The once highly anticipated drama 'Surely Tomorrow' starring Park Seo Joon and Won Ji An continues to struggle to capture viewers and has yet to show signs of a ratings rebound. Due to the sluggish plot development, excessive setups, and ongoing debates over the lead actors' performances, viewership has lingered in the low 3% range for three consecutive weeks.
JTBC's 'Surely Tomorrow tells the story of a man and woman who, after two relationships in their 20s, reunite in their 30s - he as a journalist reporting on an affair scandal, she as the wife at the center of it. Park Seo Joon plays entertainment reporter Lee Kyung Do, while actress Won Ji An portrays his first love, Seo Ji Woo.
This project carried significant weight for Park Seo Joon. It marks his first romance drama in seven years since 'What's Wrong with Secretary Kim,' and his return to the small screen after five years since 'Itaewon Class.' Attention was heightened further after his previous 70 billion KRW (48.6 million USD) blockbuster 'Gyeongsang Creature' failed at the box office.
'Surely Tomorrow,' a 12-episode series, has aired six episodes and is now at its midpoint, but ratings remain underwhelming. After starting at 2% for the premiere, the series nudged up to 3% in episode two, then plateaued in the low 3% for three weeks. The current trend does not suggest a sudden surge in popularity.
Critics point to frustratingly slow plot development and excessive setups. Despite being a couple reunited after multiple relationships and breakups, the characters’ shy emotional expressions feel overdone. In episode five, a fantasy dance scene between Park Seo Joon and Won Ji An was criticized for breaking emotional immersion, drawing comparisons to 'La La Land.' Some viewers said, “Rather than carefully developing the characters’ emotional arcs, the show piles on familiar clichés and easily ‘marketable’ elements.”
Won Ji An has also faced performance critiques. While not dramatically undermining the show, many viewers noted a lack of subtlety in her emotional expressions, voice projection, and line delivery. Critics also observed a slight disconnect in chemistry with Park Seo Joon. Previously, Won Ji An faced similar scrutiny in her 2023 lead role in 'Heartbeat.'
Excessive setups also drew criticism. Flashback scenes were overly softened with filters. Even with a 15+ rating, episode two featured overt sexual dialogue like, “I don’t mean sleeping, I mean sex,” and, “Kyung Do, let’s do it once,” which some viewers deemed excessively explicit.
With roughly half the series remaining, there is still potential for a ratings rebound. A broadcasting industry source noted, “Although there are shortcomings, scenes depicting their fresh first-love moments are relatively well-captured, and the 11-year age gap between 1988-born Park Seo Joon and 1999-born Won Ji An isn’t particularly distracting on screen. Depending on future developments, a rebound is possible.”
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