It won the top prize at MBC's 2025 drama script contest (MBC is one of South Korea's major broadcasters).
The story follows a number‑savvy boy and an eccentric convenience‑store owner who find each other by way of math.
The award aligns with the contest's goal of finding new writers and supporting original scripts.
"A Drama That Solves Feelings Like Math" — What Makes the MBC Top Winner Stand Out
What happened
Here is the quick summary.
On October 10, 2025, writer Kim Da‑young's one‑act script "Today's Problem" received the grand prize in MBC's drama script contest.
Judges praised the script for its unusual premise and the way it renders emotional connection between characters.
The contest, launched in 2016, aims to discover new writers and to help scripts reach production. Past winners have sometimes been developed into full broadcasts, giving the contest institutional weight.
MBC evaluates entries by artistic merit, readiness, and production feasibility.
The announcement quickly sparked discussion among industry observers and drama fans.
Critics and viewers were especially intrigued because the central subject is mathematics — a rare theme for emotional television.
MBC said the contest exists to encourage newcomers' creativity and to support experiments across genres.
Key issues
We summarize the main questions.
"Today's Problem" uses math not merely as background but as a symbolic bridge between pain and healing.
How the script links solving math problems to resolving inner conflict was a major point in the judges' evaluation.
However, the one‑act format limits time for deep character exploration.
Meanwhile, the technical or abstract feel of math could make it harder for some viewers to relate.
Nevertheless, in a contest that prizes innovation, freshness can be a decisive advantage.
Voices in favor
Supporters highlight originality and the value of discovering new writers.
Proponents make three main points. First, the premise is fresh. Television rarely makes math the center of a human story, and pairing a numerically brilliant child with an oddball adult who lives by routines opens interesting dramatic possibilities. Second, the contest matters institutionally. MBC's script competition has been a gateway for emerging voices; winners can move into production through partnerships inside the network. That track record makes the prize more than symbolic. Third, using math as a symbolic vocabulary creates chances for viewers to connect. When solving a problem stands in for trial and error, failure and small victories, audiences can map those moments onto their own lives. That can spark conversations in homes about learning, parenting, and the emotional side of study — topics many families know well.
Voices in opposition
Critics warn about accessibility and narrative depth.
Objections fall into four categories. First, mass appeal. Math may feel unfamiliar to many viewers, and if mathematical scenes dominate, some people might struggle to find an emotional hook. Second, format limits. A one‑act must compress story and character into a short runtime, which can make emotional beats feel rushed or schematic. Third, the pull toward moralizing. A drama about healing risks becoming didactic if a writer leans too hard on a single lesson; that can hollow out genuine feeling. Fourth, production demands. To render math scenes convincing, a show needs thoughtful direction, convincing acting, and purposeful design; if those elements fall short, the material can come off as obscure rather than moving. For these reasons some critics hesitate to recommend the project to general audiences.
Concerns worth noting
We collect the recurring worries.
Public reach, narrative depth, and melodrama are the main concerns critics mention.
First, popularity matters. The TV business depends on ratings and buzz, and even promising scripts can falter if early audience response is luke‑warm. That affects future support for the writer and for similar experiments. Second, the one‑act form sets an aesthetic tension between ambition and time. If the story must sprint through character wounds, viewers may not feel the depth the premise promises. Third, melodramatic risk. Healing stories demand nuance; an over‑simplified cure or an overly sentimental close undercuts credibility. Finally, production risk: if direction, choreography of problem‑solving scenes, or the actors' craft fail to make math feel human, what remains is novelty without emotional weight. All these concerns hinge on how carefully the project is staged and edited after the contest win.
Deeper analysis
We look at causes and context.
MBC's contest aims to widen both the pool of writers and the range of shows in production.
One cause is strategic: broadcasters seek new audiences by branching away from familiar genre cycles. Script contests surface ideas that established teams might avoid because they are risky. Choosing math as a focal point can be read as an effort to break from romance, crime, or historical dramas and to offer something intellectually and emotionally distinct. Second, online response is hard to predict. Historically, festival or contest praise does not always translate to mass fandom; early critical support can coexist with divided viewer taste. Social media reaction will depend on scheduling, marketing, and casting choices. Third, production choices matter. Making math scenes feel cinematic requires imagination — closeups on hands, editing that turns problem solving into a metaphor, and small physical gestures that reveal relationship dynamics. Finally, the contest's institutional effect: awarding a prize gives a writer access to development resources. If the project moves forward, its success or failure will send signals to future entrants about what kind of risks the industry rewards.
Predicted reactions online will vary.
Some viewers will praise the fresh idea and emotional angle.
Others will call out accessibility and question whether the direction will match the script's promise.
Production and future possibilities
We consider how the project might fare going forward.
Broadcast slot, direction, and casting will shape public response.
First, scheduling. A late‑night slot allows experimentation but limits viewers; a prime‑time slot reaches more people but invites pressure to broaden appeal. Second, casting. The chemistry between the number‑gifted child and the eccentric store owner is crucial; age and performance range will determine how believable their bond feels. Third, directing. The show must balance technical math moments and human moments so viewers focus on character, not equations. Finally, expansion potential. If audiences respond, producers could extend the one‑act into a short series or web drama, opening room to deepen backstories and secondary characters.
Summary and recommendation
We wrap up the main points.
"Today's Problem" carries both experimental value and institutional meaning.
In short: the award signals a positive opening for a new writer. The unusual subject is a clear strength, but public empathy depends on careful direction and acting. The compressed one‑act form can sharpen emotion if handled with restraint, yet it can also tempt melodrama if the conclusion is too neat. Given that the theme touches on learning and parenting, the show could prompt useful conversations in households — but only if the message avoids oversimplification and reflects real emotional complexity.
Highlight: Creative risk and audience empathy must be planned together.
Ultimately, how much "Today's Problem" moves viewers will depend on production choices, promotion, and the audience's response after broadcast.
Do you think a drama centered on math can create everyday emotional resonance?
