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KBS gives Producers-esque variety dramas a second try

Looks like KBS is ready to give its experimental variety-meets-drama format another go, despite meeting with mixed reviews (some of that very critical) the first time with The Producers. I’m surprised to hear of it, since it seemed like they were so quick to give up on the idea at the first resistance it got, but the broadcaster has announced that they will be creating a brand-new variety-drama team within KBS’s variety department, with plans to produce a project this year.

If you’ll recall, Korean audiences were pretty turned off by the deadpan, hybrid drama-mockumentary style of The Producers when it premiered, and panned the efforts of chief producer Seo Soo-min in her first drama-directing project (after spending most of her career as a KBS variety PD). KBS swiftly brought in a veteran drama director, Pyo Min-soo, who turned The Producers into a conventional romantic comedy, and the show made it through without further incident. The show was modestly popular, in large part thanks to Kim Soo-hyun’s charm as the bumbling rookie PD, but not the runaway success it had hoped to be.

Despite that hiccup, CP Seo Soo-min will be at the center of the new team, which will be working to produce a new “variety drama” to release this year. According to a high-level rep at KBS’s variety department, the decision was made after considering The Producers’ favorable reception and the variety department’s need to develop new content. He stated their hopes to come up with “a project like a second Producers,” adding that it isn’t decided yet whether the new project will be a Producers 2 or a new drama entirely. (I wouldn’t hold my breath for a Producers 2, myself. Just reuniting that cast would be a scheduling feat in itself.)

It sounds a bit like they’re revising history, conveniently forgetting that the fresh hybrid format was essentially abandoned two weeks into the drama’s run. But be that as it may, I’m all for producers experimenting with formats and thinking up new ways to develop dramas and scripted programming, so I’d rather hear about movement like this than not.

Via Yonhap News

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But please, don't give split daesang again for its lead actor...

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Hopefully there'll be fresh blood coming in and they won't conveniently forget the 'The Office' concept that got me hooked in the first place.

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They better stick to it this time. Don't get cold feet KBS.

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I loved the whole show, but definitely preferred the initial director's style.

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Yes for experimenting. Just stick with it so I don't have to be disappointed a second time!

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Don't get all concerned about fanservice two weeks after airing. Lol. KBS seems to be rather scared of fans.

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Tbh.. I like the first 2 eps more.. It's more refreshing

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Me too. I dropped it around ep 3 or 4 because it was became conventional and lost its special charm.

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i'll honestly never understand why the original format was so criticized, because i personally l-o-v-e-d it, and found it refreshing. they also had the best cast possible to pull off that sort of thing, and i thought it was pretty well executed. wouldn't have realized people had hated it if it weren't for this site.

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The Producers was a great romcom, I'm not as fussed about the variety/mockumentary format abandonment as most because the end product stood on its own merits, irrespective of genre tags.

But it really didn't need 90 minutes. And while Cha Tae-hyun and Gong Hyo-jin were the backbone of the thing, with Kim Soo-hyun providing the necessary cute, the real scene-stealer was IU. She may be controversial nowadays, but Cindy was the heart and soul of the drama in ways we didn't foresee when we started it.

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totally agree about IU.. I actually found myself waiting for her on the screen and seeing more of her than the rest of the cast. Cindy's backstory is very interesting...

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I'd think people "hated" it because it wasn't what they were hoping for - a regular kdrama. I'm not that sure that the ordinary person who would pick a drama to watch on TV would delve into what it's all about.
Now our dramabeans community is well aware of what to expect from dramas because we first read about it and then decide on what to watch. I'm not saying there aren't people like that amongst the regular peeps who watch the shows in korea as well... Just my two pennies on this matter. We as well get disappointed if we don't get what we're promised - in this case - a variety coloured kdrama, which I actually loved. So I really hope they will pull this off this time.

