‘Suspicious Partner,’ ‘ Ruler: Master Of The Mask,’ ‘The Best Hit’ Among Popular Asian Series

by Robie Ferrer / Jun 23, 2017 10:33 AM EDT

Choi Tae Jun (L), Nam Ji Hyun, Ji Chang Wook and Hello Venus' Nara star in the romantic comedy 'Suspicious Partner.' (SBSNow/YouTube)

With "Suspicious Partner" and "Ruler: Master of the Mask" close to reaching its final chapters, the two productions' popularity continues to rise. Recently, Ji Chang Wook and Yoo Seung Ho's respective dramas nabbed the top two spots on Drama Fever's weekly popular Asian series chart.

"Suspicious Partner" retained its first-place ranking on Drama Fever's Top 10 list of popular Asian series. For the week period of June 20, Ji Chang Wook's SBS series topped the said chart, according to a list posted on the Warner Bros. owned video streaming site. The said achievement marked the third consecutive week that the romantic comedy suspense drama nabbed the number one spot.

Following "Suspicious Partner" to land at number two is Yoo Seung Ho's MBC drama "Ruler: Master of the Mask." The said historical series has been steadily rising to the Top 5 of Drama Fever's chart and even jumped one spot up in the said list's previous week ranking.

Trailing close behind "Ruler: Master of the Mask" is the time slip series "The Best Hit" that also reached an impressive milestone on Drama Fever's weekly chart. Previously at number five, the said KBS drama jumped two places up to claim the third spot. Cha Taehyun's first co-directorial project even bumped OCN's "My Secret Romance" from its former spot to land at fifth place, with the variety show "Running Man" at number four.

Apart from "Suspicious Partner," "Ruler: Master of the Mask" and "The Best Hit," other Asian shows that occupied the bottom half of Drama Fever's Top 10 chart included the MBC series "Lookout" and the historical series "My Sassy Girl" at sixth and seventh spot, respectively. Gong Yoo's "Goblin" nabbed the eighth place, followed by JTBC's "Strong Woman Do Bong Soon" and the Chinese drama "Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms."

Meanwhile, Ji Chang Wook's romantic comedy series continues to post steady viewership shares given its intriguing plot and the onscreen chemistry between its lead stars. Aired back-to-back on June 22, Thursday, "Suspicious Partner" episode 27 reached nationwide TV ratings of 8.4 percent, while episode 28 registered ratings of 9.7 percent, according to Nielsen Korea.

"Suspicious Partner" airs every Wednesday and Thursday on SBS. The Ji Chang Wook starrer is expected to end its broadcast run on July 13.