rating

Feb. 13 (Asia Today) — South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s approval rating rose 5 percentage points from the previous week to 63%, marking his highest level this year, according to a poll released Thursday by Gallup Korea.

The survey of 1,003 adults nationwide, conducted Monday through Wednesday, found that 63% of respondents said Lee was “doing well” in handling state affairs.

Those who said he was “doing poorly” fell 3 percentage points to 26%, while 11% said they had no opinion.

Among reasons for positive evaluations, “economy and people’s livelihoods” ranked highest at 16%, followed by “real estate policy” at 11% and “foreign affairs” at 10%.

For negative evaluations, “real estate policy” and “economy and people’s livelihoods” were each cited by 15% of respondents. “Foreign affairs” accounted for 9%, while 7% cited concerns about “authoritarian leadership.”

Regionally, approval was highest in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province at 81%, followed by Daejeon, Sejong and South Chungcheong Province at 69%. Support stood at 63% in Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province, 62% in Incheon and Gyeonggi Province and 58% in Seoul. Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province recorded the lowest approval at 49%.

By age group, support was strongest among respondents in their 40s at 75%, followed by those in their 50s at 70%, 30s at 66% and 60s at 65%. Approval among those 70 and older was 57%, while respondents ages 18 to 29 showed the lowest support at 39%.

Support for the Democratic Party rose 3 percentage points from the previous week to 44%, while backing for the People Power Party fell 3 percentage points to 22%.

The poll was conducted via telephone interviews using randomly selected mobile virtual numbers. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. The contact rate was 40.4% and the response rate was 13.3%.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260213010005002

BBC iPlayer’s Kin has been hailed as the ‘best series’ by viewers, with the Irish gangland drama achieving a flawless 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes

BBC iPlayer’s gritty crime drama Kin has been winning rave reviews from audiences. The gangland thriller, which follows a Dublin criminal family embroiled in an underworld feud, has left viewers clamouring for more despite running for just 16 episodes.

Originally aired between 2021 and 2023, the show continues to win over new fans on Netflix and BBC iPlayer. The Irish-made series has also impressed critics, securing a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its first series.

The show’s synopsis states: “A boy is killed, and his family embarks on a gangland war with an international cartel. But the Kinsellas have something the cartel does not, the unbreakable bonds of blood and family.”

The impressive cast includes Charlie Cox, famous for playing Marvel superhero Daredevil, alongside Game of Thrones star Aidan Gillen and Ciarán Hinds, who play rival gang leaders.

The drama kicks off with Michael Kinsella, the black sheep of the family, walking free from prison. The Kinsellas rely on local drugs kingpin Eamon Cunningham (Hinds). But tensions are rising as they grow weary of being under his thumb, and before long, all-out gang warfare erupts.

One viewer confessed: “I binge-watched all of Kin series one on Netflix yesterday, didn’t finish it until 3am,” continuing, “Really enjoyed it. When will series two be released? I need to do more bingeing into the wee small hours.”

One glowing review on Rotten Tomatoes gushed: “Best series I have seen, could not stop watching it, brilliantly written, acting superb, a must watch for me.”

A viewer took to IMDb to counter the negative reviews, asserting: “Surprised by the negative reviews because this is an excellent series, with great performances, realistic action and a good plot. None of your Hollywood 10-minute fight scenes; the violence is short, sharp and decisive.”

They continued: “The first season held my attention throughout, and I looked forward to every episode, even though I could see the ending coming a mile off. You could look at it as the copying of a great ending to a great movie or just a nod to that movie.

“I wasn’t sure about season two, but warmed to it after the first couple of episodes. I’m not fond of endings that leave parts of the story hanging for next season, but in this case, I’ll forgive them because it was, otherwise, the perfect finale to the main plot line.”

Another fan praised: “The series is deeply character-driven, with standout acting, sharp dialogue, and nuanced interactions that will have you on the edge of your seat, hanging on every word when things get real.”

They wrapped up their review by saying: “The action sequences are seamlessly incorporated, as one critic noted. Even as someone who doesn’t enjoy drama, I found this a fantastic watch.”

Meanwhile, viewers have been making comparisons to Love/Hate, the acclaimed Irish crime drama which ran from 2010 to 2014. One fan suggested: “Watch love/hate instead, especially S2 + S3. Up there with the best shows I’ve ever watched”.

I have watched this show at least once every week for the last 10 years and people are still leaving positive reviews

Everyone’s got at least one go-to programme they return to now and again. I’ve got several I rotate through, whether it’s The Thick Of It, I’m Alan Partridge or Star Trek, but there’s consistently one that stands head and shoulders above the rest and I’m not the only one who reckons it deserves a viewing.

Boasting a 95% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes, Frasier is the American sitcom that keeps proving its staying power and I’ve tuned in at least weekly (possibly more) for over ten years. I can recall when this brilliant piece of farcical comedy served as a late-morning slot-filler on Channel 4, and that’s where I initially encountered the endearing yet pretentious radio psychiatrist as he adjusts to fresh beginnings in Seattle.

Whilst Frasier originally launched in 1993, plenty of viewers already knew the main character from the Boston-set sitcom Cheers.

Spanning 11 series right through to 2004, Frasier, portrayed by Kelsey Grammer, remains remarkably relevant today, with numerous episodes revolving around the comic consequences of a straightforward misunderstanding that viewers are completely aware of.

It’s packed with brilliant one-liners, gags that mock the upper classes and a dash of slapstick chucked in for good measure.

It follows Frasier’s relocation from Boston to his swanky new flat in the fictional Elliot Bay Towers, and launches his fresh radio call-in programme at the neighbourhood KACL station alongside producer Roz, portrayed by Peri Gilpin.

Comedy gold unfolds when he welcomes his down-to-earth father Martin, portrayed by the late John Mahoney, Martin’s live-in physiotherapist Daphne, brought to life by Jane Leeves, and his scruffy terrier Eddie into his pristine apartment, reports the Express.

There’s no shortage of sharp-tongued sparring between Frasier and his equally pretentious sibling Niles, embodied by David Hyde Pierce, while sipping a steaming macchiato at their beloved Cafe Nervosa.

Both audiences and reviewers adore it, with each series packed with memorable episodes that become more hilarious with repeated watches.

Fans continue posting glowing testimonials more than two decades since it wrapped, cementing this legendary sitcom’s devoted following.

One viewer raved: “Just a fantastic series. Great writing. Brilliant acting. As much as I enjoy Kelsey Grammar in this series… David Hyde Pierce really does steal the show.”

Another declared: “This is a go-to classic for intellectual humour while building upon continuing story arcs and having solid standalone episodes. Frasier is one of the best TV series ever made.”

A third enthused: “Definitely one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, watching it over again.”

There’s been a Frasier revival, though this features a fresh ensemble aside from Kelsey Grammer, and has received divided opinions.

Both the classic and revived Frasier are available on Paramount Plus, whilst the original run can be streamed on Channel 4. Individual series and episodes can be purchased through Amazon Prime.