Throughout the world of K-Dramas, various broadcasting stations bring numerous series to the home of fans all across the globe. One of these stations is the illustrious MBC. MBC is one of the most popular broadcasting channels, with its K-Dramas consistently placing in the best ratings list. The channel continues to deliver high-quality productions appealing to fans in South Korea and abroad. As such, MBC drama ratings rise to the very top, with many reaching record highs.

Here are the top MBC Dramas with the highest ratings since 2020!

 

1. "Knight Flower" - 18.4%

Starring Lee Hanee and Lee JongWon, the historical drama "Knight Flower" starred high in ratings and quickly reached high ratings. The drama gained even more popularity in its last weeks and reached the ratings of 18.4% with its final episode. In 2024, the drama broke the previous records held by "The Red Sleeve". The drama is available on Viki, Kocowa, Apple TV, and Prime Video.

 

2. "The Red Sleeve" - 17.4%

Among historical K-Dramas, "The Red Sleeve" was phenomenally made, filled with moments of romance and yearning that cannot be easily forgotten. Due to its massive success, it gained 17.4% ratings, making it the highest rated series among MBC K-Dramas from 2020 to 2023. Luckily for fans new and old, the K-Drama is available to watch on Rakuten Viki.

 

3. "Big Mouth" - 13.7%

"Big Mouth" made big waves during its initial run. The chemistry between Lee JongSuk and Girls' Generation's YoonA was magnificent, and combined with a compelling storyline, it became an immediate hit, reaching 13.7% ratings. The drama can be watched via streaming site Hulu.

 

4. "My Dearest (part 1 & 2)" - 12.9%

Starring NamKoong Min and Ahn EunJin, "My Dearest" gained massive success and tugged on the heartstrings of all its viewers with a total of 21 episodes. Reaching its highest rating of 12.9% with the final episodes, it puts the series as one of the most watched of MBC. "My Dearest" is currently available on Rakuten Viki and Kocowa.

 

5. "Wonderful World" - 11.4%

"Wonderful World" (2024) is a revenge and thriller drama starring Kim NamJoo and ASTRO's Cha EunWoo. The drama went viral on social media and the mysterious story caught attention. The drama peaked at 11.4% with its 9th, 11th, and 13th episodes. It started at 5.3%.

 

6. "Chief Detective 1958" - 10.8%

The retro crime drama "Chief Detective 1958" starring Lee JeHoon, Lee DongHwi, Choi WooSung, Yoon HyunSoo, and Seo EunSoo started with 10.1% and reached 10.8% with its 3rd episode. The drama started after "Wonderful World" and garnered a lot of attention to be able to start with such high ratings.

 

7. "The Veil" - 9.8%

Also starring NamKoong Min, "The Veil" kept audiences at the edge of their seats with its various twists and turns. Its captivating suspense allowed the drama to reach its highest ratings of 9.8%, landing it at number four among MBC dramas. "The Veil" is available to watch via Rakuten Viki or Kocowa.

 

8. "The Story of Park's Marriage Contract" - 9.6%

"The Story of Park's Marriage Contract" based on webtoon gained a lot of popularity. Bae InHyuk and Lee SeYoung's chemistry was amazing and the story was full of mystery so the drama gained a lot of viewers. The drama started at 5.6% and reached the highest rating of 9.6%.

 

9. "Tracer" - 9.0%

This MBC drama depicted the hard working performance of the National Tax Service. Featuring a cast with Yim SiWan, Go AhSung, Son HyunJoo, and much more, "Tracer" reached its highest rating at 9.0%, earning it the fifth spot among MBC dramas so far. "Tracer" is available on Rakuten Viki, Kocowa, and Wavve.

 

10. "The Golden Spoon" - 7.8%

"The Golden Spoon" is a webtoon-based drama that followed poor, yet studious Lee SeungCheon (BTOB's SungJae) and chaebol son Hwang TaeYong (Lee JongWon) as they switched lives during adolescence and adulthood. The drama explored the stark differences between the extremely rich and those living in poverty. While there were moments of crushing heartache, there were scenes of uplifting hope that lit up all the dark spaces in your heart. "The Golden Spoon" earned its highest ratings at 7.8% and is available on Disney+ and Hulu.

