The Unexpected Korean Drama That Raked in 1,886,000 Viewers on Lunar New Year

On January 29, the Lunar New Year holiday, one Korean drama captured the attention of the nation, topping overall TV ratings with a staggering 1.88 million viewers and a 9.6% audience share.

KBS1’s daily drama My Merry Marriage reigned supreme during the holiday’s prime time, outperforming programs across public broadcasting, general programming channels, and cable networks. The series, which premiered last October as the follow-up to Hit the Jackpot, explores diverse themes around marriage, including divorce, remarriage, and separation, while delivering humor and warmth to audiences of all generations. Airing weekdays at 8:30 PM KST, the drama stars Park Ha-na, Park Sang-nam, Kim Sa-kwon, Lee Yeon-doo, Yang Mi-kyung, Choi Jae-sung, and Ban Hyo-jung.

According to Nielsen Korea’s January 30 data, the drama maintained its stronghold, with its 79th episode captivating viewers with its emotional twists. In this episode, Dan-soo faces emotional turmoil upon discovering the identity of the mother who abandoned him as a child. Meanwhile, Hwang Chairman’s decision to accelerate the competition for his successor leaves Min-ki on edge, prompting him to demand Gong-hee’s withdrawal from the “Holy Project.” Later, Min-ki witnesses Gong-hee comforting Dan-soo at her family’s house, creating further tension.

On January 29, My Merry Marriage recorded 1.88 million viewers nationwide and secured the top spot with a 9.6% household rating. It overtook MBC’s Questions with Son Seok-hee, which drew 1.69 million viewers and an 8.6% audience share, placing second overall. Hosted by Son Seok-hee, the episode featured debates on key political issues, including martial law and the prosecution of President Yoon Suk-yeol, with Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo and writer Yoo Si-min as guests.

KBS2’s special screening of the blockbuster film Graveyard rounded out the top three with an 8.2% rating and 1.68 million viewers. Originally released in February last year, the film surpassed 10 million theater admissions and featured standout performances by Choi Min-sik, Kim Go-eun, Yoo Hae-jin, and Lee Do-hyun.

With its strong ratings and growing fanbase, My Merry Marriage continues to showcase its appeal, establishing itself as a must-watch family drama and a key player in Korean TV’s daily lineup.