There are actually three rather big name K-dramas that premiered in May 2024 but none so far have managed to capture the weekend ratings zeitgeist that was Queen of Tears in March and April, and even the cult fave sensation that is Lovely Runner on Mon-Tues. This weekend Connection with Ji Sung and Jeon Mi Do aired on SBS Fri-Sat and in the same time slot MBC premiered Bitter Sweet Hell with Kim Hee Sun and Kim Seo Hyung. All top actors but the ratings are in the low 5.5%-6% start for both dramas. Midnight Romance in Hagwon premiered three weeks ago taking over the QoT time slot and it’s ratings actually went down from 5.169% to the most recent 4.231%, and by all accounts is just slow and boring which is a bummer because I love both leads Wi Ha Joon and Jeon Ryeo Won. Atypical Family with Jang Ki Yong and Chun Woo Hee is just treading water between 3%-4% every weekend now through episode In a bit of silver lining, MBN sageuk Missing Crown Prince with Suho and Hong Ye Ji is actually doing better than it started at 1.452% and at the highest more than doubled that to 3.826% in episode 12. I hope June brings more exciting fare.
It’s always good if the drama you r enjoying gets good ratings. Like a reward for the cast and production team. But rating doesnt always reflect the quality of drama. Theres plenty of dramas with mid or lower thn expected ratings that are of quality, had interesting plots or stellar rating.
Starting with a 5-6% is pretty normal for the first two episodes. And if the numbers are not going down like Midnight in Hagwon, I am not going to worry.
The only possible popular drama I saw airing on June is Hierarchy. Other have specific genres for most of auditory. But ratings doesn’t affect quality of dramas, so it’s just amusing thing to notice human wave towards one drama or another.
Midnight Romance is so godawful boring. I’ve never been a big fan of noona romances, but the promos sold me on the leads chemistry. The dreary and dark cinematography tho, just makes it feel so bleh instead of moody and poignant like I think they were going for. APS just doesn’t do it for me as a PD – so overrated and just not my jam. Haven’t liked a single drama of his and I’ve somehow been unfortunate enough to see most of them.
I feel it’s way too early to tell for Connection and Bitter Sweet Hell. They might not get the buzz but I think Connection has the potential to break out and get to Wonderful World like ratings. None of the networks have anything huge coming up now that HP’s spinoff has been indefinitely postponed, so the next big ratings pull will be in the latter half of the year when KTR’s Jeong Nyeon comes out.
Agree ,Midnight Romance is boring even if like both leads, AF is a big no for me, MCP doesn’t work for me ( leads acting is poor) , I’m waiting to watch Connection as i like Ji Sung but i dropped his last drama Adamas, will check Bitter Sweet Hell for Kim Hee Sun . Actually it’s the first time that i don’t have something in my plate to watch in Satursday / Sunday time slot . Even week end dramas don’t get anymore the ratings they used to . KBS tried to bring back ratings with the ones behind the success of The Gentleman and the young lady ( which i dropped too)but it’s not doing better than the one with Uee .
I love The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, it’s a typical PD’s show. It’s slow but so the characters look like real person, they’re imperfect. The direction is great like always. He always adresse society themes with finesse.
But otherwise May’s dramas were pretty disapointed in general.
Will check out Connection. Thanks for the update.
The Atypical Family is so good and underrated tho…
My fave drama of 2024 so far