 

11. "Tomorrow" - 7.6%

While this webtoon-based drama had various moments of uplifting comedy, it also did an excellent job at exploring hard-hitting topics. This involved aspects of mental health, life after death and those left behind, as well as the will to live on. At its highest peak, "Tomorrow" earned 7.6% in ratings. This MBC K-Drama is available on streaming platform, Netflix.

 

12. "Doctor Lawyer" - 7.2%

Starring the iconic actor, So JiSub, "Doctor Lawyer" is a fusion of medical and law, providing the best of both worlds. As Han YiHan (So JiSub) searched for the truth, viewers could not help but remain by his side. With the help of its loyal viewers, the MBC drama reached its highest ratings of 7.2%, placing it at eighth on this list. "Doctor Lawyer" is currently available on Disney+ and Hulu.

 

13. "Kkondae Intern" - 7.1%

Adapted from the winning script from MBC's 2018 drama writing contest, "Kkondae Intern" follows the reversal of roles between Ka YeolChan (Park HaeJin) and Lee ManSik (Kim EungSoo). The office comedy provided viewers a reason to smile and laugh, week after week, and reached its highest ratings of 7.1%. "Kkondae Intern" is available to watch via Rakuten Viki and Kocowa.

 

14. "Dinner Mate" - 6.1%

A story of strangers to lovers, Kim HaeKyung (Song SeungHeon) and Woo DoHee (Seo JiHye) unexpectedly meet on Jeju Island. Bonding over their respective heartaches and love of food, they remain in contact and gradually fall for one another. "Dinner Mate" earned its highest ratings at 6.1% and is available to watch via streaming sites iQIYI and Prime Video.

 

15. "Find Me In Your Memory" - 5.4%

"Find Me In Your Memory" is a moving story between Lee JungHoon (Kim DongWook) and Yeo HaJin (Mun KaYoung). While the drama had its fair share of romance, it also offered moments of healing that aided broken souls everywhere. The drama earned its highest ratings at 5.4%, landing at eleventh among MBC K-Dramas. It is available to watch via Rakuten Viki and Kocowa.

 

16. "The Forbidden Marriage" - 4.9%

"The Forbidden Marriage" certainly had it all: a budding romance, a swoon-worthy second lead, a love triangle that broke your heart, and so much more. Audiences certainly agreed, sticking with the drama for every new episode, helping it reach its peak at 4.9% ratings. "The Forbidden Marriage" is available to watch on Prime Video, Rakuten Viki, and Kocowa.

 

17. "Kokdu: Season Of Deity" - 4.8%

"Kokdu: Season Of Deity" was filled with quirky characters, electrifying chemistry, and a romance that withstood the test of time. Switching between historical and modern, "Kokdu: Season Of Deity" had fans constantly coming back for more, earning 4.8% ratings. The MBC drama is made available to watch via Rakuten Viki and Wavve.

 

18. "When I Was Most Beautiful" - 4.7%

"When I Was Most Beautiful" is a heartbreaking love story featuring Oh YeJi (Im SooHyang) who is caught between brothers Seo Hwan (Ji Soo) and Seo Jin (Ha SeokJin). As they navigated feelings of love and jealousy, audiences remained glued to their seats, watching the story unfold. With the help of its dedicated viewers, the series earned 4.7% ratings, placing it at number fourteen among MBC K-Dramas. "When I Was Most Beautiful" is available to watch via Rakuten Viki and Kocowa.

 

19. "From Now On, Showtime!" - 4.6% & "The Game: Towards Zero" - 4.6%

Comedic with a touch of mystery, "From Now On, Showtime!" was able to captivate viewers with its lighthearted storyline and incredible lineup of actors. On the other hand, there was the more serious, thriller series "The Game: Towards Zero" which kept viewers shrouded in suspense. While two different genres, these series earned its highest ranking at 4.6%, tying at number fifteen among MBC K-Dramas.

