'Ruler' holds onto mid-week TV drama race lead

SEOUL, July 7 (Yonhap) -- "Ruler: Master of the Mask," MBC TV's weekday drama, remained at the top of the Wednesday-Thursday drama race as the show entered its final stretch, data showed Friday.

Episodes 35 and 36 of "Ruler," which aired Thursday evening, recorded 14.9 percent and 12.8 percent viewership, respectively, according to Nielsen Korea.

The show has adopted a format in which a one-hour conventional TV episode is split into two half-hour airings with ads in between.

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 grown up 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.

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 35 and 36 of SBS TV's romantic comedy "Suspicious Partner" clocked in at 8 percent and 9.2 percent, respectively, and Episode 12 of "Queen for Seven Days," a KBS 2TV period drama starring Lee Dong-gun, stood at 4.6 percent.

(END)