SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System) Friday-Saturday drama ‘Doctor X’ (닥터X) has achieved its highest Friday rating yet, hitting 17.5% and becoming the most-watched program across all channels for the week. This impressive feat comes as trailers and casting news for new dramas like ‘Final Table’ starring Ahn Hyo-seop (안효섭) and ‘I Went to School’ starring Girls' Generation’s (소녀시대) Sooyoung (수영) are being released, further fueling interest in the K-drama market.
The medical noir drama ‘Doctor X,’ starring Kim Ji-won (김지원), recorded a nationwide average viewership of 17.5% for its fifth episode, which aired on October 23rd, breaking its own record for a Friday broadcast. According to Nielsen Korea (닐슨 코리아), this figure marks the highest rating for any program aired this week, demonstrating ‘Doctor X’s’ undisputed dominance in the Friday night drama slot.
https://www.soompi.com/article/1881075wpp/doctor-x-earns-its-highest-friday-ratings-yet-as-most-watched-show-of-entire-weekDoctor X 전국 시청률 17.5%
주간 시청률 순위 1
The new drama ‘Final Table,’ starring Ahn Hyo-seop and Hong Hwa-yeon (홍화연), is garnering attention with the release of its latest trailer. The preview features Ahn Hyo-seop portraying a mysterious chef who overcomes past hardships to compete against the world’s top culinary talents. ‘Final Table’ is scheduled to premiere on JTBC (Joongang Tongyang Broadcasting Company) on October 24th. Meanwhile, Girls' Generation’s Sooyoung has confirmed her appearance in the KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) weekend drama ‘I Went to School.’ This drama will depict the life changes of a middle-aged woman who enrolls in university, with Sooyoung playing the protagonist’s daughter alongside actress Lee Jung-eun (이정은). Penned by the writers of ‘A Hundred Memories’ and ‘Crash Course in Romance,’ the drama aims for a 2027 broadcast.
https://kdramakisses.com/2026/10/22/ahn-hyo-seop-faces-many-challenges-in-new-trailer-for-final-table/, https://kdramakisses.com/2026/10/20/sooyoung-takes-starring-role-in-i-went-to-school/The Enduring Influence of K-Drama's 'Original Troika'
The three leading actresses who represent K-drama — Kim Tae-hee (김태희), Song Hye-kyo (송혜교), and Jun Ji-hyun (전지현) — continue to captivate public attention. Kim Tae-hee recently attended a high jewelry brand event in Seoul, while Jun Ji-hyun made an appearance at an athleisure pop-up store, both showcasing their unchanging presence. Notably, Song Hye-kyo announced a new chapter in her career by leaving UAA (United Artists Agency), her agency of 14 years, to sign an exclusive contract with the newly established Management STAND (매니지먼트 스탠드). Their consistent activities suggest that these stars, who spearheaded the golden age of K-drama, still wield significant influence in the industry. Korea Times reported that this trio is once again drawing attention in Korea, consistently making major headlines.
K-drama's global competitiveness is evident through concrete achievements. The drama ‘Merry Berry Love’ (메리 베리 러브), starring Ji Chang-wook (지창욱) and Japanese actress Imada Mio (이마다 미오), entered the Top 10 in 72 countries and regions via Disney+. This success story, a collaboration between a Korean production company and a Japanese broadcaster, demonstrates the widespread popularity of K-drama in the international market. Furthermore, in overseas communities like Facebook, classic K-dramas such as ‘Boys Over Flowers’ are still frequently mentioned as many people's 'introductory K-drama,' proving that K-drama maintains a strong fandom across borders.
https://www.hankyung.com/article/202610231123H, https://www.facebook.com/groups/2569389419981113/posts/4346141142305923/'메리 베리 러브' Disney+ Top10 진입 국가/지역 72
Genre Expansion Meets Star Power
From the success of medical dramas and fresh-themed series about cooking competitions to idol-turned-actors taking on school dramas, K-drama is broadening its genre spectrum and satisfying diverse viewer preferences. The continued activities of veteran actresses like Kim Tae-hee, Song Hye-kyo, and Jun Ji-hyun, combined with the global impact of Hallyu stars such as Ji Chang-wook and Ahn Hyo-seop, are expected to further solidify K-drama's popularity. The emergence of these new stars makes the future of K-drama even more anticipated.
The high ratings of ‘Doctor X’ and the unveiling of new dramas clearly illustrate why K-dramas continue to be cherished by fans both in Korea and internationally. Moving forward, K-dramas are projected to maintain their leading role in the global content market, driven by diverse storytelling and the vibrant performances of its stars.
