Television ratings gauge the popularity of a drama based on the percentage of TV equipped households that watched its broadcast—the higher the figures, the larger the number of viewers. You’ll find below a list of the 10 highest-rated Korean dramas in free-to-air TV since 2008 based on average nationwide ratings, which we computed using data from Nielsen Korea. You can see a similar list for cable dramas here.

All prime-time dramas from KBS2, MBC, and SBS were included in the ranking, except those that easily obtained unusually high ratings (e.g. weekend dramas of KBS2). The rating data of dramas marked with an asterisk came from TNMS. But the ranking still holds true under the assumption that the difference between Nielsen Korea and TNMS ratings is insignificant.

10. Big Thing* (2010) — 24.4 %

Network: SBS

Schedule: Wednesdays & Thursdays

No. of Episodes: 24

Genre: Political Drama

Director: Oh Jong-rok & Jo Hyun-tak

Writer: Yoo Dong-yoon

The only SBS drama on this list, Big Thing is a top-rated show that gained massive popularity thanks to its controversial political themes. It occupied the number one spot on its time slot for 11 (out of 12) consecutive weeks, achieving a peak rating of 27.5 percent. Based on manhwa artist Park In-kwon’s comic titled Daemul, it stars Go Hyun-jung (Return) as an anchorwoman who gets fired from her job and becomes the first woman president of South Korea. The story revolves around the crisis and the challenges facing her administration.

9. East of Eden* (2008-2009) — 24.8 %

Network: MBC

Schedule: Mondays & Tuesdays

No. of Episodes: 56

Genre: Action & Romance

Director: So Won-young

Writer: Na Yeon-sook & Lee Hong-ku

The production team of East of Eden had no regret spending a whopping 25 billion won (roughly $23 million) budget as the series turned out to be an epic show that captivated millions of viewers locally and abroad. The drama is headlined by Song Seung-heon (The Great Show) and Yeon Jung-hoon (Possessed), whose characters have a bitter rivalry between each other. The fact that this 56-episode drama managed to sustain a double-digit viewership and achieve a peak rating of 32.3% is amazing.

8. Boys Over Flowers (2009) — 25.7 %

Network: KBS2

Schedule: Mondays & Tuesdays

No. of Episodes: 25

Genre: Roman ce

ce Director: Jeon Ki-sang

Writer: Yoon Ji-ryun

Korea’s live-action version of the Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango is the 8th highest-rated Korean drama in free-to-air TV since 2008. Boy Over Flowers, led by Lee Min-ho (Legend of the Blue Sea) and Ku Hye-sun (Blood), attracted high ratings and generated a buzz throughout South Korea and the rest of Asia. It became so popular that broadcast rights for the series were sold to at least 25 countries around the world. The series reached a peak rating of 32.9 percent.

7. Lee San, Wind of the Palace* (2007-2008) — 26.4 %

Network: MBC

Schedule: Mondays & Tuesdays

No. of Episodes: 77

Genre: Historical

Director: Lee Byung-hoon & Kim Geun-hong

Writer: Kim Yi-young

Directed by the PD of Jewel in the Palace, Lee San, Wind of the Palace is a period drama about King Jeongjo—played by Lee Seo-jin (Trap)—the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty who is considered as one of Korea’s greatest Kings who genuinely cared for his people. The directing of this drama is particularly superb, with its PD winning Best Director at the 2008 Baeksang Arts Awards. This is the longest drama on this list, with 77 episodes that achieved a peak rating of 35.3 percent.

6. Iris (2009) — 28.4 %

Network: KBS2

Schedule: Wednesdays & Thursdays

No. of Episodes: 20

Genre: Action, Thriller, & Romance

Director: Kim Kyu-tae & Yang Yun-ho

Writer: Choi Wan-kyu

This award-winning action drama centers on two men, played by Lee Byung-hun (Mr. Sunshine) and Jung Joon-ho (The Tale of Nokdu), who join a secret South Korean black ops agency and get caught up in an international conspiracy. Iris went on to become one of the most critically and commercially successful series in 2009, hitting a peak rating of 35.5 percent. It is the first South Korean drama that was broadcast on Japanese television during primetime.

