did the webtoon come out weekly? So if the second series of the manhwa doesn't start til next March, then when would the TV series start?
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k_m
November 27, 2014 at 11:54 PM
They already have this project being highly prioritized so they know they can't wait for too long...my guess is they'll try to make it by this time next year, even if the webtoon has yet to be completed
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7 Den
November 27, 2014 at 1:29 PM
Yes, please!
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8 cingdoc
November 27, 2014 at 1:37 PM
As much as I love ST3 and Chief Oh, I actually want quality vs quantity- don't ruin a exceptional show( same thing for my other fav- MNIKSS, Coffee Prince or Goong) Nothing beats the original ?
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kdramas
November 27, 2014 at 2:26 PM
I concur!!
And if the PD and LSM return I'd want the current actors to to return to play their characters!! I can't imagine not watching Siwan in future seasons of the show!
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9 growingbeautifully
November 27, 2014 at 1:41 PM
Whether definite or just being thought about, the fact it is being considered is good news! May our One International folks have gained experience, have more interesting dynamics, more challenging projects and maybe get Dong Shik married!
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Okay
November 27, 2014 at 6:02 PM
Yeah! Creator Yoon said on Misaeng Radio that season 2 would focus more on establishing their place, connections and marriage talk because it's also a stressing part of their life :D
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10 PL
November 27, 2014 at 1:52 PM
One question: which costs more, the webtoon subscription or the printed manhwa? If I'm not mistaken, the physical copies are usually more expensive (not to mention, more cumbersome to lug around), so can someone explain why there is such an enormous demand for the books? Just curious about digital-age economics stuff here.
Congratulations, show! Keep it up in the next season if our dreams come true!
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alua
November 27, 2014 at 2:54 PM
I think webtoons are generally free. A printed manhwa for a webtoon is probably not a very common happening.
As for the demand for physical copies... I'd ask the same because I prefer digital, but seeing that many books and films still aren't available digitally, I think people's preferences are still only changing and the industry still isn't all ready to shift to digital (or selling both physical + digital copies). Some of it may come down to licensing issues too, particularly if international distribution comes into play.
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PL
November 27, 2014 at 3:14 PM
But surely the two million hard copies of Misaeng cited by girlfriday referred to sales in Korea, where the webtoon is charged for a fee? Someone once posted the link to the webtoon in another Beanuts gallery.
If the demographics for the manhwa and the webtoon are different though, that may explain things.
But as always, thanks for the explanation. It may help to shed light on the popularity of many other manhwas.
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PL
November 27, 2014 at 3:15 PM
A modest(?) fee, I mean.
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alua
November 27, 2014 at 3:38 PM
No, from what I've read webtoons are generally free. The ones on Naver are.
They make money because of ad revenue.
See: http://koreanwebtoons.wikia.com/wiki/Webtoon
It may be that the Misaeng webtoon now no longer is free since its stats must be through the roof and sometimes that changes things, though last time I checked on the official site, I was able to browse through it without any problem. So they may have kept it the same, but made a physical print now because of the success it has had, which is making them money.
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1tea1
November 27, 2014 at 8:00 PM
Yes there is now a physical printed copy of the webtoon. It has been a comic book series for some time now.
Here's a picture: http://img.yonhapnews.co.kr/etc/inner/EN/2014/11/26/AEN20141126004500315_01_i.jpg
And yes it has sold over 2 million copies. You can read the article here:
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20141126000721
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coffeenlucia
November 27, 2014 at 10:19 PM
I think webtoons are free. I've read Cheese in the Trap on naver for free before. And I'm pretty sure it was legal.
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PL
November 28, 2014 at 5:48 AM
Yeah.... but I'm specifically curious about the Misaeng sales. That poster mentioned that you could read only the first five webtoon episodes (and maybe the prologues too?) for free. I've tried accessing the webtoon myself but Daum directed me to a login page for the sixth episode and onwards.
