Heartwarming TV shows win viewers' affections
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Ahn Jae-hong, from left, Ryu Jun-yeol, Ko Kyung-pyo and Park Bo-gum pose at a press conference for “Youth Over Flowers in Africa” on Feb. 18. / Courtesy of tvN
By Park Jin-hai
A long-held belief held among makers of popular shows in Korea that joke-laden edits and scene-setting are necessary for a TV show to provide “pre-orchestrated” fun has finally been broken. More TV show producers now realize that heartwarming programs that show the true personalities of actors and performers can actually win the hearts of audiences whilst jacking up viewer ratings.
Cable channel tvN’s “Youth over Flowers in Africa,” which aired its first episode last week, appeared to feature no artificial elements, in contrast to the controversial talent show “Superstar K” which has been accused of manipulating content.
Instead, tvN’s new reality program takes the four male leads of the hit drama "Reply 1988” ― Ryu Jun-yeol, Go Kyung-pyo, Park Bo-gum and Ahn Jae-hong ― and portrays their journey to Namibia, southwestern Africa.
The cast members are seen in the program’s first episode.
The program has succeeded in premiering to a viewer rating of 12.7 percent, a record among all of tvN's “Flower” series.
Other new reality TV programs ― Mnet’s “WE KID,” tvN’s “Yerim Family's All Things Truck” and “My Grandma” ― are intended to warm viewers with touching and realistic human stories.
Mnet’s “WE KID,” a children’s talent show, has been designed to find talented kids and broadcast children’s songs in an era when they give way to trendy and fast-changing K-pop songs, as well as soothing adults through nostalgic songs.
Contrary to initial concerns, the first episode of the program showed children singing songs in pure voices, breaking down the emotional barriers of many grownups whilst apparently touching the hearts of viewers. The first episode, aired last Thursday, had a smooth start, posting an average 1.6 percent viewership rating.
A scene from “WE KID” / Courtesy of Mnet
tvN’s “My Grandma” focuses on respect for the elderly. The cast includes Lee Tae-im, a 30-year-old actress, who dropped out of the public spotlight following a feud with a K-pop idol.
The trio of Lee, comedian Park Na-rae and actor Lee Yi-kyung appear with their grandmothers to help them check items off their bucket lists. Duri
n
g the reality show, all three show audiences another side of their public personas as someone’s grandson or granddaughter.
In the first episode, Park went down to Muan, a small village in South Jeolla Province, where she was filmed hugging her grandma and calling her “mommy.”
“During the ten years when I was relatively unknown, I have leaned on my grandparents,” Park said. “My father died when I was young, and every time when my grandma sees me, she seems to see my father through me.”
Another tvN reality show, “Yerim Family’s All Things Truck,” has seasoned comedian Lee Kyung-kyu, 55, and his daughter Yerim, 21, traveling to small rural villages across the nation in a truck.
They meet elderly people in the village, doing chores and repair work.
“I decided to appear on the show with my daughter who just entered her 20s to teach her what life is about,” Lee said. “By helping needy seniors in the countryside and becoming a companion to them, I want to deliver a lifetime story together with my daughter.”
Culture critic Ha Jae-keun said the recent reality show trend reflects how viewers long to see heartwarming scenes while society becomes increasingly indifferent. “By seeing touching moments on TV, viewers can have vicarious satisfaction. At the same time, the programs shed the negative images of those TV personalities hit with previous scandals, giving them a fresh start.”