There are only four episodes left to air of 'The Emperor: Owner of the Mask' or as it is known by the more literal translation, 'Ruler: Master of the Mask.' The drama, in spite of average reception from the audience, has maintained top spot in ratings in the Wednesday-Thursday slot.
Website Soompi points out that as per viewership ratings research company AGB Nielsen Korea, episode number 35 and 36, which aired on July 6, earned 12.8 percent and 14.9 percent ratings respectively, in all of South Korea. The previous two episodes that aired on July 5 got 12.6 percent and 13.6 percent respectively. Thus there was a rise of about 0.2 percent and 1.3 for each episode.
Soompi notes that 'The Emperor: Owner of the Mask' has become the only drama in the Wednesday-Thursday slot to have crossed the 10 percent threshold. In the same time slot, SBS's 'Suspicious Partner' and KBS2 TV's 'Queen for Seven Days' also rose in ratings. The former recorded 8.0 percent and 9.2 percent, while the latter got 4.6 percent.
The filming for 'The Emperor: Owner of the Mask' recently wrapped up and the cast and crew of the drama celebrated with a wrap party on the evening of July 3, as noted by Soompi. Actor Yoo Seung-ho, who plays Crown Prince Lee Sun, told reporters, "I can't believe that filming is over. As there's still more of the drama [to air], I hope you will give it a lot of love until the end." Kim So-hyun who plays Han Ga-eun, said, "Although it's very sad to have finished our six-month filming, I was happy. I think I'll miss the other actors a lot."
INFINITE band member and actor Kim Myung-soo, better known by his stage name L, said, "The actors worked really hard while filming. Please show a lot of love for the remaining episodes, and for me."
To this actress Yoon So-hee, who plays Kim Hwa-gun, added, "We worked hard from autumn to summer, and I think we were able to wrap up filming without any issues because the cast and staff were all so great."
The final four episodes of 'The Emperor: Owner of the Mask' will air on July 12 and 13 respectively, on MBC network, at 10.00 p.m. KST.
