Thanks for the crack!

"Frankly, I think that You’re Beautiful’s main appeal is NOT actually its youthful subject matter or hot young stars, but the fact that it’s just well-written, period."

Yes, this. BOF was popular because of its youthful subject matter and a hot young stars. Not because of the excellent writing. Again, quality doesn't always equal popularity.

There are similarities in the story, though: Tae-kyung is a spoiled, angry prince; his mom is an evil wretch, Tae-kyung's gentle right hand falls for the girl as well. Etc. But, the plot is different, the writing is 1000x better, and I actually like the lead actress.

So, it's actually irksome that the article finds those reasons for the show's popularity. Please promote quality, not packaging!

after few episode of iris, i feel like that something that i would see later when the serie end.

you're beautiful, i will support you guy

Crack dealer? maybe. But for me I like to think of you as my pleasure pimp.

"Frankly, I think that You’re Beautiful’s main appeal is NOT actually its youthful subject matter or hot young stars, but the fact that it’s just well-written, period. If anything, I think that the subject of idols and pop stars may actually be turning people off the drama before giving the writing a chance"

How right you are. I haven't seen BOF or My Fair Lady except to read some of you satirical recaps which is entertainment in itself and I don't think I'm the type to watch anything about pop stars unless its done as a satire with great writing but I'm watching YB due to circumstance of having time on my hand from getting the flu, your good word and because its by the hong sisters. Its my perfect storm and what kept me engrossed is the writing and performance from 3-4 key people.

yes, please continue to be our crack dealer JB...
when BOF or MFL forst came out i was eager to watched it online and after several episodes, i gave up. i rather read your recap than to waste my time and my internet connection to download those dramas...
it's different when it's YB, now i can't wait for Wendnesday and Thursday (and Thursday + Friday morning for your fabulous recap), if i had the time before work i would watched the raw episodes fro YT, and then at noon i read you recap, when i got home, i watched the subbed videos from viikii while downloading the said episodes and wait for the subtitle too come out. it's crazy, i never behave like this for a drama, it's like i was an A.N.Jell avid fan or sumthin, i didn't even behave like this for my KPop idol, being a KPop fan myself :P
i do agree with your last paragraph, YB is very well-written with great cast, and interesting twist here and there, i feel kinda 'offended' with the tone of the article that basically saying that the viewer of YB watched this drama because of the good looking cast...

well...I 'm part of the ajummah following, I'm in my mid-30s...I think YAB is so refreshing, it makes me feel like I'm 20 again, and that's a good feeling! I think there should be a new slogan "wanna feel young again, watch YAB!" I wish I could look young again too, but hey...I'm happy where I am (but of course could always be happier next to JGS!). So thanks JB for another dose of YAB!

The comparison to BBF just speak to the fact that Korea doesn't make a lot of idol or youth-dramas. Disagree if you must, but spend a year in the world of TW-drama and you'll see the contrast. The more appropriate comparison would be to draw from other Hong Sisters shows or even Beethoven Virus, since that show was also about music and JGS's character really is a bit like Kang Mae. YB isn't a Cinderella drama like BBF. YB is a young girl's coming-of-age drama, more like what you see in shoujo. Well done coming-of-age narratives have strong universal appeal, if enough people pick them up.

To me, the main appeal of the show is that it's an idol show, a really well done idol show. It's a vicarious boy band experience, and the writing really nails down all that. It has an episodic structure similar to J-drama, and reworks gags we've seen in TW Idol-drama for years. (Then again, from reviewing some of the Hong Sisters work, their overall style is similar to how TW rom-coms are done.) You're Beautiful is derivative (then again, most dramas are), but it affirms the pleasures of good craftsmanship. And sometimes it really nails a good joke.

"Everyone keeps praising the Hong sisters’ script, though deserving, I thought that what we see on screen was greatly enhanced by all the extra touches of the director."

The direction has been excellent, but in this situation, it still comes down to the quality of the writing. I mentioned that MFL that it used a lot of locations without working out scenarios. What the Hong Sisters did in the country village was ingenious. Not just the obvious pig joke, but in how they set up jokes and thematic tropes about grandmas and teens, as well as the media saturation and the lonesome freedom of the country. When you have that kind of detail in the writing, the direction is so much better. It doesn't have to substantiate the scenario on its own.

I definitely think it's time for some YB headers, Java!

