The second place is ‘The Sea’ starring Meguro Ren (Fuji TV).
The winning streak began in July. Drama has crossed the threshold. Which of the many hit shows have been discontinued?
The magazine conducted a survey to discover which TV shows people stopped watching midway. We queried 500 TV-loving women aged 30 to 60 from across the country. The focus was on 15 shows that aired on prime-time commercial broadcasters in July (some began in June).
Let’s examine the top five “retired dramas.”
[No. 5] “Black Bean Season 2” (TBS) 40 votes
Starring Kazunari Ninomiya, this is a medical drama. As of episode 5, the average household ratings (Kanto region Video Research) exceeded 11%, marking the highest so far this season. Dubbed a “Sunday drama,” what caused its discontinuation?
“The first season was enjoyable, and I had high hopes for this one, but it’s a bit less engaging. The character is still the same Nino, but…” (30s, housewife, Tokyo)
“I love medical dramas, so I wanted to keep watching, but they were so far from reality that I had to give up. Why must I gamble just to get surgery? Also, the lead doesn’t resemble a genius surgeon.” (60s, housewife, Kanagawa Prefecture)
[4th place] “Nan-kun is a lover!?” (TV Asahi) 41 votes
This is a gender-reversed version of “Nam-gun’s Lover,” which has been adapted into TV series multiple times in the past, starring Ai Iinuma.
“Why do we need to reverse the genders? It was interesting to see what Takeda Shinji did previously.” (40s, part-time worker, Fukuoka Prefecture)
“I had been watching ‘Fate’ until June and continued with this, but I’m retiring because it felt like a drama aimed entirely at children. I wished it had more depth for adults.” (50s, housewife, Ibaraki Prefecture)
[3rd place] “Kasouken no Onna Season 24” (TV Asahi) 47 votes
A long-running series that started in 1999, starring Yasuko Sawaguchi.
“I’ve been watching it for a long time, but it remains too rigid. I enjoyed the laid-back approach.” (Born in the 60s, housewife, Fukuoka Prefecture)
“I tried to get into it since my family was watching, but I grew weary of it. The same story keeps repeating.” (Late 20s, unemployed, Nagano Prefecture)
[2nd place] “Sea of Origin” (Fuji TV) 55 votes
Starring Ren Meguro, this show features the reunion of the team behind the hit “Silent,” which garnered much attention. Co-starring Arimura Kasumi and Otake Shinobu.
“A lot of people mention it’s dark and heavy, but I find the story quite ‘beautiful.’ I also dislike the forced emotional moments.” (30s, medical professional, Tokyo)
“It’s impossible because there are many aspects I can’t comprehend, like having a child without telling my boyfriend.” (20s, part-time worker, Aichi Prefecture)
“I’m tired of the slow pacing. While the main characters may be charming, their acting is underwhelming. They mumble so much that I can’t follow without subtitles.” (60s, unemployed, Tokyo)
[1st place] “Shinjuku Field Hospital” (Fuji TV) 60 votes
The script is by Kankuro Kudo, starring Eiko Koike and Taiga Nakano.
“Everyone on the show talks so fast and loudly it’s exhausting. Subtitles appear constantly, and I struggle to read them. I like Koike-san and the cast, but this just isn’t for me.” (50s, housewife, Tokyo)
“It’s clear whether you like or dislike Kudo Kankuro’s shows. I’m not a fan, but when I attempted to watch, I couldn’t endure it, especially due to the excessive crude humor.” (60s, housewife, Saitama Prefecture)
“I was eager to see what Miyato-san, who wrote ‘Inappropriate,’ had penned, but I was disappointed. It was too farcical, overacted, and I don’t understand English well. I just didn’t get it.” (40s, company employee, Kanagawa Prefecture)
This TV series, noted for having a high “time-shift rating,” has also attracted attention. It can be said this drama invokes strong feelings of like or dislike.
Furthermore, this ranking merely reflects shows I’ve “retired” from. Notably, those at the top were more widely watched, while those at the bottom likely have very few viewers.
