Rom-com/thriller 'When the Camellia Blooms' blossoms in ratings

By Dong Sun-hwa

KBS 2TV drama “When the Camellia Blooms” has a thriller element. Courtesy of Pan Entertainment

“When the Camellia Blooms,” a rom-com/thriller on KBS 2TV, topped the 10-11 p.m. timeslot ratings on Wednesdays and Thursdays, beating rival dramas on other channels by large margins.

The latest episode, aired on Thursday, hit 12.9 percent to be the most-watched program during the prime TV hour. The 32-part series beat the SBS drama “Secret Boutique” (5.8 percent) and MBC's “Extraordinary You” (3.3 percent).

The first episode of Camellia on Sept. 18 started at 7.4 percent.

The series is about Dongbaek, played by Gong Hyo-jin, a single mother who runs a pub named “Camellia” in a small village. Dongbaek is the Korean name of the flower. Opposite her is Kang Ha-neul, a policeman who is besotted with her and seeking to earn her love, whatever the sacrifice.

A thriller element heightens the tension because Dongbaek has witnessed an unsolved murder at a beauty parlor. Is the killer stalking Dongbaek?

“Realistic depiction of the characters and situations adds to the drama,” Kang said during a press event in September.