No matter the economy, laughter sells.

(From The Korea Herald)

By Yang Sung-jin The domestic drama industry has been in a deep slump, partly due to the protracted economic downturn. As people tighten their belts and slash expenses, they stop shelling out to buy theater tickets.

There has, however, been one striking exception: "Taxi Dribble." This best-known work by versatile movie and drama director Jang Jin is not new. He made his debut as a drama director in 1997 with "Taxi Dribble," and it became a huge commercial hit.

What is new, however, is that the drama has broken new ground in terms of ticket sales. The play has been revived several times since 1997 - the latest time about a month and a half ago. For the latest production, tickets simply sold out way before the final day of the performances.

This is a feat, given that in recent months even well-known dramas have often failed to attract enough theatergoers to keep running for their full scheduled runs. Because of "Taxi Dribble's" soaring popularity and outcries for more tickets, the organizers hurriedly added extra performances last weekend, just before its official closing at Dongsung Art Center in Seoul on Aug. 28.

What made the play so popular at a time when dramas in general are being sidelined amid heightened interest in blockbuster movies and musicals? Jung Jae-young, a rising actor who plays the main character, Deok-bae, said people love the drama because it's so funny.

"In fact, Deok-bae is hiding a scar in his heart, but the audience isn't given enough time to think about his agony because the story advances at a fast pace, and people are induced to laugh about 70 percent of the time or more," Jung said in an interview with The Korea Herald.