PL
November 28, 2014 at 5:54 AM
Yes!! Finally found a very recent article that described charges for viewing the webtoon version of Misaeng:
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2014111794548
"Daum charges viewers of a webtoon of which serial publishing is ended. Currently, viewing webtoon Misaeng on the web costs 1,000 won per 10 episodes, which costs 14,000 won for 145 episodes in total."
1tea1
November 27, 2014 at 8:04 PM
The physical copy is very expensive, especially since the misaeng comic book series has 9 volumes. So it's a really serious accomplishment.
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k_m
November 27, 2014 at 11:32 PM
I'd imagine with a lot of people it's similar to the reason why Kpop fans buy physical copies - because it's merchandise. Also, it's the kind of thing that is suitable as a present for all kinds of people, so the fact that there's a physical copy gives it an advantage in that sense
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11 alua
November 27, 2014 at 2:50 PM
Ohhhhhhhhhh!!!!
I'm happy with a no to an extension, but a second season is a whole other things entirely. Though it might be tricky – I don't want the webtoon writer to feel any pressure either.
Maybe a year or two down the line? But then maybe our characters/actors will have grown up too much (or maybe some of them will have been shipped off to the army?). I wouldn't want to lose any of the characters – not Mr. Oh, Dong-sik, not a single one of our newbies. Both because the characters are awesome (seeing them slowly revealed, seeing them slowly grow) but also because the actors have been fantastic.
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12 Nessie
November 27, 2014 at 2:53 PM
I was so excited to read that there could be a season 2, and even more happy that it will be based on the webtoon. I definitely agree with girlfriday on adding extra seasons and episodes for the sake of revenue.
It's like filler episodes in anime, the audience isn't stupid to know a series has begun being treated like a cash cow. Quality drops, and the plot gets munted, so no thanks.
It's still ages away, but I really hope the cast stays similar, or at least get some of the main cast from the first season.
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13 backspace
November 27, 2014 at 2:54 PM
Yes to season 2! I'll be waiting for that and Liar Game. Also, I hope the webtoon gets translated in english since it's really popular.
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Kennedy Rose
November 27, 2014 at 3:43 PM
agreed. wish there's an english translation for this.. online and the books.
i would definitely support misaeng 2 if all the cast n pd stay the same. yup, even those dreaded jerks from resources..mr. ma included. and i'd like ST3 stay the same too. won't be misaeng if there's no lee sung min, kim dar myung and im siwan.
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14 Adal
November 27, 2014 at 3:35 PM
Is this the new trend for kdramas? To have shows with Seasons 2? First, the three Musketeers, then Liar Game....and now Misaeng? All I can say is Count me in! I'm on board! And keep all the original actors please. Nothing wrecks a show for me than when the original actors for the main characters are changed season to season.
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Claire
November 27, 2014 at 11:49 PM
Is Liar Game season 2 confirmed?
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15 ultramarineblue
November 27, 2014 at 4:50 PM
WOAH! I'm so happy to hear this!! I also super admire the manhwa creator and director for being able to successfully tell the manhwa's story in two different mediums. It makes me hope for more successful adaptations <3
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16 WintermelonT
November 27, 2014 at 5:06 PM
Quoted from above:
“There will be no extension for Misaeng. It’s a project based on Yoon Tae-ho’s original manhwa, and the plan is to continue fitting the content into 20 episodes and end it there.” Thank goodness.
Other dramas often shoot with A and B teams and multiple editors all working at a furious pace simultaneously to get the drama done, but on Misaeng, PD Kim Won-seok reportedly shoots every single frame, from inserts to establishing shots, and edits every second of the show himself.
REPECT! Can I just say these decisions are beyond amazingness. So much respect for both the writer and PD. *SO MUCH RESPECT*
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WintermelonT
November 27, 2014 at 5:08 PM
my writer i mean the manhwa creator
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WintermelonT
November 27, 2014 at 5:08 PM
by*
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17 Sponge
November 27, 2014 at 5:09 PM
So glad that there is no extension, honestly extensions never add more quality to a show, we know its only because they are cashing in on the popularity rather than have more story to tell.
