The kiss scene between IU and Byeon Woo-seok in Perfect Crown caused viewership ratings to soar vertically. It appears to be holding the ratings throne, setting its own highest record for two consecutive episodes.
According to ratings firm Nielsen Korea on the 10th, episode 10 of MBC's Friday-Saturday drama Perfect Crown (written by Yoo Ji-won, directed by Park Joon-hwa), which aired the afternoon of the 9th, recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 13.3%. This was an increase of 1.6 percentage points from the 11.7% recorded for episode 9 the previous day and was its own highest record.
That broadcast also recorded 13.5% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 5.6% among viewers aged 20-54, showing a large increase not only nationwide but also in the capital area. Nationwide, the capital area and the 20-54 demographic all ranked first among all Saturday programs. The peak minute rating was the ending scene, which reached 15.4%.
In particular, this was more meaningful because the rise continued for two consecutive days, repeatedly setting new personal bests. Episode 9 also recorded ratings of 11.7% nationwide, 11.9% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 5.1% in the 20-54 demographic, achieving a triple crown as the No. 1 program across all Friday shows. The peak minute rating rose as high as 13.4%.
Perfect Crown attracted attention even before it aired due to the casting of IU and Byeon Woo-seok, ranking No. 1 in buzz and raising high expectations. The first broadcast began at 7.8%, but ratings steadily rose thereafter, surpassing 11% by the fourth episode. Maintaining ratings in the 10% range, it has sustained buzz by rising sharply with only two episodes left until the finale.
In that broadcast, Seong Hee-ju (played by IU) hurt IAAN Prince Lee An (played by Byeon Woo-seok) with a declaration of divorce, but ultimately they confirmed each other's feelings. Seong Hee-ju visited Prince Lee An, who had been hurt by the divorce declaration, and candidly confessed her feelings, saying, "I like you," and after confirming their feelings for each other, the two shared a deep kiss and spent the night together.
Following the late king's (played by Seong Jun) will, Prince Lee An went to his nephew Lee Yun (played by Kim Eun ho) to ask for his position back, and Lee Yun accepted his father's wishes. When Lee Yun declared his abdication, Queen Dowager Yoon I-rang (played by Gong Seung-yeon) tried to stop it but was shocked to learn that her son knew of the late king's will. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Min Jeong-woo (played by Noh Sang Hyun) revealed his true intentions by meeting with Buwongun Yoon Seong-won (played by Jo Jae-yoon) to bring down Prince Lee An.
At the end of the broadcast, Prince Lee An was shown collapsed in the palace engulfed in flames, and upon learning this, Seong Hee-ju fell into a panic, heightening the tension.
[Photo] MBC broadcast screen capture.
[OSEN]