The reversal of fortune is here to stay and the gap got a whole lot wider this week. KBS is now the undisputed top dog of Wed-Thurs K-drama ratings, with its surprise hit Chief Kim remaining top of the competition with this week’s episodes 5 and 6. Episode 5 rose 1.7% to hit 15.5% AGB nationwide, and episode 6 continued the rise adding another 1.2% to end with 16.7% ratings. Hitting the high teens is a feat nowadays and this one has turned into a disappointing result for SBS to lose both the ratings dominance with Saimdang: Light’s Diary dropping down to 10.7% in episode 5, nearly losing it’s double digits, before rebounding back to 12% in episode 6. MBC‘s Missing 9 remains mired in the 4% digits and stranded by itself in the deserted island of small ratings.

SBS has announced that it will be re-editing Saimdang so it’s not clear if the changes are noticeable to viewers or have been shown already in this week’s episodes. The criticism seems to be around the lackluster and rather old fashioned story line so re-cutting already filmed scenes may not do much to bolster the flagging ratings. With that said, if Lee Young Ae‘s popularity in China and elsewhere overseas remains high then Saimdang has a chance to recoup its costs despite failing to be a hit in Korea.