Drama viewership ratings for the week of July 15-21, 2019
by SailorJumun
New shows — new shows everywhere. Hope y’all are ready. There were no premieres at the beginning of the week, but we did see the finale of melodrama The Wind Blows. The finale had a decent landing with 3.8 percent, though it wasn’t the drama’s best.
Now, I have to take a deep breath before going into the Wednesday-Thursday time slots. We have four new shows here — legal thriller Justice, fusion sageuk Rookie Historian Gu Hae-ryung, medical drama Doctor Detective, and finally, thriller Class of Lies. Ratings are pretty spread out here, with everyone bringing in okay-ish numbers.
We had another medical drama drop this weekend, Ji Sung’s Doctor John, with much better results. The show premiered to 6.0 percent Friday and moved up to 10.1 percent on Saturday. Also on Saturday, we had Hotel del Luna move up to 8.3 percent. Looks like it won’t take long for it to hit double digits.
Drama viewership ratings for the week of July 15-21, 2019
| Ep. # | Station | Rating | |
| Monday, July 15 | |||
| Perfume | 25 | KBS | 3.7% |
| Perfume | 26 | KBS | 4.7% |
| Investigation Couple 2 | 25 | MBC | 6.1% |
| Investigation Couple 2 | 26 | MBC | 8.2% |
| The Wind Blows | 15 | JTBC | 3.7% |
| Designated Survivor: 60 Days | 5 | tvN | 4.3% |
| Tuesday, July 16 | |||
| Perfume | 27 | KBS | 4.7% |
| Perfume | 28 | KBS | 5.3% |
| Investigation Couple 2 | 27 | MBC | 6.7% |
| Investigation Couple 2 | 28 | MBC | 9.3% |
| The Wind Blows | 16 | JTBC | 3.8% |
| Designated Survivor: 60 Days | 6 | tvN | 3.8% |
| Wednesday, July 17 | |||
| Justice | 1 | KBS | 6.1% |
| Justice | 2 | KBS | 6.4% |
| Rookie Historian Gu Hae-ryung | 1 | MBC | 4.0% |
| Rookie Historian Gu Hae-ryung | 2 | MBC | 6.0% |
| Doctor Detective | 1 | SBS | 4.6% |
| Doctor Detective | 2 | SBS | 5.7% |
| Class of Lies | 1 | OCN | 1.8% |
| Search Query: WWW | 13 | tvN | 3.9% |
| Thursday, July 18 | |||
| Justice | 3 | KBS | 3.8% |
| Justice | 4 | KBS | 4.8% |
| Rookie Historian Gu Hae-ryung | 3 | MBC | 3.7% |
| Rookie Historian Gu Hae-ryung | 4 | MBC | 5.0% |
| Doctor Detective | 3 | SBS | 5.1% |
| Doctor Detective | 4 | SBS | 5.2% |
| Class of Lies | 2 | OCN | 2.4% |
| Search Query: WWW | 14 | tvN | 3.6% |
| Friday, July 19 | |||
| Doctor John | 1 | SBS | 6.0% |
| Doctor John | 2 | SBS | 8.4% |
| Saturday, July 20 | |||
| Mother of Mine | 69 | KBS | 25.0% |
| Mother of Mine | 70 | KBS | 29.5% |
| Golden Garden | 1 | MBC | 4.5% |
| Golden Garden | 2 | MBC | 7.2% |
| Golden Garden | 3 | MBC | 6.4% |
| Golden Garden | 4 | MBC | 7.3% |
| Doctor John | 3 | SBS | 7.0% |
| Doctor John | 4 | SBS | 10.1% |
| Watcher | 5 | OCN | 3.6% |
| Hotel del Luna | 3 | tvN | 8.3% |
| Sunday, July 21 | |||
| Mother of Mine | 71 | KBS | 26.8% |
| Mother of Mine | 72 | KBS | 32.6% |
| Watcher | 6 | OCN | 5.4% |
| Hotel del Luna | 4 | tvN | 7.7% |
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1 gadis
July 21, 2019 at 6:13 AM
Wow... Despite enjoying it, I actually didn't expect Doctor John to get high rating since it's a medical drama. Hopefully it's not only happen in the first week, though.
