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I Am Legend shows signs of being a hit

SBS’s I Am Legend is in its second week, and signs look good for a healthy run. This Monday-Tuesday 9pm timeslot has yielded mixed results since it launched four series ago, starting strong but gradually slipping in the ratings. I Am Legend looks poised to breathe some life back into it.

The drama began with a modest 12%, and this week recorded a 14.9% for its fourth episode. But more noteworthy is the drama’s real-time viewership ratings; the last scene of the hour even surpassed 20%. I won’t spoil the scene for you since recaps are forthcoming (thanks, kaedejun!), but suffice to say that it’s when Kim Jung-eun‘s character Seol-hee gets going in earnest with the band, and the scene features an impassioned performance.

I was pleased with the first two episodes, which I found to be well-acted and briskly paced. The drama does feature some cliched relationship setups, but that aside, it has potential to be a feel-good, fun ride.

A refresher on this timeslot business: The 9pm drama slot was created back when Queen Seon-deok (MBC) was crushing its competition and SBS saw one drama after another die a painful death opposite it. With the highly anticipated Angel’s Temptation coming up, they made the decision to swap the 9pm news hour with the drama instead, to give it a fighting chance. It paid off, and Temptation went on to break the 20% ratings threshold.

When that drama finished, SBS decided that instead of keeping the news and drama hour switched, they’d just add another drama hour. Wish Upon a Star followed and was a hit, with ratings in the upper teens. Oh My Lady had a harder time keeping viewers (it was cute, but there wasn’t much drama to the drama) with ratings hovering around 10% to 12%. Most recently, Coffee House ended with a disappointing 8.4%.

Via OSEN

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yeh ladiezz!

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aaaah now im wondering if KSA is sitting somewhere ( preferably a dark corner cos we as kdrama fans have to be ya know dramatic!!) and ruing backing out of this drama??

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I have absolutely NO BASIS for thinking this, but part of me has invented the narrative where Kim Sun-ah took the role, then saw how badly Kim Jung-eun wanted it and backed out gracefully to let her best friend have it. I know, I'm making things up.

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that would be really cool if that were true!

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haha JB clearly your KSA is more benevolent than mine...in my story line she's slung back one too many bottles of soju ( will make that the bitter kind a nod to her KSS :P) and is currently plotting her vengeful comeback!!

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I can't believe Coffee House ended so poorly. I really enjoyed that drama. I thought it was an interesting shake up to standard drama cliché. Oh well.

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I like the drama

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Not only am I loving the show but I am loving the music as well. Hope it stays this good to the end...or am I asking for too much? ::crosses fingers::

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I cant believe CH finished so poorly! I loved the drama, javabeans turned me into a big fan KJW! I wish they count all of us who's physically NOT in Korea! I was hoping for part 2...oh well...

Is it me or something is wrong with her legs!? Poor still?

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Coffee House would have had a better rating if not for that over-rated World Cup. Of course, I was guilty of watching the World Cup as well, :+)

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it's definitely sad that coffee house didn't get more love but yayy for i am legend getting some love. i've seen the first four episodes and i am more than pleased. it's fun with just enough drama and romance (in the flirtation period right now!) to keep me interested. i'll hold off on praising it too much until we get to episode 10 or so but it's definitely something i look forward to each week :)

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I like IAL...I simply adore KJEs character....KJE is very much suited to the role...and she looks hot every time she comes out...no wonder the ratings are high...and the romance is not even starting yet... hmmm i guess a lot of ajummas like me is getting some inspirations from her....

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I am Legend was definitely a surprise. I think it's worth a shot after all and I'm glad it's getting some love.

As for CH's ratings, I think it's just poor market research. I think another time slot or a different day might have made a world of difference. Oh well...sucks for them.

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I don't think it's all about the promotion (or time slot) of the drama. Baker Kim Tak Goo did not get advertised too much either and they use new talents as the leads but look at the ratings :)

I really think majority of Korean viewers watch something for the storyline, not only based on the cast, or how much a drama gets promoted.

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I'm glad for I Am Legend. It looks really good so far.

As for Coffee House, I think everyone is forgetting that break that happened because of the World Cup. I think that may have hurt CH's short and long term ratings as well because it may have caused people to forget the show and then not want to watch it since they fell behind. Pretty sad, but I glad I watched CH anyway.

Good luck I Am Legend!

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I think this will be an inspiring drama for me. Haven't watched something inspiring in ages. any ideas?

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look at those legs! wowza... looking forward to watching this when all episodes are up!

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I know Ji Wook is a dirtbag husband and male in general, but damn it! I can't help but feel more chemistry between Kim Seung Soo/Kim Jung Eun than Lee Jun Hyuk/Kim Jung Eun.

