Despite A 40 Billion Won Investment, ‘Uncle Samsik’ Challenges, And Song Kang Ho’s Talent Is Squandered

Even prior to its unveiling, anticipation was elevated. In the Disney+ original series “Uncle Samsik,” veteran actor Song Kang Ho, who has been in the industry for 35 years, landed his first dramatic role. Song approached the endeavor with a novice’s perspective, even suggesting that he aspired to receive the Baeksang Arts Awards Newcomer Award. Nevertheless, the series elicited minimal response upon its unveiling.

The series was left in a state of indifference as it approached its conclusion, as neither lofty praise nor harsh criticism could be found. ‘Uncle Samsik’ is at risk of receiving a subpar report card and retiring. It has been unable to generate interest three weeks after its release. Additionally, there has been minimal word of mouth. It obtained the highest ranking in the Korean TV show and overall categories on Disney+, but that was the extent of its success. ‘Uncle Samsik’ failed to reach the top 10 for TV-OTT integrated drama buzz in the fifth week of May, as indicated by data from Good Data Corporation’s Fundex, which evaluates the competitiveness of online content. The top actor chatter rankings did not include any actors from the series. Immediately following its release in the third week of May, ‘Uncle Samsik’ rated sixth in drama buzz and tenth in actor buzz (for Song Kang Ho). Although ‘Uncle Samsik’ is the highest-rated show on Disney+ in Korea, it has not had a significant international impact. In contrast, ‘Crash,’ which quickly rose to second place domestically, has maintained a consistent position in the top 10 of Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand. In Singapore and Japan, ‘Uncle Samsik’ frequently failed to rank in the top 10.

‘Crash’ surpassed ‘Uncle Samsik’ to secure the top position in both the Korean TV show and overall categories on May 29 and 30. Several factors, such as a disparity between the target audience and the platform, are suggested by industry analysts as the cause of ‘Uncle Samsik’s’ unsuccessful performance. The series, which is purely fictional, encompasses the period from the conclusion of Syngman Rhee’s administration to the era of Yun Posun and Park Chung-hee. It includes significant historical events such as the March 15 fraudulent election, the April 19 Revolution, and the May 16 military coup. The entry barrier to this historical context is substantial. The audience is more likely to be older and more male-dominated, as opposed to the younger, female-skewed demographic that typically subscribes to Disney+. Additionally, ‘Uncle Samsik’ is exclusively accessible to Disney+ subscribers, which limits its accessibility to the senior demographic. The narrative is intricate, featuring a gradual, subtle progression and a multitude of characters whose relationships are not explicitly delineated. It alternates between the past and the present. There is no sense of climax as the series approaches its latter half. It is characterized by ongoing political maneuvering and power struggles, but these lack a compelling rationale. Although Song Kang Ho’s acting is still commendable, there are numerous reservations regarding the project’s overall execution. ‘Uncle Samsik’ is a significant undertaking, with a production cost of 40 billion won. Although OTT platforms do not offer viewership ratings, their prevalence and word-of-mouth are essential indicators of success. ‘Uncle Samsik’ is a disaster according to these metrics.