“Penthouse” Writer’s New Drama “The Escape of the Seven” Faces Heavy Criticism as Ratings Hit Rock Bottom
Despite reaching a thrilling climax, “The Escape of the Seven” viewership ratings have hit an all-time low
This week’s episodes of “The Escape of the Seven” introduced new shocking plot developments, making it challenging for viewers to fully grasp the storyline. The ratings for these episodes have plummeted to 5.3% and 5.6%, with 5.3% marking the lowest point in the drama’s viewership.
Notably, this is an unusual occurrence for a drama by “Penthouse” writer Kim Soon Ok, whose previous works have consistently garnered high ratings.
Kim Soon Ok’s downfall as a screenwriter can be attributed to her constant inclusion of excessively irrational and shocking plot twists. In the most recent episode 11 and 12 of “The Escape of the Seven”, infuriating developments have emerged, with a couple of scenes standing out: one where the life of Min Do Hyuk (Lee Joon), hangs by a thread, and the revelation that Matthew Lee (Uhm Ki Joon) is not actually Da Mi’s foster father.
Previously, Matthew Lee had been living under the guise of Lee Hwi Soo to take revenge on Da Mi and receive money from Chairman Bang. However, his true identity has now become a mystery, leaving viewers baffled. This twist has left the last 12 episodes seemingly devoid of meaning, forcing viewers to reevaluate the entire revenge plot of Matthew.
The turning point came when Matthew openly admitted that he was not Lee Hwi Soo, inciting anger and criticism from viewers. In the aftermath of episode 12, online communities were flooded with discussions about Matthew’s character, and the majority of comments were negative.
Throughout the 12 episodes of “The Escape of the Seven” that have aired, the drama has continually faced controversies due to its violent content, questionable character development, and irrational script. Despite this backlash, there are plans for season 2, promising even more drama than what viewers have seen in season 1.
Source: K14
