Drama viewership ratings for the week of Jan. 7-13, 2019
by SailorJumun
Boy, am I excited to get into this week’s ratings! It was an off week for some, such as My Strange Hero, but it was pretty darn great for the new sageuk The Crowned Clown. The other new show in this time slot was the second season of Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho, which had a decent premiere as well.
Over on Wednesday and Thursday, An Empress’s Dignity and Boyfriend continue to gradually lose viewers. They’re still performing very well, but it looks like some of their viewers might’ve decided to check out the last premiere this week, What’s Wrong Mr. Poong-sang.
Last but not least, we have to discuss SKY Castle. Because this drama has officially surpassed the highest-rated cable drama of all time, Answer Me 1988. The final episode of ’88 brought in 18.8 percent, and the sixteenth episode of SKY Castle brought in 19.2 percent. And it’s still not over! Just how far is this drama willing to go? Sky high, perhaps? (Sorry, I had to.)
Drama viewership ratings for the week of Jan. 7-13, 2019
Ep. # | Station | Rating | |
Monday, Jan. 7 | |||
Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho 2 | 1 | KBS | 6.1% |
Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho 2 | 2 | KBS | 6.7% |
Bad Detective | 17 | MBC | 5.4% |
Bad Detective | 18 | MBC | 5.7% |
My Strange Hero | 15 | SBS | 4.3% |
My Strange Hero | 16 | SBS | 4.8% |
Clean With Passion for Now | – | JTBC | – |
The Crowned Clown | 1 | tvN | 5.7% |
Tuesday, Jan. 8 | |||
Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho 2 | 3 | KBS | 5.9% |
Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho 2 | 4 | KBS | 6.8% |
Bad Detective | 19 | MBC | 5.7% |
Bad Detective | 20 | MBC | 5.9% |
My Strange Hero | 17 | SBS | 4.9% |
My Strange Hero | 18 | SBS | 5.4% |
Clean With Passion for Now | – | JTBC | – |
The Crowned Clown | 2 | tvN | 6.6% |
Wednesday, Jan. 9 | |||
What’s Wrong Mr. Poong-sang | 1 | KBS | 5.9% |
What’s Wrong Mr. Poong-sang | 2 | KBS | 6.7% |
Red Moon, Blue Sun | 27 | MBC | 4.4% |
Red Moon, Blue Sun | 28 | MBC | 4.7% |
An Empress’s Dignity | 29 | SBS | 11.8% |
An Empress’s Dignity | 30 | SBS | 14.9% |
God’s Quiz 5 | 15 | OCN | 2.2% |
Boyfriend | 11 | tvN | 7.5% |
Thursday, Jan. 10 | |||
What’s Wrong Mr. Poong-sang | 3 | KBS | 6.5% |
What’s Wrong Mr. Poong-sang | 4 | KBS | 7.8% |
Red Moon, Blue Sun | 29 | MBC | 4.1% |
Red Moon, Blue Sun | 30 | MBC | 5.2% |
An Empress’s Dignity | 31 | SBS | 12.5% |
An Empress’s Dignity | 32 | SBS | 15.3% |
God’s Quiz 5 | 16 | OCN | 2.7% |
Boyfriend | 12 | tvN | 7.6% |
Friday, Jan. 11 | |||
SKY Castle | 15 | JTBC | 16.4% |
Top Star Yoo Baek | 9 | tvN | 1.9% |
Saturday, Jan. 12 | |||
My Only Ally | 67 | KBS | 30.8% |
My Only Ally | 68 | KBS | 35.2% |
A Pledge to God | 25 | MBC | 11.5% |
A Pledge to God | 26 | MBC | 14.5% |
A Pledge to God | 27 | MBC | 15.2% |
A Pledge to God | 28 | MBC | 15.5% |
Fates and Furies | 21 | SBS | 3.7% |
Fates and Furies | 22 | SBS | 4.9% |
Fates and Furies | 23 | SBS | 5.7% |
Fates and Furies | 24 | SBS | 6.0% |
SKY Castle | 16 | JTBC | 19.2% |
Priest | 13 | OCN | 1.6% |
Memories of the Alhambra | 13 | tvN | 9.3% |
Sunday, Jan. 13 | |||
My Only Ally | 69 | KBS | 35.1% |
My Only Ally | 70 | KBS | 41.6% |
My Healing Love | 49 | MBC | 11.7% |
My Healing Love | 50 | MBC | 14.3% |
My Healing Love | 51 | MBC | 14.0% |
My Healing Love | 52 | MBC | 14.7% |
Priest | 14 | OCN | 2.2% |
Memories of the Alhambra | 14 | tvN | 10.0% |
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Tags: drama ratings
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1 panshel
January 13, 2019 at 6:02 AM
Bow down to our new king JTBC. I never thought a network would overtake tvN in ratings but SKY Castle are kings and queens.
