Before and After 'Descendants of the Sun'

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BY HanCinema Jun 20, 2016 10:38 AM EDT

The best drama so far this year has to be "Descendants of the Sun". Not only did it cause a syndrome in Korea, but in China as well, and dramas that were released after "Descendants of the Sun" have also been on the upturn.

KBS wasn't doing so well before "Descendants of the Sun" came along. Koo Hye-seon and Ahn Jae-hyeon's "Blood", "Who Are You - School 2015", "Remember You", "The Eccentric Daughter-in-Law", "Cheeky Go Go", "Oh My Venus" and "Moorim School" stayed on one-digit records. They didn't do too well.

Even "Babysitter" couldn't help but lay low until Park Shin-yang's "Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho", which set a record of 17.3%. It was even rumored to have been expanded but Park Shin-yang's schedule and other matters put that to a stop.

"Baek-hee is Back" came along next. It may seem like "Baek-hee is Back" is filling in for "Beautiful Mind" but it stirred some attention for itself with its comedy and inspiration. The four-episode drama ended with a two-digit record.

Dramas on Wednesdays and Thursdays weren't doing too well eighter. "Unkind Women" starring Chae Si-ra and Kim Hye-ja and "The Merchant: Gaekju 2015" starring Jang Hyeok, Han Chae-ah and Kim Min-jeong gained popularity for a bit but not enough. Then came along "Descendants of the Sun", a 100% pre-produced drama.

No one knew it was going to be such a hit. The collaboration of Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo was the hot topic for a while but no one expected Jin Goo and Kim Ji-won-I to become the next 'it' couple. The first episode started off with 14.3% and the sixteenth episode went up to 38.8%. Even the weekend specials rated in the mid 10s.

"Master - God of Noodles" seems like a recession but compared to other dramas, it's doing a good job. After"Master - God of Noodles", the line-up is one to look forward to. The line-up is as follows: Kim Woo-binand Suzy's "Uncontrollably Fond", Lee Sang-yoon and Kim Ha-neul's "Road to the Airport" and"Flower Knights: The Beginning".