Korean Historical Drama Tops Rankings on Overseas OTT Platforms, Including Japan

JTBC's historical drama The Tale of Lady Ok has just two episodes remaining but has already swept the top rankings on domestic platforms and international OTT services, including Japan.

Japanese streaming platform U-NEXT announced that The Tale of Lady Ok ranked No. 1 in both the drama and Hallyu-Asia viewing categories, marking another triumph for Korean historical dramas in the Japanese market.

Beyond Japan, The Tale of Lady Ok continues to dominate globally. On OTT platform CocoaPlus, covering regions such as North America, Europe, and Oceania, the drama has maintained the No. 1 spot in the drama rankings since its premiere week. The series tells the story of Goo Deok-yi (played by Lim Ji-yeon), a former slave who hides her true identity and lives as an aristocratic lady named Ok Tae-young. Her relationship with Chun Seung-hwi (played by Choo Young-woo), who devotes himself to protecting her, forms the crux of the narrative.

The captivating performances of Lim Ji-yeon, Choo Young-woo, Kim Jae-won, and Yeonwoo have been instrumental in keeping viewers hooked. The drama premiered in November last year with a modest 4.2% viewership rating but steadily climbed in popularity thanks to its intense storyline and stellar performances. Episode 10 reached an impressive 11.1% rating, breaking into double digits and marking its highest viewership to date.

The most recent episode, Episode 14, heightened the tension by portraying Ok Tae-young on the verge of having her secret identity exposed, drawing even more attention as the finale approaches.

A Global Hit with Korean Historical Drama Aesthetics

While The Tale of Lady Ok is a fictional historical drama rather than one based on actual events, its portrayal of Korea's traditional aesthetics and storytelling has resonated deeply with international viewers. Despite mixed reviews regarding the accuracy of its period setting, the series has proven the global appeal of Korean historical dramas.

The drama’s international success underscores the competitiveness of Korean content in the global market. The Tale of Lady Ok will air its final two episodes, Episode 15 and 16, on January 25 and 26. To ease the post-drama blues, a special broadcast featuring cast commentary and behind-the-scenes stories will air on February 1, offering fans a closer look at the making of the drama.