Led by two famous actors, this new K-drama still records low ratings due to “cliché and outdated” plot? 

This K-drama fails to grab viewers’ attention with its premiere. 

“Love is for Suckers” is ENA’s new weekend drama, taking over the time slot of “Good Job”. Only 2 episodes of “Love is for Suckers” have been broadcast, but the drama’s ratings and feedback are already not so promising. Despite starring two famous actors, Lee Da Hee and Super Junior’s Choi Si Won, “Love is for Suckers” only premiered to a rating of 0.8% in episode 1 and rose slightly to 1.2% in episode 2. These are the lowest numbers among ongoing K-dramas. 

Not only ratings, the scores on review sites are not high. On the Mydramalist, “Love is for Suckers” originally had a score of 8.4, but after the first 2 episodes aired, the score went down to 7.8. The viewers are having mixed comments. Although some enjoyed the first 2 episodes, some found it cliché and unrealistic.

Comments from the audience on Mydramalist:

• I don’t want to watch another cliché story like this, even though the cast is good
• A 37-year-old woman acts like a teenager. The plot is too outdated and the characters are unlikable. It’s really hard to watch till end of episode 1
• Many people criticize but I love everything in the first 2 episodes. Nice to see Lee Da Hee and Si Won appear together. And the supporting couple is also doing a great job with their funny dialogues. The drama makes me laugh out loud.
• It’s too unrealistic for my liking

“Love is for Suckers” follows Goo Yeo Reum, a TV show producer who has been doing her job for 10 years. Despite her hard work, the shows she produces don’t succeed. Things change when Yeo Reum decides to challenge herself at a new reality TV show about dating called “Kingdom of Love”. While preparing for the show, she encounters many difficulties, especially in finding participants. She decides to ask for help from her best friend of 20 years, Park Jae Hoon, a plastic surgeon who is stuck because he has lost all inspiration for work and love. From friends, they work together and gradually develop feelings for one another.

The friends-to-lovers trope is too common in K-dramas, perhaps that’s why many viewers are not attracted to “Love is for Suckers”. In addition, Korean viewers have long lost interest in dramas that depict behind-the-scenes stories of the entertainment industry. However, it is fair to add that the show has only aired for 2 episodes and it is likely that there will be many interesting stories waiting for the audience in the coming episodes.

Source: K14