The demographic of YB is wide.

My mother-in-law, who came a very long distance to be with her lovely daughter and first ever grandson during this very precious and special time, watched all 8 YB episodes over two days, stopping only to help feed, wash and change our baby. LOL!

I mean, put it this way. I've not yet seen all 8 episodes...

From baby Ji Hoon, who watched YB Ep 4 almost all the way through and only cried during the really tense moments, to my mother-in-law, who couldn't get enough of Tae-Kyung (lol)... this drama has legs enough to carry it against IRIS.

And the reasons are the writing and the actors. Get one but not the other, and you have Full House, and get the other and the one, and you have Goong S. Get both... and you have something special.

And you can tell. I didn't think I was going to like it, and I didn't even plan on watching it because I'm not a huge fan of trendy dramas, AND, I rarely, if ever, watch a drama series while it is being broadcast. But I had to do a few spots, and I was just going to fast-forward until I got to the approximate locations....

...and then I found myself watching...

more crack please, JB.

There are so many wonderfully earnest crackheads on this website.

It CRACKS me up. hahahahaha

omg! jeremy's hair in the first pic! so weird! but now i want some plaid pyjamas like that.
love, love YB and keep crack-dillin' us JB! muchas appreciatus!

@ langdon813
"That’s why we love our crack dealer! Thanks JB!" lol
Agree with you.

I am not in the demographic targeted. i'm 45 yrs young ;) what i like about the drama is the flow of storytelling. everything is in sync :

the writers - interesting characters , imaginative plots, good dialog, parody and a flowing story line. I can give examples but then this post is going to be long indeed. anyway, i cannot write half as good as JB. you'll be bored to tears.

actors - able to act out the many layers of personalities. esp JGS. I'm in awe.

T he director, music... everything. another reason why it appeals to the international audience is because it's what Kdrama is. YB has IDENTITY. it's like... if you want to watch anime, you watch Japanese anime. others haven't got to that level yet. if you want to see spy and explosion, you can see it from Hollywood or even Hong Kong. or song and dance stories... Bollywood. so if you want to watch romcom... Kdrama it is. or melodrama... i usually wouldn't touch this.

maybe that's why IRIS got great rating in Korea because it's something different from the usual fare. who wouldn't be proud and happy that their own kind are able to produce world class action drama?

as i'm not watching for national pride or interest(i'm not Korean), i choose YB. the subject content might be idol group, but they are people with highs and lows in their lives too. THAT'S what made the drama interesting and make us relate to the story. it gets to your soul.

Love all the characters..

JGS - Thank You for your stellar performance. the many layers of HTK. ..it's not easy, but you've nailed it. BRAVO! Standing Ovation. i love his acting like i love YEH performances in Goong and CP. they are the reason i watch these series. he made me cry, lol. always looking forward to what face he wants to present to the story. the end of ep 8... what can i say? watch it 3 times. cry each time.

Hong Ki (Jeremy)- TQ for the lol. seems like an airhead (love all his scenes - crack me up) but he's honest with his feelings. the day he took Mi Nam out, the Indian restaurant scene ... lol. the bus ride... really showed me how mature his thinking is. there are times in your life when you've got to accept and face how you really feel at the moment. it's a start of how to solve any problems. he did that in the one hour bus ride. something to adopt in your own life too?

PSH - cute. just enough. not over. simply adorable. for that i thank you. i remember another drama where i cannot bear to watch after more than 10 episode watching because of the female lead trying to be cute. it's a mania drama. but me and my teenage daughter really hate it. even thinking about it... blah. i'm sorry that i'm not able to continue watching it as i can see that the male lead was good.

Shin Woo(don't know his real name) - nice guy. maybe because he's new, his acting is ok. but he cannot top Bae So Bin performance in BL. THAT's a second lead that i can root for. in fact much more interesting than the lead. he lights up the small screen. just like JGS and YEH. i lose interest in BL after the two main lead get together.

all the rest. excellent performance also. Standing Ovation!

But my most admiration goes to the Hong Sisters. THANK YOU for the writings. you made the stories memorable. it hits the spot emotionally. i'll be re watching this a lot in years to come.
I'll be buying the DVD. Hope the translation is Great. there are times when i cannot enjoy the stories because the translation is crap.

JB. need more crack! (TQ for your writing. Love reading it.)

