Korean drama "Minamishineyo" scores top rating in Japan

Popular Korean TV series "Minamishineyo," currently airing on Japanese public network Fuji TV, has scored the highest viewership rating amongst shows broadcast in the same timeslot.

The show's promoter Market Insight announced in a press release on Thursday that the 11th episode of "Minamishineyo" broadcast on August 3, posted a rating of 6.9 percent, beating out TV Asahi's suspense mystery drama and TBS' "Mito Kimon" and NTV's "Karei naru Spy - Gogodora" which all air during the 3:30 p.m. timeslot.

"Minamishineyo" began its run in the country on July 20 as part of Fuji TV's "Hallyu Alpha Summer Festival" after having first premiered in the country on the Hallyu exclusive cable channel KNTV in March.

The hit SBS drama "Minamishineyo," about a girl pretending to be a man to join the popular idol group A.N.JELL, made household names out of actor Jang Keun-suk and actress Park Shin-hye in Korea and throughout Asia.

"Minamishineyo" aired in Korea during the latter half of 2009, maintaining viewership ratings in the 10 percent range despite competing against KBS' blockbuster drama "IRIS" during its run.

The show has been a success overseas as well, selling its publication rights to several broadcasters in Asia including China's CCTV, Thailand's BBTV, Philippines' GMA and Singapore’s MATV.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@