Are K-dramas Failing To Gain Strong Views? Check Details
Korean dramas have been enjoying massive viewership over the years, with their fan base growing globally.
Having once enjoyed massive popularity among fans globally, it appears that Korean TV series have witnessed a steady decline in their views. Despite having some of the most followed K-drama actors, the shows have faced low ratings, with reports suggesting that it can be attributed to fans' growing expectations for a faster narrative and better storytelling. Or maybe viewers can no longer commit to multiple episodes, with each one running for an hour or more.
According to an Allkpop report, a number of K-dramas have struggled to cross the 5 per cent mark in domestic ratings, with a notable example being Crushology 101, which had generated early excitement due to the casting of stars like Roh Jeong Eui and Lee Chae Min. Despite the initial hype, the show failed to even hit the 1 per cent viewership mark and ended with a 0 per cent rating. The list didn't just end here, as another drama with a star-studded cast met a similar fate.
Lee Min Ho and Kim Go Eun's The King: Eternal Monarch, once thought-to-be a mega hit, also saw a drop in viewer ratings and eventually averaged between 6-8 per cent per episode. Lee Min Ho's recent project, When The Stars Gossip, with Gong Hyo Jin, faced criticism over a lack of originality and weak storytelling.
Despite such figures, some dramas did manage to rise above. This year, shows like Buried Hearts and The Art of Negotiation saw their viewership go past the 20 per cent mark. Likewise, competing dramas also had promising results, like KBS2's 'Iron Family' with a rating of 17.4 per cent, SBS's 'Love Scout' with 11.4 per cent, JTBC's 'The Tale of Lady Ok' with 8.4 per cent, MBC's 'Motel California' with 3.6 per cent, and Channel A's 'Check-In Hanyang' with 2.5 per cent.
Where Does The Problem Lie?
With many wondering if the problem lies with the creative vision of recent dramas or the plot, it seems like fans have started growing weary of watching nothing but recycled versions of older plots with nothing much to innovate. This has further intensified with the growing competition from international streaming platforms and other entertainment formats like short-form and variety content.
It is now to be seen if the K-drama creators will evolve with the audience demand or continue playing it safe.
First Published:
June 04, 2025, 12:42 IST
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