5. Descendants of the Sun (2016) — 28.6 %

Network: KBS2

Schedule: Wednesdays & Thursdays

No. of Episodes: 16

Genre: Action, Melodrama, & Romance

Director: Lee Eung-bok & Baek Sang-hoon

Writer: Kim Eun-sook & Kim Won-seok

Ranking 5th on this list of the highest-rated Korean dramas since 2008 is the hit series Descendants of the Sun, which took the world by storm with its elaborate screenplay and a beautiful love story that touched the hearts of many viewers. The success of the series helped revive the Hallyu wave that was in decline over recent years, boosting the Korean economy and spreading Korean culture across the globe. The drama tells the love story of a special forces soldier played by Song Joong-ki (Arthdal Chronicles) and a medical doctor portrayed by Song Hye-kyo (Encounter). It obtained a peak rating of 38.8 percent.

4. The Slave Hunters* (2010) — 31.7 %

Network: KBS2

Schedule: Wednesdays & Thursdays

No. of Episodes: 24

Genre: Action & Historical

Director: Kwak Jung-hwan

Writer: Chun Sung-il

The Slave Hunters (aka Chuno) is an epic and Baeksang-winning drama starring Jang Hyuk (Wok of Love) as a determined slave hunter during the Joseon Dynasty. Aside from the gripping screenplay, the performance of the actors made this drama quite a badass one and appealing to the audience. In particular, Jang Hyuk’s performance is something to watch out for as his earnest portrayal of his character earned him a best actor nomination from the 2011 International Emmy Awards. The series recorded a peak rating of 35.9 percent.

3. Moon Embracing the Sun (2012) — 33.0 %

Network: MBC

Schedule: Wednesdays & Thursdays

No. of Episodes: 20

Genre: Romance & Historical

Director: Kim Do-hoon & Lee Seong-jun

Writer: Jin Soo-wan

Moon Embracing the Sun shocked South Korea in 2012 when it surpassed the 40 percent-mark in ratings, achieving a remarkable peak record of 42.4 percent. The series, which won Best Actor and Best Drama at the 48th Baeksang Arts Awards, tells the poignant love story of a fictional King, played by Kim Soo-hyun (The Producers), and a female shaman played by Han Ga-in (Mistress). Its screenplay was adapted from a novel of the same title written by Jung Eun-gwol.

2. Queen Seondeok (2009) — 33.6 %

Network: MBC

Schedule: Mondays & Tuesdays

No. of Episodes: 62

Genre: Historical

Director: Kim Geun-hong & Park Hong-kyun

Writer: Kim Young-hyun & Park Sang-yeon

The highest-rated sageuk on this list, Queen Seondeok revolves around the life of Queen Seondeok of Silla (one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea) who has to give up her love to save the people. Starring in the series are Lee Yo-won (The Running Mates: Human Rights) and Go Hyun-jung (Return), who bagged the Grand Prize at the 46th Baeksang Arts Awards. The emotionally riveting and heart-wrenching show achieved a peak rating of 43.6 percent, notwithstanding its lengthy broadcast.

1. The Baker King (2010) — 36.4 %

Network: KBS2

Schedule: Wednesdays & Thursdays

No. of Episodes: 30

Genre: Slice-of-life, Melodrama, & Romance

Director: Lee Jung-sub

Writer: Kang Eun-kyung

The highest-rated Korean drama since 2008 is The Baker King, about a determined young baker—played by Yoon Shi-yoon (Psychopath Diary)—who overcomes many challenges on his road to becoming the best baker in South Korea. The series catapulted Yoon to immense popularity and earned him a commendation for his sincere acting. The drama’s title became the most searched word on Naver in 2010. Its viewership skyrocketed to 49.3 percent, outshining all the other TV programs and creating a boom in bakery sales at the time of its broadcast.

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