‘Doctors’ achieves 2016 ratings records in Singapore and Malaysia

SINGAPORE (August 4, 2016)— In a first for Southeast Asia, Sony’s ONE channel is set to premiere the highly anticipated South Korean drama series Scarlet Heart at the same time as its telecast in Korea on August 29. The unprecedented announcement comes hot on the heels of the successful Doctors series premiere last month, which tops primetime as the highest rated Korean drama series amongst all Korean channels in Singapore and Malaysia.*

Virginia Lim, Senior Vice President and Head of Content, Production & Marketing, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia said, “ONE continues to break new ground when it comes to bringing the best South Korean entertainment to our viewers. Scarlet Heart’s simulcast with Korea means that fans will enjoy unprecedented access to the latest episodes as soon as they are released, with absolutely no waiting. Scarlet Heart, together with the incredible popularity of Doctors and our other captivating series, further strengthens ONE’s position as the top destination for the best in Korean entertainment.”

Scarlet Heart is the South Korean remake of the similarly titled Chinese series, and is set to premiere on 29 August, every Monday and Tuesday at 9pm (8pm JKT), first and exclusively on ONE. The original Chinese series is widely perceived to be one of the most popular Asian romance period drama productions to date, and the remake has generated much buzz amongst Korean drama fans since it was first announced.

Helmed by a star-studded cast, Scarlet Heart builds on the same premise as the original Chinese series but is based on the Korean Goryeo dynasty instead of the Chinese Qing dynasty. Headlining the series as female protagonist is singer-songwriter and actress Lee Ji Eun (IU), whose character is catapulted back in time from the modern era. In the past, she finds herself trapped within a web of political intrigue and complicated love lines involving the princes of Goryeo, who are played by Lee Joon Ki, Kang Ha Neul, Hong Jong Hyun, Baek Hyun of K-pop boyband EXO, Nam Joo Hyuk, and Ji Soo. Rounding off the ensemble cast are rookie actress Kang Han Na and idol-actress Seol Hyun of Girl’s Generation fame, who will both play princesses.

The South Korean remake is led by director Kim Kyu Tae, whose past works include acclaimed series such as That Winter, the Wind Blows. Scarlet Heart will be fully pre-produced for a 20-episode run and has moved into post-production after filming wrapped earlier this month.

 *Doctors ratings notes:

Singapore

• Doctors is the #1 mini-series on Korean channels in Singapore this year.
• During the airing of Doctors, ONE is the top rated Korean channel, tripling the rating of all other Korean channels combined.

Source: Kantar Media Singapore TAM Jan 1 – Jul 15 2016, Doctors rating for the period of Jun 21-Jul 13, 2016. Target: Cable 4+

Malaysia

• Doctors is the highest rated drama series on Korean channels in Malaysia this year.
• During the airing Doctors, ONE is the top rated channel on Astro. Its rating is more than 10 times of the combined rating of other Korean channels.

Source: Kantar Media Malaysia DTAM Jan 1 – Jul 15 2016, Doctors consolidated rating for the period of Jun 21-Jul 13, 2016. Target: Astro 4+

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About ONE

ONE is the first Asian general entertainment channel from Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia, the broadcaster of Asia’s leading cable channels AXN, Animax, Sony Channel and GEM.

ONE showcases the latest South Korean drama and entertainment programs. These include selected prime time dramas within 24 hours of their debut broadcasts in Korea. Viewers can catch the biggest stars and hottest names in Korean entertainment, from young and trendy idol dramas to popular soap operas, along with the current variety buzz and the top K-pop hits. In addition, ONE has also regularly brought South Korean artistes on promotional tours to meet with fans. Successful events have included stars like Ricky Kim and kids (Oh! My Baby), Joo Won (The Gang Doctor), Zo In Sung (That Winter, The Wind Blows), Lee Hyun Woo (To the Beautiful You), Lee Dong Wook (Scent of a Woman), Kim Sun-A (Scent of a Woman), Jang Hyuk (Midas), and K-pop boy group BTOB; as well as the resoundingly successful Running Man fan meet in Singapore and Malaysia. ONE has also recently launched an online news site ONE Scoop that brings its viewers the latest K-drama news, pop quizzes and giveaways. For the latest K-buzz, visit www.onetvasia.com/ONEScoop.

ONE HD is the high definition feed of ONE which is available in Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. See www.onetvasia.com for more.

Media Contacts

Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia

Timothy Oh

Tel: +65 6622 4201

timothy_oh@spe.sony.com