Absence does make the heart grow fonder and it also helps to increase drama ratings. That's what happened this week to the ratings for "Empress Ki."

Lats week the show cancelled one of its episodes due to competition from coverage of The Olympics. When another episode was shown this week, the drama's ratings shot up to 26.5 percent, which is the highest ratings that the show has seen since it began.

Viewers may have been eager to see how Wang Yoo, played by Ju Jin Mo would react, when he faced the reality of his love, Seungnyang, played by Ha Ji Won, as the Emperor's consort.

As heartbroken as he must have been, the king pledged his support to the Emperor, played by Ji Chang Wook. In this episode, El Temur, still furious that his daughter was cast out of the palace, moves ahead with his plan to dethrone the Emperor and Wang Yoo works with the Emperor to prevent this from happening.

The first of the last two episodes of "One Warm Word" held second place with 11.2 percent of the viewers. The characters played by Han Hye Jin and Lee Sang Woo are working at reconciliation, while Ji Jin Hee's character is trying to win over his estranged wife played by Kim Ji Soo. The only couple whose relationship seems beyond hope is that between the younger siblings. The final episode may not be seen until next week and will be replaced by "God's Gift - 14 Days."

"The Full Sun" premiered this week, showing two episodes. The new drama rated 3.7 percent for its first episode and 5.1 percent for its second. That placed it squarely in third place.

The drama is about a man and a woman whose lives are forever altered by a diamond heist. It stars Yoon Kye Sang and Han Ji Hye. He first approaches her to take revenge, as he is sure that she is the woman who framed him for murder and thereby ruined his life. But then love complicates the desire for revenge. As they embark on their complicated relationship, the real killer must still be found.

It is expected that ratings for the intense drama will rise. But while "One Warm Word" will end soon, "Full Sun" will continue to face stiff competition. "Empress Ki" has another 20 episodes to go and "One Warm Word" will be replaced by "God's Gift - 14 Days" starring last year's Daesang winner Lee Bo Young.