[Pexers Write-Ups] Inspiring Generation-A Global Drama

Inspiring Generation when we first heard or read about it was just one of those dramas which hobbled for awhile for not being able to pin down its lead actor. Two walked away from becoming the drama’s leading character -until Golden Pine, the production company, found its Shin Jung Tae in Kim Hyun Joong in the Summer of last year. The role must have been waiting for him all along.

Many most probably did not expect this drama to be a heavy weight until KBS announced it as their Special Production for 2014. The overseas shooting to take place in Shanghai received much media attention. Particularly so because of the time frame of the drama -the rambunctious 1930′s -a favorite time and setting among blockbusters such as Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun. This was the launching pad of Christopher Bale at the tender age of 13 who went on later to become Bruce Wayne aka Batman.

A Time Machine

At IG they are not just going to talk about Shanghai but actually show charcoal fed locomotion, the tram and its pathways on the street, the rickshaw, cars of the ’30s, the typical buildings and sign boards down to the detail like chocolates all in the name of authenticity for a historical period drama.The ambiance and the mood of the time has been recreated it is going to be like a time machine for all -actors and viewers alike.

But it is not all about Shanghai as its backdrop is also that of Korea and Japan.

The Past Meets the Present

For the past to come alive by interpretation and recreation required a big budget for its mega production, cinematography and musical scoring at its best, its large cast of veteran actors, and promotion through teasers, posters, moving platforms(buses), huge tarpaulin in buildings,etc..One advance affirmation of its success came through its right to show on television in US and Thailand had been sold. As I am writing this Japan also has bought rights to show IG on TV. Many other countries are to follow.

IG has become the shot heard around the world that international fans have flocked to the shooting site even in winter weather. Up to date news,pictures and videos about IG and HJ have been circulating in the net. In effect, our virtual presence has been there, too.

But what makes IG a global drama is its serialized storytelling done episode by episode to be watched in varying time zones. With the internet and cable TV capabilities improving, global audience can watch simultaneously with South Korea. With online viewing sites increase in numbers lately, after a wait of a few hours one can watch current episode in the raw if they are in a hurry or translated in English and other languages later. The number of advertisements per episode flashed across the screen have increased lately but no need to suffer for one can opt for ad free viewing for a fee(of course). Advertisements in the global era have now become more ubiquitous than before.

Domestic audience drama preferences will matter for rating purposes. On the other hand, IG’s potential global audience reactions will be tweeted, posted in Facebook and blogs, discussed in online chat rooms, skyped,viber’d. Who knows what other ways will be invented or rediscovered just so fast communication will happen. It goes without saying reactions can be favorable or not.It is not only by watching the episodes but by the recaps,screen caps and reviews shared online can shape public opinion about the drama. The instant transnational communities formed are interesting to observe; yet what power does it have at present to confer merit to a work unfolding before its eyes? Overall, it is the drama enveloped by the global social media. It can use it or be abused by it.

In a week’s time IG will be riding the crest of the Hallyu wave. It will reach many shores and skylines. We will all be attending its premiere showing and the 23 episodes thereafter. All hopes are high it will do a very good job as expected. And for Hyun Joong, this drama should provide the imprimatur of having graduated from his flowerboy days into an actor capable of interpreting and portraying roles in complex context and situations.