The Musical still hanging in production limbo
by javabeans
So, what’s the deal with The Musical?
Well, the drama’s future is still unclear as its fate hangs in limbo, but it’s frankly not looking too good. Already the show about musical actors, producers, and songwriters has had some rough beginnings, with its inability to secure a time on a broadcaster’s schedule last year, after being announced as a potential summer or fall offering. Thus it opted to go fully pre-produced, continuing to film in the hopes that it would score a timeslot eventually.
Now, the drama has hit another rough patch and has had to halt post-production, which puts it in further limbo for another month. A source from the production team explained that the first part of the drama was to take place on Broadway in New York. However, with the project stretching out indefinitely, production costs became an increasing issue, and plans for those overseas shoots were scrapped.
To accommodate for the change, the early episodes have been rewritten and need to be reshot. It was in the middle of this process that the drama lost its two lead actors, Gu Hye-sun and Daniel Choi, who have both moved on to other commitments since The Musical.
Daniel Choi has a new drama set to premiere in May, Baby-Faced Beauty, while Gu Hye-sun is also working on another film, Peach Tree. Gu has agreed to return to filming The Musical after wrapping up her movie, but with Choi jumping into a new drama project, I’m not sure if or when he’ll be able to squeeze shoots for another drama. As we know, the unforgiving drama production system hardly leaves actors time for sleep, much less side projects.
This announcement follows recent news that the series, originally planned for 20 episodes, had decided to cut that number down to 16, which also accounts for the necessity of the rewrites. So, not exactly a promising forecast.
On the other hand, the producers don’t seem ready to thrown in the towel yet (it probably can’t afford to, after investing so much into the product); a source stated that they’re in “positive talks” with MBC with regard to a possible slot on the upcoming schedule. The Musical began filming in August 2010 and, if aired, will be entirely pre-produced. Let’s hope it sees better luck than Birdie Buddy, which was in a similar situation and has now been laid to rest. Although, really, maybe it’s time to put the long-suffering beast out of its misery.
Via Sports Chosun, Newsen
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Tags: Daniel Choi, drama production, Gu Hye-sun, Ok Joo-hyun, The Musical
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1 blueskye
April 10, 2011 at 5:29 AM
maybe they should just get new actors? Since Gu and Choi may not be able to commit, and production really has to speed up, otherwise all the novelty and anticipation would just disappear ):
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Cel'
April 10, 2011 at 6:36 AM
Lol well the novelty has gone already I guess, I mean it's been more than 1 year now so...
As for getting new actors, that would mean throwing away all the footage they have and which probably costed a whole lot already, starting anew with new actors - meaning new costumes needed, more practice time, etc.
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2 glencorajane
April 10, 2011 at 5:55 AM
I really think the korean system of filming shd be revamped. filming real time, filming without an airdate....otherwise the Hallyu is just going downhill....
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3 ktb
April 10, 2011 at 6:07 AM
Arghhhhh! This reminds me... I'm still bitter about Poseidon.
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matinsoleil
April 10, 2011 at 12:01 PM
i'm still bitter about What's Up...rrrrgggghhh
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Alvina
April 10, 2011 at 7:07 PM
:( What's up...
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gustave154
April 11, 2011 at 3:09 AM
whats up , poseidon and birdie buddy... =(((((
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John
April 12, 2011 at 3:13 PM
that's what's up. I'm bitter about Birdie Buddy.
4 autumnscribbles
April 10, 2011 at 6:43 AM
aw man, i was actually really looking forward to this, along with What's Up... *sob* seriously, why is it so hard to get a time slot??? *bitter*
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5 blueangel
April 10, 2011 at 8:32 AM
Also really looking forward to this drama.
But it looks like it's not going to happen with all these changes.
I'm still going to keep my eye out for news about it cause maybe they'll make it at the end.
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6 chajjye
April 10, 2011 at 8:47 AM
Yeah...where's Poseidon? Poor ERIC!! So much for his comeback project.
Sigh. The university's Dream High (is it What's Up) seems to be in limbo as well.
Pre-produced dramas unfortunately have this problem. While it may be great in quality, the story can't be changed to suit audience taste.
On the other hand, the real time shoot is just as screwy. The story may start well and then either heighten to a crazy trainwreck or die a painful death or whimper.
I have watched too many dramas that are great in the starting then spiraled downwards into smithereens. I really hate that.
