Top Star U-back

Top Star U-back^[1][2] (Korean: 톱스타 유백이; RR: Topseuta 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 meaning	Top Star Yoo Baek
Revised Romanization	Topseuta Yubaeg-i
Genre	Romantic comedy
Written by	Lee Si-eun Lee So-jeong
Directed by	Yoo Hak-chan
Starring	Kim Ji-seok Jeon So-min Lee Sang-yeob
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of episodes	11
Production
Production company	tvN
Original release
Network	tvN
Release	November 16, 2018 (2018-11-16) – January 25, 2019 (2019-01-25)

Synopsis

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

Main

• Kim Ji-seok^[8] as Yoo Baek
  • Ji Min-hyuk as young Yoo Baek

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.

• Jeon So-min^[9] as Oh Kang-soon

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.

• Lee Sang-yeob^[10][11] as Choi Ma-dol

A sailor and the top star of Yeojeuk Island, who makes a glorious return home on a deep-sea fishing vessel

Supporting

• Jung Eun-pyo as Kim Gook-seop

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

• Kim Hyun as Yang Bang-sil

Choi Ma-dol's mother

• Yoo Joo-won as Park Dong-man
• Kim Jung-min as Kang Min

Teacher of island

• Lee Ah-hyun as Ah Seo-ra/Ashura

Only doctor of island, have a crush on Kang Min

• Ye Soo-jung as Kang-soon's grandmother
• Jung Ji-yoon as Cha-e
• Jo Hee-bong as Seo-il

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

• Yoon Bok-in as Yoo Baek's mother
• Kwon Hyuk as Min-hyeok

Special appearances

• Baek Il-seob as himself (Ep. 1)
• Han Suk-joon as MC in ceremony (Ep. 1)
• Hong Yun-hwa as woman in police station (Ep. 1)
• Im Soo-hyang as herself (Ep. 3)
• Yoo In-na as radio host DJ (Ep. 5, voice only)
• Nam Bo-ra as Noh Hae-won (Ep. 7, 11)
• Yang Se-chan (Ep. 11)
• Kang Hong-seok as Detective when Yoo Baek refused breathalyzer test

Production

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

Original soundtrack

Top Star U-back OST
Soundtrack album by Various artists
Recorded	2018
Genre	Soundtrack
Language	Korean English
Label	Genie Music Stone Music Entertainment

Part 1

Released on December 21, 2018 (2018-12-21)

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Everything At That Moment" (모든 것 그 순간)	Dong Woo-seok	Dong Woo-seok	Dong Woo-seok	3:22
2.	"Everything At That Moment" (Inst.)		Dong Woo-seok		3:22
Total length:					6:44

Part 2

Released on December 28, 2018 (2018-12-28)

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Dawn" (새벽)	December 32nd	Taebongie	Ryu Ji-hyun	3:41
2.	"Dawn" (Inst.)		Taebongie		3:41
Total length:					7:22

Part 3

Released on January 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Dream"	Dong Woo-seok	Dong Woo-seok	Parc Jae-jung	3:48
2.	"Dream" (Inst.)		Dong Woo-seok		3:48
Total length:					7:36

Ratings

Season		Episode number											Average
		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
	1	570	603	630	592	528	484	472	449	442	486	760	547

Top Star U-back : South Korea viewers per episode (thousands)

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

The series was adapted in Mandarin, under the title Breeze by the Sea (不如海邊吹吹風) from Central Motion Picture Corporation, Deepwaters Digital Support Inc; and CJ ENM Hong Kong. Starring Bolin Chen and Puff Kuo on their second appearances following Small and Mighty, the adaptation was filmed in the Kinmen Island.^[15][16] The series was set to be premiered on December 14, 2024.^[17]