The just ended MBC drama Pride & Prejudice not only made room for a new arrival to shake up Mon-Tues ratings, it also put the struggling drama out of its misery. P&P was decent in the first half but basically unwatchable in the second half with how crazy dull it got. The entire narrative was like watching a tire slowly deflate in the wilderness without nothing around to relieve the boredom. P&P’s ratings also kept dropping so by the end both Healer on KBS and SBS‘s dark Punch overtook it in ratings.
Now that fusion sageuk Shine or Go Crazy has arrived on MBC, it’s time to take a look at the audience picks with these three contenders. The winner turns out to be Punch as it took a major leap frog over Healer to land in first with 13.3% AGB while Healer remains steady with 10.4% AGB and SoGC brought up the rear with 8.8% AGB premiere week ratings. It’s not an abysmal start for SoGC but Punch is really the one strong horse that appears to be gaining steam as its story ups the intensity.
Of the three dramas I’m only watching Healer, and have been following that drama regularly since episode 1. I loved it early on but the interest has waned just a smidge so it’s merely like now, which feels rather an outlying opinion considering what a cult rabid following the drama has generated with viewers despite its middle-of-the-road ratings. I wouldn’t call Healer either a hit or a failure, but definitely a drama with more buzz than solid numbers to back up its popularity.
I find Healer entertaining to watch and all three leads in Yoo Ji Tae, Park Min Young, and Ji Chang Wook are doing a fantastic job with both acting and chemistry. I personally feel the writing is actually rather underwhelming and am more interested in the big picture rather than parsing the details. Punch is totally not my dish and I’m still waffling about whether to check out SoGC despite my Jang Hyuk and Im Joo Hwan love. The competition for Mon-Tues will stay this way until mid-February when Blood arrives to take over for Healer and Punch bows out to give way for Heard it Through the Grapevine.
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Enjoy watching healer.
Have not yet check out punch.
Unni .. i just started watching punch recently.. and boy was i hooked from the start.. a really awesome drama..
I strongly recommend ths drama to anyone.. i have lost interest in korean dramas the past year.. mkst start out strong that fizzle out half way through.
But o think Punch will be awesome frm start to end. I do admit its nt everyone cup of tea..
As for healer.. i m yt to watch..
Punch is great drama i told you guys. So intense. The story was flawless. Not to mention the awesome acts by Kim Rae Won, Kim Ah Joong, Jo jaehyun. The story not that heavy. Try it. You'll fall for it hehehehe
Ohhhh just a like for healer?
I though find it entertaining, great acting by the leads and good storytelling. Till now it's been holding up on quality and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will end strong. :)
Yeah, I'm also hoping it ends well, unlike City Hunter.
I'm flabbergasted by Punch's high ratings. It's a surreal experience to be watching and loving a really, really, really well-written, well-acted and intelligent Drama that is actually getting the sort of ratings love it TOTALLY DESERVES. Like you, I'm enjoying Healer, but the gulf between the two shows is well-reflected in the surprising difference in their ratings. Punch is a great example of how good K Dramas can be when they get it right.
I'm watching Healer right now and it doesn't get really interesting till the two leads meet. I was planning to wait for a few more episodes of Punch to air so I could binge watch but I think I'll start now.
Well i think many factors affect the fact that punch is in the leading in Korea.
Mostly due to the fact that it addresess important issues of corruption in the Korean society and the story is tight and solid, also very suspenseful, the characters are very great, the story is also very realistic.The actors and actresses are also very good and popular in Korea so it might have higher ratings due to that. I've been watching it and i love it. Healer on the other hand i also love,but the two dramas are different in genre though Healer has kind of loose story, it is quite good to the average viewer, its like a drama you can relax and watch and anticipate each moment even if some are quite predictable, and there are many squee moments. Also most of the "rabid following" are international viewers and have no influence whatsoever on live ratings. Or may the Korean viewers taste are just different. But i love both dramas, they have their strong and weak points and hope they both get to do well in their ratings
I'm actually crazy in love with healer. I think about it daily, listen to the ost to live through the rest of the week. The chemistry between park minyoung and ji changwook is so amazing and sizzling. And the plot, it has been so unpredictable for me. I'm sure you watched the most recent episode. And omg I don't even know how I can survive the rest of the week.
Omg same here I'm so in love with healer that I can't watch any other shows beside it. It's taking up my life. It's so far one of my all time favorite shows deepening on its ending. Ji Chang wook fighting :)
Love "Punch", even though it is going to be a tear jerker, I still want to watch Kim Rae Won's superb acting. Wonderful actor have missed him so much. Can't wait to see his movie new "Gangnam 1970"!!! :)
Punch is a good drama to watch! Very well written and you would always look forward to the next episode. Kim Rae Won is doing an amazing job as Park Jung Hwan including all her leading lady and the rest of the casts. Kudos to the writer and the production staff! Hope it remains that way till the end.
I don't know why I end up skipping dramas with crazy fan following like Healer or YFAS while it airs. Here I am watching Kill Me Heal Me every week but not Healer even though it is totally my type of story. I'll probably end up doing a marathon next week as everyone is talking about it.
I'm definitely watching Punch too. Not only do I like Kim Rae Won, but the story seems interesting and intense. Nice to see his drama doing well.