Melancholia (TV series)

Melancholia (Korean: 멜랑꼴리아; RR: Mellangkkollia) is a 2021 South Korean television series directed by Kim Sang-hyeob and starring Im Soo-jung and Lee Do-hyun. The series tells the story of scandals and corruption in private high schools in Gangnam.^[3] It premiered as tvN's 15th anniversary special project on tvN on November 10, 2021 and aired on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 22:30 (KST) till December 30, 2021. It is available for streaming on iQIYI and Viu in selected territories.^[4][5]

Melancholia
Promotional poster
Hangul	멜랑꼴리아
Revised Romanization	Mellangkkollia
Genre	Melodrama
Created by	Kim Jae-hyun (tvN) Studio Dragon^[1]
Written by	Kim Ji-woon
Directed by	Kim Sang-hyeob
Starring	Im Soo-jung Lee Do-hyun
Music by	Park Se-joon
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of episodes	16^[2]
Production
Executive producers	Lee Hye-young Kim Rak-hyun (CP)
Producers	Moon Seok-hwan Oh Kwang-hee Yoo Beom-sang Ham Geun-ho
Editor	Kim Hee-sung
Camera setup	Single-camera
Running time	60 minutes^[2]
Production company	Bon Factory Worldwide^[1]
Original release
Network	tvN
Release	November 10 (2021-11-10) – December 30, 2021 (2021-12-30)

Synopsis

Melancholia tells the story of Ji Yoon-soo (Im Soo-jung), a mathematics teacher at the prestigious private Ahseong High School which is also a hotbed of corruptions. She is good-natured on the outside but gets very tenacious and stubborn once she makes up her mind about something. Extremely passionate about math, she is a teacher who encourages her students to find their own answers. At the school, she meets Baek Seung-yoo (Lee Do-hyun), a troubled student who is at the bottom of the class. She notices his potential in math, and with her attention and interactions with him, Seung-yoo's grades rises and becomes number one in the class.

Baek Seung-yoo himself is a student who rarely talks, but he likes to take pictures with his camera. He has no friends at school, but he has a shocking past. When he was a child, he won many mathematical olympiads. When he was 10 years old, he entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, but he suddenly disappeared at the age of 12.

Yoon-soo never knew that her attention and interactions with Seung-yoo would create rumors of a teacher-student sexual scandal among other students and parents, which results in her being fired from her job. Four years later, Yoon-soo and Seung-yoo meet again. Now both as adults, they unite to expose the corruptions at Ahseong High School, and to regain Yoon-soo's reputation as a teacher.

Cast

Main

• Im Soo-jung as Ji Yoon-soo, a math teacher.^[6]
  • Cha Jung-hyun as young Ji Yoon-soo^[7]
• Lee Do-hyun as Baek Seung-yoo / Baek Min-jae, a math genius.
  • Choi Seung-hoon as young Baek Seung-yoo / Baek Min-jae

Supporting

Ahseong High School

• Jeon Jin-ki as Choi Seong-han, principal of Ahseong High School which is affiliated with Ahseong Academy Foundation.^[8]
• Jin Kyung as Noh Jung-ah, head of the school administration at Ahseong High School.^[9]
• Woo Da-vi as Seong Ye-rin, Min-joon's and Hye-mi's daughter, first student at Ahseong High School.^[10]
• Oh Hye-won as Noh Yeon-woo, the second daughter of the president of Ahseong Academy and the principal of Ahseong International Middle School.^[11]
• Choi Woo-sung as Jang Gyu-yeong, second in the entire school who is always jealous of Baek Seung-yoo.^[12][13]
• Yang Jo-ah as Kim Jin-hee, a teacher of the Korean language department at Ahseong High School and the homeroom teacher of the 8th grade in the second year.
• Kim Mi-hye as Ahn Seong-go, a math teacher at Ahseong High School.^[14]
• Lee Kang-ji as Lee Hyun-jae, a close friend of Seung-yoo.^[15]
• Lee Sang-jin as Park Hyun-do, a close friend of Baek Seung-yoo. He is lively bright and honest, and join dance club together with Seung-yoo and Hyun-jae.^[16]
• Son Jin-hwan as Oh Jin-taek, principal of Ahseong High School, a famous private high school in South Korea's 1st education district.^[17]
• Kim Ji-young as Kim Ji-na, the only daughter of Noh Jung-ah, head of school affairs at Ahseong High School. As Little Paris Hilton, she is friendly under her mother's shadow, outspoken, neglects her friends, and does evil.^[18]
• Shin Soo-yeon as Choi Si-an^[19]
• Park Sung-yeon as Yoo Seon-ah
• Lee Da-yeon as Kyung Soo-young, the daughter of Minister Kyung-min, who borrows her father's powers to transfer Ahseong High School.^[20]

