Documentaries Touch Hearts of Viewers
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Real stories of real people are sweeping television screens these days, reaching the hearts of viewers and beckoning in a new trend in television. Instead of being boring and predominantly educational, documentaries depicting the lives of ordinary people are becoming increasingly popular.
Recently, major broadcasters have shifted documentaries to prime time slots, with some programs recording ratings in double-digit percentages, something only popular drama series have traditionally achieved. In the past when many documentaries focused on historical, environmental and social issues, this trend would have been difficult.
But as documentaries are increasingly focusing on the lives of ordinary people, viewers have started to appreciate these ``real'' and ``live'' programs.
So what is it that draws viewers to documentaries that depict the everyday lives of normal people?
``I think people enjoy (documentaries) because they portray the pure inner world (of normal people). It's not about people who are pretty or rich like characters in dramas, but about those we can meet anywhere, '' Yun Yang-seok, a former producer of ``Human Theater'' told The Korea Times.
Among others, KBS' ``Human Theater,'' MBC's Medical Documentary ``Doctors'' and cable channel tvN's World Special ``Love'' are captivating viewers with their heartwarming stories and messages.
KBS' ``Human Theater'' first aired in 2000, depicting the normal, yet somewhat special, lives of our neighbors. Although the subjects change each week, the program shows subjects' lives by entering their homes and filming up close.
```Human Theater' has followed the same format since it first aired. One important feature is that we don't direct anything. It's about being genuine,'' said Yun. It airs Monday through Friday at 8:20 p.m. on KBS.
Meanwhile, MBC's Medical Documentary ``Doctors'' presents the hectic lives of doctors, patients and their relationships. First aired in 2006, the program aims to help people realize the importance of life by showing the devotion and care shown by doctors to people in need, be it from an incurable disease or a small scratch.
Recently, the crew and doctors who appeared in the documentary joined ``Green Doctors,'' a Busan-based medical volunteer group, and flew to China to help the Sichuan earthquake victims. Programs featuring them volunteering in China will be aired today and on June 9 and are expected to bring hope to viewers everywhere.
While ``Doctors'' portrays the life of patients and doctors, cable channel tvN's World Special ``Love'' will show the touching relationships between Korean celebrities, photographers and poor children living aboard.
```Love' is a charity and donation documentary. With the help of various volunteer groups, a celebrity and a photographer will visit children in need and offer assistance,'' Lee Dong-wook, a public relations official of the channel, told The Korea Times.
For the first project, actor Ryoo Seung-bum and photographer Hong Jang-hyun flew to Huaykra village, a six-hour drive from Chiang Mai, Thailand. At the village, the crew helped build houses for poverty stricken children and their families. Hong, as a photographer, took photos of the children, their homes and the whole volunteering process. The photos will be sold at an exhibition later this year. The proceeds will be sent to the children for further support. A total of eight episodes are currently underway, with eight celebrities and four photographers participating.
``Viewers don't know the people in these (programs), but they feel a connection. It's like watching your own life on television. Viewers learn, laugh, cry and sympathize with the people and reflect on their own lives. As a producer, it's hard to bring this through a program, but it's worth it,'' Yun said.
``Human Theater'' airs Monday through Friday at 8:20 p.m. on KBS, Medical Documentary Doctors airs every Monday at 6:50 p.m. tvN's World Special ``Love'' schedule has not been confirmed yet.