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miss h
July 21, 2019 at 7:07 AM
It's a good sign that the ratings rose even with increased competition on Saturday.
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dee
July 21, 2019 at 4:33 PM
Is it good? I have a lot dramas to catch already. Sigh.
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gadis
July 21, 2019 at 4:38 PM
So far, I'm enjoying it. The acting is really good. We'll have to see if the writing is going to hold up (though the fact that it was adapted from a Japanese novel gave me hope).
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dee
July 21, 2019 at 4:59 PM
Well because you said the acting is good so I'm convinced.
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Blue (@mayhemf)
July 22, 2019 at 5:23 AM
Saw the first two episodes. Am still I the fence. It’s felt a bit over dramatic.
I still don’t get the tone of the drama. May be now since we are out of jail, things will get a bit consistent. It’s hard to ignore Ji-Sung so will continue next weekend and see where he goes. I think his character will become more clear in the coming episodes.
P.s it really bothered me that he was in jail but he was roaming around freely like he was working in a hospital :))
P.p.s who is John btw??
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gadis
July 22, 2019 at 5:56 AM
I get what you meant because while some scenes felt matter-of-fact despite the dramatic nature of those events, others felt unappropriately dramatic (like the cliffhanger in eps 1). I don't see myself dropping this, though, because it might take a long time for Lee Kyu-hyung to pick another drama. So I'm just hoping this doesn't turn into a hot mess halfway through.
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Blue (@mayhemf)
July 22, 2019 at 6:03 AM
Yes. I trust JiSung and LKH to have picked a good script. So will definitely give it a few more episodes.
That episode one ending was really a bit too much! Am sure there was a better way to kick start a mentor-mentee relationship.
Also, am a bit squeamish about a possible romance in this drama. it’s going to happen right :(
Sorry, don’t mean to burst your bubble.
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2 bong-soo
July 21, 2019 at 6:42 AM
Excellent beginning for DOCTOR JOHN. Can Ji Sung deliver ratings in the 20-30 percent range like he did with one of my 2017 favorites DEFENDANT? Or are the days of ratings like that for weeknight dramas gone forever? Great start!
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suk
July 21, 2019 at 1:22 PM
If any show in 2019 can reach a 20 percent range, I would cry from happiness. I just wish Korea's drama craze from years ago could return.
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Mel
July 21, 2019 at 4:06 PM
The Fiery Priest, Sky Castle and Liver or Die did earlier this year so it is possible.
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bong-soo
July 21, 2019 at 4:25 PM
Interesting ratings fact about SKY CASTLE is that its AGB Nielsen Nationwide ratings ranged from a low of 1.727% for episode 1 to a high of 23.799% for episode 20 (Final).
Here is my source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_Castle
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OhSoEnthusiastic
July 22, 2019 at 9:00 PM
I think the Kdrama market expanding like it has in recent years has made hitting those high percentages pretty close to impossible for most dramas. Older dramas had an advantage, because there was so much less on TV then, so people just watched what was on or nothing at all.
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3 agoodheart
July 21, 2019 at 6:46 AM
I really hope Search: WWW could reach 5% next week. Can't believe we're reaching the final two episodes.
Hotel del Luna is going strong. Happy for my girl Lee Ji-eun.
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4 Kurama
July 21, 2019 at 7:36 AM
So Yeo Jin Goo went from one of the worst SBS's ratings to one of the best TVN's ratings?
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outofthisworld 不愧是我 🏍
July 21, 2019 at 7:50 AM
IU wins over Min ah when it comes to pulling in the audience. I'm not sure if it's too early to call it a winner but if HL continues its winning streak, IU would have two successful hits back to back.
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Kurama
July 21, 2019 at 7:57 AM
It's not only the actors. The writer is important too. Hong's Sisters always attract a lot of viewers. It's a big productio by Studio Dragon too, it helps.
IU chose her roles better than Min Ah.
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outofthisworld 不愧是我 🏍
July 21, 2019 at 8:02 AM
I'm one of the two people on DB who hasn't watched a single Hong Sis dramas :P Yeah I've heard of them but I thought they had gotten a bad rep for their recent dramas.
I've only seen Min Ah in Beautiful Gong Shim and I liked her in there. Sadly, her character was too annoying and frustrating in My Absolute Boyfriend. It's mostly the writing but I also felt that she hasn't really grown much. Hopefully she gets a better script next time.
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sph_7
July 21, 2019 at 8:30 AM
Nah, they are brand name writers. Even when it’s bad (usually just a bad ending), they get high ratings and huge overseas following.
miss h
July 21, 2019 at 9:00 AM
@geliguolu Yes, despite their issues I'd say the Hong Sisters are brand name writers. Still, I'm a bit surprised by the ratings for Hotel Del Luna just because A Korean Odyssey didn't perform as well, but I guess it was plagued by problems from the start.
kiara
July 21, 2019 at 10:14 AM
Hit or miss with them.
sph_7
July 21, 2019 at 10:55 AM
@missh Korean Odyssey started out with good feedback. It was the broadcast blunders (half of episode 2 was replaced with commercials when they couldn’t finish the CGI before broadcast) that broke it’s momentum. Then the upsetting news that a set staff falling to paralysis. However the person that netizens blasted was that PD, not Hong Sisters.
dee
July 21, 2019 at 4:37 PM
My favourite was Master Sun all the time. I guess it's purely because I like the cast.
bong-soo
July 21, 2019 at 8:08 AM
@outofthisworld,
Lol. I guess that makes me number two.
How about a poll?
Any others out there who have not seen a Hong Sisters Drama?
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Kurama
July 21, 2019 at 8:12 AM
@outofthisworld and @marcusnyc20 I'm sorry but for ratings, only Koreans count :p
For Hong's Sisters dramas, they never were completely awful. They have some difficulties with the end...
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sph_7
July 21, 2019 at 8:18 AM
I know many people loved My Ajusshi, but it really wasn’t a hit in terms of ratings (on the 2018 scale).
AH definitely helped her gain recognition as an actress and prevented the idol reputation from dragging down HDL’s ratings. Without AH, HDL definitely would suffer from stereotype and Hong Sisters probably wouldn’t consider her for lead.
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dee
July 21, 2019 at 4:54 PM
I wonder when will Hong Sisters ever consider Park Bo Young. I think she'll perfect in HDL along with YJG. Ji Eun is good but PBY could be more hilarious.
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laurawaterhouse
July 23, 2019 at 7:16 AM
this has been my long term dream. i dont understand why pby and the hong sisters haven't crossed paths yet? too much cute maybe?
i also want to try seo hyun jin with the hong sisters.
people have been complaining that the hong sisters dont have strong female leads but I disagree, chun hyang, my girl, couple or trouble, gumiho, they are all dramas driven my the distinct female character.
chocopieb
July 22, 2019 at 12:53 AM
whats AH?
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sph_7
July 22, 2019 at 5:33 AM
Ah... husshi?
My mind was thinking that at least. Fingers have its own brains sometimes.😂
OhSoEnthusiastic
July 22, 2019 at 8:58 PM
I think My Ajusshi was a bit of an oddity in terms of subject matter, and that hindered it from getting more recognition.
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maono
July 22, 2019 at 5:41 AM
well, more than the acting (Minah wasn't that bad honestly), the writing was SO BAD. So yeah, understandable.
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sph_7
July 21, 2019 at 8:05 AM
He still holds the 1st highest ratings of 2019 for Crowned Clown. And now the 2nd. Unless Arthdal pulls some miracle in the last season, I see him holding 1 & 2 for the rest of the year, and nobody will remember Absolute Boyfriend existed.
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Kurama
July 21, 2019 at 8:09 AM
It was not a criticism, it's just I find pretty funny that the last week he was in one of the worst drama and now he's shining in a good one.