Which of these MBC dramas is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

 

"Parasyte: The Grey" was a roaring success, earning praise from fans and critics alike. Jeon SoNee played Jung SooIn, the pivotal heroine to the Netflix series. Her character was a complete introvert who mainly kept to herself, but showcased a loyalty like no other. SooIn showcased a hobby of journal writing, using it to communicate with Heidi, the parasite that resided in her.

If you're hobby is journal writing like Jung SooIn, let's learn the Korean word for journal down below!

일기

il-gi

journal/diary

Then, in order to say journal writing is your hobby, you would say:

제 취미는 일기를 씁니다

Je chwimi neun ilgi reul sseupnida

The highly anticipated Korean sci-fi K-Drama "Parasyte: The Grey" is finally streaming, and over the weekend, it has already taken the #1 spot on Netflix's most-watched TV shows chart. This is the first #1 in a while for a Korean production on Netflix, which speaks volumes of the drama's high quality, but also of its mass appeal.

"Parasyte: The Grey" is a wonderful extension of Hitoshi Iwaaki's "Parasyte" universe, but it makes a bold creative choice in adopting broader themes and a more easily palatable plotline than the original, thus serving as a gateway for the popularization of Korean sci-fi. However, it's a far cry from the idiosyncratic humor and particular complexity of Hitoshi Iwaaki's work.

As a result, much like the title, "Parasyte: The Grey" falls a bit in the grey area. You see, fans of the manga and/or anime will easily recognize the recurring parallels while acknowledging the deviations, but they might find themselves grappling with the lack of humor that the original work is characterized by. On the other hand, viewers who have not encountered the original work yet may be left underwhelmed by the simplicity of the K-Drama, especially when considered as a part of Yeon SangHo's oeuvre.

However, despite this, there remains a wide scope for the general audience, who perhaps checked out "Parasyte: The Grey" simply by chance or out of sheer curiosity and unaffected by biases, to enjoy this work. Not only is "Parasyte: The Grey" a fantastic K-Drama for beginners, boasting outstanding set design, impeccable CGI, fleshed-out characters, and a storyline that is neatly wrapped up with a bow of the perfect happy ending, but it also unveils the novelty of Korean sci-fi to the world, drawing attention to this budding genre from a wider audience.

So, in order to appreciate this K-Drama for what it is and not what it could/should have been, it is important to look at "Parasyte: The Grey" as an isolated work.

Spoiler Alert!

 

The Positives

First, let's justify the title of this review. "Parasyte: The Grey" is undoubtedly an action-packed, riveting thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The episodes seem to fly by, and before you know it, you've binge-watched the entire series in one day. Then, why am I calling it a slow burn?

This is because despite all the breathless momentum, the quick turn of events, and quite a few shockers, the true essence of "Parasyte: The Grey" doesn't really settle in until the last two episodes. Most of the action scenes involve parasites sprouting out from human heads and having it out with our heroine, Jung SuIn (Jeon SoNee), or, more appropriately, Heidi.

When it's not that, it's Seol KangWoo (Koo KyoHwan) evading gangsters, which is brilliantly choreographed, albeit slightly dampened by the shaky camera cinematography. Such scenes are complete with the Koo KyoHwan breed of humor we're familiar with from "D.P.", which gives viewers just enough space to breathe and unclench our tense jaws.

However, despite all the extraterrestrial spectacle, the heart of the drama is hidden in the most ordinary human themes - identity, belonging, and loneliness vs. being alone. Throughout the first half, Jung SuIn is pained by the fact of her endless misfortune, unable to find community or comfort. Darkness veils her peripheral vision, so all she can register is the despair she keeps stepping into.

From being abused as a child to getting stabbed for no reason and even ending up hosting a parasite, essentially becoming a monster - Jung SuIn has lost all sense of agency and identity. All that is left is the husk of a woman who wants nothing to do with her own self because, to her, no one else does either!

Still, when she is repeatedly consoled by Detective ChulMin (Kwon HaeHyo) or "ahjussi",  feels needed by Seol KangWoo, and on a larger scale, the world, she regains clarity, empathy, trust, and camaraderie. All these feelings are those she longed for from others but inadvertently ended up finding in her own self. Such a realization only dawns after SuIn spends some time inside her head, literally, but it leaves a deep enough impact on her to want to save the world.

