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'Fantasy Unbeaten' Yook Sung-jae Shines... 'Gwigung' Premieres with Highest Ratings of 10.7%

Seunghun Ji
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2025-04-19 15:34:02
'Gwigung' Episode 1. Photo | SBS
'Gwigung' Episode 1. Photo | SBS

SBS's 'Gwigung' captivated viewers from its first broadcast with the mesmerizing character play of Yook Sung-jae and Kim Ji-yeon, along with a gripping storyline that draws you in.

In the first episode of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Gwigung', which aired on the 18th, the tumultuous story of the evil god Imugi Kang-cheol (special appearance by Kim Young-kwang) taking over the body of human Yoon-gap (played by Yook Sung-jae) was revealed, along with the enduring connection with the shaman Yeori (played by Kim Ji-yeon), who is destined to be a priestess, heightening interest.

As a result, 'Gwigung' recorded a peak rating of 10.7%, creating a significant buzz right from the start. Additionally, it achieved a rating of 9.2% in the metropolitan area and nationwide, surpassing 'My Perfect Secretary' and 'Treasure Island', marking the highest viewership for a SBS drama premiere in 2025, and it swept the title of number one in the same time slot and among mini-series aired that week. Furthermore, the 2049 viewership rating, a key indicator of channel competitiveness and popularity, also recorded 2.5% in the metropolitan area, marking a strong start. (Based on Nielsen Korea)

'Gwigung' skillfully blended the intriguing relationship and narrative between the Imugi and the shaman, the captivating palace mystery that arouses curiosity, and the chilling presence of supernatural beings, providing fresh entertainment for weekend viewers. The character play of the actors, which elevated immersion with a unique fantasy worldview, also stood out.

In particular, Yook Sung-jae seamlessly transitioned between the upright and kind first love, the sword-wielding official, and the evil god Imugi possessing a human body, reaffirming the 'Fantasy Unbeaten' concept, while Kim Ji-yeon completed the role of a powerful shaman with a determined gaze. Additionally, the irreplaceable charisma displayed by Kim Ji-hoon and Kim Young-kwang, despite their brief appearances, heightened anticipation for the evolving K-monster fantasy world of 'Gwigung'.

Meanwhile, SBS, the drama kingdom, presents the only fantasy historical drama of 2025, 'Gwigung', which tells the story of the shaman Yeori, who rejects her fate, and the Imugi Kang-cheol trapped in the body of her first love Yoon-gap, as they confront the vengeful spirit of the royal family, leading to a body and soul entangled fantasy romantic comedy.

[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]

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