The ratings for "Good Doctor" were down slightly this week, as the drama explored new territory. The series fell from 19.4 percent to 17.9 percent as it tried not only to answer the question of what it takes to be a good doctor but what it takes to be a good son.
With the arrival of Park Shi On's abusive father, he is forced to confront the horrors of his childhood and the reason he so easily falls apart in stressful situations. He also has to figure out how to relate to his long absent father. Should a son reconcile with and honor a father who has only ever hurt him? Where's the line between filial duty and masochism? Park Shi On already has enough problems in that his autism spectrum disorder interferes with his superior medical abilities. But maybe remembering the relationship with his father will lead to some healing.
It will be interesting to see how the drama resolves this issue. So far it has been pretty tough on characters that are abusive and neglectful parents.
Maybe one reason this medical drama can't seem to rise beyond 20 percent is that it is so disheartening to see such a likeable character as Park Shi On constantly face new obstacles every time it seems like is making a small gain in his dream of becoming a surgeon. With only a few episodes left, it's time for his true worth to be realized and valued.
The competition also dropped slightly in viewer ratings. The SBS series, "Empire of Gold," about the two-decade long struggle for power in a conglomerate fell from 11.2 percent to 10.3 percent. The series stars Go Soo, Lee Yo Won and Son Hyun Joo.
"Goddess of Fire: Jeonji," the historical drama about Korea's first female potter, fell from 7.9 to 7.5 percent in the ratings. "Goddess of Fire: Jeonji" stars Moon Geun Young, Lee Sang Yoon, Kim Bum and Lee Kwang Soo.
Wrapping up all of its mysteries, the tvN ghost drama "Who Are You?" starring So E Hyun, Taecyeon and Kim Jae Wook, reached 0.961 in the ratings.
In the variety show ratings, the KBS show, "Hello" reached 9.3 percent, while the SBS show, "Healing Camp" rated at 7.1 percent.
Some of the drop in percentage points for all the top dramas could be explained by the fact that it's a holiday week in Korea, and people are getting ready for the fall festival of Chuseok. One episode "The Master's Sun" will be delayed because of the holiday.
