I am sticking with LYOL because I want to see what happens to the true Protagonist of that drama- who is not the Romantic Lead but rather his older brother Tae-min. Does Tae-min get his own life, finally? Or will that writer let us down and only give the FL a happy ending?

The truth is that LYOL actually comes with a much more interesting dramatic structure- but that probably makes a proper resolution much more difficult.

I think that I am also considering a new criteria as well: If the great majority of characters are both unlikeable and irredeemable then you are not going to enjoy the show. That was the real reason I ditched REVOLUTIONARY SISTERS after eight episodes, and I remain convinced that it was absolutely the right decision.

I’ll invite myself to the party. TRHC was my first weekender—and I wrestled with it far longer than I should have before dropping. So I admitted defeat much sooner for LYOL. I’m hoping third time is the charm even tho I’ve dropped all three of Im Soo-hyang’s shows: Gangnam Beauty, Kokdu and Woori.

I guess I did not emphasize the "skeptical" part enough. I would like to say that while I encourage people to try this show I also encourage them to drop it if it is not entertaining.

I am skeptical because the stated premise of this show would not normally justify fifty episodes- It would usually take no more than 16 at the most. There has to be more to this story than that- but we have only the barest hints of that. The biggest hint is that the complete cast lineup gives us fully fleshed out families for both of the lead characters. Whether the show stands or falls will actually depend upon how the writer and PD use all of those other characters. And this is actually the story of the two weekenders that you have watched:

By the end of the story of TRHC most of the 'side characters' had become little more than furniture with their stories untold or abandoned.

In the current weekender which is winding down we see many characters whose stories were begun and then left hanging. While at least we have been entertained with constant surprises the result has not been a truly coherent story but rather one filled with improbable events, etc. It has at least been more entertaining than TRHC but certainly not great storytelling. Again, the 'side characters have been underutilized although I would add on the plus side the unique experiment in having two male leads: A romantic male lead in Tea-ho and a dramatic male lead or protagonist in Tae-min (who is the true male counterpart to our FL). Between that (in my opinion successful) innovation plus the surprise factor the current weekender is in fact a substantial improvement over TRHC (in addition to avoiding the blunder of time skips which have no place in an ensemble drama) but will never be ranked as one of the best of the weekenders.

So, I am skeptical as much as I am hopeful. Even though this writer gave as the last weekender that was a hit commercially with YOUNG LADY AND GENTLEMAN I have still not forgiven that writer for inflicting not one but two amnesia arcs upon us. However, that show did have its share of actually likeable characters and the writer fully understood the ensemble nature of weekenders. I have reason for both hope and skepticism.

It will really all come down to how well the other characters are dealt with and whether we get enough side plots with them to turn a 16 episode plot idea into an entertaining fifty episode family drama.

I'm also a full-watch Kkokdu survivor, @al118. Hwaiting!!!

I think Im Soo-hyang started her career starred as FL in the 2011 weekender New Tales of the Gisaeng along with Sung Hoon, that drama was pretty popular and got both stars noticed. As a newcomer, she did a good job in emotional scenes there and she had good chemistry with Sung Hoon. The story itself was typical Makjang. Hopeful she will do well this time.

Oh yeah. I forgot about Gangnam beauty. Yes, I liked her in that too.
It’s the recent Woori and Kkokdu that didn’t work.

Loads of top actors are in weekenders especially in the older age range, I think it keeps them in the public eye as they are so popular.

If your last drama bombs it reduces your employability in any drama.

There are probably many reasons for taking on a Weekender. One might be the opportunity for steadier work but sometimes it can also be a hope for a comeback.

Our male lead actor is not lacking in popularity. Ji Hyun-woo has had many lead roles- and this will be his third weekender. His career has definitely not hit the skids. In his case I suspect that it is the steady work which he finds attractive while at the same time he can space dramas far enough out to accommodate his other career as a singer.

In the past, the three major networks cast their own stable of actors for weekenders. You may still see references in old interviews that this person was "the daughter of KBS." I don't think ratings are part of casting for weekenders because of the ensemble nature of the product. Some actors like weekenders for the steady work. Younger actors like them as a way of becoming well known to bolster their career path towards leading roles and film work.

That seems more logical... but why use a fairy tale to promote an unrelated drama. 🤷‍♀️