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Eries be the Light
January 13, 2019 at 6:26 AM
it's been discuss last year that JTBC start to soaring up in terms of viewer. The interesting part is that cable TV can get more attention compare to national TV. It's hard for regular series (except the Makjang in weekend) to pass 20% nowadays.
I'm curious about that, when many actress or actor start to get fame from cable TV. I'm waiting for Kim So Hyun or Joowon to return, both of them known to be the kings of ratings.
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beantown
January 13, 2019 at 6:29 AM
They (jTBC) won me over with Just Between Lovers; it was an impeccable production with a beautiful heart. Then they followed up with Woohoo Waikiki!? Golden🤣🤣🤣🤣
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drawde2000
January 13, 2019 at 7:03 AM
When it comes to TV production, I still favor tvN over jtbc because the former more diverse productions. Their dramas cater to various groups. I think jtbc's dramas caters to women mostly, and sometimes I need more actions and sci-fi, and thrillers.
Even with that jtbc has always been a great channel. Four of my favorite dramas came from there: PadamPadam, Secret Love Affair and two seasons of Age of Youth. I am happy for their success. I look forward to their future productions.
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kooriyuki
January 13, 2019 at 5:29 PM
Sketch, The Awl, Heartless City, are some of the thriller/action dramas from jTBC, fyi.
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kiara
January 13, 2019 at 8:20 PM
Under-rated medical thriller END OF THE WORLD was amazing. It's not my fave genre but I was glued to it.
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PYC
January 14, 2019 at 3:43 AM
End of The World is epicly good but so under the radar that few have even heard about it, let alone watched it.
That was nonetheless in the era when romance was the main game. It could have been a different story if shown now when international viewers have more diverse taste and appetite.
kiara
January 13, 2019 at 7:34 AM
As a jTBC fangirl since launched, I am over the moon at their success. Most of my fave dramas are from this network and as long as they treat their people well I'll continue to support them.
Dramahouse is among my fave production and PD Ahn working behind the scenes makes me even happier.
I guess the subscription gap is on the same level now or have been for a while between jTBC and tvN. It's fair to access the ratings equally.
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alasecond
January 13, 2019 at 11:56 AM
well their 20% is on a smaller base Vs 5% on a larger base for regular networks
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kiara
January 13, 2019 at 12:15 PM
I'm not comparing cable ratings to the free public channels. It doesn't make sense.
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fay17
January 14, 2019 at 4:56 AM
Really? Can you explain?
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Watcher
January 13, 2019 at 10:01 AM
Sprinted from 1.7 in Ep 1 to 19.2 in Ep 16, crazy.
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cat-cric-kat
January 13, 2019 at 11:00 AM
I always liked JTBC's shows more and always compared it with TVN. JTBC broadcasts good media and reaping the benefits now. TVN went mainstream and lost good share of its audience to JTBC. Still, 16% rating for a show is awesome but more due to the show.
I don't think JTBC can consecutively maintain 8+ % rating with its shows.