@belleza
Agree. Something about YB reminds me of Nana.

i would also like to credit the stylist of this drama. I love the way everyone's been dressed. It's just not the usual generic boring trendy stuff. For instance, I just love the plaid suit the adorable blondie is wearing. Sorry I am too tired to look up his name. Tho' much as I love JGS the blondie is adorable.
Tho' I am not crazy about JGS's tops, he has such a flair about him I can't help admiring him for wearing something so gay!

JB is my first and ONLY drug dealer!

I know Iris is getting loads of attention because of the big-shot actors and the supposedly huge budget, but I think that because YB's cast is less well-known, they can focus more on the storyline rather than having uneven screentime just because some actors are more famous than others. That's what drew me in, the whole storyline and how evenly distributed it is.

Other dramas rely a lot on the fame of their actors and the hype that's generated by them having bed scenes or going abroad and whatnot. They have to, because they really spend a lot of money just getting those actors and their entourage to sign up. YB relies most on plot, so I think if more people give it a chance, they'll love it. Just bad luck that it wasn't promoted all that well. :(

YB has universal appeal: it makes you either reminisce and fondly recall your twenties, hope your twenties is like those world of the A.N.gell gang, or can't wait to hit your twenties to experience what you perceive to be the awesomeness of adulthood.

And you never need to check your critical eye at the door to enjoy it (which I have done many times for dramas I've enjoyed but concede is chock full of *what the h*lls?").

It's a wonderful drama - I just hope the hype mania doesn't get overblown and then here comes the YB fatigue and backlash. I'm just lying low and enjoying the fun every Wed/Thurs.

You're Beautiful is Awesome! Love JGS and the entire cast. Can't wait for the next episode.

not a big fan of melodramas... :(
Hope despite the melodrama parts,there is still funny parts...
out of the 8 episodes i watch,i dislike 1 of them cos it is really melodramaic...
in fact i like my girl and fantasy couple but i hate the melodrama part................

That part simply spoil the drama......

Yeah. If you want proof of You're Beautiful's passionate cult following. Soompi's forum thread is a really good example. People on that thread wish to show that You're Beautiful viewership extends beyond the South Korean borders.

hi there!
I also dont like idols` acting because most of them are just pretty face...however, You are Beatiful has driven me crazy. The story line is really good, unexpected and full of many twists in every episode. Besides, the cast in general have very good interpreting their roles. I had read about the rating and also how much the actors are worried about this...that`s unbelievable. I think this rating is just because of prejuices, just as i had before starting to watch it, but i do believe this is just the beginning, this drama has been improving day by day and i`m pretty sure there wont be many happy faces when it come to its end.
We have created a blog to encourage the drama`s crew to keep doing it as well as now and to cheer them up.
come to visit us if you want, we`ll appreciate any comment you can share.
We love YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!!
YOU RULE!

here is the address
http://anjelllovers.blogspot.com/

Ha!Ha! You are right about being my crack dealer! I love YB!

how i wish online viewers can play a part in these ratings! i couldn't agree with you more in regards to the strong writing of this drama. i am the 30 over viewer and i'm sure if the older population in korea give this drama a chance, they will become one of the cult followers as well and increase the ratings in the process. YB is such a heart-warming drama. It just captivates you and the writers made the characters so lovable!

I'm seriously high on YAB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, you're my dealer!!

I'm soo excited for the next ep I can't eat!

I'm optimistic that this drama can reach 17-18 by the end...it deserves it with the excellent cast and storyline which is by far the best this year.

Oh Javabeans, I agree, I'm addicted to this like crack.

I love the behind-the-scenes pictures!!
Thank you for this!
And thank you for being our crack dealer! We need a fix before Wednesday/Thursday :)

javabeans, thanks for being our "dealer" and giving us
our "fix" of You're Beautiful. The cast, the crew and writers
deserve praise for their hard work. I hope they stay strong
I personally will continue to support this wonderful
drama.

A.N.JELL FOREVER!!!

My heart skipped a beat when I read your post's title. Everything about You're Beautiful excites me. <3

I'm so restless waiting for Ep.9. Two more days...

@ Sonam,

"Agree. Something about YB reminds me of Nana. "

Oh those are fighting words, Sonam. :D NaNa is special territory for me (punk fashion too), and I've been to J-punk gigs.

