The weekend of January 20-21 saw the conclusion of two popular Korean dramas: Welcome to Samdalri and My Demon. The former achieved its highest ratings ever, while the latter received mixed reviews from the viewers.
Welcome to Samdalri, starring Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Sun, is a romantic drama about – after suffering a fall from grace, a photographer returns to her hometown and bumps into her childhood friend, rekindling an unfinished romance. The drama charmed the viewers with its witty dialogue, hilarious situations, and sweet chemistry between the leads. According to Nielsen Korea, the show got the highest viewership ratings ever, hitting 10.4 percent for its second-to-last episode marking a new personal record. The finale, which aired on January 21, maintained its momentum and ended with an average rating of 10.3 percent. The drama also topped the list of the most buzzworthy dramas for the fourth consecutive week, according to Good Data Corporation.
My Demon, starring Song Kang and Kim Yoo Jung, is a fantasy romance about a 200-year-old demon who falls in love with a human woman who inherits his powers. The drama had a long run of 16 episodes, spanning over two months. The story was filled with twists and turns, as the couple faced various obstacles, including a serial killer, a past life connection, and a divine intervention. However, the drama failed to impress some viewers, who criticized its slow pace, confusing plot, and lackluster ending. According to Nielsen Korea, the final episode of My Demon recorded an average nationwide rating of 3.5 percent, a slight drop from the previous night. The drama also received mixed reviews from the critics, who praised the actors’ performances, but pointed out the flaws in the script and direction.
Both dramas are available to watch on Netflix, with subtitles in various languages. Welcome to Samdalri has 16 episodes, while My Demon has 32 episodes (each episode is 35 minutes long). If you are looking for a light-hearted and humorous romance, you might enjoy Welcome to Samdalri. If you are looking for a fantasy and melodramatic romance, you might give My Demon a try. Either way, you will be entertained by the talented and charismatic actors who bring their characters to life.