The Producers (Korean Television Series)

The premise of a "look behind-the-scenes are a broadcast station which produces variety shows for television", was too delish not to witness, when I first read about it. Having worked behind the scenes for over a decade (although not necessarily all the time in the production sense, I admit), this was a joy to behold.

For folks not in the industry, the entertainment aspect was riveting enough for me - both the obvious in-your-face shenanigans and hijinks, and the subtle sensitivities involved. There were enough happenings (and minor "scandals") to dish out, as well featuring cameo appearances from "real life" actors/actresses as "themselves" (sometimes a parody of their personality is depicted … or I assume "parody" anyways :p), and while I am not exactly a hardcore K-drama follower, I could easily recognize some faces appearing, including ladies from Girls Generation, and guys from Running Man!

And all this from just 4 episodes viewed thus far!


The first episode sees a group of rookie PDs joining the station, and with behind-the-scenes cameras in their face a well, documenting their own experiences. Quite "inception" hahahaha

Imagine it like a "reality-show" styled drama, with the docu-concept permeating throughout the show, which most times acts like a "(after)thought" or word balloon. Nice touch.

This has become a program I aim to continue to follow, with the first series ending with 12eps.

Produced by KBS, which also produces another K-idol drama i am currently watching; Orange Marmalade :)


(Script Reading show previews)


Notable key actors are Gong Hyo-jin as seasoned PD "Tak Ye-jin" (first saw her in 2013's "Master's Sun" series, and loved her work since), Cha Tae-hyun ( "My Sassy Girl" 2001) as "Ra Joon-mo" is another PD, who is currently the senior in the group where rookie PD "Baek Seung-chan" had just joined the station. Played by Kim Soo-hyun (the alien from "My Love from the Star"). Lee Ji-eun known as "IU" rounds out the main cast as "Cindy", a famous singer and celebrity. The above promotional image does not portray the program I have seen thus far, although it would be interesting if this is the final result by the show's finale haha

("PD" is short for "producer-director", btw)

SYNOPSIS: "At the centre of Yeouido, there is a building which never goes to sleep 24/7; It's Korean Broadcasting System(KBS). And inside the building, on the sixth floor, people are busy working between the partitions who produce renowned variety shows including and more. Here, which seems to be an ordinary office, the highly-educated are being treated as a fool when their programs record low ratings even after hectic work schedule of filming, editing, and all-night meetings. This drama features various anecdotes about producers and non-producers happening in Entertainment Department." (kbsworld.co.kr)

WHAT-IS: "The Producers (Hangul: 프로듀사; RR: Peurodyusa; lit. "Producer") is a 2015 South Korean television series starring Kim Soo-hyun, Cha Tae-hyun, Gong Hyo-jin and IU. It airs on KBS2 on Fridays and Saturdays at 21:15 beginning 15 May 2015 for 12 episodes.
" (Wiki)

The above teaser for the show is pretty hilarious to me, not because it shows just the actors and nothing about the program, but the music used is from another tv show I enjoyed: EMPIRE! "" by Jussie Smollett (featuring Yazz).