But one thing I do like about YB is that An Jell is a proper rock outfit. Most of the sogns are either power pop ditties or power ballads, and on a very instinctive level, that's what I like anyway.

i wholeheartedly agree with you Javabeans.... I love YB not only because it has Hot, youthful actors but because it's well-written, and because they've grasped the "key" to keeping their viewers....which is LEAVING US HANGING WITH CURIOSITY at every end of the episode and planting that "I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT" force in us.
LOL, i say, my imagination is constantly running here and there when it comes to YB. Seriously, this is the "FIRST" drama i'v watched *besides my other fav's such as- My Girl, Full house ect...*, that's not only got me so hooked, top to bottom, inside out but also keeps me up most nights, and has me checking in daily to see if there is anything "YB" that i've missed out on.....
I think, that the way to garner the attention of all age's into watching a particle show/drama is to " Have a perfectly good cast, and a Well-written story, that every age can identify with." and YB defintely has those... Now i just hope that the " older" ones would just look beyond the " idols" "popstar" theme and try it...JUST once...! they just might like it....

BTW: Javabeans, i've been coming in and out reading your recaps, but never commenting... Thanks for being the "crack" dealer who always keeps us in check... i so do LOVE your recaps, you make my life so much easier when it comes in choosing which drama's are good and which are worth to watch.....I'm a lurker who's finally coming out.......... And i must say, This is How much Power YB has.....It's bringing out all those who would usually just sit back, watch and not comment..

i hope the ratings will start rising..... it's not fair....AJA AJA FIGHTING YB...!

Reading this thread makes this 44-year old SO happy. I thought I was like the official noona/unni/ajumma of DB, but no! There are others! :-D

THANK YOU FOR THE CRACK :D

Thank you! Thank you for bridging the gap from now till Wednesday night. We really appreciate it. :) Sadly I'm not in Korea so I'll wait a couple of hours after the broadcast. Patience is truly a virtue...

yes!!! i am a member of a cult!!!

i love YAB and i am very happy people are recognizing the drama for its worth. I agree to Javabeans comparison of YAb to BBF and MFL. YAB has charm and appeal, backed with solid writing, good directing and perfect casting!

again Javabeans, thanks for posting this article, because it definitely get me through until the next episode airs on Wednesday.. Gosh it's a long week...

Honestly I didn't think I would like this drama all that much, the main actor was totally unappealing to me, but the writing is rock solid, and it's completely hilarious! After episode 3 I was totally hooked and I'm completely in love with every single character. I have to agree with everyone's sentiments in saying it's the best show since Coffee Prince. Totally true.

JB, the very 1st site I go to each & every morning is...dramabeans!!! & then again, before I sleep!!! Thank you so much JB...for being my KDrama-Crack-Dealer!!! I've been an avid reader for almost 3 years now ...I love your articles, recaps, opinions,the open thread...in fact, i LOVE everything about DB!!! Keep it up!!!

I agree with Javabeans about the oversimplification of demographics in this article. I realize that I can only speak for myself, but I'm in my early twenties and the idol aspect of this drama was a total turnoff. I wasn't even planning on watching it, but after giving the first two episodes a try, I was impressed by the writing and the acting.

I'm in my 30's and I love it. Make feel young and now I know what's it like to be on crack. hahaha.

Thank You Dealer.

I am in the over-30 crowd, and I am a big YB fan! I have not watched a K-drama that had me this hooked. My all time favorite was My Girl, and this has certainly surpassed it, in my opinion. Thanks so much for your recaps! I started watching this gem because of your recommendation, and I am SO glad that I did!

"I agree with how the detailed writing makes this script so great…

That's what really sticks out for me. Well executed slapstick is still rooted in character motivation. In other words, if you see a "ONOS" moment, you can really see this character doing that, and/or you learn something about that character. The trick is in the details. To demostrate diligence in setting up the punchline. To establish plausible motivation and therefore concord with the audience. And then to execute that punchline.

It could be something as simple as HTK chasing after GMN in a truck. For example, the standard drama strategy is to go straight into "Help me!!! Help me!!!" and then "Go Mi Nam!! Go Mi Nam!!" And that's a funny joke.

