Drama Title: Face Me
Starring: Lee Min-ki, Han Ji-hye, Lee Yi-gyeong, Jeon Bae-soo
Plot: A medical drama that follows a calm plastic surgeon and a passionate MZ detective unit as they reconstruct crime victims to track down the truth behind the events.
Directed by Zhao Luhuan, co-director of ‘Bubble Gum,’ written by Hwang Yizhen of ‘Secret Mother,’ with 12 episodes airing starting on November 6.
The Korean film and television market is booming in early 2024, with 15 high-quality drama series being released, sparking a craze for viewers. Data shows that within just two weeks, 4 series ended and 5 new series were launched, keeping the audience entertained.
As a seasoned film and television critic, I have noticed several significant features of the Korean film and television industry behind this surge in drama series:
Firstly, there is a clear trend towards diverse themes. From dramas like ‘The Virtuous Saleswoman’ that explore social topics of female awakening in the 90s, to light-hearted urban romance dramas like ‘Drunken Romance,’ and hardcore crime dramas like ‘Gangnam Detective Team,’ there is a wide variety of genres on display. Statistics show that out of the 15 series, 4 are romance-themed, 5 are crime thrillers, and the rest include family, comedy, and other genres.
Secondly, there is a strong production lineup. For example, ‘To My Dissociation’ features powerhouse actors like Shin Hyesun, Kang Joon, and Lee Jun-uk. ‘Good or Bad Dongzae’ is a spin-off of ‘Secret Forest,’ maintaining the high production standards of the original series. It is worth mentioning that many emerging directors are also making their mark, such as the director of ‘Drunken Romance,’ who previously directed the popular drama ‘Blind Date Cafe.’
Looking at the specific content, these series showcase distinct features of the times. ‘The Virtuous Saleswoman’ tackles the sensitive topic of female awakening in 90s Korea, while ‘Face Me’ focuses on the chaos in the current plastic surgery industry.
‘Rebuilding Family,’ adapted from the Chinese series ‘In the Name of Family,’ demonstrates the open-minded approach of Korean dramas to content innovation.
Attention should be paid to viewership performance. ‘Ironing Family’ has received high praise for its light-hearted family comedy positioning, while ‘To My Dissociation’ dropped from 8 points to 5 points since its premiere, indicating a growing maturity in audience tastes. Industry insiders analyze that this reflects a quality revolution in the Korean drama market.
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