According to statistics provided by Nielsen Korea, "Mask" recorded 9.8 percent of nationwide viewership for its June 11 episode. This was an increase of 0.4 percent from the episode which aired on June 10. The series continues to top the current block of Wednesday-Thursday dramas airing within its time slot.
SBS' "Mask" incorporates all of the melodramatic goodness that would be considered makjang or a genre of Korean drama that plays up absurd plot lines, while employing seemingly unrealistic devices to hook viewers. This was exemplified in the fifth and sixth episodes.
Soo Ae portrays Ji Sook, a poor girl who is blackmailed into serving as the fill-in for her wealthy doppelganger. She is married off to Min Woo (Joo Ji Hoon), a seemingly monstrous man, who is plagued by mommy issues. However, he presents the least of her problems. Her brother-in-law, Seok Hoon, is boorish, violent, and emotionally attached to the woman she resembles. Yeon Jeong Hun is eerily attractive in his portrayal of Seok Hoon.
The cherry on top of the absurdity arrives when she is reunited with her brother, Ji Hyeok, who is shocked to discover that she is still alive. INFINITE's Hoya delivers a tremendous performance as Ji Hyeok, demonstrating growth from his prior dramatic roles.
The acting on "Mask" is top notch, but K-Drama viewers crave romance. Episode 6 presented the possibility of steamy scenes involving Ji Sook and Min Woo, which are further complicated by the jealous glare of Seok Hoon.
"Mask" benefits from a solid script, which is delivered by "Secret Love" screenwriter Choi Ho Chul. Choi continues to serve up the same disconcerting mixture of violence and sexiness that punctuated the "Secret Love" performances of Ji Sung and Hwang Jung Eum.
"Warm and Cozy" also increased its viewership. The MBC series recorded 8.8 percent, as the love lines of Gun Woo (Yoo Yeon Seok) and Jung Joo (Kang Sora) continue to draw closer.
The KBS2 series, "Masked Prosecutor" recorded 5.4 percent of nationwide viewers.
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About the writer: Adrienne Stanley is a contributing editor for KDramastars. She is also a contributing writer for MTV Iggy and CJ Entertainment's KCON blog. Her passions include a love of K-pop and Asian drama. When she is not writing she is hanging out on Twitter (@retrogirladdy).
