Although we’re looking forward to what 2013 has in store, we can’t close out 2012 without looking back on the stars, dramas, movies and more that shined this year, so we’re launching a new series here at enewsWorld, called 12 Days of 2012, to round up and reflect on one exciting year in Korean entertainment.
It was a hot year in dramas, where pretty boys not only ruled the small screen—sometimes, quite literally—playing high and mighty members of royalty but a slew of hits kept the nation’s eyes glued to the TV every week.
It was a hot year in dramas, where pretty boys not only ruled the small screen—sometimes, quite literally—playing high and mighty members of royalty but a slew of hits kept the nation’s eyes glued to the TV every week.
The Sun and the Moon
MBC drama The Sun and the Moon got the ball rolling on dramas this year, when it premiered in January and ruled the small screen with record ratings, until the final episode sealed the deal with an astonishing 42.2 percent in viewership ratings.
The numbers proved even a few speed bumps along the way, caused by the MBC strike earlier this year, couldn’t stop the drama from becoming a runaway hit.
Not to mention, pretty boys Kim Soo Hyun and Jung Il Woo made for an easy viewing experience.
When the drama came to a close, there wasn’t a dry eye on the set or in living rooms, and all of the hard work paid off, as it earned the Best Drama Award at the 48th Paeksang Arts Awards.
MBC drama The Sun and the Moon got the ball rolling on dramas this year, when it premiered in January and ruled the small screen with record ratings, until the final episode sealed the deal with an astonishing 42.2 percent in viewership ratings.
The numbers proved even a few speed bumps along the way, caused by the MBC strike earlier this year, couldn’t stop the drama from becoming a runaway hit.
Not to mention, pretty boys Kim Soo Hyun and Jung Il Woo made for an easy viewing experience.
When the drama came to a close, there wasn’t a dry eye on the set or in living rooms, and all of the hard work paid off, as it earned the Best Drama Award at the 48th Paeksang Arts Awards.
Rooftop Prince
SBS drama Rooftop Prince put a different spin on the fusion historical drama genre, as it starred Park Yoo Chun as a time travelling Joseon era crown prince.
While the popular drama kept Korean viewers stuck to the screen indoors, it brought fans as well as media outlets from around the world out to the set in droves.
Maybe fans just had to see all of the lip locking action with their own eyes.
SBS drama Rooftop Prince put a different spin on the fusion historical drama genre, as it starred Park Yoo Chun as a time travelling Joseon era crown prince.
While the popular drama kept Korean viewers stuck to the screen indoors, it brought fans as well as media outlets from around the world out to the set in droves.
Maybe fans just had to see all of the lip locking action with their own eyes.
The King 2Hearts
Over on MBC, another crown prince hoped to dethrone its Rooftop Prince competition with The King 2Hearts.
Although the drama had a slow start, like us, many fans were simply excited to see Lee Seung Gi back on the small screen alongside Ha Ji Won.
The intriguing storyline about a South Korean prince and North Korean special agent carried the story along. And the stars proved troopers, not only surviving dizzying scenes, but grueling hours on set.
Over on MBC, another crown prince hoped to dethrone its Rooftop Prince competition with The King 2Hearts.
Although the drama had a slow start, like us, many fans were simply excited to see Lee Seung Gi back on the small screen alongside Ha Ji Won.
The intriguing storyline about a South Korean prince and North Korean special agent carried the story along. And the stars proved troopers, not only surviving dizzying scenes, but grueling hours on set.
Reply 1997
The sleeper hit of 2012 was undoubtedly tvN’s Reply 1997.
The cable drama, with its well-written script and largely underrated cast, resonated with a generation of K-Pop fans who grew up listening to the likes of the 90s idol group H.O.T., and tuned viewers in every week, enabling it to end on a record high note.
Although rookies in the acting world, stars Seo In Guk and A Pink’s Jung Eun Ji barely blinked an eye and eased into their roles, bringing the characters to life on the screen like seasoned pros.
Seo In Guk and Jung Eun Ji even recorded a hit duet together for the drama to further prove they were a killer pair.
The sleeper hit of 2012 was undoubtedly tvN’s Reply 1997.
The cable drama, with its well-written script and largely underrated cast, resonated with a generation of K-Pop fans who grew up listening to the likes of the 90s idol group H.O.T., and tuned viewers in every week, enabling it to end on a record high note.
Although rookies in the acting world, stars Seo In Guk and A Pink’s Jung Eun Ji barely blinked an eye and eased into their roles, bringing the characters to life on the screen like seasoned pros.
Seo In Guk and Jung Eun Ji even recorded a hit duet together for the drama to further prove they were a killer pair.
Nice Guy
Following the success of A Tree With Deep Roots in 2011, Song Joong Ki returned to the small screen to take on the latter part of 2012 with KBS drama Nice Guy.
Song Joong Ki surprised fans with his dark, brooding persona in the drama, which was a far cry from the actor’s usual bright and friendly image.
The drama recorded steady viewership ratings throughout its broadcast, proving Song Joong Ki’s A-list appeal.
Following the success of A Tree With Deep Roots in 2011, Song Joong Ki returned to the small screen to take on the latter part of 2012 with KBS drama Nice Guy.
Song Joong Ki surprised fans with his dark, brooding persona in the drama, which was a far cry from the actor’s usual bright and friendly image.
The drama recorded steady viewership ratings throughout its broadcast, proving Song Joong Ki’s A-list appeal.
