tvN’s ‘Resident Playbook’ Signals Comeback Amidst 0% Ratings Humiliation for Terrestrial Dramas

The South Korean drama landscape in 2025 is undergoing significant upheaval. Major terrestrial networks, including SBS, MBC, and KBS, have seen their ratings plummet to unprecedented lows, with some programs struggling to register even a 1% viewership. In contrast, cable channel tvN is experiencing a resurgence with promising new hits.

Terrestrial Broadcasters Experience Unprecedented Ratings Decline

The latest weekday drama from SBS, “Spring of Youth, ” which blends youth themes with music and romance, airdropped to staggering lows, recording just 0.7% viewership in its second episode. Marketed as a nostalgic return to weekday dramas reminiscent of the past success of “You’re Beautiful, ” the new series was hindered by an untested cast and an awkward airing time of 10:40 PM, failing to generate interest or viewership.

KBS finds itself in an even more critical situation, with all three of its weekday dramas for the year recording average viewership below 1%.Notably, “Kick Kick Kick Kick, ” featuring Ji Jin-hee and Lee Kyu-hyung, reached an all-time low of 0.3%, marking one of the bleakest moments for terrestrial broadcasting.

Cable Networks Recover with Innovative Programming

On a contrasting note, cable network tvN is rebounding from a series of underperforming programs like “When The Star Gossips” and “The Divorce Insurance.” The network’s recovery has been led by the successful debut of “Resident Playbook, ” a highly anticipated spin-off of the popular “Hospital Playlist.” Delayed for a year due to public sentiment against medical dramas during resident strikes, this show has remarkably turned the tide.

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Although “Resident Playbook” began with mixed reviews, the on-screen chemistry between actors Go Youn-jung and Jung Joon-won resonated well with audiences, leading to a remarkable rise in viewership from an initial 3% to over 6% by the eighth episode—a promising trend for the network.

In addition to “Resident Playbook, ” tvN is gearing up for an impressive slate of upcoming shows, including “Our Unwritten Seoul, ” featuring Park Bo-young, and dramas like “Seocho-dong” starring Lee Jong-suk and Moon Ga-young, along with “Typhoon Company” featuring Lee Junho.

Park Bo-young’s Boldest Transformation Yet Unknown Seoul 1

Meanwhile, SBS is achieving some measure of success with its Friday-Saturday lineup, featuring recent hits such as “Love Scout, ” “Buried Hearts, ” and “The Haunted Palace.” Upcoming projects featuring popular actors like Namgoong Min, Yoon Kye-sang, and Go Hyun-jung also show potential for revitalization.

In an effort to recover from the dismal reception of “Crushology 101, ” MBC is set to release “Oh My Ghost Clients” starring Jung Kyung-ho, along with plans to re-broadcast the previously aired Disney+ series “Casino.”

As advertising revenue continues to dwindle, television networks and production companies are forced to prioritize cost-effective productions, setting off a negative spiral of reduced budgets and dwindling viewership. It remains to be seen how the South Korean drama market will rally to rekindle audience interest in the coming years.

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