Shocking: Im Sung-han Drama Hits 1% Ratings

TV CHOSUN's weekend mini-series 'Doctor Shin' has premiered with ratings in the 1% range. The fourth episode, aired on March 22nd, recorded a viewership rating of 1.5%, a 0.2 percentage point increase from the previous episode's 1.3%. However, 'Doctor Shin' has been struggling, recording ratings in the 1% range for three consecutive episodes since its premiere. The first episode's rating on March 14th was 1.4%.

On the same day, KBS 2TV's weekend drama 'My Sweet Dear' took the top spot with an overwhelming 15.3% viewership rating, while tvN's drama 'Queen of Tears' recorded a rating of 3.9%.

'Doctor Shin' is writer Im Sung-han's first medical thriller drama, tackling the unconventional subject of a mother and daughter swapping brains. The casting of rookie actors, including former idol member Baek Seo-ra, who has no prior acting experience, as the main characters has also garnered attention.

The drama unfolds around genius doctor Shin Ju-shin (played by Jung Yi-chan), who possesses near-miraculous brain surgery skills, top actress Mo-mo (played by Baek Seo-ra), and Mo-mo's mother, Hyeon Ran-hee (played by Song Ji-in). In the second episode, mother Hyeon Ran-hee proposes a brain transplant for her daughter Mo-mo, who has suffered brain damage, and Shin Ju-shin performs the 'brain swap' surgery. After waking up, Mo-mo looked at her original body (now containing Hyeon Ran-hee's brain) and smiled eerily, shocking viewers.

Notably, 'Doctor Shin' has become a topic of conversation for its subtitle direction, which reveals characters' inner thoughts as if from a variety show. Subtitles like "I was desperate" and "I missed you" are being called 'Bamtwi subtitles' and are being consumed as memes online. Additionally, writer Im Sung-han's unique neologisms, such as "desperate," simultaneously evoke laughter and shock, piquing viewers' curiosity.