“When A Man” Frustrates Fans, “You’re The Best” Does Best
Nielsen ratings for episode 18 of "When A Man Loves" delivered yet another blow for the drama's hero, reformed gangster Han Tae Sang. The ratings dipped to 9.9 percent this week. It's not the lowest ratings the show has had, since it fell as low as 8.9 percent earlier in the month, but it may reflect viewers' growing frustration with developments in the show's plot.
Netizens have repeatedly expressed their dislike of the female lead Seo Mi Do, played by Shin Se Kyung. They are fed up with the way she toys with Han, played by Song Seung Hoon, after he worked so hard to make her love him. And they are frustrated that he is too nice after being treated so badly. He has even been called "pitiful." Viewers are beginning to suspect that this drama, as riveting as it often is, cannot end well.
Meanwhile "You're the Best Lee Shin Soon" is doing very well in its time slot. Ratings for the 24th episode jumped past 28 percent. The story follows Lee Shin Soon, played by singer and actress IU. She is the youngest and least successful of three sisters. One day she is scouted on the street and told she has the talent to make it as a performer. Her successful sisters, played by Yoo In Na and Son Tae Young, are condescending when they hear her news but Lee Shin Soon is an optimist. And her mother, played by Ko Du Shim, is supportive.
The latest comments about the series were divided with some netizens wondering how they could possibly keep the plot going for another 26 episodes, while others say they are hooked and plan to keep watching until the end. Netizens agree that IU is a super-talented and adds a lot to the show whenever she is on.
Meanwhile, the 50-episode "One Hundred Years' Inheritance" also seems to be doing really well. Episode 42 earned 27 percent of the viewer ratings. The story about three generations of a family that run a noodle house stars Eugene, Lee Jung Jin, Yoo Ah Jung and Choi Won Young. Eugene plays the daughter that returns home after a divorce to help run the family business.
Some netizens have criticized the drama for slowing down to a snail's pace but they seem to be in the minority as the viewer ratings just keep rising.
