Explosive Debut—New Channel A Drama Shatters Ratings Record with Star-Studded Cast

Channel A’s new weekend drama The Witch debuted with a record-breaking premiere, surpassing tvN’s When The Stars Gossip (starring Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin) and setting a new milestone for the network’s highest-rated first episode.

According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode of The Witch (aired on February 15) recorded a nationwide 2.4% average viewership, peaking at 3.3%. This put it ahead of tvN’s When The Stars Gossip Episode 13, which scored 1.9%, a 0.5 percentage point difference. Meanwhile, KBS2’s For Eagle Brothers Episode 5 led the ratings for the night with 16.6% nationwide.

With this achievement, The Witch now holds the highest premiere rating in Channel A’s history, surpassing the previous record set by Check-in Hanyang (1.8% for its first episode). However, it remains behind Check-in Hanyang’s series finale rating of 4.2%.

A Thrilling Start With Mystery and Romance

Based on Kang Full’s popular webtoon, The Witch follows Park Mi-jung (played by Roh Jeong-eui), a young woman branded as a “witch” due to a series of misfortunes surrounding her, and Lee Dong-jin (played by Park Jin-young), a man determined to break the curse that haunts her.

Initially slated for Disney+, the drama eventually landed on Channel A and Lifetime.

From its very first episode, The Witch captivated audiences with its intense mystery, sleek direction, and gripping storytelling. The unpredictable plot twists, psychological conflicts, and dark undertones added layers of suspense, leaving viewers hooked from start to finish.

The opening scene introduced Lee Dong-jin’s extraordinary data-mining skills, as he analyzed behavioral patterns at a casino to pinpoint the breaking point where gamblers lost everything. Later, at a police station, he demonstrated his sharp intuition once again—connecting small clues to reveal that two suspects, known as "the tracksuit man" (Ju Ji-hoon) and "the suited man" (Yoon Park), were actually brothers.

The episode then shifted to Mi-jung’s painful past, deepening the emotional stakes. As a high school student, she was constantly present at strange and tragic incidents, leading to rumors that she was cursed. Branded a "witch", she became isolated, and eventually disappeared from Dong-jin’s life.

Years later, Dong-jin reunites with Mi-jung, only to find that she is still tormented by an inescapable fate. Determined to save her from the cycle of misfortune, he makes a fateful decision—to break the laws of destiny itself.

A Visually Stunning and Intriguing Story

The first episode masterfully established Dong-jin’s abilities and his growing determination to help Mi-jung, blending emotional depth with suspenseful storytelling. Notably, special appearances by Ju Ji-hoon, Yoon Park, Kim Hye-ok, and Hyun Bong-sik added extra entertainment value.

Under the direction of Kim Tae-kyun, the drama delivers a visually striking and emotionally intense narrative, while Park Jin-young and Roh Jeong-eui’s performances bring a compelling authenticity to their characters.

Viewers React: “A Must-Watch Drama”

Following the premiere, online forums and social media were flooded with positive reactions:

"I watched Episode 1 twice! Can't wait for Episode 2."

"The storyline is intriguing, I’m hooked!"

"Highest-rated Channel A drama premiere ever!"

"Excited to see how Dong-jin will break the curse—Kang Full never disappoints."

"Finally, a drama with a fresh and unique concept!"

"Amazing acting, stunning visuals, and flawless directing—this is a hit!"

What’s Next?

Episode 2 of The Witch airs tonight (Feb. 16) at 9:10 PM KST on Channel A. With its strong debut and growing anticipation, expectations are high for how this mystery-thriller romance will unfold.