Doctors (Photo : Koreandrama.org)
It has been two and a half months since "Descendants of the Sun" aired the 16th and last episode of the blockbuster KBS 2TV series, but until now it remains a very popular topic in Korean and Chinese fan websites.
A number of new shows on South Korean TV had been launched since then but none has come close to breaking the viewership record set by “Descendants of the Sun.” On Monday, June 27, "Doctors" premiered and topped viewership ratings with 12.9 percent.
On its second day, the drama got higher ratings, which indicates the show is off to a good start, reported ATimes. A medical drama, producers of “Doctors” hope to replicate the success of “Descendants of the Sun” which combined medicine, as represented by the character played by Song Hye Kyo, an army surgeon, and military, as represented by the character played by Song Joong-ki. “Doctors” stars Park Shin-Hye and Kim Rae-Won.
Park Shin Hye plays Yoo Hye Jeong, a girl with a rough childhood and emotional scar, resulting in her keeping everything mostly to herself. Kim Rae-Won portrays Hong Ji Hong, her mentor who would be instrumental in transforming Yoo Hye Jeong from a “delinquent” person into a woman with a direction in her life.
According to Korea Times, “Doctors,” which airs over SBS, had three times higher viewership ratings on its first episode than medical thriller “Beautiful Mind” shown over KBS on the same time slot.
Besides “Doctors,” Bitbag reported that Hallyu fans are also anticipating the premiere on Monday, July 6, of “Uncontrollably Fond.” Starring Kim Woo-bin ad Bae Suzy who play polar opposite characters: Shin Joon Young, an arrogant singer-actor, and No Eul, a wacky documentary producer.
The show’s teaser hinted of a weird relationship between the two but reaches a turning point when the two are involved in a vehicular accident. According to Suzy, she could relate to No Eul who has made so many sacrifices for others but ended up changing and becoming a snob. The two lead stars are noted to be actively promoting “Uncontrollably Fond” on social media sites.
The two new shows are expected to have their own share of followers, but TV experts doubt if “Doctors” and “Uncontrollably Fond” could match the popularity of “Descendants of the Sun.” Followers of the 16-episode Hallyu, meanwhile, have to wait until 2017 when Season 2 of the show would air.