Others

• Choi Dae-hoon as Ryoo Seong-jae, Yoon-soo's fiancé, a policy advisor at the Office of Education.^[21]
• Jang Hyun-sung as Seong Min-joon, a parent of a student at Ahseong High School and a member of the National Assembly.
• Byun Jung-soo as Yoo Hye-mi, a top actress, wife of Seong Min-joon.
• Baek Ji-won as Min Hee-seung, Baek Seung-yoo's mother.
• Kim Ho-jin as Baek Min-sik, a psychiatrist in Hangok-dong.
• Sunwoo as Jenny's mother, a mother who works hard for her daughter Jenny's education.^[22]
• Oh Kwang-rok as Ji Hyun-wook, Ji Yoon-soo's father.^[23]
• Lee Se-na as Jo Yoon-ah, a radio station reporter.^[24]

Production

In April 2021, Im Soo-jung was offered to appear in the TV series. Her agency, King Kong, reported that they were considering it positively. Im Soo-jung is appearing in series after hiatus of two years as she last appeared in 2019 tvN series Search: WWW.^[25] The line-up for cast was confirmed in July 2021.^[26] Sunwoo is appearing in the series after a hiatus of 7 years. She last appeared in 2014 series Family Secret.^[27]

On October 31, 2021 it was reported that 4 staff members at filming site were found positive of COVID-19 and as per safety guidelines the production was suspended. As this would affect the smooth flow of broadcast of the series, airing of the first episode was postponed for a week.^[28]

Release

The series was scheduled to premiere on November 3, 2021^[29] but due to contagion of COVID-19 at the filming site, the premiere was postponed to November 10.^[30]

Original soundtrack

Melancholia
Soundtrack album by Various
Released	2021
Genre	Soundtrack
Language	Korean English
Label	Genie Music Stone Music Entertainment

Part 1

Released on November 17, 2021 (2021-11-17)^[31]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"All I Need"	Jayins, Jemma	Jayins	Jemma	3:10
2.	"All I Need" (Inst.)		Jayins		3:10

Part 2

Released on December 2, 2021 (2021-12-02)^[31]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Darling"	Choi In-young	Choi In-young	Sunwoo Jung-a	4:10
2.	"Darling" (Inst.)		Choi In-young		4:10

Part 3

Released on December 9, 2021 (2021-12-09) ^[31]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Lily of the Valley" ((Original song: DANIEL))	DANIEL	DANIEL	Na Sang-hyun's band	4:20
2.	"Lily of the Valley" (Inst.)		Na Sang-hyun's band		4:20

Part 4

Released on December 16, 2021 (2021-12-16) ^[31]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Let Me Know"	Hanjun, Park Se-joon	Lee Yoojin, Park Se-joon	CHEEZE	2:56
2.	"Let Me Know" (Inst.)		Lee Yoo-jin, Park Se-joon		2:56

Viewership

Melancholia : South Korea viewers per episode (thousands)

Season		Episode number																Average
		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
	1	743	523	557	356	423	330	545	450	649	451	605	458	507	520	551	520	512

Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea^[32]

Average TV viewership ratings

Ep.	Original broadcast date	Average audience share (Nielsen Korea)^[32]^[33]
		Nationwide	Seoul
1	November 10, 2021	3.617% (2nd)	4.174% (2nd)
2	November 11, 2021	2.407% (2nd)	2.459% (2nd)
3	November 17, 2021	2.529% (3rd)	2.548% (3rd)
4	November 18, 2021	1.619% (2nd)	1.682% (4th)
5	November 24, 2021	1.993% (2nd)	1.865% (2nd)
6	November 25, 2021	1.496% (5th)	1.738% (3rd)
7	December 1, 2021	2.654% (2nd)	3.035% (2nd)
8	December 2, 2021	1.887% (2nd)	1.762% (3rd)
9	December 8, 2021	3.163% (2nd)	3.085% (2nd)
10	December 9, 2021	2.203% (2nd)	2.024% (2nd)
11	December 15, 2021	2.741% (2nd)	2.632% (2nd)
12	December 16, 2021	2.260% (2nd)	2.467% (2nd)
13	December 22, 2021	2.349% (2nd)	1.740% (4th)
14	December 23, 2021	2.303% (2nd)	1.903% (4th)
15	December 29, 2021	2.720% (1st)	2.769% (2nd)
16	December 30, 2021	2.450% (2nd)	2.277% (3rd)
Average		2.399%	2.386%
In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings. This drama airs on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS).