（ Smart Flash
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Ranking of TV Series That Viewers Stopped Watching Halfway in July: Insights and Trends
The second place is “The Sea” starring Meguro Ren (Fuji TV).
Survey Findings: TV Shows Viewed and Abandoned
In July, a comprehensive survey conducted by a popular magazine revealed which TV shows viewers decided to stop watching. This survey included responses from 500 women aged 30 to 60, focusing on 15 different shows aired on prime-time commercial networks. The aim was to identify the dramas that fell short of viewer expectations and resulted in a notable number of “retirements.”
Top 5 TV Series Where Viewers Stopped Watching
Here’s an exciting look at the top five shows that viewers decided to abandon halfway through:
[5th] “Black Bean Season 2” (TBS) – 40 Votes
This medical drama starring Ninomiya Kazunari faced criticism despite its decent ratings. Comments from viewers indicate a disconnect with the story’s realism:
- “The first season was fun, but this time it feels less engaging.” (30s, housewife, Tokyo)
- “Medical dramas are great, but this one feels unrealistic at times.” (60s, housewife, Kanagawa Prefecture)
[4th] “Nan-kun is a Lover!?” (TV Asahi) – 41 Votes
This gender-reversed adaptation received mixed reactions. While some appreciated the concept, others found it unappealing:
- “I didn’t see the need for gender reversal; it feels childish.” (50s, housewife, Ibaraki Prefecture)
[3rd] “Kasouken no Onna Season 24” (TV Asahi) – 47 Votes
A long-standing detective series that seems to stagnate in terms of innovation:
- “It feels too rigid; it has lost the charm of its earlier seasons.” (60s, housewife, Fukuoka Prefecture)
[2nd] “Sea of Origin” (Fuji TV) – 55 Votes
Starring Meguro Ren, this show stirred debate over its slow pacing and complex themes:
- “The story is trying too hard to be deep but comes off as confusing.” (20s, part-time job, Aichi Prefecture)
[1st] “Shinjuku Field Hospital” (Fuji TV) – 60 Votes
The show attracted attention due to its quirky dialogue and pace, leaving viewers overwhelmed:
- “The fast dialogue makes it hard to keep up; the humor doesn’t land.” (50s, housewife, Tokyo)
Understanding Viewer Retention and Abandonment
What do these results tell us? The majority of shows mentioned in the top five have significant viewer engagement yet failed to maintain it, indicating that even popular shows can miss the mark based on viewer expectations. The tendency to abandon shows often reflects broader trends in storytelling and character development.
Factors Influencing Viewer Decisions
Several factors appear to consistently influence why viewers choose to stop watching certain dramas:
- Pacing and Structure: Shows with slow narratives often lose viewers’ interest.
- Relatability: Unrelatable characters or situations can diminish audience connection.
- Over-complexity: When plots become too convoluted, it can frustrate viewers.
- Character Development: Flat or unchanging characters may lead to viewer disengagement.
Viewer Insights: What They Want
By analyzing viewer feedback, it becomes evident that audiences seek:
- Captivating story arcs that evolve and keep them guessing.
- Relatable characters facing real-life challenges.
- Balanced pacing that doesn’t overwhelm or bore.
Related Articles for Further Exploration
Interested in knowing more about viewer preferences? Check out these related articles:
- “I Hate My Beloved Meguro Ren” – Viewer Reactions and Trends
- Ranking Insights – Why Viewers Turn Away
Implications for Producers and Writers
This ranking provides a clear signal to producers and scriptwriters regarding the importance of understanding viewer psychology. Key lessons include:
- Keep It Fresh: Continuously innovate to maintain viewer interest.
- Engage Audiences: Invest time in character development that resonates.
- Balance Complexity: Ensure plots are intriguing but accessible.
Engagement and Viewer Feedback
As a viewer, your voice matters! What are your thoughts on these shows? Have you experienced similar sentiments while watching any of these series? Engaging in discussions can provide directors and producers with valuable insights into viewer preferences.
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