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sph_7
July 21, 2019 at 8:25 AM
I know, lol. I’m saying so to support your point.
He’s a rare breed that nobody in Korea will care if his dramas flop (and AB isn’t the only one) because he can easily rebound with a hit when the script is decent (CC and HDL isn’t even top notch)
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kiara
July 21, 2019 at 10:21 AM
Agree!
Give him a decent script and he'll deliver and more.
I'm not a fan of his last and current character.
kiara
July 21, 2019 at 10:18 AM
Yeo Jin-goo's best performance this year was in CROWNED CLOWN too.
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Josh
July 21, 2019 at 12:39 PM
I wouldn't give him credit for the ratings this time. Hong sisters and IU are the key reasons for the ratings. Crowned Clown is his ratings claim for the year but all child former actors and actresses are free to do poorly rated dramas since Korea loves them. Their drama ratings never affect their popularity or demand.
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kiara
July 23, 2019 at 2:16 AM
It's not even halfway and you discredit him already?
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juncipop
July 26, 2019 at 8:03 AM
haha Sorry sbs! i stopped watching absolute boyfriend after one episode. i dont know whats wrong. i loved Beautiful Gong Shim though.
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5 Kairoskat 💐
July 21, 2019 at 7:41 AM
Gaja Perfume!!! All the best with ep 29-32 next week~ I enjoyed this weeks eps a lot 😊.
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6 missjb
July 21, 2019 at 10:59 AM
So happy to see Hotel del luna received good rating. IU and Yeo Jin Go deserve it.
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7 azkiya
July 22, 2019 at 3:49 AM
I felt like I made an unspoken promise towards My Ajusshi's cast and crew that their follow-up project post-MA, will it be drama or movie, would have my support (my watching time , or my best wishes), haha..)
so I was happy with SKYcastle's rating (completed), Arthdal (only first 2eps) and Parasite (have watched the movie in cinema, a great one!),,and now Lee Ji Eun's HDL is doing good, happy for her, also it's in my to-watch list, soon, because the ghost element would only works to be watched on Sunday morning (no nighty watching time for ghost!) and I've been busy for the last 2 weekends, kekeke..
pls stay good HDL!
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8 Zora
July 22, 2019 at 8:51 AM
I am enjoying Hotel del Luna especially the cameos and crossover! I liked JinGoo's acting in Crowned Clown but sometimes it feels like they should have given the role to an older actor Lee Yi Kyung or even Lee Kwang Soo! Just saying though...I hope this drama pulls through the end.
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9 shichybot
July 22, 2019 at 7:11 PM
Where is Level Up showing? It's not on Viu.
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bong-soo
July 23, 2019 at 3:35 AM
Viki (USA) is carrying LEVEL UP.
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10 OhSoEnthusiastic
July 22, 2019 at 9:05 PM
So what are people's current thoughts on Perfume? What direction has the story gone overall? Because I'm intrigued by it, but I know a lot of people here were angry with the drama over it's handling of the subject material.
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11 bomibeans
July 22, 2019 at 9:07 PM
I found Rookie Historian to be a delightful fluffy dessert in a banquet of (mostly bland) kdrama recent offerings. Hotel Del Luna piqued my interest but it veered into Disneyesque territory so quickly, I ran away from it faster than YJG from the eyeless creature (give me some quirkiness and fun and k-tears of Hong’s previous comedy offerings, not another reiteration of overly music-ated and CGI-steroided Hollywood mess, please?!?)
Would love to try Dr John soon.
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Gg01
July 24, 2019 at 7:07 AM
Have you given a chance to episode 2 of HDL? Episode 2 and 4 made me cry. Unexpectedly episode 4 more.
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bomibeans
July 28, 2019 at 7:47 PM
Yep, watched the first two episodes. Did not move me. I'll give it a chance to episode 3 if I have time.
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12 Umme habiba
July 25, 2019 at 8:55 AM
Class of lies is actually good I think it will become 2nd best school series as 1st is sky castle ...but the ratings disappointed me ..I'm loving watching it though
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