While the drama aims for a narrative about small joys, contradictions with melodramatic elements provoke controversy.
The production team claims differentiation, but viewers express significant disappointment.
[TV Daily, reporter Choi Hana] KBS2's new weekend drama 'Love is Beautiful, Life is Wonderful' premiered on the 28th, revealing unexpected dramatic elements that suggest it may fall into melodramatic tropes. While the theme revolves around rediscovering small joys in life, the first episode tackled the sensitive issue of suicide, raising concerns among viewers.
The drama focuses on the life recovery journeys of ordinary people, particularly highlighting the characters Kim Cheong-Ah and Gu Jun-Gyeom, who are portrayed contemplating extreme choices. This portrayal has prompted viewers to question the appropriateness of such dark themes for a family-oriented weekend show, sparking significant debate regarding the potential impacts of the narrative.
Though the production team aimed to distinguish itself from previous weekend dramas, the lingering challenges remain pronounced. Viewers have expressed disappointment at the familiar controversies, leaving uncertainties about the drama's future direction.
The opening of this drama sought to convey a hopeful message towards small joys, yet addressing suicide in its first episode raises questions about the realization of that goal. Viewer reactions emphasize the appropriateness of such content for a weekend family program, reflecting the essential role of the production team's judgment in this regard.
Though 'Love is Beautiful, Life is Wonderful' claims to sidestep traditional melodramatic elements, its choice of provocative themes has drawn criticism for replicating existing controversies. Audiences express disappointment regarding the drama's trajectory, feeling that their expectations have been unmet.
Overall, as 'Love is Beautiful, Life is Wonderful' attempts to introduce a new format, it appears more effort is required to achieve genuine differentiation and messaging. The production team must set a careful tone from the outset to captivate viewers effectively.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: TVDaily
