'Nodaeyeon' aside, only Seo Kang-jun's 'teeth' become a topic.. A pitiful rejection [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

'Love Beyond You,' which was supposed to follow its title, is now generating buzz only for external issues unrelated to the drama itself.

KBS 2TV's weekend mini-series 'Love Beyond You' (hereinafter 'Nodaeyeon') premiered on the 12th. Promoting itself as a realistic melodrama with strong resonance in real life, it boldly launched featuring the long-term couple Namgung Ho (played by Seo Kang-jun) and Lee Mi-do (played by Ahn Eun-jin), who have been together for '10 years.'

At the production presentation held on the 7th, there was even talk of Seo Kang-jun receiving his second 'Grand Prize,' reflecting KBS's confidence in the project. Last year, Seo Kang-jun won the prestigious 'Grand Prize' at the '2025 MBC Drama Awards' for 'Undercover High School.'

However, despite its title as a highly anticipated work, 'Nodaeyeon' has recorded stagnant viewership in the 2nd% range. It started with 2.6% in the first episode, rose slightly to 2.8% in the second, dipped to 2.5% in the third, and the most recent fourth episode aired on the 20th also remained at a low 2.6% (based on Nielsen Korea data).

The reason for such rejection by viewers is attributed to limitations in the premise itself. Critics argue that a main storyline of a '10-year' long-term relationship fails to generate interest and resonance among today's 2030 generation, who are giving up even marriage, childbirth, and dating. Although Lee Mi-do and Namgung Ho face clearly realistic issues such as anxiety about the future and concerns about marriage in the drama, these elements are merely consumed as frustrating conflicts without being elevated into dramatic entertainment, causing them to lose their appeal. The fact that viewers cannot even rely on the two protagonists is 'Nodaeyeon's' fatal flaw.

Consequently, viewers have turned their attention away from 'Nodaeyeon' itself and focused instead on the actors Seo Kang-jun and Ahn Eun-jin. Regardless of the work's quality, even the chemistry between the male and female leads—the core of any romance—has lost its power, leaving only interest in the two actors' appearances.

At the beginning of the series, opinions were divided over whether Seo Kang-jun and Ahn Eun-jin made a good-looking pair, but now, unexpectedly, talk about Seo Kang-jun's 'teeth' has overshadowed 'Nodaeyeon.' This clearly demonstrates how the drama failed to persuade viewers due to its disappointing direction and weak plot development.

'Nodaeyeon' consists of 14 episodes in total and airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 p.m. The episodes scheduled for the 26th and 27th will be postponed due to the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

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*This content was translated by AI.