Top Preferred Genre: The Heyday of ‘Melodrama’ is Back

The series of popular melodramas, ranging from “Queen of Tears”to “Lovely Runner”, has captured the hearts of viewers both in their home country and abroad, making it the preferred choice for numerous actors.

Despite concluding at the end of last month, tvN’s “Queen of Tears”continued to receive overwhelming love and support, earning the top spot for all-time drama viewership ratings on the network. The story of Hong Hae-in, a third-generation chaebol heiress (portrayed by Kim Ji-won), and Baek Hyun-woo, a farmer’s son from Yongdu-ri (portrayed by Kim Soo-hyun), captivated a diverse audience. The heart-wrenching portrayal of Hae-in’s terminal illness and the comedic moments of the Queens Group family were key factors in its success.

“Lovely Runner”has gained immense popularity, especially among the 20-49 age group, earning it a syndromic level of fame. The drama revolves around Ryu Seon-jae (Byeon Woo-seok), a deceased idol whose death is shrouded in suspicion and believed to be a suicide, and Im Sol (Kim Hye-yoon), a devoted fan who is faced with a serious crisis after his passing. By some twist of fate, Im Sol gets the opportunity to travel back in time and save both Seon-jae and herself. The compelling storyline, coupled with the element of fantasy through time travel, has captured the hearts of young viewers. “Lovely Runner”has maintained its position as the

Eclipse, the fictional group featured in the drama, has received countless requests for a concert to be held in their honor. In addition, various offline events such as “pop-up stores”and “group viewings”have been arranged, showcasing the immense popularity of the drama. According to the popular global streaming platform Rakuten Viki, the tvN Monday-Tuesday series continues to hold the top spot in 130 countries even after 6 weeks since its debut, attracting a devoted international fan base.

The ongoing Monday-Tuesday dramas “Dare to Love Me”on KBS2 and “Frankly Speaking”on JTBC are both enjoyable romantic series. Upcoming romantic comedies like “Potato Research Center”on tvN and “DNA Lover”on TV Chosun are also highly anticipated. Along with these, serious melodramas such as “The Atypical Family”with a fantasy romance storyline and “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon”with an adult theme are also receiving praise from viewers.

Although OTT platforms still prioritize genre dramas that tackle weighty topics and convey powerful messages, the small screen is now more inclined towards melodramas that reflect real-life situations and offer entertaining and engaging experiences. While TV platforms used to focus on delivering important messages through well-crafted genre dramas, they are now utilizing clever tactics that cater to the unique qualities of each platform.

Additionally, the longstanding “K-Romance”fan base abroad is contributing to the rise in popularity of melodramas. Despite lower ratings in their home country, productions such as MBC’s “A Good Day to Be a Dog”featuring Cha Eun-woo and ENA’s “Moon in the Day”starring Kim Young-dae have garnered significant attention internationally and secured distribution deals in multiple countries.

As the trend continues, actors are also aligning their preferences towards the romantic comedy genre. Byeon Woo-seok, who gained recognition for his performance in “Lovely Runner”, is gearing up for his first Asia tour fan meeting after the drama’s finale, solidifying his position as a Hallyu star. Additionally, Kang Tae-oh and Lee Tae-hwan are making a comeback from their military service with “Potato Research Center”and “DNA Lover”respectively, demonstrating the increasing interest of actor agencies in this genre. With the rise of global demand for Korean content, winning the hearts of international fans has become crucial, elevating the significance of romantic comedies.