Im Soo Hyang has a full-packed schedule this year, and her two dramas, Dr. Lawyer and Starting Today, We, already faced an issue.
Im Soo Hyang has been tapped to lead MBC’s Dr. Lawyer and SBS’s Starting Today, We.
The first K-drama, which also stars So Ji Sub, tells the story of a genius surgeon who becomes a medical malpractice lawyer after losing everything following a surgery. Meanwhile, a prosecutor loses her only family and lover through the same procedure. MBC scheduled Dr. Lawyer for a May 27 release.
Meanwhile, SBS prepared the Korean remake of Jane the Virgin. Starting Today, We also follows the original storyline about a woman who keeps herself purity to grant her grandmother’s wishes.
While these hyped the fans, MBC and SBS are now embroiled in a dispute due to the dramas’ broadcast schedules.
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Im Soo Hyang’s Dr. Lawyer and Starting Today, We Having Conflict
Originally, Starting Today, We was not scheduled to air during the same time period as Dr. Lawyer. However, the problems with the filming schedules of two other SBS dramas pushed the network to move it to the Monday-Tuesday slot.
MBC argued that the broadcast schedule for Dr. Lawyer had already been set in advance. Thus, SBS’s move to schedule it at a similar time would reportedly be a violation of business ethics.
It added that the contrast between the actress’ two roles would cause damage to both series.
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“Not even mentioning the obvious damage that would be suffered by ‘Dr. Lawyer,’ SBS would also suffer damages in terms of promotion and marketing [for ‘Starting Today, We’], so it is extremely unclear what they hope to achieve by doing this,” continued MBC. “The advertisers, sponsors, and viewers will all be confused,” it said.
MBC noted that the delays in the filming of Starting Today, We already brought a negative impact on Dr. Lawyer by causing unforeseen overlaps in filming. In the end, it condemned SBS’s decision not to inform MBC about their decision and proceeded with the one-sided announcement.
With that, it hoped to resolve the schedule conflict with SBS and recover their partnerships.
SBS Responds to Issue
Following the release of MBC’s statement, SBS responded and disclosed that the network did not see the overlaps as an issue, especially since they scheduled Starting Today, We for a April 11 schedule to replace A Business Proposal.
However, it reportedly had to postpone to May due to internal issues with production company GROUP 8.
“As the days of the week and time slots in which the drama will air are different, and because the subject matter of the two dramas is completely different as well, we do not think there will be any problems,” SBS went on.
Im Soo Hyang is yet to comment on the current issue.
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