The SBS medical drama, "Yong Pal," continues to yield stellar ratings. According to the August 20 report by Nielsen Korea, "Yong Pal" recorded 18.0 percent in nationwide viewership for its fifth episode. This is an increase of 1.7 percent from the previous episode.
With its solid ratings, "Yong Pal" continues to excel beyond the bulk of weeknight dramas that have aired in 2015.
Viewers continue to flock towards the drama, which incorporates corruption and corporate espionage with a modern-day sleeping beauty tale.
Kim Tae Hee received increased screen time for episode five, following recent criticism that she was being overpaid for her minimal lines. According to an August 15 report published by the Korean publication Daily Sports, the actress is receiving approximately $33,845 USD (44 million Korean won) per episode, to portray heiress Han Yeo Jin.
Yeo Jin captured the attention of Kim Tae Hyun (Joo Won) while frustrating the seemingly unflappable Nurse Hwang (Bae Hye Sun). "Yong Pal" incorporated elements of melodrama as the quest to evade her captors and would-be murders escalated for Yeo Jin.
"Scholar Who Walks the Night" demonstrated progress from the recent addition of another screenwriter. The MBC drama recorded 7.6 percent in nationwide ratings.
Kim Seung Yeol (Lee Joon Gi) revealed his true identity to Jo Yang Sun (Lee Yoo Bi), who willingly accepted him as a vampire. Throughout the episode, Yang Sun evaded officials from the kingdom who were in dogged pursuit to offer her up to the vampire Gwi.
The KBS2 political drama, "Assembly" yielded 6.0 percent in ratings, as 2PM's Taecyeon revealed his true identity.
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About the writer: Adrienne Stanley is a contributing editor for KDramaStars. She is also a contributing writer for KpopStarz, MTV Iggy, Viki 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).
