Roommate Episode 11

Roommate Episode 11 

This week’s episode of Roommate featured a lot of funny moments, but also raised some serious issues that were heavily criticized by viewers both in Korea and internationally. Min Woo’s driving adventure, however, just seems like the last spark in a long line of viewer complaints about the nature of this “reality” program. Join the Drama Club as we discuss what happened and why we think the show is hitting on some peoples’ nerves.

Lore: Roommate has been a controversial show since shortly after it premiered. From Nana speaking Banmal to her elders, to Min Woo’s sleepy driving, the “forced” love lines, poor ratings, Park Bom’s recent “drug” scandal, and the announcement that Exo’s Baekhyun will guest star amidst a less than well received dating revelation, this program has not had an easy time. And to think we are only 11 episodes in. 

I think that a portion of the negative buzz, at least the buzz internally generated by the program and not originating externally (Bom’s scandal, Baekhyun’s scandal), is being driven by a chase after ratings. Which sounds like simple common sense for any television viewer. The producers tease viewers with previews of tears and disagreements and high emotions to get us to tune in. We tune in and instead we find people crying because they were pranked (much like the viewers) instead of due to a horrible emotional event like the previews promised. This is nothing new in television, but it doesn’t really help in winning this show fans when it is already on shaky ground.

I can’t fault the producers for executing a strategy that has worked well for other shows, but I honestly think they need to really consider their game plan in the face of such negative press. I am not asking them to change the concept of Roommates- heck I honestly love the idea of this show- but I do think they need to be sensitive on what element they edit their episodes to revolve around. Episode 11 was largely focused on pushing a “Bad stuff is about to happen. What could it be?!” – In my mind a better approach would have been to focus less on one event (Min Woo’s driving) and more on the overall journey.

Watch the next episode Roommate 

Roommate Episode 17