Viewers seem to have chosen what dramas they are going to watch on Mondays and Tuesdays and are remaining loyal to their choice. The ratings have only changed slightly in the last few weeks, with "Good Doctor" in first place but not breaking the 20 percent rating mark.
This week, the KBS drama "Good Doctor" reached 17.4 percent, with the SBS drama "Empire of Gold" at 11.4 and the MBC historical drama "Goddess of Fire Jeonji" at 8.4 percent.
All three dramas have a lot going for them, but "Good Doctor" with its interesting premise and top-notch cast has remained in the lead. Not only does the show explore what it really takes to be a good doctor, but it also deals with mental health and disability issues that are often not discussed in dramas. Viewers tune in to see whether the disabled doctor Park Shi On, played by Joo Won, will able to function in the stressful life-and-death setting of a hospital. Will his disabilities prevent him from becoming a surgeon? Will his gifts be recognized?
"Empire of Gold", the story of two decades in the rise of a conglomerate, is also a tale of cutthroat ambition. One great plus for this show is a strong female character named Choi Seo Yoon. Played by Lee Yo Won, the character is very smart, if misguided, and she can hold her own among the power-hungry men who surround her. She's unusual, as most kdrama chaebols tend to be men and the few that aren't have little actual power. Choi can wheel and deal with the best of them. This character is all about business, willing to sacrifice love for money in a contract marriage as so many male kdrama characters have done.
Last but not least is "Goddess of Fire: Jeonji," the story of Yoo Jung, the first female ceramic artist in Korea. The historical drama offers another strong female character, one who defies authority to pursue her destiny. Played by Moon Geun Young, Jung Ji will follow her dream of becoming a potter, even if it means risking her life. And all the trivia you can learn about the making of pottery is pretty interesting.
tvN's ghost drama "Who Are You?" starring Taecyeon, So E Hyun and Kim Jae Wook earned 1.250 in the ratings. Among the variety shows, the KBS show "Hello" earned 10.4 percent, while the SBS show "Healing Camp rated 5.2 percent.