I’m relieved the second episode of Uncontrollably Fond built nicely on the introductory first episode, and got better in all ways narrative, chemistry, and acting. It’s even more of a relief that the ratings stayed exactly the same, with episode 2 also garnering 12.5% AGB nationwide ratings. This drama was so broadly touted and discussed I prefer the viewing base to settle into a slow burn much like the story, this was never built for Descendants of the Sun or You From Another Star buzz, it harkens back to the convoluted and delicious melodramas of yore and I dig that retro-ish mood and style. So far neither of the lead characters played by Kim Woo Bin or Suzy captivate my affection but each remain interesting enough to leave me wanting to know more about their deeply intertwined issues and conflicts. So far so good when it comes to UF, more fond from me than uncontrollably anything yet.
If episode 1 was a narrative appetizer, and a very small portion at that, then episode 2 was a buffet run by a mom who insists on stacking the plate full of things that happened. I am quite enamored of the editing in this drama, the way time jumps and issues unfold quickly with little maudlin sentimentality. Maybe that’s why I’m not weeping tears for Noh Eul or being all that sympathetic to Joon Young, at the same time they feel plausibly flawed and therefore characters that can be fleshed out as the story continues to unfold. High school Joon Young and Eul were nicely sketched out and their backgrounds sad without being milked tears. I can’t wait for them to meet again in college and to see what else could go wrong to bring them to the present where Eul is a shameless mercenary and Joon Young has no one in his life to turn to.
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"this was never built for DOTS or YWCFTS buzz..."
It literally was though. KBS promoted this with the full intention of it either reaching DOTS level or at least close to it. The plot is super dated though, and the leads are weak. I won't touch on the ratings until week three...which is when you usually see what direction the ratings are going.
I expected it to increase by at least one to two percent, so even though it is leading the timeslot, for now, at least, it's underperforming and lost ratings in the other localized categories, like the capital.
If episode 2 proved anything is that this drama has a huge editing problem and obvious lack of chemistry between it's leads. And it's not a good sign that rating stayed the same. This drama needs to built up it's lead before W premiers, otherwise it will be stuck in rating battle to the finish.
But..but..KBS does make more hype to make UF as successful as DOTS. Even the media play stated it'd be more entertaining than DOTS making viewers anticipates this more. Strange thing is some blogging site use the "soft" reviewer to make this drama look good while harsh and new reviewer used for another popular and good drama to let it down. UF high rating is also caused by the mess of LR and Wanted that have lost its viewers and incomparable buzz. Let's see the real and fair rating battle when another drama with the same star power coming.
Lol reading your comment was the funnist thing I've read this week. By your own words you're basically saying there is a whole conspiracy around making UF popular, down to all reviewing websites intentionally using 'soft' reviewers to make UF seem more popular. KBS must have a great PR team who managed to contact all these reviewers, in so many different language and country, to use their 'soft' reviewers instead of the harsh ones.
That must be why all the reviews I've come across in English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Filo and Vietnamese all liking the drama as it is so far. Now I know it's all a big conspiracy.
Hev a gud laugh then.
+1.
Conspiracy is what came up to my mind when reading her comment. LOL It's comical viewers could possibly go along with the marketing scheme of the promotion team behind a drama. If they were not interested enough to tune in, then they wouldn't. If they were not intrigued enough to stay for the following ep, then they wouldn't either. I really can't see how viewers ratings could be manipulated by media play. Just accept the ratings as they were and admit the current popularity defined by viewership is about 12.5%.
That 'some blogging site'you referred to, is it Dramabeans? I have not watched UF so I can't comment on quality of these 2 episodes. javabeans and Girlfriday aren't very harsh critics and I don't think it only applies to UF. I am also guessing the 'another popular and good drama' is Doctors? I watched the first two weeks of Doctors and dropped it because I can't stand KRW's character Ji Hong. It's a pity because I quite like PSH in there. I read the recaps and tend to agree with the new recapper. It's more of the recapper's opinion rather than some kind of conspiracy to 'let it down'.
Dramabeans is quite an influential site for international viewers but does anyone think they get any incentives or are influenced by the powers that be in how they write reviews? I am asking it out of curiosity because I have read comments elsewhere that what we international viewers discussed on such sites and forums are being monitored by the Koreans.
Er, I don't mean the good review equal to high rating. I do know that, we, as i-fans hev nothing to do with the increase of drama rating. The very harsh review tends to spread the hate which is very annoying. From what I experienced, no matter how good the acting, when the story is suck, people will blame the actors as well. It becomes more annoying when they mock the drama due to unsatisfying rating imo. Thus, it keeps being compared to dots rating. Can we just enjoy the drama without being so worry about rating? We enjoy what we watch, if we don't, just drop it and don't spread hate and bring other dramas down.
Your first two sentences are accurate but after that.... girl you are tripping lol. It's not a conspiracy that a hyped drama would get interest and ratings as a result.
DOTS and doctors made a huge jump on ep 2, so I think this number is slightly disappointing.
I love woobin but I love jongsuk more, hope the best for both of them though, hope they will get rating they deserve.
I'm glad someone else likes the editing of this drama. I found the editing wonderful, it breezes through the build up at a great pace without losing what it wants to say and although we aren't allowed to be more atrached to the uoung characters it gives us enough to understand who they were in the past, why they became who they are (likely will be shown next week), and accept them for who they are in the present. After all, the bulk of the story is in the present so not dwelling on the past is ok with me.
Though I like all 4 leads I am not enamored with any of them yet. With the Im's appearance set for next week I hope Miss Im is more than just the token bad girl, because the brief flash of guilt behind a mask of n perfection really got me interested.
The edition of this drama is pure genius it almost reminds me of the editing of DoTS ep 4 I think. The chemistry between the OTP is great. I think the reason EP1 wasn't so good was because they had not interaction. I am going to wait until season 3 or 4 to Judge whether it's a good drama since it has a slow progression. So far the plot is looking way better than DoTS. Each character is given a good background story.
I like it! And im willing to watch it until episode 20. I want to know about what happen between no eul and joon young that they become of what they are now. Waiting for ep 3! Come faster :)
Didn't KBS hype it as a drama that better than DOTS? lol
Koala has clearly NOT updated.
Huek i really hate dinosaur.
suzy too good for him.
But Tyrex obviously has an edge in acting over the pretty damsel. LOL
Edge in foot acting? The dog is better acting than him
The dog acts better than kwb? then what does that make Suzy? lol
Suzy has pretty face. That's enough?
Love the episodes so far... It leaves me more curious about the characters.
Especially when KWB said that, "This girl is not MY Eul" ?