▲ Posters of MBC's "Chief Inspector 1958" (L) and tvN's "Signal" Season 1, each provided by their broadcasters. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, March 18 (Yonhap) – Franchise series to old hit dramas featuring the same protagonists are being produced one after another.

With a prequel being produced after 35 years, "Chief Inspector (Susabanjang)," and an announcement that the script for Season 2 is being written after 8 years for "Signal," attention is drawn to whether they can follow the success of their predecessors.

 

According to broadcasters on the 17th, the MBC drama "Chief Inspector 1958," which is scheduled to premiere on the 19th of next month, depicts stories set more than 10 years earlier with the same character as the 1989 drama "Chief Inspector."

 

▲ A captured image of MBC drama "Chief Inspector," provided by the TV broadcaster. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Starring Choi Bool-am, "Chief Inspector" aired 880 episodes from March 6, 1971, for 18 years. It attracted explosive popularity, recording viewer ratings in the 70% range, and is considered the beginning of Korean investigative dramas.

 

"Chief Inspector 1958" tells the story of Park Young-han, the young version of the character Choi Bool-am portrayed in "Chief Inspector," against the backdrop of 1958. Actor Lee Je-hoon, who led the popularity of the "Taxi Driver" series, plays the young Park Young-han, while Lee Dong-hwi appears as a fellow detective.

 

▲ A still photo of MBC's "Chief Inspector 1958," provided by the TV broadcaster. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

tvN drama "Signal" also drew attention as it was revealed that after 8 years since its conclusion in March 2016, the script for a sequel is in the works.

 

Jang Won-seok, CEO of Bae & Entertainment, recently announced at a K-content-related event held at La Sapienza University in Rome, Italy, "Writer Kim Eun-hee is preparing the script for 'Signal' Season 2." Kim Eun-hee, who wrote the screenplay for "Signal" Season 1, also attended the event.

 

"Signal" depicts past and present detectives communicating through a walkie-talkie to solve long-standing unsolved cases. Season 1 starred Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, and Cho Jin-woong.

 

Based on intriguing material, well-crafted narrative, and outstanding performances by lead actors, the drama achieved viewer ratings in the 13% range, marking a significant success as a cable channel drama.

 

Details about Season 2, including broadcast timing, have not been determined yet.

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