KBS period drama “Hwarang” climbs to the Top 20 position in the viewership ratings after first week slump. The drama gained a significant increase as it starts its second week.

“Hwarang” scored 13.1 percent ratings in the AGB Nielsen Korea with 1.78 million of approximate viewers all across Korea as it started second week of airing for its episode 3. While in TnMS ratings, the period drama hit 11.1 percent in the episode aired Monday, Dec. 26.

Previously in its first and second episodes last week, the drama only able to tally 6.9 and 7.2 percent in the AGB Nielsen. Many people have not shown interest to the period drama which its cast members consist of five handsome actors. However, after the episode of “1 Night, 2 Days” with three of the cast members appeared as guest on Sunday evening, the popularity of the drama surged.

One other reason of its surge of popularity is because of the absence of its competitor “Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim.” The drama was taken over by annual SBS year-end music special broadcast “SBS Gayo Daejeon” as reported by News1.

However, after the SBS medical drama return Tuesday, Dec. 27, the real ratings will show how “Hwarang” can compete with very strong performance from the “Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim.” Last week, the medical drama topped the rating in AGB Nielsen with 22.9 percent and 21.6 percent in TnMS.

Sun-Woo (Lee Kwang-Soo) who had been searchng for his long lost father and his sister met an unfortunate event with soldiers which cost him his life. His friend Moo-Myung was also injured during the encounter. This week’s Episode 3 of “Hwarang” Moo-Myung met Sun-Woo’s father and sister.

His friend’s father insisted Moo-Myung to be his son, to become the big brother for Aro, Sun-Woo’s sister. Moo-Myung agreed.

Later on, he finds the soldier who killed his friend and he charged the soldier. But other soldiers subdued him.

Watch the highlight of “Hwarang” Episode 3 below: