
Dramas aired in Cable Channels / Pay TV are recently at the forefront of the Korean drama industry. They have produced many high quality series that were well received by the international market due to their unique plots, cinematic scenes and storylines that are not subject to censorship.
Having a smaller audience compared to free-to-air or public TV channel, their broadcast ratings is considered important for their success. It even became a recent tradition to have a “Ratings Pledge” where the casts promises to do things when their target rating have been achieved.
To feed our curiousity, here are the 10 highest rated cable drama as of writing based on AGB Nielsen Korea:
10. The Lady in Dignity (2017) – JTBC
Ratings: 12.065%

9. Signal (2016) – TvN
Ratings: 12.554%

8. 100 Days My Prince (2018) – TvN
Ratings: 14.412%

7. Itaewon Class (2020) – JTBC
Ratings: 16.548%

6. Mr. Sunshine (2018) – TvN
Ratings: 18.129%

5. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2017) – TvN
Ratings: 18.680%

4. Reply 1998 (2016) – TvN
Ratings: 18.803%

2. Crash Landing on You (2020) – TvN
Ratings: 21.683%

2. Sky Castle (2019) – JTBC
Ratings: 23.779%

1. The World of the Married (2020) – JTBC
Ratings: 28.371%

With the continous success of cable dramas and variety shows it would be great for them to start having their own annual awards show to properly recognized the artists behind their success in ratings.
photo credits: JTBC, TvN
Great post 😙
I’ve been wanting an annual drama awards from tvN. I just couldn’t get enough of their tenth anniversary special years back. :s