Ever since they aired "38 Police Force" back in 2016, the Orion Cinema Network (OCN) has seen increasing in popularity with their K-dramas. With the conclusion of their latest K-drama "Tunnel," they are continuing that popular trend, as it concluded with a viewership average even higher than their previous K-drama, "Voice."

"Tunnel" is the second criminal suspense K-drama to air under the Orion Cinema Network. It stars Choi Jin Hyuk as detective Park Gwang Ho from 1986 who suddenly finds himself in 2017 after pursuing a serial murderer into a tunnel.

While acclimating to his new surroundings, serial murders similar to those three decades ago begin to happen. Using modern resources and getting help from two new allies, he uses the tunnel to traverse between two time periods to catch the culprit.

'Tunnel' earns the highest viewership ratings average for OCN to date

"Tunnel" has earned the highest viewership ratings for any OCN K-drama at 4.674 percent for the nation and 4.877 percent for the Seoul National Capital Area under AGB Nielsen Korea, and 4.425 percent for the nation under TNmS Media Korea. This is a huge jump compared to the averages earned by previous K-drama "Voice."

OCN is still on top compared to other Korean cable networks in 2017

It should also be noted that OCN is probably the only Korean cable network that airs K-dramas internationally that is doing well so far in 2017.

The Total Variety Network (tvN), the Korean cable network known for their huge hit K-dramas "Reply 1988" and "Goblin," has yet to release a breakout hit in 2017 so far. That is a debilitating situation for them, not only because we are halfway through the year, but because they are well-known for releasing back-to-back hit K-dramas, as seen last year.

As for the Joongang Tongyang Broadcasting Company (JTBC), they were able to release at least one hit K-drama with "Strong Woman Do Bong Soon."

Ultimately, the success of "Tunnel" is an accumulation of OCN incorporating a unique angle into their criminal suspense K-dramas starting in early 2016 with the "crimefighter by night" angle in "Neighborhood Hero." In "38 Police Force," the angle was using scams for the Korean tax service to get back money from wealthy people who owed them.

What other OCN K-dramas can viewers look forward to?

OCN hopes to continue their success with their first rom-com currently airing on Mondays and Tuesdays, "My Secret Romance." As for the time slot previously occupied by "Tunnel," it will be replaced by upcoming K-drama "Duel." For those interested in watching "Tunnel," the full series is available on DramaFever, Viki, and OnDemandKorea.
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