"Hwarang" stayed at the bottom in terms of viewership against contenders "Defendant" and "Rebel: Thief Who Stole The People" after airing its finale on Tuesday. In fact, the KBS2 drama only earned a single-digit rating for its highly-anticipated ending.
According to Soompi, "Hwarang" finale recorded a viewership rating of 7.9 percent, showing an increase of one percent from its previous episode. Despite the hype for the final episode, KBS2's period drama failed to make a progress against SBS and MBC.
On the other hand, legal thriller "Defendant" remains to be on top of Monday-Tuesday late night timeslot. The Ji Sung starrer earned a whopping 22.2 viewership rating for its 10th episode.
Trailing behind "Defendant" was Yoon Kyun Sang's "Rebel: Thief Who Stole The People" with 11.5 percent. Meanwhile, "Perfect Wife," starring Ko So Young, will take over "Hwarang's" slot starting Feb. 27.
Despite ending with low ratings, "Hwarang" actors expressed their gratitude to fans through Instagram updates. Allkpop cited Park Hyung Sik, Park Seo Joon, Do Ji Han and Jo Yoon Woo posted their heartfelt thanks shortly after the final episode ended.
The actors of "Hwarang" treat their fans with a group photo alongside their personal thoughts about the recently drama. "Thanks to everyone who watched and loved 'Hwarang' til the end. I love you," Park Seo Joon wrote.
Park Hyung Sik said, "Thank you and I love you," while Jo Yoon Woo captioned his post, "Thank you. Really goodbye."
Do Ji Han, on the other hand, made a collage of their group photo and "Hwarang" poster. Under the caption, the 25-year-old actor thanked his co-stars in the historical drama.
"Thank you for your love. I was very happy to meet our oldest hyung Seo Joon, Hyungsik, Minho, Yoon Woo, Taehyung, and the other hyung/dongsaengs (brothers/sisters). I love you guys very very much," Do Ji Han posted.