Dramatop 2017 concludes with the complete viewership-based ranking of Korean dramas in 2017. Please take note that the following lists were made based on data from Nielsen Korea (nationwide ratings), one of the two major companies in South Korea that measure TV audience ratings. Our goal in organizing and publishing the list is to make the international fans of Kdramas aware of which shows were most/least watched by the Korean audience. Legal thriller Defendant received the highest viewership among 38 free-to-air dramas while fantasy rom-com Strong Woman Do Bong Soon bagged the same record among cable dramas. Scroll down the page to see the complete rankings and find out how your favorite shows compare with another.

Ranking of Korean Dramas in 2017 ( Free-to-Air Category )

Average Rating: Overall—8.2 %, KBS2—7.3 %, MBC—7.4 %, SBS—10.2 %

Legend: Blue — Top 10 Highest-Rated Dramas, Red — Top 10 Lowest-Rated Dramas

Defendant (SBS) — 21.7 % Chief Kim (KBS2) — 15.9 % Whisper (SBS) — 15.6 % Ruler: Master of the Mask (MBC) — 12. 4 % Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People (MBC) —11.7 % Falsify (SBS) — 11.1 % Fight For My Way (KBS2) — 10.9 % Witch’s Court (KBS2) — 10.6 % Man Who Dies To Live (MBC) — 10.3 % Saimdang, Light’s Diary (SBS) — 10.2 % Black Knight (KBS2) — 9.7 % Mystery Queen (KBS2) — 9.49 % Hospital Ship (MBC) — 9.46 % My Sassy Girl (SBS) — 8.8 % Hwarang (KBS2) — 8.4 % While You Were Sleeping (SBS) — 8.3 % Suspicious Partner (SBS) — 8.2 % Jugglers (KBS2) — 7.9 % Temperature of Love (SBS) — 7.8 % Lookout (MBC) — 7.4 % Nothing To Lose (SBS) — 7.1 % Two Cops (MBC) — 6.8 % The King Loves (MBC) — 6.7 % Doubtful Victory (SBS) — 6.620 % Mad Dog (KBS2) — 6.619 % Reunited Worlds (SBS) — 6.4 % Seven Day Queen (KBS2) — 5.9 % Strongest Deliveryman (KBS2) — 5.84 % Radiant Office (MBC) — 5.83 % Go Back Couple (KBS2) — 5.8 % Perfect Wife (KBS2) — 5.0 % Missing Nine (MBC) — 4.6 % School 2017 (KBS2)— 4.5 % Lingerie Girls’ Generation (KBS2) — 4.3 % The Best Hit (KBS2) — 3.8 % I’m Not A Robot (MBC) — 3.2 % 20th Century Boy and Girl (MBC) — 3.1 % Manhole: Feel So Good (KBS2) — 2.1 %

Ranking of Korean Dramas in 2017 (Cable Category)

Average Rating: Overall—3.4 %, JTBC—3.5 %, OCN—3.3 %, tvN—3.4 %

Legend: Blue — Top 10 Highest-Rated Dramas, Red — Top 10 Lowest-Rated Dramas

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (JTBC) — 7.65 % Prison Playbook (tvN) — 7.56 % Woman of Dignity (JTBC) — 6.6 % Live Up To Your Name (tvN) — 5.4 % Avengers Social Club (tvN) — 5.2 % Tunnel (OCN) — 4.7 % Secret Forest (tvN) — 4.6 % Voice (OCN) — 4.4 % The Most Beautiful Goodbye In The World (tvN) — 4.2 % Because This Is My First Life (tvN) — 3.5 % Black (OCN) — 3.3 % Man to Man (JTBC) — 3.2 % Bride of the Water God (tvN) —3.1 % Rude Miss Young-ae (tvN) — 2.93 % Revolutionary Love (tvN) — 2.91 % Age of Youth 2 (JTBC) — 2.83 % Untouchable (JTBC) — 2.81 % Criminal Minds (tvN) — 2. 77 % Argon (tvN) — 2.7 % Save Me (OCN) — 2.5 % Chicago Typewriter (tvN) — 2.2 % Circle (tvN) — 2.1 % Introverted Boss (tvN) — 1.9 % The Package (JTBC) — 1.8 % Just Between Lovers (JTBC) — 1.74 % Duel (OCN) — 1.72 % Tomorrow With You (tvN) — 1.6 % The Liar and His Lover (tvN) — 1.5 % Solomon’s Perjury (JTBC) — 1.2 %

Record Holders

Free-to-Air Category:

Highest-rated Korean drama — DEFENDANT Highest-rated KBS2 drama — CHIEF KIM Highest-rated MBC drama — RULER: MASTER OF THE MASK Highest-rated SBS drama — DEFENDANT Highest-rated Mon-Tue drama — DEFENDANT Highest-rated Wed-Thu drama — CHIEF KIM

Highest-rated Pilot Episode — SAIMDANG, LIGHT’S DIARY

Highest-rated Final Episode — DEFENDANT

Highest-rated Peak Episode — DEFENDANT

Cable Category:

Highest-rated Korean drama — STRONG WOMAN DO BONG SOON Highest-rated JTBC drama — STRONG WOMAN DO BONG SOON Highest-rated OCN drama — TUNNEL Highest-rated tvN drama — PRISON PLAYBOOK Highest-rated Mon-Tue drama — BECAUSE THIS IS MY FIRST LIFE Highest-rated Wed-Thu drama — AVENGERS SOCIAL CLUB Highest-rated Fri-Sat drama — STRONG WOMAN DO BONG SOON Highest-rated Sat-Sun drama — PRISON PLAYBOOK

Highest-rated Pilot Episode — PRISON PLAYBOOK

Highest-rated Final Episode — WOMAN OF DIGNITY

Highest-rated Peak Episode — WOMAN OF DIGNITY