'Ruler' continues lead in mid-week TV drama race

"Ruler: Master of The Mask," MBC TV's weekday period drama, stood at the top of the Wednesday-Thursday late night drama race, data showed Friday.

Episodes 19 and 20 of "Ruler," which aired Thursday evening, recorded 11.2 percent and 12.2 percent viewership, respectively, according to Nielsen Korea.

The show is broadcast in a new format in which a one-hour conventional TV episode is spliced into two half-hour airings with ads inserted into the middle.

The plot of "Ruler" revolves around a crown prince named Lee Seon of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) -- played by rising star actor Yoo Seung-ho -- who has been raised wearing a mask since infancy to conceal his identity due to mysterious circumstances.

He wages a war against a technocratic guild known as "Pyeonsoohoe," which seeks to privatize the public water supply for personal gain.

Former child actress Kim So-hyun plays the crown prince's love interest Han Ga-eun, and L of boy band INFINITE is cast as the prince's peasant confidante. Veteran actor Huh Joon-ho stars as the main antagonist Daemok.

Episodes 15 and 16 of SBS TV's romantic comedy "Suspicious Partner" clocked in at 8 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively, and Episode four of "Queen for Seven Days," a new KBS 2TV period drama, stood at 6.5 percent.

(YONHAP)