SBS's new legal thriller drama "Defendant" instantly captivated viewers nationwide as its latest episode scored high in the national TV ratings on Feb. 14, Tuesday. The Ji Sung-starrer drama has finally broken through the 25 percent rating mark with its eight episode.
"Defendant" episode 8, which aired on Feb. 14, Tuesday, recorded viewership ratings of 25.2 percent, according to Neilsen Korea, as cited by Yonhap News Agency. The SBS drama's overall national rating rose to 22.2 percent versus its rival program MBC's "Rebel: A Thief Who Stole the People" and KBS 2TV's "Hwarang: The Beginning," which only recorded 10.6 percent and 7.7 percent, respectively.
In "Defendant," Ji takes on the role of Park Jung Woo, a former homicide prosecutor who is framed for murdering his family and now a death row prisoner. The SBS drama has captured the hearts of many with its fast-paced plot and Ji's vivid acting skills.
However, living in Park Jung Woo's shoes apparently took a toll on Ji. It seems that living in Park Jung Woo's shoes took a toll on Ji. Speaking before a predominantly Korean crowd, the 39-year-old veteran actor revealed he lost more than six kilograms while filming the SBS drama.
"I was constantly in a state of tears since I tormented myself in different ways, by either pushing my limits while exercising or continuously reading the script," Soompi quoted Ji as saying during a press conference on Jan. 19. "I keep having dreams of me hanging on the verge of death or saving a family from distress."
Ji, who also starred in the 2015 drama "Kill Me, Heal Me," added that he, too, have a wife and a daughter and does not want to dare imagine a life without them. He reiterated, "I don't want to even think about any of this actually happening to me in real life."
"Defendant" airs every Monday-Tuesday at 10:00 PM (KST). Check out the show's 8th episode below: