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20th Century Boy and Girl ends run with quadruple header due to MBC strike

As the MBC labor union strike continues, we’ll probably see more delays and exemptions in the station’s drama programming, but one of the earliest affected shows, 20th Century Boy and Girl, will come to an unusual end next month: The rom-com starring Han Ye-seul and Kim Ji-suk will air the last 8 half-hour episodes in one week, from Monday through Thursday.

Honestly, I’m just glad that the show didn’t have its episode count reduced, which were the initial rumors that circulated when the station announced that 20th Century was going to end a week earlier than scheduled. The speculation wasn’t completely unwarranted, given that the ratings for the show have languished in the low-to-mid single digits since the beginning, though I wouldn’t blame the show itself for its less-than-stellar performance.

20th Century Boy and Girl was originally slated to begin its run on September 25, to immediately follow The King Loves, but when filming halted early last month due to the labor strike, the show couldn’t make its premiere date, and the station delayed it by two weeks. On top of that, due to a sports-related preemption, the show had to air its first four half-hour episodes together. It’s really unfortunate, because I hear 20th Century is quite a cute show, and I’m looking forward to watching it when I can.

It’s pretty bad news all around in MBC’s drama department, and I suspect part of the reason why the station decided to have 20th Century air in the Wednesday and Thursday slot in its final week is that there’s no immediate successor to currently airing Hospital Ship. The quirky-sounding romance drama I’m Not a Robot, starring Yoo Seung-ho and Chae Soo-bin, will follow in that slot, but its tentative premiere date in early December leaves a gap of a few weeks that MBC hasn’t managed to fill yet.

A large part of me is quite happy that the labor strike is having some very real effects on the station, since I will always support those who fight for media integrity and freedom of the press. Aside from its primetime weekday drama programming, weekenders like Man Who Sets the Table and Thief-nom, Thief-nim and its variety programs have all been affected to varying degrees. MBC’s flagship variety show Infinity Challenge has been off the air for about 7 weeks now, and lost profits due to the strike are expected to surpass 15 billion won.

But another, smaller, part of me—the drama addict part—is a little sad to see shows like 20th Century Boy and Girl be so adversely affected by its station’s circumstances. Hopefully, we see a resolution to the situation (for the better!) soon. 20 Century Boy and Girl will air its final episodes on November 20-23.

Via Osen, TV Report (1), TV Report (2), News 1

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I'm glad that we'll still get to watch the full episodes though.

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I am sad for this drama. It was almost cursed 😢😢
On the other hand though, I am very happy for the strikers. They deserve to see results for this.
And I am surprised at the idiot-ness of MBC board of directors (cause it has to have one), in not recognizing the mess.
Infinity Challenge, I live alone, radio star, law of the jungle - They are all extremely popular programs. They were in the top 10 programs for the first half in 2017 with IC in first place.
How could they dumbly go on to lose money, I thought they lived for money 😕😕😕😕

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"I will always support those who fight for media integrity and freedom of the press."

Only if you knew the whole story....

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I'm sorry if my comment may sound annoying, but I've read the same trivial answers to the reason behind the strike "Only if you knew the whole story," "You have no idea what's going on," etc. Yet they don't seem to share what they actually know. What's the point of teasing those trivial answers? Why claim to know things and not share it to people, and instead make people look dumb because they know only what the media presented to them? If you're not going to share what you know, then might as well shut up.

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Agreed! It's very condescending and annoying. Claiming to know more doesn't make you better.

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I just don't feel like writing a long background going all the way back to the mad cow disease related anti-USA demonstrations of 2009. But if someone's writing a piece on Korean entertainment and media news, maybe they should be aware of the background? I never said it to feel superior and I never read any other "trivial" remark here that thought this ongoing strike was anything other than fighting for media independence. And who are you to tell me to shut up?

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You're free to say whatever you like but you will be criticized when you make a provocative statement without context, clarification or supporting arguments. It's possible you have a good reason for making your claim but, when you don't put it forward, there's no reason others should assume that's the case.

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*speechless*

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Oh no. So sad. Its a cute drama and i watch it weekly. Thankfully we will still be able to see the ending~ and hopefully the mbc strike ends on a positive note. Huhu

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I'm glad that this drama won't be cut, but at the same time poor their team need to work extra harder in order to finish the shooting on time. Hope everyone stays healthy despite of very busy schedule.

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T___T

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It's really sad that this is happening to the show, bc it's quite cute and I like it. I think in different circumstances, it would have fared better. I'm extremely relieved that it's not being cut though.

On the other hand, I understand why this is happening and I too am glad that the strike is actually having some impact.

Hopefully Kim Ji-suk's next drama will be a success. (as well as the other actors and crew)

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I'm very sad, because it's not just a cute show, it's actually also very meaningful and thoughtful. I find it nuanced and offers more than just "cute boy, cute girl" rom-com cliches.

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I'm confused, how many episodes was this drama originally planned for? I thought it would be 16 episodes ( 32 half hour episodes).

This week though we are currently only at the 12th half hour episode. Then with next week's 8 half hour episodes, the total will be 20 half hour episodes, which is only 10 episodes. It sounds odd, that this drama was originally planned to be only 10 episodes.

If my math is right, the drama did got cut which is sad because I really like this show. How will things be wrapped up in 4 hours when all the storylines barely kicked off this week. We haven't even got to the real meat of their plotlines and it's supposed to end already.

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I don't know how to read either. Drama ends week of November 20. So it is still the full 16 episodes.

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It will end next month, not next week...on November 20 -- 23

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That's amazing for the strikers, they're seeing results happening!! But and I'm so sorry if I sound selfish for saying this thank God they're not actually canceling the show!!

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Happy this show isn't cancelled or cut but sad for this drama's ratings :(

Hoping for the strike to be successful!

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*SHOCKING* NOT. This drama came to be with just a fraction of the staff because in the background several of them were fighting for the greater good by protesting the broadcaster. The part that's really saddening about this is that by completing a show that should be cut, the understaffed production is going to have to work even harder to complete the show in a smaller time frame. Mad.

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Part of me is relieved to hear at least this drama won't be cut. But another part of me is sad to hear the staffs and actors involved would pull all-nighter to complete the show.

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This is a lovely show. If it won't be cut, I'm already happy.

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Be glad you get to FINISH your drama. I've watched all 46 episodes of Good Thief/Bad Thief, only to have it halted 4 episodes from the finish. I'm sincerely hoping MBC gets it's act together in time for the drama to be completed!!!

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I felt so bad for you so I searched for your drama. Looks like more episodes have aired. 47 & 48 are out and perhaps 49 and 50 will air this week on dramafire.

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its sad to see a good show rushed out — with guaranteed viewers the station knows that people will still stick with their station's program. 20th century becomes a sacrificial lamb served to lure drama addicts.

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it's the Han Ye Seul curse! lol I love the lady but she's got bad luck

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Oh my gosh, can you guys imagine..? I feel so bad for the people who are working those half hour 8 episodes in one week!! ONE week people! An half hour episode would probably take around a little more than a week but, 8 episodes? Gosh.... Fighting to all the people working in that one week!! I hope they'll be ok... (/._.\);

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It's quite saddening that these dramas are being affected by the on-going strike, but on the other hand, we must always be open to what these strikers are fighting for: their rights.

20th Century Boy & Girl is such a simple and cute story of four childhood friends. I was even shocked to find myself following this drama more than I expected it to be.

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