Legal Drama 'Shinirang' Seizes Lead in TV Ratings Battle

With original dramas from global online video services (OTT) such as Netflix losing momentum, terrestrial and cable broadcasters are locked in fierce competition with diverse lineups spanning courtroom dramas, suspense and political mysteries. SBS's Friday-Saturday drama "Shinirang Law Firm" (hereafter "Shinirang") has seized the upper hand, continuing the trend of courtroom dramas as a surefire hit genre. "Shinirang" has captivated viewers, surpassing a peak viewership rating of 11% and an average rating of 9%. Courtroom dramas such as "Judge Lee Han-young," "Pro Bono" and "Esquire: Lawyers Who Dream of Being Lawyers" have been a representative hit genre alongside medical dramas. Analysts say the show's popularity is driven by its fresh premise of a lawyer who resolves the grievances of the dead, which adds comic elements to the legal format. "It combines the courtroom genre that Koreans love with shamanism, making it an easy watch for all generations," drama critic Kong Jung-hee said. "The grievances of the deceased revealed in each episode draw empathy, creating moments that make you laugh and then cry." tvN's Saturday-Sunday drama "How to Become a Building Owner in South Korea" (hereafter "Building Owner") drew attention as actor Ha Jung-woo returned to television dramas for the first time in 19 years, but its viewership ratings have remained sluggish in the 3-4% range. "Building Owner" is a suspense drama in which Su-jong (played by Ha Jung-woo), a building owner struggling to make ends meet, gets involved in a kidnapping scheme to protect his family and property. "Despite the hot topic of 'building ownership,' it is unfortunate that the suspense falls short in building tension," an industry official said. ENA's "Climax" is holding its ground with a 3.8% viewership rating despite the disadvantages of the channel's limited reach and its Monday-Tuesday time slot. The drama boasts a star-studded cast including Ha Ji-won, Joo Ji-hoon, Oh Jung-se and Cha Joo-young, and is a collaboration between Hive Mediacorp, the production company behind blockbuster films, SLL and KT Studio Genie. Hive Mediacorp produced "12.12: The Day" and "Made in Korea," while BA Entertainment, a subsidiary of SLL, produced "The Man Who Lives with the King" and other works. "Climax" delivers a thrilling portrayal of the survival instincts of prosecutor Bang Tae-sub (Joo Ji-hoon), his wife and top actress Chu Sang-ah (Ha Ji-won) and chaebol heir Kwon Jong-wook (Oh Jung-se) as they fight to reach the top by overcoming power cartels — all on a blockbuster scale. The drama is also available for streaming on Disney+.

Legal Drama 'Shinirang' Seizes Lead in TV Ratings Battle

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