Ratings are not the only way to judge a drama but they do count when it comes to the likelihood of the stars appearing in future dramas.
And there are a few things to consider when ranking dramas by ratings. The system for measuring ratings does differ between dramas shown on the prime channels MBC, SBS and KBS and those shown on cable channels. Also, weekend dramas rate many more viewers than weekday dramas. The order will also differ if you rank them according to the ratings for their most viewed episode and the overall average.
Were your favorites among the most viewed dramas in Korea?
Winning first place was "Yong Pal," starring Joo Won and Kim Tae Hee. While the medical melodrama peaked at 21.5 percent, it averaged 18.3 percent nationwide according to Nielsen ratings.
"She Was Pretty," starring Hwang Jung Eum, Park Seo Joon and Choi Si Won landed in second place. Although the comedy started off slow with 4.8 percent of the viewers for its opening episode, it would go on to average 13.35 percent of the viewers, peaking at 18 percent.
"Producer," starring Kim Soo Hyun, IU, Gong Hyo Jin and Cha Tae Hyun averaged 12.5 percent of the viewers, but had 17.7 percent of them for the 12th and final episode.
"Mrs. Cop," the drama about a female detective, starring Kim Hee Ae and Kim Min Jong, averaged 12.2 percent and earned 15.8 percent of the viewing public with its final episode.
The 50-episode saeguk "Six Flying Dragons is still running. So far, the drama starring Yoo Ah In and Shin Se Kyung, has its high point at 14.6 percent for the 15th episode.
The legal drama "Punch," starring Kim Rae Won and Kim Ah Joong, averaged 10.6 percent and pulled in 14.8 for the final episode.
"Shine Or Go Crazy, starring Jang Hyuk and Oh Yeon Seo scores 14.3 percent for its final episode and averaged 11.3 percent.
"Unkind Women," aka "Unkind Ladies," starred Kim Hye Ja, Chae Shi Ra, Do Ji Won and Lee Ha Na. It averaged 12.1 percent but two episodes reached 13.7 percent.
The switched-identity melodrama "Mask" starred Soo Ae, Joo Ji Hoon, Yoo In Young and Yun Yung Hun. It averaged 10.8 percent with the final episode reaching 13.6 percent.
Making the list in tenth place was "Pinocchio," which starred Lee Jong Suk and Park Shin Hye. It averaged 10.6 percent with the finale earning 13. 3 percent.
Cable dramas are rated differently but the top contenders broke some cable rating milestones. "Reply 1988" is still running but rated 13.4 percent for its tenth episode. "Oh My Ghostess" had 7.34 percent at its highest ratings and "Second Time Twenty Years Old" saw 7.23 percent as its highest ratings for the final episode.
Big winners among the weekend dramas were "What's With This Family," averaging 31 percent, "The Legendary Witches at 24.7 and "Rosy Lovers" at 20 percent. "All About My Mom," which is still running peaked at 32.1 percent.
How many of your favorites made the list?