References

1. Shin Young-eun (July 8, 2021). "'멜랑꼴리아' 임수정·이도현, 캐스팅 확정 [공식]" (in Korean). Maeil Business Newspaper. Retrieved January 24, 2022 – via Naver.
2. "Melancholia (2021)". CJ ENM. from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
3. "Melancholia - (Korean Drama, 2022, 멜랑꼴리아)". HanCinema. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
4. "Korean shows, films hit iQiyi as 2021 comes to a close". ABS-CBN News. September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
5. ago, Hanna Tamondong | 3 days. "Our Fave Hallyu Kings And Queens Are Back! Here Are All The K-Dramas Airing This November". COSMO.PH. Retrieved November 8, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
6. Kim Soo-young (July 8, 2021). "임수정X이도현, '멜랑꼴리아' 출연 확정…'사제 케미' 예고 [공식]" [Im Soo-jung X Lee Do-hyun confirmed to appear in 'Melancholia'... 'Priest Chemi' Notice [Official]]. Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
7. Yoo Byung-cheol (November 26, 2021). "멜랑꼴리아' 임수정 아역 누구? 신예 차정현 주목" [Who is Im Soo-jung's child role in 'Melancholia'? Attention rookie Cha Jung-hyun] (in Korean). Korea Economy TV. Retrieved November 26, 2021 – via Naver.
8. Ha Ji-won (August 25, 2021). "전진기, '멜랑꼴리아' 캐스팅...임수정·이도현과 호흡 [공식입장]" [Jeon Jin-ki, cast for 'Melancholia'... Breathing with Im Soo-jung and Lee Do-hyun [Official Position]]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved August 24, 2021 – via Naver.
9. Shim Eom-kyung (July 14, 2021). "[단독]'명품 배우' 진경, '멜랑꼴리아' 합류…임수정·이도현과 호흡" [[Exclusive] 'Luxury actor' Jinkyung joins 'Melancholia'... Breathing with Im Soo-jung and Lee Do-hyun]. Spotify News (in Korean). Retrieved August 25, 2021 – via Naver.
10. Kang Hyun-jin (July 15, 2021). "우다비, '멜랑꼴리아' 캐스팅…이도현과 호흡" [Udabi, cast for 'Melancholia'... Breathing with Lee Do-hyun]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved August 25, 2021 – via Naver.
11. Park Soo-in (July 20, 2021). "오혜원 '멜랑꼴리아' 출연 확정, 임수정 진경과 호흡(공식)" [Oh Hye-won confirmed to appear in ‘Melancholia’, working with Im Soo-jung and Jin-kyung (official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved August 25, 2021 – via Naver.
12. Yoon Hyo-Jeong (August 25, 2021). "신예 최우성 '멜랑꼴리아' 합류…임수정·이도현 만난다" [Rookie Woo-sung Choi joins 'Melancholia'... Im Soo-jung and Lee Do-hyun meet]. News 1 (in Korean). Retrieved August 24, 2021 – via Naver.
13. Cheon Yoon-hye (July 28, 2021). "간동거' 최우성, 차기작 '멜랑꼴리아' 출연 확정..임수정X이도현과 호흡[공식]" [Cohabitation' Choi Woo-sung confirmed to appear in the next work 'Melancholia'... Breathing with Im Soo-jung X Lee Do-hyun [Official]]. Herald POP (in Korean). Retrieved July 28, 2021 – via Naver.
14. Du Jeong-ah (September 3, 2021). "신예 김미혜, tvN '멜랑꼴리아' 합류…임수정·이도현과 호흡" [Rookie Kim Mi-hye joins tvN's 'Melancholia'... Breathing with Im Soo-jung and Lee Do-hyun] (in Korean). Retrieved September 5, 2021 – via Gyeonggi-do Minilbo.
15. Cha Hye-young (July 19, 2021). "이강지, '멜랑꼴리아' 출연…이도현과 '찐'우정 선보인다('로스쿨')" [Lee Kang-ji to appear in 'Melancholia'... Dohyeon Lee and 'Jin' Friendship Showcased ('Law School')]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Retrieved August 25, 2021 – via Naver.
16. Kim Jin-seok (September 8, 2021). "이상진, '멜랑꼴리아' 이도현 친구役 캐스팅" [Lee Sang-jin cast as Lee Do-hyun's friend in 'Melancholia']. My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved September 8, 2021.
17. Shim Eom-kyung (September 24, 2021). "손진환, '멜랑꼴리아' 캐스팅…비리 온상 사립고 교장 역[공식]" [Son Jin-hwan, cast for 'Melancholia'... The part of the principal of a private high school that is a hotbed of corruption [Official]]. Spotify News (in Korean). Retrieved September 24, 2021 – via Naver.