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miss_hammurabi
January 13, 2019 at 3:46 PM
I have mentioned before that JTBC has the softest image among all media companies in South Korea. They excel in almost everything they do because they trust their programs to do well. Also, they don't spend that much on drama promotion - They let viewers promote it. That also shows that they don't treat viewers like minions of starts who are able to sell products with their CFs.
A lot of Korean audience as well are kinda disappointed with tvN nowadays because they are trying hard to be like public networks in terms of drama production that they are losing their touch.
Anyways, I'm a huge fan of My Ahjussi. One of the best dramas last year together with Sky Castle :)
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2 Yuyuu, The Drama Queen
January 13, 2019 at 6:34 AM
Damn, Sky Castle sure is killing it. I dropped it somewhere around ep. 4, just because I wasn't in the mood for such a show, but maybe I'll pick it up again in the near future.
I'm kind of sad that Boyfriend is loosing viewers (even though the ratings aren't bad).
I've seen a lot of criticism about the show: from there being no chemistry between the leads, it being boring, the "immaturity" of PBG's character, etc... but I don't really see that.
Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and this show might not be everyone's cup of tea... but for me, this is kind of what I had been asking of Dramaland for a long time. And even I am surprised to find it in this show (although pleasantly so), because I was one of those people who were initially on the fence about this.
Now, I'm not saying I have no quibbles with this show. Being the unromantic person that I am, I have to admit some of Jin-hyuk's lines are WAY too corny for me, and sometimes they amp PBG's charms a liiiittle too much. But these are minor things and they don't take away my enjoyment.
I like Boyfriend/Encounter, because it's a slow-burn romance, a romance that's not a rom-com but also not too melo, steadily paced and telling it's story with confidence and grace, gentle and nuanced.
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3 YY Chats with Toast Between Bites
January 13, 2019 at 7:19 AM
If Lee Hyuk has more sweet moments with Sunny, ratings are bound to go up. That's my wish, anyway.
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Kairoskat 💐
January 13, 2019 at 3:04 PM
I concur. Hyuk is the reason i'm watching. Sweet Sunny-Hyuk moments would be awesome..for both me and hopefully the ratings too. Heh.
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4 13infamyss
January 13, 2019 at 7:42 AM
What an amazing feat for SKY Castle cast and crew - I wonder where JTBC would take them for their reward overseas trip, they so deserve it. Everyone tuned in last night to see who’s done it 🥴 I’ve seen celebs posting too about how they go nuts watching the episodes lol. If they continue to keep their momentum and amazing cliffhangers, and not drag any scenes, they’ll keep soaring high. I’m worried that they’re gonna drag the “who’s done it” issue, but I’ll keep trusting SKY Castle that they won’t. 2 more weeks! 😭
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blnmom
January 13, 2019 at 10:28 AM
I bet the last episode will top 30%.
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5 RoRo
January 13, 2019 at 7:43 AM
20% in a cable channel its like a 60% in a public channel.
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Watcher
January 13, 2019 at 10:20 AM
I think that was true around 2011-2012, during the Reply 1997 days and when cable channels like JTBC were first established. But that hasn’t been true for the last couple of years when TvN has entered the prime time drama market full force (esp Wed-Thur and Sat-Sun), with $$$$ productions and major stars. In 2018, the top 10 rated shows across all platforms were mostly from TvN and SBS. These days, most Koreans have cable. While it’s still more difficult for most cable shows to attain terrestrial TV-level ratings, especially for non-TvN shows, the ratings ratio comparison to terrestrial TV is no longer 2x or 3x. Maybe 1.5x, if I have to venture a guess. Cable ratings will continue to excel in a fast pace with the rise of JTBC (and OCN).
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Kat
January 13, 2019 at 4:50 PM
Thats an exaggeration. I saw a chart compiled by K-fans comparing the number of households for public and cable channels, and the difference between the Big 3 and tvN was only 1.8% (and I think even lesser now).
