Thais urged to view Korean drama

A hit South Korean TV drama about a gun-toting soldier saving lives in a distant land has won over Thailand's prime minister, who called on Thursday for citizens to watch the show.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the former army chief, came to power in a 2014 coup and has often portrayed himself as an officer duty-bound to save Thailand from years of political chaos. He has even written two pop songs and commissioned a series of short films to spread his patriotic message.

Now he is urging Thais to watch Descendants of the Sun, a drama that is winning over many viewers in South Korea, China, Japan and beyond.