'Saimdang' fails to make the grade

Lee Young-ae doubles as modern-day art history instructor Seo Ji-yoon and the Joseon-era artist Saimdang in “Saimdang, Memoir of Colors.” / Courtesy of SBS

By Park Jin-hai

The new SBS period drama “Saimdang, Memoir of Colors” had to wait two years to air since the first shooting took place in 2015.

The show fell victim to the chilly Korea-Sino relationship following the Korean government’s announcement that it would deploy the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on its territory to protect the country from North Korean provocations.

The drama starring Lee Young-ae, heroine of the 2003 drama “Dae Jang Geum,” which had global success, is the actress’s comeback project after a 14-year hiatus, drawing much anticipation from Asian fans. The soap opera is said to be the next “Dae Jang Geum.”

But after some initial hype and much publicity, the drama has fast been losing its appeal.

The initial two episodes posted relatively good viewership of 15.5 percent and 16.3 percent, topping viewership among dramas in the same time slot by a large margin.

However, the third episode slipped to 13 percent and then its fourth episode to 12.3 percent, overtaken by KBS’s workplace comedy “Good Manager.”

It is still too early to talk about whether the drama will be a flop or not, but the 20 billion won production seems to lack fresh elements to lure viewers.

From the onset, the drama ― the story of Shin Saimdang, a Joseon-era artist and writer ― looked like it was about actress Lee, by Lee, and for Lee.

When the drama had its premiere, the actress looked as beautiful as her earlier days on screen. But the drama seems outdated.

Its main time-slip element, which could have been fresh if it was aired last year, looks too familiar, after recent dramas like “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo” and “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.”

Apart from product placements spotted here and there from the first episode, including a juice mixer and a restaurant, its story leans too much on fortunate events lacking reasonable explanations.

Lee plays a double role of a modern art history instructor So Ji-yoon and the Joseon-era artist Saimdang herself.

Modern-day So, who has done all the chores of her academic adviser to land a professorial position at university, loses favor and her adviser kicks her out of an art forum in Italy.

But she happens to receive an old book from a street vendor. Then, while on her way to find a place referred to in the book, she finds a mirror.

The mirror suddenly breaks and reveals a chest. Inside she finds a painting of a woman who looks like her and what is believed to be Saimdang's diary. The host gives her the painting and the book, saying they are meant to belong to her.

While she is having a hard time interpreting the old script in the book, a neighbor who teaches Chinese writing comes to help her. Although it is fantasy, the way it was presented has left viewers at a loss.

Lee’s acting did not help. The actress, who debuted in the 1993 drama “How’s Your Husband?” has never been a particularly good actress. Even in the mega hit “Dae Jang Geum” which lifted her to pan-Asian stardom, her acting was not particularly good.

“Saimdang” seems to be leaning on star power only, but this is not enough. Her performance fails to engage viewers in her character.

Lee’s other role, as the Joseon-era Saimdang, did not prove compelling, either.

Because the series was completed before its premiere, making it impossible for changes to reflect viewers’ opinions, the future looks distinctly gloomy.