18. Beak A-young (October 14, 2021). "김지영, '멜랑꼴리아' 출연 확정...임수정X이도현과 호흡" [Kim Ji-young confirmed to appear in 'Melancholia'... Breathing with Im Soo-jung X Lee Do-hyun] (in Korean). iMBC. Retrieved October 14, 2021 – via Naver.
19. Lee Su-jin (December 2, 2021). "멜랑꼴리아' 이도현, 차가운 임수정 향해 직진…어떻게?" ['Melancholia' Lee Do-hyun, going straight towards the cold Im Soo-jung... how?] (in Korean). NEWSIS. Retrieved December 2, 2021 – via Naver.
20. Son Jin-ah (December 2, 2021). "이다연, '멜랑꼴리아' 비하인드 컷 공개…순수 VS 도도 반전 매력" [Lee Da-yeon reveals behind-the-scenes cuts from 'Melancholia'... Pure VS Dodo Reversal Charm] (in Korean). MK Sports. Retrieved December 2, 2021 – via Naver.
21. Lee Min-ji (July 15, 2021). "'멜랑꼴리아' 진경-최대훈→장현성-변정수, 황금 라인업 완성(공식)" ['Melancholia' Jin-Kyung-Choi Dae-Hoon → Jang Hyun-Sung-Byeon Jeong-Soo completes the golden lineup]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
22. Lee Kyung-ho (September 24, 2021). "선우, '멜랑꼴리아' 출연 확정..7년만에 복귀작" [Sunwoo Confirmed to Appear in 'Melancholia'... Returning after 7 Years]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved September 24, 2021 – via Naver.
23. Kim Soo-jin (November 17, 2021). "멜랑꼴리아' 임수정·이도현·오광록 3인 회동..왜" ['Melancholia' Lim Soo-jung, Lee Do-hyun, Oh Kwang-rok 3 people meeting... Why?] (in Korean). Star News. Retrieved November 17, 2021 – via Naver.
24. Park Pan-seok (November 24, 2021). "멜랑꼴리아' 임수정, 방송국 기자 이세나와 우연한 만남 불러올 파장" ['Melancholia' Lim Su-jeong, a radio station reporter Lee Se-na and an accidental meeting] (in Korean). OSEN. Retrieved November 24, 2021 – via Naver.
25. Hwang Hye-jin (April 4, 2021). "임수정 측 "'멜랑꼴리아' 출연 긍정 논의 중"(공식)" [Lim Soo-jung's side "Debating positively about appearing in 'Melancholia'" (official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
26. Kwak Hyun-soo (July 15, 2021). "진경-장현성→백지원 등 tvN '멜랑꼴리아' 황금 라인업 완성" [Jin-Kyung-Jang Hyun-Sung → Baek Ji-Won, etc. tvN 'Melancholia' golden lineup completed]. YTN (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
27. Lee Kyung-ho (September 24, 2021). "선우, '멜랑꼴리아' 출연 확정..7년만에 복귀작" [Sunwoo Confirmed to Appear in 'Melancholia'... Returning after 7 Years]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
28. Kang Da-yoon (October 31, 2021). "'멜랑꼴리아' 11월 10일로 첫방 연기…"스태프 중 코로나 확진자 발생" [공식]" ['Melancholia' premiere postponed to November 10... "Corona confirmed among staff" [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved October 31, 2021 – via Naver.
29. Cha Hye-young (September 30, 2021). "임수정X이도현, 감성 자극하는 메인포스터 최초 공개 ('멜랑꼴리아')" [Im Soo-jung X Lee Do-hyun, the first emotionally stimulating main poster released ('Melancholia')]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
30. Bae Hyo-joo (October 31, 2021). "'멜랑꼴리아' 스태프 중 코로나 확진자 발생‥첫방송 일주일 연기[공식]" ['Melancholia' staff confirmed corona virus… First broadcast postponed for a week [Official]]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
31. Original Soundtrack:
    • "멜랑꼴리아 OST Part 1" [Melancholia OST Part.1]. Melon. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
    • "멜랑꼴리아 OST Part 2" [Melancholia OST Part 2]. Melon. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
    • "멜랑꼴리아 OST Part 3" [Melancholia OST Part 3]. Melon. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
    • "멜랑꼴리아 OST Part 4" [Melancholia OST Part 4]. Melon. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
32. "Nelson Korea Ratings for latest episode". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
33. "멜랑꼴리아: 시청률" [Melancholia: ratings]. Naver. Retrieved December 31, 2021.

External links

• Official website (in Korean)
• Melancholia at Daum (in Korean)
• Melancholia at Naver (in Korean)
• Melancholia at HanCinema
• Melancholia at IMDb  
• Melancholia at iQiyi