Why Is Everyone Talking About This 2010 Korean Drama? A Political Show That Predicts South Korea's Reality Today.

As Go Hyun-jung returns to the small screen after three years with the drama Namib, her previous work, the SBS political drama DaeMul (Big Thing), is also gaining renewed attention. The drama portrays the journey of a former announcer, who, after protesting the wrongful death of her husband, is fired and ultimately rises to become South Korea’s first female president. In light of the current political turmoil, the conflicts and leadership issues explored in DaeMul are once again being discussed widely. Go Hyun-jung had taken a break after her role in the 2021 JTBC drama The Woman Who Looks Like Me, and is now making her comeback with Namib.

DaeMul (Big Thing) is a 24-episode drama that aired on SBS from October 6 to December 23, 2010, starring Go Hyun-jung and Kwon Sang-woo. Based on the second part of the comic DaeMul, the drama consistently ranked first in its time slot throughout its broadcast.

The final episode maintained the top spot with a rating of 27.8%, ending on a high note. Its highest viewership rating was 28.3% (according to AGB Nielsen Media Research). However, despite the influence of the original comic and the star-studded cast, the drama left some disappointment as it did not surpass the 30% mark in ratings.

DaeMul (Big Thing) was a highly anticipated drama, despite the controversies surrounding it. Based on a popular comic, the drama garnered significant attention, particularly as it marked the return of Go Hyun-jung and Kwon Sang-woo. However, early on, political pressure controversies emerged, leading to the departure of the PD and writer. This caused the characters to become more one-dimensional, and the initial "satisfying" feel of the show was lost, attracting criticism.

The drama tackled a variety of political issues from the start, including a submarine accident, presidential impeachment, and diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and China. However, it failed to delve deeply into these events, leaving viewers with a sense of dissatisfaction and ultimately earning the label of "a story with a promising start but a weak finish." Despite this, the drama's messages and lines continue to be discussed. The final episode of DaeMul included lines that resonated deeply with politicians, leaving an even stronger sense of regret over the series' conclusion.

"We must not lose our original intentions."

President Seo Hye-rim (played by Go Hyun-jung) stated during a conversation with Prosecutor Ha Do-ya (played by Kwon Sang-woo) that politics is not a simple matter and that the world does not improve because people lose their original intentions. She explained that politics is simple and should not be tainted by corruption and compromise. This message left a strong impact on those who entered politics and became corrupted. In particular, Representative Kang Tae-san (played by Chang In-pyo) was shown regaining his original intentions and rising again.

"A leadership that embraces the people for national unity is needed."

Former President Baek Seong-min (played by Lee Soon-jae) stated that while South Korea’s rise to a first-class nation is important, the unity and communication of the people are more critical at this point in time. He emphasized the need for leadership that embraces the people rather than a strong leadership. When asked why Representative Kang Tae-san chose President Seo Hye-rim, Baek Seong-min explained that it was to foster national unity. He emphasized that while economic growth is important, the key to success lies in ensuring the people are united and not divided, as unresolved internal conflicts could put the country at risk.

"People, you must not give up on politics."

In her farewell speech, President Seo Hye-rim tearfully appealed, "People, even if you dislike politicians, you must not give up on politics. You must continue to love politics." She conveyed the message to the disillusioned public, urging them not to lose interest in politics but to continue to monitor and participate in it.

DaeMul (Big Thing), based on a comic, with a star-studded cast, was the first-ever political drama in Korean television, drawing attention. Despite the controversies and noise during its broadcast, the drama highlighted political leadership and social issues, leaving a deep impression on viewers. Still relevant today due to its parallels with current political situations, the drama continues to remind many of the importance of the essence of politics and the original intentions behind it. DaeMul is available for rewatching on the SBS official website and the YouTube channel SBS Old Dramas - BaekD.

Meanwhile, reactions on the YouTube channel SBS Old Dramas - BaekD include comments like, "There was such a drama, and nothing has changed," "The content of the drama is exactly what needs to be said in today’s political scene. The people are the masters of this country," "After seeing the current lawmakers, this drama is trending on the algorithm," "Wouldn’t it be great if we had a president like this?" "The algorithm is amazing...why is this suddenly trending?" "This is the drama we need to watch now," "This drama was really entertaining."