Buzz
1. Competition from Stronger Shows
There are many instances where dramas, despite being good, struggle with viewership because they air at the same time as exceptional, highly popular shows. A notable example is the drama “Please Come Back, Mister,” starring the talented Bi Rain. Although it received praise for its humorous storyline and the natural acting of its experienced cast, it suffered from low ratings simply because it aired opposite the massive hit “Descendants of the Sun.”
2. Airing on Cable Networks
An unbelievable but true fact: Korean dramas aired on mainstream channels like KBS and SBS tend to attract more viewers than those broadcast on paid cable networks. A prime example is the drama “Let’s Fight Ghost” which aired on TvN. Despite its engaging plot and strong cast, including popular actors Ok Taecyeon and Kim So-hyun, the drama couldn't break through in ratings and failed to become a pan-Asian hit.
3. Actors Involved in Scandals
One of the reasons why Korean dramas, despite having captivating storylines, still struggle with low ratings is due to scandals involving the lead actors, which cause fans to turn away from the show. Inviting popular idols to star in dramas has long been a successful strategy to boost ratings, but sometimes these celebrities' personal scandals end up lowering the viewership. A prime example is the drama “Moon Lovers,” which saw a significant decline in viewers as many Korean fans turned against IU, the lead actress, due to ongoing controversies.
4. Lack of Familiar Stars
The lead actor plays a significant role in attracting viewers to a Korean drama. If the lead is involved in a scandal, it can cause a major dip in ratings, but even more so, the absence of familiar stars can result in poor viewership. Many hit Korean dramas feature well-known celebrities or idols with massive fanbases. As such, even if the storyline is compelling, dramas lacking recognizable faces struggle to create a buzz and attract large audiences.
5. Niche Content
Most fans of Korean dramas are women, ranging from housewives to young girls in their teens and twenties. They generally prefer romantic dramas about love, family bonds, and light-hearted life lessons. As a result, genres like crime thrillers and adventurous mysteries, with intense and complex plots, often receive less attention. Even if these dramas have compelling and exciting stories, they may still suffer from disappointing ratings due to their niche appeal.
