Following the departure of the hit drama 'The Tyrant's Chef,' which surpassed a peak viewership rating of 17%, a new drama starring Choi Woo-shik and Lee Jun-ho is set to take its place. Both series incorporate romance, drawing attention to the leading men who are expected to capture the hearts of viewers.
'The Tyrant's Chef,' starring Lim Yoon-a and Lee Chae-min, concluded with both domestic and international acclaim. It achieved a peak rating of 17.1%, the highest for a weekend mini-series this year. It also topped the TV-OTT drama buzz index for five consecutive weeks. Lim Yoon-a maintained the top spot in actor buzz for five weeks, while Lee Chae-min ranked first in brand reputation by the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute. On Netflix, it was the first tvN drama to rank first in the non-English TV show category for two consecutive weeks. The drama's total video views surpassed 650 million, proving its digital buzz.
Particularly noteworthy was the 'rediscovery of Lee Chae-min.' Although he had previously starred in various projects like 'Hierarchy' and 'Bunny and the Brothers,' he hadn't achieved significant success. However, after being cast as a replacement just ten days before filming due to Park Sung-hoon's departure, Lee Chae-min captivated audiences with his stable acting and charming visuals. He is reportedly receiving over 30 offers for future projects.
The follow-up to 'The Tyrant's Chef' is 'Typhoon Company,' starring Lee Jun-ho and Kim Min-ha. The drama depicts the growth of Kang Tae-poong, a novice businessman who becomes the president of a struggling trading company during the 1997 IMF crisis. Lee Jun-ho, who previously starred alongside Lim Yoon-a in 'King the Land,' shared at a press conference, "We still have a group chat with the 'King the Land' cast. We congratulated each other on the success of 'The Tyrant's Chef.' Given its global success, I believe there are high expectations for our follow-up drama. I feel like we've received positive energy."
Lee Jun-ho has solidified his status as a 'trustworthy actor' with consecutive hits from 'The Red Sleeve' to 'King the Land.' He expressed his desire for 'Typhoon Company' to be another success, stating, "The timing is right, and I hope my sincerity resonates with the audience once again." As he takes on his first historical drama, anticipation is high for Lee Jun-ho's new portrayal.
Competing with 'Typhoon Company' is the new SBS drama 'Woojoo Merry Me,' starring Choi Woo-shik and Jung So-min. The series, set to premiere on the 10th, follows a couple's sweet yet intense 90-day fake marriage to secure a luxurious newlywed home.
Choi Woo-shik plays Kim Woo-joo, the only son of a renowned bakery family, while Jung So-min portrays Yoo Merry, who proposes to Kim Woo-joo to keep her newlywed home after breaking off her engagement. Known for his diverse roles in romance and genre films like 'Our Beloved Summer' and 'The Witch,' Choi Woo-shik is set to showcase his chemistry with Jung So-min in this romantic comedy.
At the press conference, Choi Woo-shik confidently stated, "Kim Woo-joo is the wealthiest character I've ever played. Unlike my previous roles where I was always on the run, this time I drive nice cars and sleep in beautiful places. You'll see a cool side of me." He humorously added, "I jokingly called myself the 'rom-com prince,' but I don't have much experience in this genre. I tried to act less comically and more stylishly this time." He hopes for the drama to achieve a 10% viewership rating.
As these trusted actors prepare to take the stage, a new lineup of weekend dramas is set. With current weekend mini-series like 'Eunsoo's Good Day' and 'To the Moon' struggling with low ratings, anticipation is high for the next hit to follow in the footsteps of 'The Tyrant's Chef.'
Reporter Tae Yuna, TenAsia youyou@tenasia.co.kr