Like him or not, it’s hard to deny that everything Lee Seung Gi touches in the last few years seems to turn to gold. He gets great acting reviews even if the drama gets the ratings (Gu Family Book) or not (The King 2 Hearts), his singing career is on a nice steady schedule of releases, and his variety show gigs have been a series of great choices. Cable network tvN got an unexpected but well-deserved hit with Grandpas Over Flowers, sending Lee Seo Jin to herd four adorable cantankerous grandpas overseas to France and then Taiwan. Striking while the concept is hot, Na PD roped in Lee Seung Gi for the all-female version with his seniors Yoon Yeo Jung, Kim Ja Ok, Kim Hee Ae, and Lee Mi Yeon. Even if the names aren’t as familiar to the drama viewers, all the actresses are immediately recognizable as familiar staples of television in starring and supporting roles. Yoon Yeo Jung especially is quite familiar with fans of Lee Seung Gi since she played his mom the Queen Mother in TK2H. Nothing like taking your drama mom and her friends out on an overseas trip to make Seung Gi squirm. The Noonas cast visited lovely Croatia and the first episode aired this Friday after tvN’s other spin-off hit Answer Me 1994 (the original being Answer Me 1997). AM1994 has been setting new cable ratings records but Noonas appeared to be primed for its own success no matter what – the first episode clocked in a jawdropping average ratings of 10.5%. That is unprecedented, and actually built upon AM1994’s ratings of 9.2% for its episode. Noonas also beat every single major network show aired in the same time slot on MBC, SBS, and KBS. It goes to show that if you create a great program, the viewers will come, cable or no cable. I’m thrilled for Seung Gi and can’t wait to check out his version of this travel show since I loved Grandpas Over Flowers.
Teaser for Noonas Over Flowers:
[youtube id=”4iS4S73j5t0″ w=”625″ h=”445″]
hi, just want to know where can i watch NOF,,, with or without engsub. thanks a lot.
http://www.mineememe.blogspot.com
Google OnDemandKorea. It doesn’t have engsubs though.
The 10.5% is absolutely jaw dropping stuff. With the ridiculously crazy hype NoF was receiving in Korea, I was expecting it to premiere around 5% – 6% which is already huge by cable numbers. So to see double digits in its first episode was mind numbing!
Seung-gi has some seriously awesome management and agency. Other than K2H, everything else he’s done- be it variety, music or dramas – it was always a huge hit. I hope he can keep it up and give us many more laughs because NoF’s first episode had me in stitches, even as I was sweating in worry for him!
I’ve always been confused as to why K2H wasn’t a hit in SK…any insights as to why?
I think it had a lot to do with the subject matter. The drama supported the idea of reunification, or at least good relations with NK. This may not have gone down well with the audiences holding onto the remote controls. Many things in the show were pretty controversial too… Honestly though, sometimes its hard to predict what local audiences like. What can be huge internationally (say You’re beautiful for example) can be a dud in ratings. K2H though, I felt there was a definite reason because the drama started off great and some huge names (LSG, HJW, LSJ, YYJ, etc.)
Other than what emil said, I think the product placement (donuts!) and the cartoon villain turned some people off. Plus it had touch competition with all three dramas doing pretty well in the timeslot. TK2H had high expectations because it started strong in the ratings, had such a popular cast known for hits and fell throughout, but overall the ratings weren’t all that terrible even if was in 3rd place. I don’t think it ever dropped into the single digits or anything.
@melissa: Yea, definitely too much product placements. I felt everything in that drama was being shoved in my face (phones, donuts, clothing, refrigerators, etc). But I was in awe of every intense moment in it. Despite it all, it was the best drama last year (and possibly this year too). And yea… it never dropped to single digits, and as far as I remember, it was never consistently in last place either. In fact, I think the overall average of K2H was higher than Rooftop. Although its been over a year, so I can’t fully recall…
I wouldn’t say K2H was a big hit…..but it had ratings above 10% with an avg. of 12.2%…..anything above 10% ratings is considered hit in korea….but i agree compared to his previous dramas this didn’t fare that well but definitely not flop….I still remember it managed 16.5% for it’s pilot episode inspite of stiff competion but i agree somewhere the north korea which s.k are not so much fond of and political background din’t relate to common people….as history suggest dramas within.korea content have never fared well in s.korea and always had dismal ratings but still this managed ratings above 10% which is considered as avg.hit if not a big hit…this was drama very rare and refreshing drama very different from the conventional k-drama types….but thanks to this drama LSG further strengthened his foothold as an actor…
I’d like to add that when it’s aired, NK announced their nuclear trial, cmiiw.
Also, I considered TK2H a hit in Korea. It’s scored no. 2 in average ratings (based on AGB that’s usually used by press) with 12.2 nationwide and 14.1 in Seoul. No. 1 is EM with 12.4 nationwide and 13.1 in Seoul. And no. 3 is RP with 11.6 nationwide and 12.8 in Seoul. Not to mention the ratings (above 35%, if I’m not mistaken) in a paid site in Korea based on the number of people watched the drama live in that site.
And I think, it’s a hit internationally, too.
I must admit, as much as I love LSG, I was put off with TK2H at first. The posters, trailers and storyline looked too serious for me (Well, even the title is definitely ridiculous!). I went for Rooftop Prince. After much recommendations, I finally tried watching the drama 2 months ago and I was hooked! I regretted not watching the drama earlier. It might not be such a hit in South Korea, but I had such a wonderful time watching the drama and it is wayyyyyy better than Rooftop Prince. I was pleased that I did not abandon TK2H and the drama is such a pleasant surprise!
Yayyyyyy!! That’s just great. I was trying to pick up the pieces of my broken heart for my precious Chilbongie in AM94 that I forgot abt NoF. Seung-gi is hysterical: he’s so smart and gives off the vibe that he’s self-assured until one sees him irl. Definitely a heodang. Have downloaded it, now only need a recap to follow along & crack up endlessly.
Interesting fact that AM94 and NoF share the same writer.
I only watched the raw, but I liked it a lot. Of course I love Seunggi in anything, but I ended up enjoying everyone in it. The noonas are all great and not pushovers or easy on him like some people feared. Given his failures in episode 1 (and probably for awhile) I really can’t wait to see him figure it all out and be able to please everyone. I’m rooting for him.
Those ratings are all kinds of amazing. Tvn is really kicking ass. Beating so many shows on public channels in ratings…
Lee Seung Gi is a good young actor who has grown with his dramas in recent years. I never cared about variety shows but i will watch this one, i need my Lee Seung Gi fix when he isnt in new drama or in new film.
Holy Moly. 10.2%? I didn’t think that was even possible for a 1st Ep on Cable.
Midas touch indeed, Lee Seung-gi.
(Haha, funny I mention Midas…Kim Hee-ae was my fav in that show.)
I watched it raw, and I love it. Seeing how the actresses not in their drama/movie characters is really interesting. Thanks Ms. Koala.
Hwa… I’m waiting for NOF because Seung Gi. Congrats for that rating. Daebak! I think Seungi its one reason to people watch. But PD Na and crew give good performance too, with the other actress, consep, writing and directing. I enjoy this variety. NOF Fighting!
I watched the teasers, the one where he keeps getting loss, and the Noonas are like, “The show is nicknamed Run Away Seunggi yah but it should be Finding Seunggi because that’s all we do lol”
is anyone subbing this?
will be on hulu on monday. guess usa viewers only.
Low or high ratings does not matter, TK2H was for me a good drama, of course there were episodes that I did not like but the the drama as a whole was very good as well as the story. I agree with @Emil that it could have been because of the subject matter (reunification of the 2 Koreas), but for a non-korean I found the subject matter and storyline interesting and entertaining as well.
Woah.. a first episode aired on cable that got double digits?
Seriously, amazing.
Also — a question.
Have you considered starting AM1994, koala? I know you’re already recapping two shows and following a few others, but i’d love to hear your take on the show. Maybe when you have time, i highly recommend it. It’s not as fast paced as AM1997 and it takes a few episodes to really get started on the crack factor — but once it does, it owns your heart in ways 1997 didn’t.
I just had the amazing opportunity to see him in concert in Seoul (best concert ever, by the way) and he showed an interview clip about this show. I have to say, I’ve been looking forward to it for forever and I’m even more excited for it now. Congrats to him for the crazy high ratings. I’m so happy for him but also not really surprised…it’s Lee Seung Gi. If anyone can do it, he can!
You are so lucky to be able to go for his concert. I attended one of his fan meet and could not get enough of him singing live. Hope he will have a few more concerts before going for military services. Really love to attend his concert at least once.
