From historical-romance to fantasy-thriller series, here are the 10 most viewed dramas in South Korea:
Ratings are based on nationwide viewership data from Nielsen Korea for the month of January.
17.4% | The Red Sleeve | Episode 17, Jan 1
Synopsis: It tells the record of a royal court romance between the King of Joseon who believes his duty is to his country first above love, and a court lady who wants to protect the life she has chosen.
Based on: The Red Sleeve Cuff by Kang Mi-kang
Genre: Romance, Historical drama
No. of episodes: 17
Starring: Lee Jun-ho, Lee Se-young, and Kang Hoon
Written by: Jung Hae-ri
Directed by: Jung Ji-in and Song Yeon-hwa
Date: November 12, 2021 – January 1, 2022
Network: MBC, Viu
11.2% | The King Of Tears, Lee Bang-won | Episode 12, Jan 16
Genre: Historical, Action, Political thriller
Synopsis: The series depicts the story of Yi Bang-won, the third king of Joseon, from a new perspective.
No of episodes: 32
Starring: Joo Sang-wook, Park Jin-hee, Kim Young-chul
Written by: Lee Jung-woo
Directed by: Kim Hyung-il, Shim Jae-hyun
Original network: KBS1
Date: December 11, 2021 – February 2022
9.3% | Uncle | Episode 14, Jan 23
Genre: Family, Comedy, Music, Drama
Synopsis: It is about an uncle who struggles to protect his nephew amid blatant discrimination.
Based on: Uncle by Oliver Refson and Lilah Vandenburgh
No of episodes: 16
Starring: Oh Jung-se, Jeon Hye-jin, Lee Kyung-hoon, Park Sun-young, Lee Sang-woo and Lee Si-won
Written by: Park Ji-sook
Directed by: Ji Young-soo
Original network: TV Chosun
Date: December 11, 2021 – January 30, 2022
8.6% | Tracer | Episode 3, Jan 14
Genre: Mystery, Drama
Synopsis: The series revolves around the people working at the National Tax Service.
No of episodes: 16
Starring: Im Si-wan, Go Ah-sung, Son Hyun-joo and Park Yong-woo
Written by: Kim Hyun-jung
Directed by: Lee Seung-young
Original network: MBC, WAVVE
Date: January 7, 2022 – present
8.2% | Through The Darkness | Episode 4, Jan 22
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Synopsis: It is about a criminal profiler who struggles to read the minds of serial killers.
Based on: Those Who Read the Minds of Evil by Kwon Il-yong and Ko Na-mu
No of episodes: 12
Starring: Kim Nam-gil, Jin Seon-kyu, and Kim So-jin
Written by: Seol Yi-na
Directed by: Park Bo-ram
Original network: SBS TV
Date: January 14, 2022 – present
6.8% | Now, We Are Breaking Up | Episode 15, Jan 7
Synopsis: The series is story of love and break ups in the romantic world. It illustrates the present scenario in the context of fashion industry. Ha Yeong-eun (Song Hye-kyo) is a beautiful, trendy team leader of design department of a fashion company called ‘The One’. Yoon Jae-gook (Jang Ki-yong) is a successful freelance photographer.
Genre: Romance
No. of episodes: 16
Starring: Song Hye-kyo, Jang Ki-yong, Kim Joo-hun and Choi Hee-seo
Written by: Je In
Directed by: Lee Gil-bok
Date: November 12, 2021 – January 2022
Network: SBS and Viu
6.5% | Ghost Doctor | Episode 8, Jan 25
Genre: Fantasy, Medical drama
Synopsis: A ghost medical drama about two doctors, who are completely opposite each other in terms of background, skills, and temperament, merging into one person.
No of episodes: 16
Starring: Rain, Uee, Kim Bum, and Son Na-eun
Written by: Kim Sun-soo
Directed by: Boo Seong-cheol
Original network: TVN, TVING, IQIYI, and Viu
Date: January 3, 2022 – present
6.2% | Moonshine | Episode 6, Jan 4
Synopsis: It tells the story of four young people as they grow up, form friendships and fall in love during the era of strict alcohol prohibition.
Genre: Romance, Historical, Drama
No. of episodes: 16
Starring: Yoo Seung-ho, Lee Hye-ri, Byeon Woo-seok and Kang Mi-na
Written by: Kim Joo-hee
Directed by: Hwang In-hyuk
Date: December 20, 2021 – February 2022
Network: KBS2
5.3% | Our Beloved Summer | Episode 16, Jan 25
Synopsis: Years after filming a viral documentary in high school, two former lovers get pulled back in front of the camera and into each other’s lives.
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
No. of episodes: 16
Starring: Choi Woo-shik, Kim Da-mi, Kim Sung-cheol, Roh Jeong-eui
Written by: Lee Na-eun
Directed by: Kim Yoon-jin
Date: December 6, 2021 – January 25, 2022
Network: SBS, Netflix
4.4% | Bulgasal: Immortal Souls | Episode 12, Jan 23
Synopsis: The story of a woman who repeats death and reincarnation as a person for 600 years and remembers her past lives, and a man who cannot die because he has been an immortal for 600 years.
Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Thriller, Supernatural
No. of episodes: 16
Starring: Lee Jin-wook, Kwon Nara, Lee Joon, Gong Seung-yeon, Jung Jin-young, Park Myung-shin, Kim Woo-seok
Written by: Kwon So-ra, Seo Jae-won
Directed by: Jang Young-woo
Date: December 18, 2021 – February 2022
Network: TVN and Netflix
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