New K-dramas take pole position in TV ratings race.
The Korean drama industry has seen shifting tides in the weekly television ratings. After premiering on SBS last week, crime thriller Connection emerged as the most-watched miniseries across timeslots. Starring Ji Sung and Jeon Mi Do, ‘Connection’ averaged a nationwide rating of 6.1% to overtake the supernatural black comedy ‘Bitter Sweet Hell’ from the top spot.
The psychological drama follows detectives investigating mysterious deaths. Meanwhile, ratings have declined for Jang Ki Yong’s hit supernatural romance ‘Atypical Family’. After rising domestic and global viewership, its average rating dipped to 3.5%. On Netflix’s non-English ranking, the drama has fallen two places to number eight.
If viewership doesn’t improve, analysts say ‘Atypical Family’ risks dropping out of the top ten rankings that has boosted its global fandom. tvN’s new offering ‘The Midnight Romance in Hagwon’, replacing popular drama ‘Queen of Tears’, underperformed with 4.2% despite star cast.
Controversies over some scenes linked to the rom-com set in a high school study group hampered reception. KBS 2TV’s ‘Beauty and Mr. Romantic’ remains at the apex with a viewership share of 15.26%.
The tight weekly ratings race sees new shows attempting to dethrone segment leaders and gain traction from fluctuating audiences. Concerns are rising over the dipping popularity of previously trending shows.