On the other hand, another season would be totally viable and i would tune in for sure. I'm loving the current drama, theres so much goodness that i would be sad if it ended so soon (granted theres still 8 more episodes, but i feel like i can watch this for mulltiple seasons no problem)
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baba
November 29, 2014 at 12:22 AM
but sometimes you just want to see your favorite characters longer. you would prefer some slight slowdown in the pacing for the fear of not seeing the show the week later.
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18 StarStyle
November 27, 2014 at 6:20 PM
Yes to SEASON 2 !!!! Please!! :D
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19 1tea1
November 27, 2014 at 8:43 PM
If there are going to be other seasons, I hope that all the cast can be on board. Just Lee Sungmin is not enough for me.
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20 k_m
November 27, 2014 at 11:33 PM
Thank god there's no extension. I have to say, if they keep up the quality for another season or two, I'm all for it.
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21 ju
November 28, 2014 at 2:36 AM
"Where Chief Oh goes, I go." Exactly my thoughts.
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22 topper
November 28, 2014 at 3:26 AM
Definitely a drama that should get a second season.
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23 girlatsea
November 28, 2014 at 7:34 AM
Ahh, I'm so relieved there's no extension. I love the drama to death but extensions are never really good for any drama. I'm definitely pro-season 2 though! I just wonder if it would be possible to have all the same actors working on it / I wonder if they would run into scheduling conflicts.
Kim Won-suk, I've loved him since SKKS but he is officially one of my all time favorite directors. All of his dramas are just so beautiful, a feast for the eyes. And Misaeng is perfect, I'm amazed at all the work he's putting into it. It definitely shows.
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24 tweetpandora
November 28, 2014 at 11:10 AM
So well deserved to get over 6%, TVN is just something else isn't it, apart from You who came from the stars, every drama I have loved this year has been a TVN. So happy its 20 episodes, I thought it was less, and depends on how this season would end, but I would not be adverse to a second season. Such a gem of a show
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25 Marge
November 29, 2014 at 5:46 AM
Thank HEAVENS!! I am ecstatic to see the makers of show and the artist of the webtoom himself be open about the idea of continuing the series, which in effect, will also pave way to a second, third, fourth, nth season!
HOWEVER, I AM STILL SAD BECAUSE I havent got a copy nor is there an existing copy of the webtoon with English translations... BUT IF THERE IS, LET ME KNOW PLS.
GAAHH I LOVE MISAENG SO MUCH AND EVERYTHING IN IT <3
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26 laraffinee
November 29, 2014 at 7:43 AM
I am thrilled to read about more seasons! This is the BEST show that is currently playing! The dynamics of the cast is exceptional and the office politics is all to familiar to many of us. It is so very well done!
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27 rez
November 29, 2014 at 4:05 PM
I thought IHYV was my best drama. But Misaeng break the record, for me its the best drama all the time.
Like GF said, I go where Chief Oh goes...
Thank GF, your my angel *hugkiss*
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28 Ozzy
November 29, 2014 at 6:45 PM
Im so in luv with the show. super happy to hear about the possibility of a season 2 :D !
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29 mitta
November 29, 2014 at 9:29 PM
Misaeng is a masterpiece. Can't say enough about the quality of this drama. Every week brings new surprises, emotions, laughter and valuable insights into the working life of salary men and women in Korea. I am in agreement with those that pick quality over quantity! Keep it 20 episodes and don't spoil it! Kudos to the PD!! I will be looking out for his dramas going forward. And a shout out to all the fabulous casts starting with Chief Oh to Geu Rae and everyone else...can't find a single character that does not fit in perfectly.
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30 Marge
November 29, 2014 at 10:35 PM
so much tears were shed for Misaeng Episode 14, felt i needed to comment somewhere. Can't wait for the review of 13 and 14
TTTT________TTTTTTTT
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31 Spi
December 1, 2014 at 11:29 PM
YES! Misaeng is so good. Its quality is really on a different level compare to the majority of Kdramas.
It is also the only show I'm watching at the moment because of busy work schedule.
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