JTBC makes first web drama 'Somehow 18'

Minho, left, from K-pop boy band SHINee, poses with other cast members of web drama "Somehow 18" during a press conference at JTBC's headquarters in Seoul, Thursday. / Courtesy of JTBC

By Park Jin-hai

As local broadcasters struggle to make hit dramas, limping from single-digit viewership ratings, JTBC joined the web drama bandwagon, making its first mobile-based romantic comedy "Somehow 18."

Helped by pervading "snack culture" of the smartphone-wielding younger generation, who have the quick habit of consuming cultural resources rather than engaging in a deeper read, the local market for web dramas, consisting of 10- to 15-minute-long episodes, has been flourishing. Some popular web dramas including "Love Playlist" passed the 100 million view mark, while some web dramas went even further to be screened at local theaters.

Created by local cable channel JTBC, "Somehow 18" tells the story of a man named Oh Kyung-hwi, played by K-pop idol group SHINee's Minho, a resident orthopedist who goes back in time to his high school days when he was bullied. He time-travels to rescue his first love, who ended up committing suicide.

"It is both a cheerful and sad drama. The general tone of the drama is cheerful, but it includes sadness. I approached the concept of first love in a bid to give comfort to those left behind," producer Kim Do-hyung said during a press conference at JTBC's headquarters in Seoul, Thursday.

"It includes three important values for human beings _ the love for one's life, death that no one can avoid and irreversible time."

Regarding the reason why he picked the young age of 18, he said, "In the Korean education system, age 18 _ sophomore year in high school _ is the borderline year where confusion and insecurity co-exist with one's dreams."

"I debuted at age 18. Through the drama, I could recall my school years when I was young and immature," Minho said. He confessed when he was that age, he got a half-buzzcut once and while on the subway he only looked out the window to avoid attention from others.

Lee Yu-bi, playing the role of Oh's first love, returns to the small screen after spending the past two years recovering from an injury she sustained while shooting another drama. "I read the script and received some relief from it, because it carries messages for people who have been hurt," the actress said.

According to culture critic Kim Kyo-suk, several successful web dramas have debuted in recent years and producers have accumulated the knowhow to make them. "Short content, subtitles and lines that internet users can identify with make the dramas popular with viewers," he said.

Its first episode will premiere Monday via Naver TV Cast.

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