[TF Focus] Lost 'Something Else,' A Pity for Seo Kang-joon&Ahn Eun-jin

Anticipated realistic romance... lost plausibilityStruggling with 1% viewership ratingsKBS2's weekend drama 'Love All Play', which garnered attention for bringing together actors Seo Kang-joon and Ahn Eun-jin, is disappointing viewers with its lost narrative logic. /KBS[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Soo-bin] 'Love All Play' was highly anticipated even before its broadcast, with buzzwords like a long-term relationship, the trusted pairing of Seo Kang-joon and Ahn Eun-jin, and Seo Kang-joon's long-awaited return to romance. However, after its premiere, the drama's viewership ratings have remained in the 1% range. A bigger issue is that, much like the characters' lost love, the drama's plausibility has also lost its direction. The most disappointing aspect is that even the passionate performances of Seo Kang-joon and Ahn Eun-jin have lost their luster.'Love All Play' (written by Yoo Su-ji, directed by Hwang Seung-gi), which premiered on KBS2 on September 12th, is a realistic, relatable melodrama about a couple of 10 years who face unfamiliar emotions. It is a 14-episode series, with 12 episodes aired so far.Even before its broadcast, the drama garnered significant attention as Seo Kang-joon's comeback project in the romance genre. With Seo Kang-joon's proven strength in romance dramas and Ahn Eun-jin's acclaimed chemistry with her co-stars, the pairing alone was enough reason to anticipate the show.Adding to the excitement was the drama's focus on a 10-year long-term relationship as its main theme. It tells the story of a couple who, after being together for a long time and on the verge of marriage, experience a rut and explore their love as they meet other people. The drama was expected to realistically portray the complex emotions of familiarity, boredom, and new excitement that those who have experienced long-term relationships might have felt.However, 'Love All Play', upon its release, failed to translate its pre-broadcast buzz into viewership ratings. The drama, which started with a premiere viewership rating of 2.6% (Nielsen Korea, nationwide household), saw a decline as episodes progressed. The most recently aired 12th episode recorded 1.9%, remaining in the 1% range.The biggest problem lies in the characters' choices and emotional arcs, which are difficult for viewers to easily accept. Namgung Ho (Seo Kang-joon) and Lee Mi-do (Ahn Eun-jin) exude a comfortable and familiar atmosphere, befitting a couple of 10 years. However, they begin to feel bored, becoming indifferent to each other even when together and reacting listlessly to each other's words. Yet, a decade of time doesn't disappear in an instant due to boredom alone.Although the two found it difficult to imagine life without each other, Mi-do proposes to Ho that they date other people for a month. A rift forms in their 10-year relationship as Ho starts seeing Park Soo-ah (Jo A-ram), and Mi-do begins to waver towards Han Tae-seung (Lee Joo-an).In 'Love All Play', Seo Kang-joon (left) and Ahn Eun-jin showcase their delicate acting skills as a long-term couple of 10 years, but they are receiving criticism from viewers due to the characters' incomprehensible emotional arcs. /KBS, UnichemUltimately, Ho lashes out at Mi-do, saying, "Is this what you wanted? You wanted to get hurt, how is it?" And Mi-do retorts, "It sucks, it's dirty. Are you satisfied?" The choice, made to reaffirm each other's importance, ended up leaving deeper wounds on the other.The drama presents a story where an old couple discovers unknown aspects of themselves while dating other people. However, the crucial point is how convincingly the viewers can accept these character choices. While the premise of starting relationships with others without completely ending existing ones is already divisive, the characters' repeated contradictory actions make it difficult to build empathy.Mi-do's attitude, in particular, raises questions about the character's persuasiveness. After kissing Tae-seung first, she suggests to Ho that he date another woman, but then becomes jealous and angry when Ho gets close to Soo-ah. Her attempt to claim and take a painting of Ho's, which Soo-ah cherishes, only to end up pleading with tears, also makes Mi-do's emotions difficult to understand.It is also disappointing that as the drama progresses into its latter half, more attention is drawn to the relationships the main characters, Ho and Mi-do, form with their new partners, rather than their own story. While Ho and Mi-do's relationship is filled with repeated hurt and conflict, their relationships with Soo-ah and Tae-seung, respectively, depict new excitement and various emotions. In particular, Ho embracing Soo-ah and Tae-seung leaning in to kiss Mi-do highlight the possibilities of new relationships, making it difficult to focus on the story of the 10-year couple.Of course, with the title 'Love All Play', the encounters with new people are an indispensable element of the drama. The process of discovering one's inner self and re-examining feelings for a long-term partner by dating someone new for a month could have provided ample material for a profound story. However, instead of delicately building these emotional changes, the drama adds sensational events and excessive tragic narratives, leading to viewer fatigue.The story of Mi-do's father losing his life while trying to save Ho from drowning in the past is one such example. Mi-do has lived with guilt over this incident for a long time and has been unable to escape complex emotions. It leaves one questioning whether the relationship between the two, entangled not only with love but also with guilt and responsibility, can be considered healthy.'Love All Play' will conclude on the 1st. /KBS, UnichemFurthermore, the drama faced criticism for its inappropriate dialogue. In episode 10, Mi-do, in an attempt to protect Tae-seung, threatened the opposing lawyer, saying, "I will sexually assault you in one minute. If you don't get out now, I will take off your pants no matter what."This scene was criticized online immediately after broadcast. Even if the intention was to maximize Mi-do's strong charm in subduing the opponent and protecting Tae-seung, using sexual assault as a means of threat was deemed inappropriate. Criticism also arose regarding whether the script and directing had undergone sufficient review, given that the drama aired on KBS, a public broadcasting station.Despite these controversies, the drama continues to entangle the characters' emotions until the very end. Mi-do withdraws her earlier request for Ho not to like Soo-ah and wishes for him to make the choice he desires. However, the ending, where Mi-do appears with Tae-seung just as Ho is about to kiss Soo-ah, brings further confusion.The development of Ho, who had only looked at Mi-do for 10 years, attempting to kiss his new partner Soo-ah, shakes the character's emotional arc built up so far. Amidst this disappointment, viewers have expressed reactions such as, "I don't understand the characters' emotional arcs," and "Don't let one contradictory character ruin a love that has lasted for 10 years."The story 'Love All Play' initially set out to tell was compelling enough without extraordinary events. The familiarity and boredom accumulated over 10 years, the excitement felt for a new person, and the wavering emotions in between could have been enough to complete a profound romance. However, instead of gradually building the characters' emotional changes, the drama continuously creates new conflicts, causing viewer fatigue.The drama now has only two episodes left until its finale. While 'Love All Play' garnered expectations with the pairing of trusted actors and a fresh concept, the implausible plot and the controversy over inappropriate dialogue after its broadcast have hindered its success, leaving a sense of regret.'Love All Play' will conclude on the 1st.subin7134@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]