By this time, Seol KangWoo joins hands with Detective ChulMin to save SuIn, and the action picks up. We are thrown into a compelling sequence of gore and destruction but hope shines feebly in the midst. Only then does the drama find true conviction, bringing the slow burn to a most satisfying climax.

Now, when speaking of positives, we cannot forget about the unmatched acting performances we got from the cast of "Parasyte: The Grey". Jeon SoNee is an absolute master of her craft, effortlessly weaving through light and dark, SuIn and Heidi, while Koo KyoHwan is at one with his character, a soft-hearted delinquent. Kwon HaeHyo holds a lot of the story's substance together with his firm resolution, and Lee JungHyun sprinkles in the much-needed unhinged genius of Choi JunKyung.

Nevertheless, "Parasyte: The Grey" is not without its shortcomings, although they are few.

 

The Negatives

"Parasyte: The Grey" is, for the most part, less show and more tell. The drama drags on with a lot of exposition, such as when the pastor parasite (Lee HyunKyun) explains his philosophy, when Choi JunKyung presents her findings about the parasitic creatures, or in the final episode, when a parasite-possessed Kang WonSeok (Kim InKwon) bitterly reflects on the monstrosity of humans and their selfishness, destroying the earth with evils like war.

This anti-war sentiment is an incredibly important theme of the show and yet, its impact falls short of its potential. The dialogue between Kang WonSeok and Heidi, representing a clash of philosophies between two of a kind, lacks the profound impact it aims to deliver. Instead, it comes across as somewhat preachy, especially coming from a man-eating parasite, missing the opportunity to resonate deeply with the audience.

Even stranger is Heidi trying to reassure SuIn that she isn't alone. This scene inside SuIn's head is especially inconsistent with what we're told about parasites so far. These parasites are supposed to have little to no understanding of human emotions. After all, they're barely getting by with their best imitation of humans. So, it is a little disconcerting when Heidi can not only offer sympathy to SuIn but also rationalize her mother's actions!

If we are to understand that Heidi could scan SuIn's memories and come to the logical conclusion that her mother didn't really hate her, it still does not explain how Heidi is so confident about her mother's perspective. Alternatively, she might just be telling SuIn what she needs to hear to move on. Either way, such emotional intelligence is unexpected from a parasite unless, of course, Heidi isn't like other parasites. Perhaps, this connection between SuIn and Heidi is what gives this show the K-Drama sensibility.

The change in scenery as we enter SuIn's inner thoughts for this sequence, though, is quite reminiscent of Netflix's latest sci-fi offering, "3 Body Problem," so it doesn't leave too deep an impression but rather appears out of place.

Still, undoubtedly, the positives far outweigh the negatives, making "Parasyte: The Grey" a worthy watch.

 

Will There Be "Parasyte: The Grey" Season 2?

One of the best parts about "Parasyte: The Grey" is how beautifully the show ties the loose ends, signals a happy ending on the horizon and gives fans of the original work the best cameo possible. Izumi Shinichi, the protagonist of the manga "Parasyte" by Hitoshi Iwaaki, played by Japanese top star Masaki Suda, makes a cameo in the very last scene of the K-Drama, as he meets Choi JunKyung.

This has left many fans wondering if Netflix is leaving the possibility open for a second season. While "Parasyte: The Grey" season 2 has not been confirmed yet, the fact that this K-Drama is not labeled as a "limited series" means there is a chance for a second season.

Netflix usually decides whether or not to renew a show based on the response of viewers worldwide, quantified through numbers like hours streamed and completion rate metric. The completion rate metric measures how many viewers completed the show after starting it. As such, the number of people who watch all the episodes within, say, 30 days of the show's release, matters the most in Netflix's decision to renew it or not.

So, if you really want to see "Parasyte: The Grey" season 2, hopefully with the original cast returning alongside Masaki Suda joining the main cast, then rewatch all the episodes of the show, share the show as much as possible, post about it all over social media, and hope for the best!

"Parasyte: The Grey" is now streaming on Netflix.