Congrats to cable network jTBC for having the first big K-drama hit of 2018. It’s Fri-Sat night drama Misty went from a solid premiere episode rating of 3.473% all the way up to episode 6 bringing in 7.081%. Last year’s two biggest cable dramas were on jTBC with Strong Woman Do Bong Soon and then even higher with Women of Dignity, both written by the same screenwriter Baek Mi Kyung. Misty’s screenwriter Je In is a new name to me and doesn’t appear to have any prior credits so if it’s a rookie writer then all the props are to jTBC for continuing to pick dramas, cast them well, and execute in a way that resonates with the audience. I’m not watching Misty since leads Kim Nam Joo and Ji Jin Hee are not my baes and the story of an icy network anchor accused of murder and needing to be defended by her estranged husband is not my cup of tea. But I love that K-dramas continue to find ways to succeed even as the Hallyu recipe from the last decade and a half has basically dwindled to nothing. If it doesn’t work anymore then find something different that works. Continue reading →