I know it doesn't make sense. He's the bad guy. We're supposed to hate him and root for Seol Hee to end up with the good guy. But I've always had a soft spot for Kim Seung Soo. He's the type of actor who isn't afraid of playing the bad guy. He switches back and forth in between dramas from playing the nice, leading role to the bad, supporting role.

And OT, but for anyone else who suffered through City of Glass. Am I the only one who hates Lee Jin Wook for playing the third wheel who would just not go away?! It was beyond obvious Yoon So Yi had more chemistry with Kim Seung Soo than Lee Jin Wook. But everyone likes a pretty boy. Freakin' A! Yeah, I'm still having trouble getting over my hate for Lee Jin Wook. It doesn't help he did the same thing in that drama with Chae Rim. I forget the name of it. But the same thing happened. It was so obvious Chae Rim had more chemistry with Lee Jong Hyuk than with Lee Jin Wook, but again, somehow we were supposed to be conflicted in this love triangle because Lee Jin Wook is supposedly so charming and good looking.

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Yeah, the writers for both City of Glass and Powerful Opponents completely screwed up those dramas.

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I so agree about the chemistry of KSS and KJE. I'm supposed to hate him, and I do... but part of me is still wondering if they will end up together.

I really heart KJE in this role. She pulls off strength and vulnerability very well. I'm excited to go catch up on ep4. Hope to hear lots of good news on this drama.

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wow coffee prince had that ratings in the end? so sad for them. anyways, i'm watching I Am Legend and liking it. well i read your recap first and watched this week's episodes.

as a woman, i feel like i'm cheering for Kim Jung-eun's character that is why i feel for her. i hope this show won't disappoint me that much.

the leading man is hot ;) and is it his real voice (ep 3, not a spoiler!)? because it makes me go gaga. he is a plus point to keep us viewing!

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@missy, coffee HOUSE not prince

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hee hee sorry. my fingers are not use to coffee house anymore since i was recently looking for coffee prince in every search engine because i want to watch it again

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the thing i love about this drama is how KJE role get step on by her husband, his family esp his mom but after that she comes out strong! talking about ajumma power!!!!

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My apologies if this is considered spoilers, but so far, I can't help but think this drama should be called, "The Woman Who Wants a Divorce."

For the love of __, grant her a divorce!

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Got to agree that there are more chemistry bet Kim Seung Soo/Kim Jung Eun than Lee Jun Hyuk/Kim Jung Eun.

I think it 's also the age compatibility I guess.

My guess is thaty KJE character will end up with no one .

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That was his real voice? I'm so stunned!

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This drama is a lot of fun. The concept could've been really tragic - middle-aged rocker chicks? - but the lead is very likable and it moves across the age thing very smoothly.

Don't lovelove it but I like it a lot.

And just because both the leads are adults and not kids I hope it plays to its advantage and is more mature than other dramas have the possibility to be. Like, that they actualy act like adults and not timid adults with the sensibilities of teenagers.

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It's the first time that i have so much hatred for characters which means that the antagonists (the family & mistress) are great actors!

i sometimes forget that it's just a drama and wish them death! lol they give me high blood pressure for real ! and feel like breaking my computer to slap them. Idk how rich families are, but i hope that they are not as despicable as those characters !

i love Kim Sunah but i think the actress they chose was a great choice, Sunah is too bubbly and the serious scene would not have had as much impacts as the new one ...i like her

let's hope for the best

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I just hate the husband so much that i could not see any chemistry between them. Its kinda tiring to watch those hateful ppl (him n his mom). I often skipped their parts.

The other pairing option works for me!The guitarist is kinda dorky and kind and cute! And this is the 1st time (well, maybe 2nd or 3rd) I think someone really looks greater with beard than not. He looks like a real ajusshi so I was so surprised when i knew that he was born in 1984. He and the main female lead are 8 years apart but i dont see any age gap between them.

By the way, i didnt watch any of KJE's dramas before but with this, I'm a fan :)) I agree with JB that she brings more layers to the crying scenes, not the same way of crying every time.

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So, no crying monkeys?

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Yyyaaaaaay for I am Legend !!! I love this drama. :)

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Oh wow, I love this actress for being able to pull so many diverse roles out regardless of her age. Unlike Kim Sunah who continues to play the ahjumma roles.

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I'm in love with this drama already... All characters are cool especially her friends haha

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Really enjoying this drama, love the male lead (the assistant in City Hall >w<!!!)! I think they're all doing a great job as singers and musicians, given the fact that they have just learned how to play and sing (except for Juni of course).

Lookinf forward too seeing the rest of the drama (but no computer for 2 weeks from this Sunday on T.T... It's hard to go on holidays hahaha )!

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i dunno if anyone saw kim sun ah in City Hall : man that woman can act serious or fun.
i think for myself she would have naild the part.
I miss her and want to see her soon in a drama any drama!!!

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