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6 xhuizini
January 13, 2019 at 7:47 AM
I'm just happy that crowned clown is off to a good start and do is neighborhood lawyer jo deul ho.
tho I will be sticking with Yjg's drama since I'm a huge fan of the original movie, and I'm enjoying every thing crowned clown has shown this past two episodes.
seriously can't wait for next week
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bong-soo
January 13, 2019 at 8:31 AM
I am also please at the ratings for the first 2 episodes of THE CROWNED CLOWN. Also, the early returns in DB What we’re watching show that a lot of beanies are enjoying it. Perhaps TCC will be the Sageuk introduction for a lot of kdrama viewers.
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7 miss h
January 13, 2019 at 8:13 AM
Go Sky Castle! Breaking cable records with four episodes to go!
It seems like Boyfriend and Memories of the Alhambra switched positions though both continue to do well.
I'm happy to see that What’s Wrong Mr. Poong-sang had decent premiere numbers given the competition and that Children of Nobody is hanging in there (though of course, I wish the ratings were higher).
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8 casserole
January 13, 2019 at 11:12 AM
Sky Castle sounds so good. Where are y’all watching it in the US?
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spazmo
January 13, 2019 at 12:54 PM
d****fire.info
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Hobakky
January 13, 2019 at 1:17 PM
Word on the street is that Viki managed to get a license for SKY Castle, but the episodes won't be available until the show finishes. If you wait a few weeks you should be able to watch it legally there.
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9 fencejumper
January 13, 2019 at 11:47 AM
Yay to Sky Castle! It has an underdog success story. The drama deserves it 🙌🙌🙌🙌
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10 suk
January 13, 2019 at 1:01 PM
I'm happy with the pretty strong ratings Crowned Clown has started off with. I hope the numbers climb over time!
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11 dee
January 13, 2019 at 1:24 PM
Glad What’s Wrong Mr. Poong-sang's rating isn't that bad.
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12 Kairoskat 💐
January 13, 2019 at 3:10 PM
Yay for SKY Castle's Kings and Queens and Princes and Princesses. I feel happy for them!
Yay for Liver or Die for the ok-ish premier ratings. I have a feeling it will increase. The story has heart. And i want to smack those unruly siblings and also his atrocious mum for making Poongsang's life harder than it already is.
The last empress needs more nice Hyuk scenes. Even better if he shoots basketballs instead of guns. Personal fan request but it might help increase the ratings. A lot likes Hyuk despite his dark past. Hua3
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13 theimprintonmynose
January 13, 2019 at 4:23 PM
I'm only watching MoA and Crowned Clown, am quite happy with the rating for them
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14 lemoncello
January 13, 2019 at 7:24 PM
If all drama are as good as SKY CASTLE, we're all doomed! :) We can't do anything but watching drama... :)
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15 wanton
January 14, 2019 at 3:23 AM
DB made a BIG mistake by not recapping SKY Castle, guess they prioritize actors over story.
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Nic
January 14, 2019 at 8:11 AM
I've got to agree. I've been following DB for ages now, since the days it was just Javabeans recapping in her signature hilarious analytical fast-as-lightning recapping style. I have no right to complain about anything at all, since all recaps and content have always been provided free. However, I can't help but sadly realise that of recent years, last year in particular, the content, frequency and timeliness of recaps on DB have dropped. It used to be a place where the moment a show airs, we would be instantly discussing plot theories alongside JB and GF just hours after a show has aired. Now it's usually delayed so that it makes any discussion pointless; and sometimes there is just no avenue at all to discuss the really good quality shows.
Anyhow, I'm thankful for a good run. I guess it's also a sign that I have to grow up and face the realities of the world like JB and GF have and to leave the world of kdrama to the instances of spare time.
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sph_7
January 15, 2019 at 2:58 AM
The 2 highest rating dramas, Sky Castle and An Empress’ Dignity, are not recapped. It’s quite disappointing.
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