Iconic K-Drama That Scored 52% Rating Is Making Its Return On Netflix After Its Original Broadcast 26 Years Ago, Can You Guess?

A 26-year-old SBS drama, Tomato, featuring Kim Hee-Sun and Kim Seok-Hoon in the leads, is getting a Netflix release. Yes, you heard that right. The series originally broadcast in 1999 and garnered a massive viewership rating of 52.7%, which is almost unimaginable given today’s streaming landscape. But will it have the same impact on today’s generation?

For those who don’t know, the storyline had a unique take on the ‘Cinderella meets chaebol heir’ trope. The plot revolves around Han Yi (Kim Hee-Sun), a humble shoe designer, and Seung-Joon (Kim Seok-Hoon), the heir of a shoe company. From having a beautiful, romantic narrative to fashionable aesthetics, this series has all the qualities to resonate with this generation and their modern love.

Tomato: A Timeless Romance Drama

When Tomato aired on SBS in 1999, it became a cultural phenomenon. People got obsessed with the drama so much so that they had forgotten to eat or sleep, they waited for whole weeks to watch one episode. It even scored an average nationwide viewership rating of 52.7% (via KBIzoom), and it might just create the same madness all over again, as it can be streamed now on Netflix. The storyline focuses on Han Yi, who works at a department store but applies for a design certificate and becomes a shoe designer. In the meantime, she meets with Seung-Joon, the heir of a shoe company. However, things get a little messy when her friend Sae Ra gets involved. What happens to Han Yi and Seung-Joon is all about the drama.