The first episode of MBC‘s new TV drama “Marriage Contract” took 17.2 percent of the viewership, beating competition from other Korean networks Saturday.

“Marriage Contract,” preceded by the network‘s TV drama series “My Daughter, Geum Sa-wol,” stars actor Lee Seo-jin and singer and actress Uee of girl group After School.

(MBC)

In comparison, ratings of KBS 2TV’s historic series “Jang Young-sil” stood at 11.2 percent, while SBS‘s “Mrs. Cop 2,” sequel to “Mrs. Cop” that aired last year, earned 9.2 percent ratings.

In MBC’s new TV drama, Lee plays scion Ji-hoon, while Uee acts as debt-ridden single mom Hye-soo, who lost her husband. Ji-hoon wants to make a contract marriage for his mother, who is soon to pass away.

The series will run 16 episodes on Saturdays and Sundays.

By Son Ji-hyoung (json@heraldcorp.com)