MBC doc revisits 'Hur Jun' — the 1999 drama that 97% of Korean households watched

MBC's 다큐프라임-인생도 각본이 필요해 (Documentary Prime - Life Also Needs a Script) airs July 12 at 7:40 AM with an episode dedicated to Hur Jun, the historical medical drama that ran from 1999 to 2000 across 64 episodes.

Hur Jun peaked at 64.8% viewership. During its run, 97% of all South Korean households watched at least one episode. The drama spread to 14 or more countries, and in Iraq it hit 80% viewership—a number so staggering that lead actor Jeon Gwang-ryeol got a personal invitation from the First Lady of Iraq.

The episode promises behind-the-scenes material from production, 26 years after it originally aired. Actor Song Il-gook serves as MC. (Previous episodes covered Dae Jang Geum and The Mermaid, so the show knows how to handle landmark dramas.) This week's health segment focuses on gum health.