Doubted by Its $50 Million Rival, Korean Drama Beats Lee Min-ho’s Series to Claim No. 1 Spot

What started as a modest success with a 1.8% premiere rating has ended in triumph for Channel A’s weekend drama Check-in Hanyang, which closed its final episode on February 9 with record-breaking ratings. According to Nielsen Korea, the finale achieved 4.2% nationwide and 4.0% in the Seoul metropolitan area—setting a new all-time high for Channel A weekend dramas. The episode’s peak minute drew a staggering 5.3%, proving the drama’s remarkable audience growth.

Notably, Check-in Hanyang surpassed its high-budget competitor, When The Stars Gossip, during the same time slot. Despite top-tier casting with Gong Hyo-jin and Lee Min-ho, and creative heavyweights like writer Seo Sook-hyang (Pasta) and director Park Shin-woo (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay), the $50 million space-themed romance has struggled, stuck in the 1-2% rating range.

In Check-in Hanyang’s final episode, the mystery of a 12-year-old coup was finally unraveled as the core group—Eun-ho (Bae In-hyuk), Deok-soo (Kim Ji-eun), Joon-hwa (Jung Gun-joo), and Soo-ra (Park Jae-chan)—left Yongcheonru behind to start anew at Namhae Yeo-gak. The friends’ triumph over political turmoil and their enduring bonds of love and friendship delivered a feel-good ending that resonated deeply with viewers.

The drama’s success can be attributed to its compelling storyline and outstanding performances. Writer Park Hyun-jin masterfully wove together the fictional world of Yongcheonru, exploring themes of power struggles, personal growth, and heartfelt romance. Combined with director Myung Hyun-woo’s immersive direction, the series captivated audiences throughout its run.

Youth actors Bae In-hyuk, Kim Ji-eun, Jung Gun-joo, and Park Jae-chan shone alongside seasoned stars like Kim Min-jung, Kim Eui-sung, Yoon Je-moon, and Han Jae-suk. Each actor embodied their characters fully, adding depth and emotional impact that helped the series resonate with viewers.

In an interview following the finale, Jung Gun-joo, who played Joon-hwa, addressed whether there was pressure from competing with When The Stars Gossip. “We heard about the competition later on, but we weren’t too concerned. Since much of our drama was available on OTT platforms, we focused less on ratings and more on creating something memorable. We believed that generating buzz alone would make it a success,” he said confidently.

The drama’s steady ratings growth is reflected in its trajectory, starting at 1.8% and peaking at 4.2%. “It was rewarding to see the final episode hit a series high,” Jung said. “We congratulated each other for the hard work but reminded ourselves not to get too carried away.”

A surprise post-credits scene teased a possible second season, with a burnt-faced Chun Mak-dong arriving at Namhae Yeo-gak. On this, Jung Gun-joo added, “There’s been a lot of talk about a potential Season 2. If it happens, I’d definitely want to be part of it.”

Following the conclusion of Check-in Hanyang, Channel A will premiere its new weekend drama The Witch, starring GOT7's Park Jin-young and Roh Jeong-eui, on February 15 at 9:10 PM KST.

Viewership Ratings for Check-in Hanyang:

Episode 1 (12/21): 1.8% (Nationwide) / 2.0% (Seoul)

Episode 4 (12/29): 3.0% / 3.0%

Episode 10 (1/19): 3.0% / 3.0%

Episode 14 (2/2): 3.5% / 3.6%

Final Episode 16 (2/9): 4.2% / 4.0% (Record High)