“Season system” and “part system” are the new K-drama norm, risks and benefits explained – Part 2
Viewers of K-dramas have been getting used to the “season system” and “part system”, but there are actually a lot of risks and reasons involved.
These days, season-based airing, where a series is divided in multiple seasons, is extremely popular for K-dramas. In addition, this trend is not only ongoing on OTT platforms like Netflix and TVing, but also on traditional TV broadcasters.
While this “season system” is not completely new, the extensive narratives they help to provide may bring about successful experiences. In particular, a sequel or spin-off of an existing drama has clear advantages in terms of expanding the story and securing fixed viewers.
However, there is still the risk that the sequel may become inferior to the previous original work, and to not lose direction, it is important to maintain a sense of balance.
Recently, season 2 of “Work Later, Drink Now” was aired, but the reactions to it are regrettably worse than the first season. Of course, since its release, “Work Later, Drink Now 2” has never missed the top spot in the number of weekly paid subscription contributors and has been ranked first for 6 consecutive weeks, but it simply did not reach the syndrome-like popularity of season 1.
The lower popularity of “Work Later, Drink Now 2” can be accredited to a variety of reasons. In particular, season 2’s focus was on love rather than friendship, and the main resolution and message were changed as new characters appeared. In addition, many viewers commented that Ji Yeon (played by Han Sun Hwa), who suffered from breast cancer and even had surgery in season 2, should not have consumed alcohol as pleasantly as she did in season 1.
Popular culture critic Jeong Deok Hyeon said, “In the case of ‘Work Later, Drink Now’, Season 2 didn’t seem to have given as much fun. Also, as there was a hiatus of about a year, the interest of viewers would have faded.”
In this sense, the “season system” seems to be ineffective. This leads to the introduction of the “part system”, where an already filmed work is divided into two parts, and released apart from each other, within a short period of time. This “part system” can thus still introduce new narratives, while at the same time maintain a sense of stability and consistency compared to the “season system” in terms of immersion and direction of the work.
Regarding this, Jeong Deok Hyeon, “In the ‘season system’, all the originally planned episodes were aired. Then, after a certain period of time, production for a new season begins. However, now, K-dramas are filmed as a whole, splitted into Part 1 and Part 2, which are then aired close to each other, but not back-to-back.”
This “part system” is extremely popular on OTT platforms. It seems that this is a move in order to retain existing subscribers, rather than attract new ones.
“That’s why it seems important to make new subscribers wait for a while to see the next part of a drama”, Jeong Deok Hyeon said, adding, ”Also, if you divide a work into parts, doesn’t the airing period get longer? Splitting it into parts helps to ‘maintain’ the current subscriptions.”
Representative examples of the “part system” include Netflix’s “The Glory” and tvN’s “Alchemy of Souls”. In particular, “Alchemy of Souls” introduced a new “season” (or part) under the title “Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow”, and took a 3-month break, at the same time changing the female lead. In the end, filming for both “seasons” took about a year, and the 30 episodes (which is divided into 2 parts), ended with higher ratings.
Meanwhile, “The Glory”, which premiered in December last year, will return on March 10th with Part 2. “The Glory 2”, which will be airing after about 3 months, is thus already attracting attention.
Of course, there were criticisms that the flow of “The Glory” was cut off due to the 3-month break. However, considering the endless topics and discussions surrounding the drama’s upcoming return, Netflix’s splitting strategy seems to have succeeded.
It is also important to note that Netflix keeps the hype for “The Glory” by introducing various content during the series’ 3-month absence. With releases of behind-the-scenes photos and videos, interviews with actors, posters and teasers, viewers’ thirst is quenched, while their curiosity about future developments is constantly stimulated.
In the midst of this, season-based dramas with time and effort are also appearing, with notable mentions including “Taxi Driver 2”, “Dr. Romantic 3”, and “The First Responders 2”.
Additionally, tvN will present “Arthdal Chronicles 2” and a spin-off of “Stranger”, though with different cast members.
Whether it’s a “season system” or a “part season”, in the end, a K-drama’s success lies in its ability to provide “fun”. Whatever the format, a “new season” would excite dramas, and raise expectations about expanded stories and directing, putting on a clear advantage against completely new dramas.
Source: Naver
