Both "Mrs. Cop" and "Hwajung" ended on September 29 with "Mrs. Cop" landing in first place.
The 50-episode historical drama "Hwajung" ended with 7.8 percent of the viewer rating, but "Mrs. Cop" doubled that achieving final ratings of 15.8 percent.
It was the highest rating that the drama achieved. The ratings began to rise slowly with the opening episode earning 8.4 percent according to the Nielsen ratings. Altogether the drama averaged 12.2 percent.
"Mrs. Cop" starred Kim Hee Ae, Kim Min Jong, Lee Da Hee, Son Ho Joon, Heo Jung So and Lee Gi Kwang.
The police thriller focused on the daily challenges faced by Choi Young Jin, played by Kim Hee Ae. Choi is a single mom who happens to work as a lead detective. She must balance the long hours required to investigate gruesome crime scenes with the unpredictable demands of motherhood. Both are hard to plan for and difficult to schedule. It's a tough balancing act.
In an interview with the Korean media outlet Korea Time, the drama's director Yoo In Sik said that's why he made the drama.
"Living as a working mom or a police officer is difficult in Korea," said Yoo. "Like Choi, many ajummas in reality are faced with two inevitable jobs, one of which they must sacrifice. I wanted to sympathize with them by making the series."
The last episode of "Mrs. Cop" ended on a positive note. Detective Choi revealed the crimes committed by the corrupt Chairman Kang, played by Song Byung Ho. Her team was promoted for their efforts.
Next week "Six Flying Dragons," starring Yoo Ah In and Shin Se Kyung, will fill the time slot left vacant by Mrs. Cop."
"Hwajung" aka "Splendid Politics" also ended on a positive note. The historical drama, starring Cha Seung Won, Lee Yeon Hee and Seo Kang Joon, told the story of the exiled Princess Jungmyeong, played by Lee Yeon Hee. Her half-brother Prince Gwanghae, played by Choi Seung Won, ousted her from the palace in an attempt to secure his right to the throne. She returned in disguise and worked to secure justice.
Although the drama reached the double digits in ratings more than once, it averaged at only 9.9 percent.