Kdrama producers and all those involved should have the system changed. I doubt the system will be able to sustain itself in the long run. I love Kdramas and their productions but if this continues on, I might only just watch variety shows in the future. T_T
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7 Webster
April 10, 2011 at 9:45 AM
With two hugely popular stars practically guarenteeing a hit or at least a ratings hit, you'd think that this would be a "no-brainer." I guess that wouldn't occur to executive types who typically are devoid of even lower-order thinking skills...
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8 Birdie
April 10, 2011 at 9:46 AM
Hopefully this get aired sometime this year ,otherwise all the efforts of the cast and crew are wasted.Movies are preproduced,and we still pay to see them.When I watch dramas, I want a good story,well written,acted and produced. I do not want what the viewers think should happen,otherwise we all can be writers too, and the plot become predictable.
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9 reydio(ahjussi)
April 10, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Wow!!......I was looking forward to this....but, I will keep in my list for now.
If I'm not mistaken, Birdie Buddy will show via Dramafever. I thought I saw a long preview awhile back.
Time to visit Dramafever......
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10 otk
April 10, 2011 at 10:42 AM
don't know about you guys but I'm desperately waiting for What's up, but I'm also interested in this :( I hope it makes it!
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11 danna
April 10, 2011 at 10:49 AM
That's four dramas hanging in limbo this year....This one, Birdie Buddy (which group 8 refuses to let go with the online trailer and all), What's up and Poseidon.....I'm not as excited about this as I am for Poseidon or What's Up but still had hopes for it....Maybe if any one of these does make it to the air and turns into a hit it could cast some hope for pre-produced dramas in the future?
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12 honest_will
April 10, 2011 at 3:27 PM
i feel bad that a couple of shows last year have taken this long to secure a broadcasting time
birdie buddy took nearly half a year to secure a broadcasting time with on and off schedule
how about daesung and co in what's up, the equivalent show to dream high where that hasn't been secured a time to be broadcast (correct me if im wrong)
ive been wanting to see that but im afraid with big bang coming out with their promotion, it will be on the backburner
also their will be likely comparisons to dream high but ones a musical and the other was a kpop
cant really blame gu and choi if the ship is sinking and there is no help in sight
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13 Ani
April 10, 2011 at 3:47 PM
Although, really, maybe it’s time to put the long-suffering beast out of its misery.
Anyone else with me when I say that that can be counted as one of the saddest things I've read lately. I feel even sorrier for the producers who are fighting hard to keep the poor thing on life support. AAAAAAAAW. Well, in this business, you just have to get used to how cutthroat things can be. Godspeed mates!
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14 peanut butter
April 10, 2011 at 4:10 PM
Hmmm, maybe Korea needs one or two new broadcasting stations or something? Add in a few more channels, perhaps? I don't know.
Something has to be changed though!
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15 polinonae
April 10, 2011 at 4:24 PM
i had already forgetten about the musical..uggggh wt i really want to see it "what's up".....am reallyl hating korean filming system...they are soooooo unorganize and revolve around ratings and likeness instead of originality and creativity!!!
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16 ais
April 10, 2011 at 4:51 PM
I really do hope this series will still get aired. I am big fan of Gu Hye Sun and I hate to see her efforts go to waste. I wish the talks with MBC be finalized already.
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17 jandoe
April 10, 2011 at 5:13 PM
WTH is going on with the K-Ent that they keep axing potentially great dramas and instead choose crappier dramas? not to say the current and upcoming ones aren't great or good or whatever but omg all these other ones sound more interesting (ie Poseidon, What's Up and now THIS). this is super depressing
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18 ar_arguably romantic
April 10, 2011 at 6:16 PM
is it just me or are more dramas hitting production snags lately? I'm surprised that they couldn't get things rolling with Daniel Choi and Gu Hye Sun in the drama. But then again, even Poseidon couldn't find a spot.
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19 Bluefyre
April 10, 2011 at 7:23 PM
Why is it that all these amazing shows can't find slots?!!!
Poseidon, What's Up, The Musical. Wae?!! T_T
I want some new crack!
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20 nonski ⭐️A forever JIN who crash landed on Hyun Bins heart❤️!
April 10, 2011 at 8:13 PM
btw, any news on what's up?
will it have the same fate as The Musical?
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21 well....
April 19, 2011 at 12:35 PM
lol the dramas i'm looking forward to are all in limbo T_______T
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