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They were probably more shocked than anything. It's understandable because what the drama was supposed to be is so out of dramaland's comfort zone. Well, that's what I wanted to say. But Misaeng and the Answer Me franchise have been immensely successful. And though Awl didn't hit a homerun in terms of popularity, it is well-received. Is it because of the difference between the Big 3 and Cable? But then again there's Grapevine(and Punch?). Punch had good ratings though I'm not so sure about how Koreans received HITTG. Or is it because of the meta? Variety-meets-drama is indeed different from the dramas I have mentioned.

Whatever it is, I hope they stick to their guns this time. :)

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I personally hated it because it was a regular kdrama. It was just another unfunny workplace rom com.

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I totally adored Producers; I thought it was fantastic! +100 for Kim Soo-hyun's charms and he really did steal the show from the veterans and his cast-mates in general. But I do believe if this were to materialize, they need to pick someone less popular. In fact, I'd go with someone good but not mainstream. Because popular actors bring in a lot more chat and scrutiny and any negativity in turn, brings chaos for the producers.

Also, as much as I l.o.v.e.d. Baek Seung-chan, I'd never want KSH to do a repeat of any character. He's always looking for new challenges, so surely its a no-go where he's concerned. CTH deserves better and GHJ has projects coming up. More importantly, Park Ji-eun isn't doing it. But I hope it works out; the format was ah-mazing and I want to see lots of it in k-ent!

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Yes! This.

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Dang. I was actually trying to reply to saranga. (Sometimes I hate my tablet.)

Anyway, I enjoyed the "experimental" format and loved the main four and the side characters. I'm curious to see what the new programming could look like.

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I love this series from beginning 'till the end I was laughing. It's very fresh and light :) Not the usual plot for drama series wherein it started light then ended dark. Looking forward for part 2.

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I think as long as no Kim Soo Hyun in it. It will be OK. Because there will be no request to entertain China advertiser or anything. The plot mess up because the production follow the request of KSH fans/advertiser/sponsor and what else there.

I'm not hating that boy but BSC character can be done by any other actors and they will do well.

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Wow this is quick.
I just wrote this for my new year wish list in redfox's comment on the last OT and now this news came. Should i ask for new shiny boyfriend, or Byun Yo Han for myself just in case it is granted?

The response is kinda lukewarm for mockumentary style maybe because it's not familiar kdrama concept k-viewer usually see. But the first 2 eps of Producer is pulling that off, it is funny, imo. I hope they'll stick to the initial concept this time.

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Speaking of Producers, I'm disappointed both female leads didn't show up at the KBS drama awards.

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Well if IU had shown up Netizens would have written essays about how horrible she is....its not the best time for her to go anywhere given the scandals she's facing

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I think it's more because she had her Encore concert at the time though. Considering that she just hosted SBS Gayo Daejun a couple of days back, it's unlikely that the scandal was what kept her away.

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If they stick to the format this time, it might actually be enjoyable. I hope they don't make it 90 minutes again. More than anything, I think people were turned off because it was unnecessarily long. I personally didn't care for Cha Tae-hyun and Gong Hyo-jin's characters, I know y'all really like them around here but I usually just find Gong Hyo-jin's characters tolerable but I really really hated Tak Ye-jin. In fact I didn't care for any of the lead characters except Cindy.

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not lauding Gong Hyo-jin was unacceptable. while fans felt let down by the P just like they did by Yongpal... yet both SBS and KBS still crowned P just like they lauded Yongpal.... while they snub I Remember You... was most unacceptable. giving Bo Gum a Supporting was nice... but not enough.... just like Punch was not remembered enough... so after all, when much attentions was once given, mega big stars robbed in, fans cheers loudest over Kim Soo Hyun and Joo Won.. ratings went highest.... so Actings take a backseat.
i will always remember how "I Remember you" was Not Remembered, last weekend. so, producer 2? doubt whether Gong HJ will be back on the wagon... Sad.

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I hope KBS will really go for it this time instead of just tiptoeing to the edge of the pool and dipping their baby toe in... I actually enjoyed the new format for the Producers and had a good laugh. While I did go on to watch the series cuz I love KSH, I thought it became too familiar with the usual romcom format. If you're gonna try something new, might as well go all out!!

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Fully pre-produced or bust. That way they can't change their minds after 2 episodes.

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