“The King’s Doctor” Remains No. 1, “The Faith” Ends with Lower-than-expected Number

Actor Cho Seung-woo looks at a knife in a still-shot from MBC's drama "The King's Doctor," aired on October 29, 2012. [MBC]

MBC’s historical drama “The King’s Doctor” has stretched its winning streak for three consecutive weeks. The Cho Seung-woo and Lee Yo-won starrer nabbed the No. 1 title with an average rating of 13.6 percent during the fifth week of October, according to data polled by TNmS [Total National Multimedia Statistics] Wednesday. Directed by famed producer Lee Byung-hoon of epic drama “Jewel in The Palace” (MBC, 2003-2004), "The King's Doctor" garnered big popularity from the public by showing a veterinarian named Baek Gwang-hyun [played by Cho] curing a disease of Kang Ji-nyung (Lee). Chasing closely after the chart-topper is KBS “Ohlala Couple,” which scored the support of 12.1 percent of the total viewers during the same time period. Starring actress Kim Jung-eun and actor Shin Hyun-joon, the comedy series sparked the audience’ interest this week by portraying a couple whose switched souls get back to their own bodies. Meanwhile, SBS’ historical fantasy “The Faith” finally closed its curtains with 9.8 percent of the viewers turned in. Though Korean famed stars such as Kim Hee-seon and Lee Min-ho acted out in “The Faith,” the series has failed to escape from the bottom of the Wednesday and Thursday primetime ratings since it reached the middle of the story in September. Filling in the gap of the empty slot on SBS will be “THE LORD OF THE DRAMAS,” starring actor Kim Myung-min, actress Jung Ryeo-won and Super Junior’s Siwon. The series is set to begin its first episode next Monday. AGB Nielson Media Research showed similar figures to the TNmS’ on October 29 and 30. While “The King’s Doctor” topped the chart with 13.5 percent, “Ohlala Couple” and “The Faith” followed next with 11.6 and 9.4 percent, respectively.

Actor Lee Min-ho poses in a photo from SBS' drama "The Faith," which ended its run on October 31, 2012. [SBS]

※ Any copying, republication or redistribution of 10Asia's content is expressly prohibited without prior consent of 10Asia. Copyright infringement is subject to criminal and civil penalties.10 아시아 Reporter : Lee Tae Ho myenclaves@10 아시아 Editor : Monica Suk monicasuk@<ⓒ즐거움의 공장 "10 아시아" (10.asiae.co.kr) 무단전재 배포금지>