Lead by Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye, Korea’s MBC Channel’s popular drama Coffee Prince broadcasted Episode 17 Finale on the 26th August. Unfortunately, ratings were unable to break 30%, only reaching 27.7%. MBC has already expressed interest in filming a sequel , but because Gong Yoo is enlisting for the army within the year, he may not be able to participate in the sequel.

The night before, Coffee Prince’s actors and staff went to some Charcoal beef restaurant in Seoul for celebration party and to watch the finale together. On the night, bills were paid by female lead, Yoon Eun Hye. She and Gong Yoo both really liked CP, EH said “This drama was natural, simple and honest. On the filming sites, the atmosphere was very relaxed and pleasant/cheerful. Even though I had to cross-dress in the drama, giving up the chance to pretty myself, it was because of my natural dress up that lead to even more love from the public.”

Gong Yoo says: “I never even thought that the drama’s ratings would be able to border 30%, everyone really likes this drama, EH and I both felt that even if ratings performance wasn’t that good, it definitely is an outstanding drama. During my time filming the drama, it never felt like i was going to work, more like going to have fun. It’s been a while since i’ve had fun to this happy extent! So I need to thank EH and the director.” Gong Yoo also announced: “CP might be my last work of art/creation before I serve in the army, even though i’ve already received notice that i’m to enlist in October, but it might get postponed. However, at the lastest, i will still enlist within the year.”

Aside from this, alot of viewers wish for a sequel, even helping the channel in brainstorming ideas – pointing towards YEH’s Eunchan to become the “2nd store”’s boss. MBC also expressed interest in filming a sequel, but because of GY’S enlistment he may not be able to participate.

credit : Sina
Translation : hjrx & yinsyung@soompi

Yoon Eun Hye and 3 princes also attended for this fanmeeting.

Youtube : Link
Credit : Mnet

Rating hovering at the 30% mark, MBC Coffee prince 1st Shop will bid audience goodbye on the 28th.

Coffee Prince is a pop idol drama, its depicts the love and lives of the youth in a very romantic way.

Since the 90s, audiences begins to like pop idol dramas, but of late had received lukewarm responses. Reasons being, the storyline and the characters portrayed does not change, which the audiences are getting tired of, resulting in a drop of ratings. The target audience of Pop Idol drama are of the 20s, 30s, and as their lifestyle changes for the better, they are getting harder to be attracted to the storylines of the dramas.

Even so, Pop Idol drama Coffee Prince 1st Shop had attracted so many Coffee Addicts, and its popularity remains high, why so?

Not trapped within the cliché of Romance drama

Coffee Prince’s main theme is the same as all dramas, typically loved by younger generation.

But Coffee Prince allows Go Eun-Chan (YEH) to cross-dress, which differs from the cliché of other dramas. In a environment that veryone around EC knows the true about her gender and allowing HK (GY) to fall into frustration of a ‘gay’romance, hypes up the audiences about “When the truth of EC gender will be revealed?” and “What will happen when that happens?”

Though Coffee Prince gay theme will make the mood of the drama ‘heavy’ but gave the audience a ‘cool’ impression. Furthermore, the spats between EC and HK are frequent but the durations are not long.

HK is a 3rd Generation heir apparent, EC has to behave like a man for the sake of livelihood. But the contrast of their birth did not contribute too much of an obstacle to their relationship, this is a new attempt so not to allow the theme to fall into the cliché of typical drama. Sensuous lines from Male actors and the assembly of ‘beautiful’ men of the CP becomes the highlight of the drama.

Accentuate the traits of the artistes

Many viewers are looking forward to the idea of YEH cross-dressing as a guy, wondering whether she will able to have a breakthrough with the portrayal. But after the airing, viewers noticed that there’s not much change in their acting. Instead, the artistes need not change their acting due to casting of artistes that is similar to the roles.

”Round faced YEH basically has handsome features, in her past performances gave the impression of being active and modest. This is reasons why YEH is selected for the role. The original writer/scriptwriter Lee Jeong-e, on the role of HK had said: “GY is the most suitable for the role”.

In reality, there is no difference in the the performance of YEH in Coffee Prince and the 2006 MBC Goong. GY portrayal of HK reprised the role that he had in SBS 《饼干老师星星糖》(Biscuit teacher).

But the focus is on the original acting of the artistes which gives the viewers a new ‘feel’. , Coffee Prince 1st shop stand out when comparing to many typical pop idol dramas which concentrate on the numbers of stars appearing and the change of acting by the artistes.

Not depending on star power but the use of artistes similar to the roles makes one think deeper into this simple formula.

Source : chosun.com