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| yna@yna.co.kr 2024-06-13 10:23:28
SEOUL, June 13 (Yonhap) -- The drama 'Crash' has been recording high viewership ratings, driven by its unique theme of investigating traffic crimes and delivering the catharsis of good triumphing over evil, without relying on marketing top stars or romance elements.
According to Nielsen Korea on the 13th, the 10th episode of ENA's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Crash,' which aired on the 11th, achieved a 6.3% viewership rating, its highest to date. This is the second-highest rating in ENA's history, following 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' (peak at 17.5%) and surpassing 'Namnam' (peak at 5.5%).
'Crash' has been consistently breaking its own viewership records since its premiere on the 13th of last month, even competing against tvN's popular Monday-Tuesday drama 'Escape with Seonjae.' In contrast to the recent struggles of other weekday dramas, 'Crash' stands out. Current Monday-Tuesday dramas have lower ratings, with KBS 2TV's 'Treat Me Carelessly' peaking at 2.3%, and tvN's 'Player 2: War of the Conmen' at 4.2%. The recently concluded JTBC Wednesday-Thursday drama 'No Secrets' recorded a peak rating of 2.0%.
'Crash' follows the Traffic Crimes Investigation (TCI) team, led by actors Lee Min-ki, Kwak Sun-young, Heo Sung-tae, Lee Ho-chul, and Moon Hee, who play the detectives tackling criminals behind the wheel. What sets this drama apart is its success without relying on star power or romance storylines, unlike other popular dramas earlier this year, such as 'Marry My Husband,' 'Queen of Tears,' and 'Escape with Seonjae,' which were noted for their romantic plots involving well-known actors.
Instead, 'Crash' focuses on the novel theme of traffic crime investigation, presenting a new case once the previous one is resolved. The initial storyline, which involves a serial murder disguised as a traffic accident, is based on a real event, with the script reflecting input from traffic police and actual case records, lending a sense of realism.
Directed by Park Joon-woo, who also directed 'Taxi Driver' seasons 1 and 2, 'Crash' shares a similar formula of using real-life crimes to create compelling stories with satisfying retribution. Cultural critic Jung Duk-hyun notes that both dramas provide a cathartic experience by depicting fictional teams or organizations delivering justice where it may not be adequately served in reality.
The drama also features notable car chase action scenes, starting with a dramatic 180-degree turn by Min So-hee (played by Kwak Sun-young) in the first episode, with more chase scenes intensifying towards the end.
The protagonists' growth arcs also receive praise. The main character, detective Cha Yeon-ho (played by Lee Min-ki), is burdened with guilt from a fatal traffic accident he caused in his youth. A KAIST graduate, he initially works as an insurance fraud investigator before becoming a detective to uncover the hidden truth behind his accident. Other characters, like the decisive Min So-hee and team leader Jung Chae-man (Heo Sung-tae), who lost his wife in a hit-and-run, add to the drama's appeal with their distinct personalities.
Supporting actors like Baek Hyun-jin as police chief Koo Kyung-mo and Oh Ui-shik as Seoul Metropolitan Police's major crime unit chief Lee Tae-joo add flavor to the drama, with Baek's comedic timing providing a balance to the otherwise intense atmosphere.
Critic Jung Duk-hyun also highlights the drama's balanced approach, noting that while the narrative focuses on the punishment of evil, which could potentially be unsettling for viewers, the inclusion of humorous characters helps to maintain a sense of balance and remind viewers of the show's fictional nature.
The 12-episode series 'Crash' is set to conclude on the 18th of this month.
[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]