‘Sorry Not Sorry’: The Korean Drama That Should Be Sorry to Its Viewers

KBS Joy’s Sorry Not Sorry, which marks Jeon So-min’s first project after her departure from Running Man, is facing a tough battle as it records its seventh consecutive episode with ratings in the 0% range. The show has consistently garnered ratings between 0.3% and 0.5%, falling short of generating significant viewer interest despite its praised storyline.

Set in the fictional “Cheonpo New Town” beneath “Cheondang,” the drama follows Ji-song (played by Jeon So-min), a woman who pretends to be married while working multiple jobs to pay off her canceled wedding’s staggering housing loan. With a mix of realistic survival stories and romantic twists, the show has earned positive word-of-mouth, but its viewership remains lackluster.

Produced on a modest budget of 1.7 billion won (roughly $1.3 million) for 12 episodes, the drama is praised for its cost-effectiveness. The production team emphasized their ability to create 12 episodes for the cost of a single episode of competing dramas, with half the production costs recovered through overseas sales, particularly in Japan and Southeast Asia, thanks to the popularity of Jeon So-min and Choi Daniel.

In the latest episode, aired on January 23, the plot thickened with a love triangle. Ji-song finds herself entangled with her ex-husband, Cha Hyun-woo (played by Choi Daniel), and her younger admirer, Kim Ian (Kim Moo-joon). The episode featured heartfelt moments, including Hyun-woo sharing the pain of his past divorce, which resonated deeply with viewers.

Despite solid performances from the cast, including Jeon So-min, Choi Daniel, and rising star Kim Moo-joon, the series has yet to break through in ratings. Jeon So-min expressed hope that the drama would showcase her acting range, allowing her to connect with audiences beyond her well-known variety show persona.

A representative from KBS N highlighted the challenges faced by the drama industry, stating, “In an era of high production costs, it’s essential for the industry to find creative solutions to continue producing quality content that can contribute to the global Hallyu wave.”

Sorry Not Sorry airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on KBS Joy, with five episodes remaining in its 12-episode run.

Viewer Ratings (Nielsen Korea):

Episode 1 (Dec. 5): 0.3%

Episode 2 (Dec. 12): 0.4%

Episode 3 (Dec. 19): 0.4%

Episode 4 (Dec. 26): 0.3%

Episode 5 (Jan. 2): 0.5%

Episode 6 (Jan. 9): 0.3%

Episode 7 (Jan. 23): 0.3%