'Oasis' broke its own highest viewer ratings with Jang Dong-yoon and Seol In-ah's explosion of deep melodrama tension. The confession of love and kissing between the two people, who had gone through difficult times and confirmed their love, gave viewers a 'heart-throb'.
In KBS 2TV's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Oasis', which aired on the 28th, Lee Doo-hak (played by Jang Dong-yoon) and Oh Jung-shin (played by Seol In-ah) were depicted, who confirmed their firm love despite facing a crisis due to Choi Cheol-woong (played by Choo Young-woo). According to Nielsen Korea, a viewership rating research company, the 8th episode of 'Oasis', which aired on this day, recorded 7.4% nationwide and 7.6% in the metropolitan area, breaking its own highest viewership rating along with a significant increase in viewership ratings. It also maintained first place for eight consecutive Monday-Tuesday dramas. The scene that recorded the highest viewer rating per minute was 'The scene where Jung-shin visits Doo-hak, who was injured by a knife at the crime scene (22:10)', which rose to 8.7% in the metropolitan area.
Previously, in episode 7, the story of Doo-hak and Jeong-shin, who are in crisis due to Cheol-woong's estrangement, was depicted, creating regret. Cheol-woong not only split the minds of Doo-hak, but also persuaded Doo-hak to gnash his teeth at Yoo Young-pil (played by Jang Young-hyun), revealing his intention to catch Yeom Gwang-tak (played by Han Jae-young) and Doo-hak at the same time. Doo-hak was put in danger due to the collusion between Gwang-tak and Yeong-pil and the betrayal of his prison classmate Kim Gil-soo (played by Song Tae-yoon).
But all of this was planned by Duhak. After Doo-hak discovered Gwang-tak's intention to stab Gwang-tak in the back, he cajoled Yeong-pil to bring down Gwang-tak and brought in Gil-su to deceive Yeong-pil. Cheolwoong also used it. Cheolwoong agreed to Duhak's request on the condition that the remaining debt be forgiven. Doo-hak became the national boss by eliminating Gwang-tak and Yeong-pil.
However, upon seeing Doo-hak bleeding after being stabbed, Jeong-shin said goodbye. “Watching you get hurt like this, bleeding, hitting someone again… I guess I’m done with this. I won't forget the heart you gave me. He left Duhak with his last words, “Don’t get hurt and live healthy.” Duhak became distraught at the news of Seung-sin’s separation.
The first meeting between the two academics and Hwang Chung-seong (played by Jeon No-min) also took place. Duhak swore loyalty to Yeongjeong, saying that he would become a ‘hunting dog’ to replace Gwangtak. Loyalty handed over a gun to test whether Duhak's loyalty was sincere. He decided to make the smart and bold Doohak his hunting dog. However, he did not completely remove his suspicions, ordering Oh Man-ok (played by Jin Yi-han) to keep an eye on Doo-hak.
Doo-hak, who was in charge of the implementation project following Gwang-tak, met Jeong-shin along the way. He caught his angry spirit and said, “Shin Jung, if I stop being a gangster, will you live with me? “I came out to stop being a gangster,” he said. “Please don’t give up on me, spirit. I'll quit being a gangster and try to make a living doing something decent. I couldn't live without you. Hearing Doo-hak’s confession, “I love you, Jeong-shin,” Jeong-shin shed tears of emotion. The two shots of Duha and Seongshin kissing each other after confirming their sincerity were touching.
As the two haks and minds became closer, Cheolwoong's loneliness grew. Kang Yeo-jin (played by Kang Kyung-heon) was shocked to learn that Cheol-woong was in love with Doo-hak's woman, Shin-shin. Man-ok confessed what he had done to Cheol-woong, and Yeo-jin became angry, slapping Man-ok in the face. Cheol-woong, who had actively welcomed Yeo-jin's romance, was shocked when he realized the true nature of loyalty. He said, “Mother, I cannot accept this marriage. These people are not people. “They’re not people, they’re monsters everywhere,” he said angrily, before leaving the house.
Duhak announced plans to leave the organization and start a legal enforcement business. The reason he rushed to do business was to marry his spirit. Jung Shin also introduced Doo-hak to Cha Geum-ok (played by Kang Ji-eun) and her mother in the nursing home. Doohak promises, “I won’t let you cry.” The two people's hug marked the ending of episode 8, raising the happiness index.
'Oasis', which has reached a turning point, left a deep impression in the hearts of viewers with the growth story of Doo-hak, Jung-shin, and Cheol-woong, who pioneer their own lives in a tangled fate. Expectations are high on what kind of growth the three youth will show in the future between the new environment and changed relationships.
Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr