For today’s blog post, ROK Center for Korean Studies will be presenting the highest – rated Korean cable dramas. The list was compiled considering the latest released dramas until the month of May. The ranking is update whenever a new drama breaks a new record and it is based on the average nationwide TV ranting. Thus, small differences may appear between the order of dramas, respectively the percentage of each of them, when consulting more resources.
The World of The Married – 18.8%
Director: Mo Wan-Il
Writer: Joo Hyun
Network: JTBC
Episodes: 16
Release Date: March 27 – May 16, 2020
Duration: 1h. 20min.
Remake of the original TV series ”Doctor Foster”, The World Of The Married tells the story of Ji Sun Woo, a family medicine doctor, wife to Lee Tae-Oh and mother to Lee Joon-Young. The image of Sun Woo’s perfect life is shattered when she is betrayed by her husband. Tae-Oh career as movie director is supported by his wife’s success.
The popularity of the drama has increased since the airing of the second episode when the TV networked registered a two digits rating.
Mr Sunshine – 18.7%
Director: Lee Eung- Bok, Jung Ji-Hyun
Writer: Kim Eun- Sook
Network: tvN
Episodes: 24
Release Data: July 7 – September 30, 2018
Duration: 1 hr. 20 min.
Taken to the United States as a young boy, Choi Yoo-Jin returns to Joseon as a American Marine Corps officer when the country was threatened to become a colony. After his return, the officer falls in love with an aristocrat’s daughter.
The drama was highly acclaimed for its historical richness and strong female characters and received many positive reviews from critics and viewers.
Goblin – 18.7%
Director: Lee Eung-Bok
Writer: Kim Eun-Sook
Network: tvN
Episodes: 16
Release Date: December 2, 2016 – January 21, 2017
Duration: 1 hr. 22 min.
Kim Shin, a general from the Goryeo dynasty and beloved by the people, died after angering the king and became a Goblin, a legendary mythological creature. As the years went by, Kim Shin discovered that being immortal is a curse and desires to end his life by finding his human bride.
The drama won its audience due to its creative plot and the usage of traditional motifs.
SKY Castle – 12.5%
Director: Jo Hyun-Tak
Writer: Yoo Hyun- Mi
Network: JTBC
Episodes: 20
Release Date: November 23, 2018 – February 1, 2019
Duration: 1h. 15.min
Sky Castle focuses on the livelihood of 4 successful women living in an exclusive neighborhood named Sky Castle, who are determined to raise the prestige of their families. The community is startled by the suicide of one of its members after the son of the family is accepted into Seoul National University. Soo Im moves in and challenges the norms of this community.
Reply 1988 – 12.4%
Director: Shin Won-Ho
Writer: Lee Woo- Jung
Network: tvN
Episodes: 20
Release Date: November 6, 2015 – January 16, 2016
Duration: 1h. 40 min.
This heart-warming drama tells the story of five childhood friends, who live in the same poor neighborhood of Seoul and depend on each other. The story of two generations present real life experiences about love, friendship and family.
Crash Landing On You – 12.2%
Director: Lee Jung -Hyo
Writer: Park Ji-Eun
Network: tvN
Episodes: 16
Release Date: December 14, 2019- February 16, 2020
Duration: 1h. 25 min.
Following a paragliding accident, Yoo Se Ri, a South Korean heiress, lands on the North Korean land and is discovered by Ri Jung Hyuk and his unit, who agree to help her return to her country. This promise is difficult to keep since many complications arise as the story progresses.
Itaewon Class – 11.8%
Director: Kim Sung-Yoon
Writer: Jo Gwang-Jin
Network: JTBC
Episodes: 16
Release Date: January 31 -March 21, 2020
Duration: 1h. 10 min.
Itaewon Class presents the story of Park Sae-Ro-Yi who, as a teenager, moved to a new high school and got into an argument with the son of his father’s boss, Jang Geun-Won. Due to the fact that Park Sae-Ro-Yi refused to kneel in front of the Jang family, his father was fired. However, he decided to open his own restaurant, but was killed into an accident by Jang Geun-Won. Park Sae-Ro-Yi beats Geun-Won while he was in the hospital and is sentenced to prison for three years. Sae-Ro-Yi sets a new goal for himself that of taking revenge of the Jang family by opening a restaurant chain.
Hospital Playlist – 10.4%
Director: Shin Won-Ho
Writer: Lee Woo-Jung
Network: tvN
Episodes: 12
Release date: March 12 – May 28, 2020
Duration: 1 hr. 20 min
The drama follows the story of five doctors, who have been friends since college time and form their own band. It also presents their activity in the hospital and how they resolve cases.
100 Days My Prince – 9.0%
Director: Lee Jong- Jae, Nam Sung-Woo
Writer: No Ji-Sul
Network: tvN
Episodes: 16
Release Date: September 10 – October 30, 2018
Duration: 1h 10min
An attempt to assassination leaves the Crown Prince of Joseon with a temporary amnesia. Before this unpleasant event, he passed a law that required every unmarried woman older than 28 to marry in order to save the country from the drought. Due to his injuries, he must live as a commoner and marry the daughter of the man who saved him.
Hotel Del Luna – 8.9%
Director: Oh Choong -Hwan
Writer: Hong Jung-Eun, Hong Mi-Ran
Network: tvN
Episodes: 16
Release Date: July 13 – September 1, 2019
Duration: 1hr. 20 min.
A hotel unseen by the human eye resides in the city of Seoul. Cursed because of a sin she cannot remember, Jang Man Wol has been the owner of a ghost hotel for centuries, souls who cannot go to the afterlife because they are still tied to the earth. Due to a deal made by his own father, Chan Sung is forced to manage Hotel del Luna and help these soul to find their peace.
ROK Center for Korean Studies hopes that you have enjoyed reading this article.
Bibliography:
https://mydramalist.com/
http://asianwiki.com/
https://www.google.com/?hl=ro