First of all 10.5% ratings . I did not see this coming for the first episode and no did the pd’s of nof. Ystrday seungi said their main target was 10 by end of the show but to get it just off thr bat is all kind of impresive. And about the show it looks prety , funy suny and fresh. And seungya is a the grand master of heodang as ever. Its suprising how he’s still such an adorable kid even after a variety comeback 1 1/2 yrs later.
Watchef the episode live. Waiting for eng subs and recaps. Hope we can get more updates on this blog too. #pretyplease!!!!!
Woah, if 1% was considered sucess before cable dramas get famous, imagine 10% of a cable drama? I read somewhere that 10% on cable drama would mean 30-40% on a public tv… is it true?
10% on cable is about 50% on public broadcasting system
10% cable tv equivlnt to public tv ratings of 30- 40 % or even50%?? Woaaah , cannot believ it. Seems like seungi is back with a bang. Today he’ll be on running man too. No doubt it will be damn awsome. Nof team hoping for a great show. Foghting !! Go seungiyaa love uu
Why are some people equating NOF’s ratings to mainly Seung Gi? I know he’s a draw, and I don’t question that he certainly has helped the ratings (as all the fangirls can show), but GOF did very, very well without Seung Gi.
I think Seung Gi is just as lucky to be working with Na PD and the Noonas as they are lucky to have him.
After all, the first GOF got > 4% ratings at the premiere which was unheard of at the time. And it improved until it neared 10% ratings near the end.
On top of that, it’s lead-in, AM94 as mentioned in the article is also around the 9-10% ratings which is very, very good.
It definitely seems like there’s a confluence of goodness which is contributing to the record-setting ratings. I just am flummoxed that people equate most of it to Seung Gi.
because we are his fans, and we are biased. hehehe..
GoF and NoF are great shows, with great casts , writers, directors, and staffs. You need all of those elements to make a program success.
Also pd Na and Hook Ent (LSJ and LSG agency) want to make history by surpassing 10% for NoF.
Because this is FIRST episode and it has the best rating which NEVER happens on tvN (AM1994’s premiere rating is 2.6%, GOF is 4.1% and best rating of GOF is 6.5%)
FYI, GOF’s prime time is taken over by AM1994, NOF has to air at 10pm but in fact AM1994 doesn’t end exactly at 10pm and due CFs, the show is actually aired about 10:30pm, it is quite late, so no one even production team expects that high number.
With Na PD and noonas, the show may start at 4-5% but with Seung Gi in it, it got 10%. You may don’t like him but Korea adores him, especially in variety shows, it’s not coincidence every show he’s in has high rating.
It beat the lead in though (and after AM1994 there is at least 20 minutes of commercials, so I’m not sure a lead in matter tbh). Come on, you really can’t be seriously that you don’t think Seunggi’s return to variety and Na PD (he gets a lot of credit too) and SG reunion after 1n2d isn’t at least a big part of the reason people tuned in. Of course now people will stay for other reasons..
The NoF team did not expect these ratings. Their goal was 10% overall, not starting over it.
Because NoF’s ridiculously crazy hype before it aired (or rather as soon as it was announced) was due to seung gi’s 1 1/2 year comeback to variety. You’re right that GoF was rated high right off the bat but it never reached even 8% out of the 14 episodes it aired. It was great – quite undoubtedly – but it didn’t have the pull NoF had because it didn’t have Seung gi. To have a variety on cable premiere (key word) with double digits is unheard of. It’s huge and thus most credit goes to the person who creates most of the hype for it in the first place.
GoF aired in the slot AM1994 is in now, so NoF didn’t even have the same time slot as GoF. It had to create interest for audiences to tune in tvN rather than what they usually watch at that time. That in itself is a feat.
Anyways, I think NoF has an awesome casts and more importantly the evil genius Na PD. Seung gi may be a huge reason this went so well, but the media and local fans have been all praises for the production team and everyone involved as well. It’s a great show and everyone contributed to its success. Just that some gets a tiny bit more credit than others.
Congradulation their teem , nonas and seunggi! At start, i watched it because him. But this show really fresh and fun. I don’t know varity korea alot but amazing! good edit! Seunggi and rating! You can say him luck but his luck really alot so much.almost everything! his drama and varity at 2009 -40% his music also sucess! His cf! Also Study, personal life! He .good with people near him! You can say i’m maybe his fan but i no idea with his luck! Awesome people!
I’m so happy to have a staple supply of Seunggi again!!! became his fan through K2H. Agree it’s the best show last year (and possibly this year too!!!)
rewatched it again recently—still love it!