K-Drama Hit: Ratings Break Double Digits

JTBC's Saturday-Sunday drama "Chief Detective 1958" is continuing its epic storyline, breaking through double-digit viewership ratings with only four episodes left. The drama, which started with a viewership rating of 3.7% for its first episode, has steadily climbed, reaching 11.0% by episode 8. The ending of episode 8 delivered a shocking blow to viewers with the news of Son Hyun-joo's death.

In the 9th episode, airing on the 27th, Hwang Jun-hyun (played by Lee Jun-young) will surprise everyone by appearing as a supporter of Kang Jae-kyung (played by Jeon Hye-jin) at the inauguration ceremony for the new chairman of Choi Sung Group, causing a stir within the company. Until now, Hwang Jun-hyun, possessed by the spirit of Choi Sung Group Chairman Kang Yong-ho (played by Son Hyun-joo), had been supporting the youngest daughter Kang Bang-geul (played by Lee Joo-myung), who was completely excluded from the succession war, and had been keeping Kang Jae-kyung in check. However, in the released photos, Hwang Jun-hyun is seen seated next to Kang Jae-kyung, not Kang Bang-geul, with a stern expression that makes his intentions unclear. Hwang Jun-hyun's choice is expected to create a major upheaval within Choi Sung Group.

In the 8th episode, aired on the 21st, Hwang Jun-hyun (played by Lee Jun-young), possessed by the spirit of Choi Sung Group Chairman Kang Yong-ho (played by Son Hyun-joo), faced an unexpected crisis immediately after blocking the rapid advance of Choi Sung Chemical President Kang Jae-kyung (played by Jeon Hye-jin). This episode recorded 11.0% nationwide viewership ratings according to Nielsen Korea, setting a new personal best. Kang Jae-kyung had driven Kang Jae-sung to the brink by handing over his slush fund documents to the police and then continued her solo run, targeting various parts of Choi Sung Group.

In response to Kang Jae-kyung's solo run, Hwang Jun-hyun discovered her true motive: to transfer Choi Sung Trading's hydrogen business division to Taeha Group. In response, Hwang Jun-hyun made a bold move, sacrificing his own reputation by proposing a plan to frame Kang Yong-ho's directive for Kang Jae-sung's slush fund incident. This seemed to put a brake on Kang Jae-kyung's solo dominance, with Kang Yong-ho taking all the responsibility and Kang Jae-sung returning as president.

However, at the end of the broadcast, a twist unfolded: after Kang Jae-kyung visited Chairman Kang Yong-ho's hospital room, a Code Blue alert sounded, and the news of Chairman Kang Yong-ho's death was announced. Simultaneously, Hwang Jun-hyun, who was at a strategy planning team dinner, also collapsed, complaining of severe headaches, adding to the shock. Viewers are left wondering what Kang Jae-kyung did to Chairman Kang Yong-ho and whether Hwang Jun-hyun, who suddenly fainted, will be alright, heightening anticipation for future developments.