But this drama takes time in setting that up. First, HTK doesn't go right after her. And GMN doesn't go right into asking him to bail her out. Instead, we see GMN freaking the crap out. We get pleasure in watching this innocent, unassuming person being tortured by her foible. Moreover, this affirms our developing perspective that she's a well-meaning, but rather clumsy and silly human being. She's like a whiny little puppy who's never been let out of the backyard. Then, we see HTK actually pausing to think about whether he should really go after her. THAT is hilarious. Why? Because, at that point, we are reminded that HTK really doesn't want anything to do with this person, and that even though she's in big trouble, he REALLY REALLY doesn't want to be bothered. So, we have the setup, we both get to know the characters a little more, and finally we have the internal as well as external conflict. Only then do we see him chase after her. And at that point, the relief of him doing "the right thing" enables us to enjoy the joke and laugh hysterically.

The show reaffirms the visceral pleasure of a joke told well and the vicarious pleasure.of front-row seats to an idol group living in the idol narrative of their own music and imagery, where all relationships can be expressed and moved through a song, and where all character development can be built on the holy architecture of Faboo Hair. And, see, to execute that well, requires the same old serious virtues like good writing, good acting, and good story. You're Beautiful is the luxury drama of the idol genre, and it almost makes you believe in unicorns and underwear made of clouds.

You're Beautiful is a comedy about the luminous.

Thank you for the translation! And yes, this is most certainly like crack - I've never been so interested in a drama to explore forums and various BTS before =]. Hopefully, this small but loyal viewership will encourage all those involved in the production, despite the ratings!

It's crazy--i think i'm becoming crazy!--a total fangirl maniac! I'm getting totally unreasonably and irrationally upset at Iris...and their ratings...not anything to do with Iris, in reality, but just because this wonderfully written and well-acted drama deserves 20+ ratings! I think this drama would appeal to any true kdrama fan if they gave it chance, it doesn't need disclaimers about how it appeals to a certain demographic, its just GOOD GOOD GOOD and cream always rises to the top!

Totally agree with JB, way beyond better than BOF, which I didn't love as much as others did, and (don't shoot me please), I never liked Coffee Prince all that much either.

"At this point, I feel like I’m just your crack dealer" <---how sweet...|:-)

Keep up a good work to YB casts and staffs...

Don't feel bad or sad...coz we (FANS) cheers on your guys.....

Gambare.....

TQ..Javabeans...

You're a sadly underpaid crack dealer, then. :P

see, i'm confused how bof had a ridiculously high rating when it wasn't even that good
and you're beautiful, which is such a good drama, can barely hit 10%

are people that obsessed with iris?

this really IS like my new crack! ........... err..... not that i ever had OLD crack... *coo coo*

LOL

thanks, crack dealer! ..---i mean, JB! ;p

JB, your are the bst crack dealer. You know when to give us that dose we need it.

I am in my 30s and thoroughly enjoy this drama. In fact, I love it and totally addicted, based on langdon's definition of the word.

i totally agree with dramabeans about YB solid writing...
.When I first read synopsis about this drama, "oh its the same idols drama n crossgender theme again" I've got that feeling esp when this drama comes after boys over flowers, n coffee prince, not to forget hanakimi (both jdrama n kdrama)...Honestly dont u feel bit tired of it...
So I've been hesitate to watch YB till one day I've got nothing else to do So I juz give d first episode a try, n im glad I did....I realise d way the story unfold is totally different than other drama....
I love to anticipate whats gonna happen next...full of suprise elements, scenes that oh i never thought they would write d story to be this way.....The story really captivate my interest...Two thumbs up for hong sis..Love them..
If not bcoz of d story n d story just relies on d cast's popularity to actually push them forward I dont think they are going to make it far...Popularity does help of course especially to attract viewers on the first start, but not 2 keep it going...
Just like love at first sight, u fall in love at the moment u saw her, d feelings was great but its not enough to pull d r/ship through..There are many other factors involves...many other things needed to keep it going...

@ langdon813, i'm a 40 something kdrama enthusiast here too!

@ samsooki (for your mom-in-law: you go girl!)

who said this drama only appeals to the teens, tweens & thirty somethings?

i totally agree with Javabeans that YB’s main appeal is NOT its youthful subject matter/young stars, but because it’s just well-written!

looking forward to your future recaps.

I do agree that You're beautiful has more interesting storyline, more funny parts, nicer OST, and much less cheeessyy scenes then BOF! And i cant figure why BOF was really a huge hit..... (am so over BOF..., but still love kim hyun joong! ^_^)

Cant wait for the next ep!!!