Top Star U-back[1][2] (Korean톱스타 유백이; RRTopseuta Yubaeg-i) is a 2018 South Korean television series starring Kim Ji-seok, Jeon So-min and Lee Sang-yeob. It aired once a week on Fridays from November 16, 2018 to February 1, 2019 at 23:00 KST on tvN.[3][4][5][6] [7]

Top Star U-back
Promotional poster
Hangul
톱스타 유백이
Literal meaningTop Star Yoo Baek
Revised RomanizationTopseuta Yubaeg-i
GenreRomantic comedy
Written by
  • Lee Si-eun
  • Lee So-jeong
Directed byYoo Hak-chan
Starring
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes11
Production
Production companytvN
Original release
NetworktvN
ReleaseNovember 16, 2018 (2018-11-16) –
January 25, 2019 (2019-01-25)

Synopsis edit

The story of a narcissistic, former idol and A-list actor who is banished to a remote island after causing some major trouble. While struggling to adapt to his new surroundings, he eventually strikes up a romance with an islander who has very little in common.

Casts edit

Main edit

A narcissistic A-list actor and former idol. After causing some major trouble, Yoo Baek is forced to lie low for a while, and he ends up leaving Seoul for a temporary stay on a remote island.
An unsophisticated, tough-as-nails islander who is unpredictable but bright and optimistic. She is hardworking and does not care about anything aside from her studies, her work as a diver, or the supermarket she runs.
A sailor and the top star of Yeojeuk Island, who makes a glorious return home on a deep-sea fishing vessel

Supporting edit

Dong-choon's father
  • Jung Yi-rang as Lee Hyang-gi
Dong-choon's mother
  • Huh Jin as Jang Heung-deuk
  • Song Byung-suk as Goon San-deuk
  • Lee Han-wi as Choi Han-bong
Choi Ma-dol's father
Choi Ma-dol's mother
  • Yoo Joo-won as Park Dong-man
  • Kim Jung-min as Kang Min
Teacher of island
Only doctor of island, have a crush on Kang Min
Yoo Baek's CEO
  • Huh Jung-min as Nam Jo
Yoo Baek's rival
  • Kim Min-suk as Park Dong-choon
Yoo Baek's manager

Special appearances edit

Production edit

The first script reading for the drama was held on September 5, 2018 with the attendance of cast and crew.[12]

Original soundtrack edit

Top Star U-back OST
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
Recorded2018
GenreSoundtrack
Language
Label

Part 1 edit

Released on December 21, 2018 (2018-12-21)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Everything At That Moment" (모든 것 그 순간)Dong Woo-seokDong Woo-seokDong Woo-seok3:22
2."Everything At That Moment" (Inst.) Dong Woo-seok 3:22
Total length:6:44

Part 2 edit

Released on December 28, 2018 (2018-12-28)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Dawn" (새벽)December 32ndTaebongieRyu Ji-hyun3:41
2."Dawn" (Inst.) Taebongie 3:41
Total length:7:22

Part 3 edit

Released on January 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Dream"Dong Woo-seokDong Woo-seokParc Jae-jung3:48
2."Dream" (Inst.) Dong Woo-seok 3:48
Total length:7:36

Ratings edit

Top Star U-back : South Korea viewers per episode (thousands)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
1234567891011
1570603630592528484472449442486760547
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Media Research.[13]
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(AGB Nielsen)[14]
Nationwide Seoul
1 November 16, 2018 2.829% 3.372%
2 November 23, 2018 2.806% 2.733%
3 November 30, 2018 3.094% 3.196%
4 December 7, 2018 2.846% 3.067%
5 December 14, 2018 2.230% 2.067%
6 December 21, 2018 2.367% 2.160%
7 December 28, 2018 2.038% 2.053%
8 January 4, 2019 2.043% 2.072%
9 January 11, 2019 1.941% 2.195%
10 January 18, 2019 2.048% 2.328%
11 January 25, 2019 2.891% 3.010%
Average 2.467% 2.568%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
  • This drama aired 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).

Adaptation edit

CJ ENM HK, CJ ENM subsidiaries based in Hong Kong, to adapt the series in Mandarin under the title Breeze by the Sea, starring Taiwanese actors Bolin Chen, Puff Kuo and Charles Lin. The filming was currently underway in Kinmen Island.[15]

References edit

  1. ^ "Top Star U-back [Title in the URL]". Tving (in Korean). tvN. Archived from the original on November 13, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  2. ^ TOP STAR U-BACK [티저] 외딴섬에 유배 간 톱스타 유백! 여기가.. 제가 지낼 곳이라고요? 181116 EP.0. YouTube (in Korean). tvN Drama. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  3. ^ POP, 헤럴드 (2018-08-28). "정은표, tvN '톱스타 유백이' 출연 확정…몸짱 ♥꾼 변신[공식]" (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2018-08-31. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
  4. ^ "Top Star Yoo Baek (Korean Drama - 2018) - 톱스타 유백이". HanCinema. Archived from the original on 2018-08-31. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  5. ^ POP, 헤럴드 (2018-10-18). "촌티 작렬"…'톱스타 유백이' 전소민, 마성의 섬소녀로 변신 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2023-08-02. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  6. ^ '톱스타 유백이' 11월 16일 첫방, 김지석·전소민·이상엽 대본 리딩 공개. tvdaily.asiae.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2018-10-19. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  7. ^ "BBC Studios Builds Team In Western Europe; ZDF Studios Behind UK Whodunnit Drama; CJ ENM Mandarin Series Remake — Global Briefs". Deadline.
  8. ^ Kim Hyun-jung (2018-08-08). [공식입장] 김지석, '톱스타 유백이' 주인공으로 안방 컴백. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2018-11-27. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  9. ^ Yoon Hyo-jung (2018-09-17). "[공식입장]전소민, tvN '톱스타 유백이' 여주인공…김지석과 호흡". News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2018-11-27. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  10. ^ Park Hye-mi (2018-07-19). 이상엽, '톱스타 유백이' 캐스팅…한국의 잭스패로우 최마돌 役 [공식입장]. Stoo Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  11. ^ ‘톱스타 유백이’ 이상엽 “김지석 복근에 아재美로 맞설 것” [일문일답]. Sports Donga (in Korean). 2018-11-08. Archived from the original on 2018-11-27. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  12. ^ "'톱스타 유백이' 김지석-전소민-이상엽, '코믹력X꿀케미 만렙' 뿜뿜". Sports Chosun (in Korean). 2018-11-08. Archived from the original on 2018-11-27. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  13. ^ "Nielsen Korea". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  14. ^ "Nielsen Korea". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  15. ^ Whittlock, Jesse; Goldbert, Max (November 2, 2023). "BBC Studios Builds Team In Western Europe; ZDF Studios Behind UK Whodunnit Drama; CJ ENM Mandarin Series Remake — Global Briefs". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 26, 2023.

External links edit