DESCENDANTS OF THE SUN

[Anchor Lead]

It's hard to overstate the sensation made by KBS drama "Descendants of the Sun", even in a year with so many memorable hit shows. The buzz surrounding "Descendants of the Sun" was not limited to Korea, as the drama was very popular throughout Asia as well. Let's take a look back on this hit series.

[Pkg]

The KBS series "Descendants of the Sun" aired from February to April this year in Korea. It was a blockbuster melodrama that touched on human values through the story of soldiers and doctors who find themselves thrust into an unfamiliar, extreme environment. The highest ratings recorded minute by minute reached as high as 44% of Korean viewers. But it was truly sensation both at home and abroad. Descendants of the Sun was exported to around 60 countries and foreign media including the BBC and the AFP also took interest in the Korean TV series. The Chinese government even issued a warning to its citizens against obsessing over the drama. The most-searched-words list of 2016 announced by Google also points to the show's popularity. Descendants of the Sun was the most searched title in the TV category not only in Korea but also in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Vietnam. Regarding search words totaling all categories, it also ranked high in many countries.

[Soundbite] Park Yeong-chan(Tech Manager, Google Korea) : "There was great output in search terms of Koreancontents such as "Descendants of the Sun" and Song Joong-ki from abroad this year which is very unusual."

The drama took honors at various award ceremonies. It won the grand prize at the Paeksang Arts Awards and the best Hallyu drama honor at the Seoul Drama Awards. It was also named the best drama series at the Asian Television Awards, dubbed the Emmys of Asia.

[Soundbite] Man Shu Sum(Chief Judge at Asian TV Awards)

The cast also enjoyed overwhelming popularity this year. Actor Song Joong-ki, who played special forces Captain Yoo Si-jin, was catapulted into his newfound status as the hottest Hallyu star, and held a number of fan meetings in countries around the world. He also raked in the prizes at various award ceremonies.

[Soundbite] Actor Song Joong-ki(Descendants of the Sun) : "Yoo Si-jin was such as an attractive character.That blessing fell upon me which brought me this far."

The interest in the series also boosted related merchandising. The sales of a Korean brand car model that appeared in the drama at one time recorded a near 90 percent jump in China. The Korean chicken stew dish of Samgyetang also began to be exported overseas since appearing in a scene in the Descendants of the Sun. Accessories, bags and cosmetics worn by actress Song Hye-kyo in the drama also shot up in popularity to become best sellers.

[Soundbite] Chinese Tourist : "I bought the same lipstick. I got it right after watchingthe drama. All my friends also use Korean cosmetics."

The drama fever also affected domestic tourism. Many tourists coming to Korea visited the film set. There was also an event to behold that gathered 4,000 tourists who enjoyed a Samgyetang meal along the Han River. Descendants of the Sun had far reaching effects in so many ways throughout this year. In spite of regional tensions, there's little doubt that Korean cultural contents will continue to draw attention in the new year.