JTBC's "King the Land" proved its influence as it topped popularity rankings despite its cultural misrepresentation controversy.
Keep on reading for details.
'King the Land' & Stars Lee Junho, YoonA Regain Top Spots on Popularity Rankings
In a report cited by a media outlet, the ongoing K-drama "King the Land," which just started its second half, rises to the top of popularity rankings.
Good Data Corporation's official platform service Fundex, released a report on July 18 announcing that "King the Land" topped the list of TV+OTT dramas in the second week of July 2023, followed by Kim Tae Ri's "Revenant."
Kim Tae Hee and Lim Ji Yeon's "Lies Hidden in My Garden" occupied the fifth place, while Park Gyu Young's "Celebrity" came sixth on the list. "Delightfully Deceitful" also entered the chart at No. 9.
The rom-com series won first place in TV and OTT drama and actors' popularity rankings.
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In overall popularity, Lee Junho and YoonA ranked first and second, respectively, in the actors' popularity rankings.
Kim Tae Ri and her co-star Oh Jung Se came third and fourth place.
"See You in My 19th Life" lead star Shin Hye Sun ranked fifth, while "Delightfully Deceitful" stars Chun Woo Hee and Kim Dong Wook placed sixth and eighth.
'King the Land' Maintains Double-Digit Ratings
In addition, "King the Land" episode 9 scored an average rating of 10.2 percent nationwide and maintained a double-digit rating in episode 10, which garnered 11.3 percent, based on Nielsen Korea's latest record.
The weekend drama has been steadily loved by viewers since its first broadcast on June 17. It has surpassed double-digit viewership ratings and continues to attract attention from international viewers.
'King the Land' Embroiled in Cultural Misrepresentation Controversy
Meanwhile, the rom-com series was embroiled in a cultural misrepresentation issue for its offensive representation of Arabs within episodes 7 and 8.
The drama's production was quick to pen an apology letter to its viewers, saying that they had no intention of caricaturing or distorting a specific country or culture.
They apologized for causing inconvenience to viewers without full consideration of other valued cultures.
"King the Land's" production team added that they will do their best going forward to create content that can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of where they are from and what kind of culture they have.
The team will look thoroughly into the part of episodes, which are considered problematic, to make sure the right measures are taken.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'King the Land' Episode 10: Lee Junho & YoonA Express Their Love for Each Other
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