"I Hear Your Voice" is one of the summer's must-watch dramas. But, as is often the case with a successful drama, the producers are thinking about changing it. With ratings nearing the 20 percent mark, the show's producers are currently considering whether to extend the planned 16 episodes to 18 episodes.
According to representative from SBS, nothing has been decided yet.
"There have been discussions, but these discussions always come up, even for other dramas," said the representative.
The final decision will be up to writer Park Hye Ryun, who has crafted an enjoyable puzzle of a story. The series, which stars Lee Bo Young, Lee Jong Suk and Yoon Sang Hun, combines courtroom drama with romance and the supernatural. The brisk pace of the drama's plot is designed to keep viewers guessing what might happen next. So far, there hasn't been a dull moment or a slow scene. Can writer Park Hye Run add two more hours worth of drama and still keep audiences entertained?
Shooting any additional episodes will also have to fit in with the actors' schedules. For example, Lee Jong Suk will soon need to be on the set of the film "Hot Blooded Youth," in which he will co-star with Park Bo Young. The much-in-demand young actor has also signed on for "No Breathing," a film about swimming, with co-star Seo In Guk. His popularity got an extra boost from his role in "I Hear Your Voice."
When they extend a drama, producers think of it as fan service, a way to give fans a little something extra. But while some fans are happy that the show might be extended by a few more episodes, others say that doing so will only detract from what has so far been a neatly constructed plot. That has been the case in some other popular dramas that got extra episodes.
For example, "Princess Hours" with Yoon Eun Hye and Ju Ji Hoon got bumped from 20 to 24 episodes. While "Princess Hours" was a very entertaining drama, netizens commented that a few episodes toward the end dragged on. The drama "Missing You" with Yoon Eun Hye and Park Yoo Chun was extended by an extra episode but critics said that episode just added unnecessary plot complications.
Do you have an opinion about adding episodes in general? Or about adding episodes to "I Hear Your Voice." Let us know.
