Dominating Friday Night in Just Three Episodes

MBC's romance drama 'Perfect Crown' recorded a nationwide average rating of 9.0% for its third episode aired on April 17, making it the most-watched program of the day across all genres—including variety shows and news broadcasts. The figure was confirmed by Nielsen Korea.

The drama also topped Friday's key commercial demographic of viewers aged 20 to 54 with a 4.6% average, signaling both cultural resonance and advertising appeal.

Why It Matters

The performance carries significance beyond a single drama's success. Lead actress IU has long been regarded as a guaranteed ratings draw, with acclaimed works including 'My Mister' (2018) and 'Hotel Del Luna' (2019) under her belt. Co-star Byeon Woo Seok, who sparked nationwide frenzy with 'Lovely Runner' (2024), joined forces with IU to create one of the most anticipated castings in recent Korean television history.

The 2.5 percentage point gap over competing drama SBS's 'Phantom Lawyer' (6.5%) underlines 'Perfect Crown's' clear dominance in the Friday drama slot. A 9.0% opening in only the third episode is considered a strong benchmark in today's fragmented viewing landscape.

The Larger Trend

Korean terrestrial drama ratings have been on a steady decline since the late 2010s, driven by OTT competition. Benchmarks that once required 30–40% ratings shifted downward; a 20% rating now qualifies as a blockbuster hit.

However, 'Lovely Runner' (2024), also starring Byeon Woo Seok, helped reverse perceptions by reaching No. 1 on Netflix's non-English chart while maintaining strong domestic ratings—propelling him to global Hallyu stardom. Paired with IU, the combination was labeled a 'super casting' from day one, and early numbers suggest the hype is warranted.