In most cases, yes. The early episodes help to determine the number of rating and viewers. I have seen many dramas did not get good rating even though the drama is good, because the early episodes failed to catch viewers' attention.

In some other cases, like UF, the high rating in the beginning probably because of the star writer. But it went down in the middle because the story failed to attract viewers, and to add the acting also did not helping either. I don't know with such story line, if you put top listed actors , will the rating at least stay 2 digits.

Doctors really had good opening episodes, but after episode 6 looks like it became a boring plot, just a cliche hospital politics, but the rating rising and stay good until now. Maybe because some viewers just want to finish what they have started to watch.

In case of Beautiful Mind, this drama did not have good opening episodes so that's why the rating could not become any higher even after the plot was better after epi 6, plus a strong opponent as well.

That is mostly true. I have seen a couple of exceptions - "Secret" for example started up at around 4% and ended up around 22% - and it was going head to head with Heirs. But that is the only time I can recall where there was such a dramatic rise.

Not always - Secret, as mentioned above, pulled off a major rise week after week. So did Heirs, the show it beat - it was getting ratings in the 11-13% range up to episode 12, but then took a major jump to 20 percent in its latter half.

And there are plenty of other hit dramas like that - School 2013, all the Answer Me shows (1997 and 1988 practically doubled their third-week ratings by the finale), Misaeng, Signal, Master's Sun, I Hear Your Voice, Pinocchio, Signal, Oh Hae-young Again.... all of them saw fairly substantial rises in ratings even after the first 3 weeks of episodes had aired.

That said, I agree the first three weeks are important to establish a drama. UF premiered to strong numbers but lost them after a weak setup and much stronger story from the competing drama (I do believe it'd have at least held on to double digits for ratings if MBC hadn't sent out W)

there is no way AJH will be a lead over JIW, right?

I dunno

This is some strange alternate reality ..... or some dysfunctional dystopian future where i actually like AJH more than JIW.

How is it that AJH seems to be acting better, is more interesting and has more chemistry with the heroine than JIW. Its JIW for god sake!!!! ...

#weirdedout
#whatishappening

If Cinderella wasn't pre-produced we maybe could've gotten a different ending (of course depending on viewers' preference) but since it's already wrapped I also think JIW's going to get the girl.

Yeah the secretary is definitely the winner here. He looked so dour in the opening credits but once he loosened up and laughed a bit *SWOON*. He looks great in a suit, he cooks, he's thoughtful. The only downside is he has one of those 24/7 jobs.

I looked up the actor (Choi Min -- shortened from Choi Min Sung) the only slightly memorable part he's had before that I've seen was as the head waiter in Pasta. It seems he had a supporting role in Supper Daddy Yul but it's probably not big enough to watch it just for him.

Yeah, people called it before it even premiered - W's brand of plot-heavy fantasy is not the kind of thing that garners the all-demographic kind of broad appeal (and ratings) that the usual melos and family dramas do. But it does lend itself well to having a fervent online following, even if it never breaks 15 percent.

I wonder what the streaming numbers are like for these shows now - those might be a better indicator of popularity for these shows than conventional tv (which the younger generation barely watches anyway).

W is definitely for a certain demographic only (the younger ones and those who like their brains fried week after week lol). I also think it will not go higher than 15%. Nonetheless, being no. 1 on its time slot and having double digit is already considered a success on tv. Online is a whole new issue because W is massive there. The views, comments and upvotes (especially last episode when Dad was revealed) were insane. For the past weeks, all top 10 videos on Naver were W during its broadcast days.

@pogo @diggy Episode 9 trended no. 1 in Korea and I think no. 5 or 6 Worldwide.

It's also not a show you can suddenly start watching in the middle. Can you imagine how confused/horrified you would be if the first episode you watch is next week's one where Dad has no face? ?

Yes, I agree if W can achieve 15% it is good enough. As long as it can stay 2 digits, i'm grateful.

For some reason ep8 seemed like it was about 1/3 flashbacks - pretty heavy. They did not even get into the new episode until about 9 minutes in. Maybe a bunch of stuff got edited out?

Either they are running short on time filming, or they are trying to keep the casual audience up to date on what is going on. Could be both reasons.

Could be because it had something about the odd-even episode cliffhanger, so they had to accommodate through flashbacks.

d-addicts will have the ratings of some jdramas, but for the most part, they aren't included. No idea where else to look :/

One reason why kdramas are more popular internationally is because they're aggressively marketed to overseas outlets, while jdramas are not. Practically every kdrama that comes out sells airing and subbing rights to various countries - that doesn't seem to happen for jdramas, they're just not interested in courting overseas fans at all because their domestic market gives them good enough revenues.

Korean TV is much more idol oriented than most Western countries are. Many other East Asian TV is somewhere between the West and Korea. In the US the cross over between singing and acting is pretty small - it happens, but it rare. I personally cannot imagine Beyonce starring in melodrama :P

PSH is not the best actress, she is famous because of her attitude and humbleness, ppl like her for that. She also started her career since she was child. So it is understandable why she is famous in Koreans and international. Her acting is average but she had number of good rating drama including Doctors. So I think it answered her popularity. She has the charm and aura as top star, even her acting is just average.

JJH on the other hand is on different level. She can make her role like her own, and nobody can do as good as her. I can never imagine other actress doing all of her craziness and sassiness in MLFAS.

I am like you @Bunny, I think it would be great to get the Nielson style ratings as well as the streaming ratings. I think the Chinese, we find out the streaming count. I have no idea why we don't see this in Korea as I only see it helping dramas, especially ones more youth focused.

I think PSH is a solid actress but do not discount the power of Kim Rae Won. Never in a million years would I have put these two together, but apparently it is working for them. I don't know if one actor can make a drama but two popular ones definitely can. Look at PSH's co-stars in past dramas. LJS, LMH, YSY and the dude from You're Beautiful. Not too shabby.

LOL, I like your succinct summaries!

W: yes, I kinda get why ratings dropped a bit between Eps 8-9. The pace and the romance have been adrenaline-pumping until now, but all this voluntary amnesia and portal hopping and face swapping tends to get a little too cerebral, and makes me miss the feels I got from the earlier eps. It's still a show with crazy good twists, though, and I love it!!

Cinderella: can these guys take a fashion lesson from Kang Chul?
(although what's up with the twin look,when AJH and KC wore pink sweaters and jeans? Is that a trend these days? Was it inspired by Yoon Si Yoon's hot pink number in 1N2D?)

Flower In Prison: for me it's kinda like Cinderella in sageuk. She's a Candy. She can kick butt. She hangs out with rugged scoundrels and royal noblemen. I didn't say I was watching it for JSY's acting (or any kind of acting, really - PSD wins hands down in that department). But 28 eps in, I'm still here. So ... it must be entertaining? *scratches head*