East Asian Movie and Drama Blog: Top 10 Highest-Rated Korean Dramas In 2008

Family dramas rule this year in Korean TV drama land. The majority of the Top 10 highest rated Korean drama serials in 2008 were family-themed dramas (mostly stories that depict relationship issues between husbands and wives, or mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law). Unlike last year when period dramas ruled, this year only two period dramas Lee San, Wind Of The Palace and Iljimae made it into the Top 10. Also, compared to last year, average viewership ratings fell across the board and only the top 3 drama serials achieved ratings of 30% and above - Likeable Or Not (also a Top 10 drama in 2007) (about 39%), Golden Era Of Daughter-In-Law (about 32%) and Lee San,Wind of the Palace (about 30%).

Here are the Top 10 Korean Drama Serials based on average viewership ratings according to the two main sources of viewership ratings in South Korea: AGB Nielson Media and TNS Media Korea. The two lists are mostly similar but there are still some minor differences.

AGB Nielson Media *	TNS Media Korea **
1. Likeable Or Not	Same
2. Golden Era Of Daughter-In-Law	Same
3. Lee San,Wind of the Palace	Same
4. You Are My Destiny	Mom Has Grown Horns
5. Golden Bride	First Wives Club
6. Mom Has Grown Horns	You Are My Destiny
7. First Wives Club	Golden Bride
8. New Heart	Same
9. East Of Eden	Same
10. I Am Happy	Iljimae