'Pinocchio' Starts Strong But Can't Beat 'Mr. Baek'

The highly anticipated new SBS drama "Pinocchio" started its first episode with a respectable 7.8 percent of the viewer ratings. The drama naturally attracted attention due to its popular leading actors, Park Shin Hye and Lee Jong Suk. And it promised an intriguing plot with a character that could not tell a lie.

Starting at 7.8 percent meant that "Pinocchio" rated 2.3 percent better than the final episode of "My Lovely Girl," starring Rain and Krystal Jung.

The drama began with the characters in high school. Choi Dal Po, played by Lee Jong Suk, is a guest contestant on a quiz show and surprises everyone in his school since his academic performance has earned him the nickname of "All Zero." The story then travels further back in time to show how he and his classmate, played by Park Shin Hye, met when they were only children. It explains the family tragedy that forced Cho Dal Po to live a lie. But what Park Shin Hye's character does not know is that the aggressive journalism practiced by her mother played a part in Choi Dal Po's tragedy.

Despite the stars and the promising plot, "Pinocchio" did not take first place in the ratings. That honor went to "Mister Baek," which stars Shin Ha Kyun, Jang Nara, Lee Joon and Park Ye Jin. The reverse-aging-fantasy drama scored a healthy 11.6 percent of the viewer ratings.

 "Mr. Baek" is a Dickens "Christmas Carol" story about a wealthy man who gets a second chance at life.  Shin Ha Kyun's character Choi Go Bong has spent his 70 years on earth greedily acquiring wealth but he missed out on making the important connections. When he wakes up in his 30-year-old body, he is thrilled at getting another chance. He meets Jang Nara's character Eun Ha Soo and learns for the first time what love is all about. He also gets a second chance at a relationship with his son. Viewers love a second chance at life story and that is sure to contribute to the success of this drama.

Meanwhile "Blade Man," starring Lee Dong Wook and Shin Se Kyung has not managed to pull itself up from third place. This week the drama only earned 3.2 percent in the ratings. "Blade Man" tells the story of a man afflicted with an unusual malady. Blades spring from his body when he gets angry. Shin Se Kyung plays the woman who helps him find peace.