Categories: K-dramas

Shine or Go Crazy Takes Over the Lead in New Mon-Tues Drama Line-up

Goodbye Punch, hello new Mon-Tues ratings leader! The line-up is now set for the next two months or so as new SBS drama Heard it Through the Grapevine premiered today coming in on the big shoes left by the critically acclaimed Punch. Joining sageuk Shine or Go Crazy, which at 24-episodes runs through early April, and last week’s new vampire medical arrival Blood, these three prime time dramas are going to have to duke it out against each other for the rest of their run. With Punch out of the picture, Shine or Go Crazy took a major leap in ratings to take over the lead by a wide margin.

AGB nationwide ratings for Monday are: Shine or Go Crazy 13.3% (+2.2), Heard it Through the Grapevine 7.2%, and Blood 6.0% (+1.3). I haven’t watched SoGC despite my Jang Hyuk love all due to my aversion to Oh Yeon Seo, I find her face and acting discomfiting to watch, but have heard plenty of love for the drama. Grapevine’s first episode was nicely engrossing, the atmospherics dominate above all else but the acting is excellent all around with a story that looks to take its time to develop without resorting to any flashy hooks. Blood also settled in nicely with episode 3, and by nicely I mean it is comfortable with what it is, if continued bad acting and slick narrative tricks floats your boat then by all accounts watch on.

I’m hoping Shine or Go Crazy can break 20% by the end of it’s run, it has another two months to build its ongoing momentum and gosh darn it I just want ONE prime time drama to cross that barrier, which these days is akin to a prime time drama breaking 40% a few years ago. If the Blood production team wasn’t the team that delivered a ratings win for KBS with Good Doctor, I wouldn’t be surprised if the screenwriter got switched out as the network has done in the past with terribly under performing dramas. In this case I doubt that will happen, which is too bad since the writing really is deadly bad with this one.

Oddly it’s actually veered into so bad it’s entertaining to watch territory after episode 3. Gu Hye Sun‘s continued intentionally affected line readings and gumby facial expressions really take the awkward cake, but I also have to concur with folks who have pointed out the PD’s fault in letting such scenes make it to air. The person in charge has the obligation to tell her not to act like she’s in a high school play. Ahn Jae Hyun actually delivered a few promising scenes in episode 3 (I know, who woulda thunk it), and overall this drama is one that looks worthwhile to check in twice a week without any expectations and for some chuckles.

The youngster parents-to-be romance in Heard it Through the Grapevine is pretty smoking hot, but in a realistically awkward way, and they are the most interesting aspect of Grapevine so far in just one episode. I don’t quite see the dark or humor yet in this drama but can see how the groundwork is being laid for the story to head that way. This one is as promising as the track record from PD Ahn Pan Seok would merit.

ockoala

View Comments

  • To be honest, I'm not watching SoGC because of my aversion to Jang Hyuk instead (and sagueks). I find him really attractive when he cleans himself up, but I'm not a fan of his acting. It's really similar across his different works. And also, he pouts his lips too much. I did look at a couple of the stills for the drama, and I feel sorry for Im Joo-hwan - his styling...

    • Omg Im Joo Hwan's hair is a mess in this drama! One look & you can tell its a wig it's SOOO annoying too...

  • Well deserved!!! SOGC is awesome... Oh yeaon seo is delightful and the story is flowing nicely. The couple chemistry is one point that you shouldn't miss

  • SOGC is sooooo good. I'm in love with both the leads and the chemistry is such a killer. Jang Hyuk is really a great sageuk project picker. I'm yet to see him pick a bad one and he's really acing it here - like he always does.

    Well deserved ratings! Hopefully it will reach greater heights.

  • I can't take Im Joo Hwan seriously becaus mof his hair but other than that the drama is wonderful. The two female leads are jaw dropping gorgeous and the couple chemistry is sizzling. Last night episode was indeed worth the watch with the bath tub kiss

  • I went to dramafever to check it and some reviews stuck out something about the girl playing a boy and everyone knows except him. I read that and I was out. One "you're beautiful " was enough for me.

    I can't take those plots with women dressed as men, looking obviously like a woman to anyone with an IQ over 25, taking 10 freaking episode for the man She keeps staring at to figure it at. I just can't do it. That is also why Lois in superman annoys the crap out of me. A freaking glasses is it a disguise. I am sure SOGC is good, but I will never find out.

    • Yes but her dressing up for a boy is only for a small plot they don't rely on that for the whole drama like You're Beautiful!

  • I have been quietly watching SOGC off to the side on Monday & Tuesday nights. I am enjoying the fact that I'm not particularly addicted to it nor feel that much for the OTP - I'm just watching along and enjoying it. :) The reason I followed it was b/c of Hyukkie. I always check out his dramas. This one is no different. I was so curious once I found out that he was actually playing a noble (royalty) figure! And he is oh so good in sageuks.

  • Oh.... I love this drama. The female leas never intend to hide her real identity and the guy found out the girl dressing up as a guy real quickly. Their chemistry is wonderful . I even find them really adorable with their adorable bromance.. But yeah it's over now since their love story already began since ep 11.

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