tvN, a relatively new TV network of South Korea, is known to set the trend by presenting one of a kind shows. With the massive popularity of “Reply 1994” in 2013, the TV channel has become one of the top providers of Korean dramas.
tvN in not one of the major TV networks, which comprises KBS, MBC, SBS, and EBS. Nevertheless, the viewership is competitive with any of the major networks, with the top position among cable networks being solidified.
If you want to navigate through tvN’s trendsetting drama series, use the list below as a guide. We’ve sorted 10 tvN dramas by the audience measurements provided by Nielson Korea.
10. Familiar Wife
- Highest Viewership: 8.2%
- Air Dates: August 1, 2018 – September 20, 2018
- Cast Members: Ji Sung, Han Ji-min, and more
- Genre: Romantic Fantasy
- Synopsis: A married couple goes back in time to make a decisive choice that changes their lives.
9. What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim
- Highest Viewership: 8.7%
- Air Dates: June 6, 2018 – July 26, 2018
- Cast Members: Park Seo-jun, Park Min-young, Kang Ki-young, and more
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Synopsis: A narcissistic vice president of a large corporation falls in love with his talented secretary in the course of stopping her from resigning.
8. Memories of the Alhambra
- Highest Viewership: 9.9%
- Air Dates: December 1, 2018 – January 20, 2019
- Cast Members: Hyun Bin, Park Shin-hye, Chanyeol, and more
- Genre: Romantic Fantasy / Suspense
- Synopsis: An investor visits the creator of a popular augmented reality game to Granada, Spain, where he gets entangled in a mysterious incident with the game engineer’s sister.
7. Another Oh Hae-Young
- Highest Viewership: 10%
- Air Dates: May 2, 2016 – June 28, 2016
- Cast Members: Moon Jung-hyuk, Seo Hyun-jin, Jeon Hye-bin, and more
- Genre: Romance
- Synopsis: Hae-young, who characterizes herself as a humble and common person, falls in love with Do-kyung, whose, heart was broken by a beautiful woman named Hae-young.
6. Prison Playbook
- Highest Viewership: 11.2%
- Air Dates: November 22, 2017 – January 18, 2018
- Cast Members: Park Hae-soo, Jung Kyung-ho, and more
- Genre: Black Comedy
- Synopsis: A baseball star goes to prison as he is convicted of assault. The drama depicts his life behind bars, as well as those of people surrounding him.
5. Signal
- Highest Viewership: 12.5%
- Air Dates: January 22, 2016 – March 12, 2016
- Cast Members: Kim Hye-soo, Cho Jin-woong, Lee Je-hoon, and more
- Genre: Fantasy Thriller
- Synopsis: Detectives in the present and from the past communicate through a mysterious walkie talkie to solve and prevent crimes.
4. 100 Days My Prince
- Highest Viewership: 14.4%
- Air Dates: September 10, 2018 – October 30, 2018
- Cast Members: Do Kyung-soo, Nam Ji-hyun, and more
- Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy
- Synopsis: The Crown Prince of Joseon loses memories for 100 days and lives as a commoner as the husband of a strong, independent woman.
3. Mister Sunshine
- Highest Viewership: 18.1%
- Air Dates: July 7, 2018 – September 30, 2018
- Cast Members: Kim Tae-ri, Lee Byung-hun, Kim Min-jung, Byun Yo-han, Yoo Yeon-seok, and more
- Genre: Historical Romance
- Synopsis: Set during the U.S. expedition to Korea in 1871, the drama centers on a young woman’s endeavor to protect her country from the colonizers and her romantic relationships.
2. Reply 1988
- Highest Viewership: 18.8%
- Air Dates: November 6, 2015 – January 16, 2016
- Cast Members: Lee Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Go Kyung-pyo, Ryu Jun-yeol, Lee Dong-hwi, and more
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Synopsis: Set in 1988, the drama follows the lives of five families in a neighborhood in Seoul, as well as relationships of five friends who grew up together.
1. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
- Highest Viewership: 20.5%
- Air Dates: December 2, 2016 – January 21, 2017
- Cast Members: Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook, Yoo In-na, Yook Sung-jae, and more
- Genre: Romantic Fantasy
- Synopsis: A goblin and protector of souls finds a human bride to end his immortal life.
By Heewon Kim
