Massive Premiere: Korean Drama Tops Cable & General Programming Ratings with Peak 4.6%

tvN’s latest rom-com 'My Dearest Nemesis' has made an impressive debut, topping cable and general programming ratings with its very first episode.

The premiere, which aired on February 17, recorded an average of 3.7% and a peak of 4.6% in the Seoul metropolitan area, while nationwide ratings reached 3.5% on average, peaking at 4.3%.

Based on Hyejin Yang’s hit Naver Webtoon, the drama is directed by Lee Soo-hyun and written by Kim Soo-yeon, bringing together a creative team that has heightened anticipation for the series. Starring Moon Ga-young, Choi Hyun-wook, Im Se-mi, and Kwak Si-yang, the drama is an office romance that follows two former online gaming partners whose first love takes an unexpected turn into an embarrassing and unforgettable past.

The premiere episode introduced Baek Su-jeong (Moon Ga-young), a high school student juggling responsibilities at her father’s hardware store while taking care of her younger brother. Through an online game, she meets Ban Ju-yeon (Choi Hyun-wook), a middle schooler who, under his gaming persona, becomes her close confidant. When Ju-yeon tells her, “Then who takes care of you? I’ll do that here,” he offers her an unexpected sense of comfort, leading them to grow closer.

However, their first offline meeting turns into a shocking—and hilarious—disaster. Expecting to meet a 22-year-old man, Su-jeong instead comes face-to-face with a middle schooler. To make matters worse, Ju-yeon dramatically confesses his love in the middle of the street, proclaiming, “At first, I lied because I didn’t want to be ignored. But we’re destined! I am the Dark Dragon, trapped in solitude and shadow, and only you can break my seal. My love, my fate—please grant me love and freedom!” His over-the-top, fantasy-inspired speech leaves Su-jeong completely mortified.

Fast-forward 16 years later, and Su-jeong has become a highly respected professional, notorious in the industry as the “Executive Killer” for her history of forcing out three previous bosses. Meanwhile, Ju-yeon is now a third-generation chaebol and the newly appointed director at Yongseong Department Store. Determined to avoid workplace drama this time, Su-jeong vows to keep her head down—until she notices a familiar “Dark Dragon” tattoo on Ju-yeon’s back, throwing her into an unexpected predicament.

Beyond the lead couple, 'My Dearest Nemesis' introduces multiple love stories that add depth and intrigue. Seo Ha-jin (Im Se-mi), who divorced her first love just a year after their decade-long relationship, and Kim Shin-won (Kwak Si-yang), a passionate designer who has yet to experience true love, bring contrasting dynamics to the series. Im Se-mi teased, “If Moon Ga-young and Choi Hyun-wook’s romance is soft and playful, mine and Kwak Si-yang’s will be bold, intense, and unapologetically mature.”

The production team has also gone the extra mile in bringing the gaming world to life, with Moon Ga-young and Choi Hyun-wook undergoing action training to perfect their in-game fight sequences. Choi revealed, “I had to wield a sword for my action scenes, and once I got the hang of it, I couldn’t stop. My adrenaline was through the roof!” Meanwhile, Moon Ga-young assured viewers, “If you’ve ever been obsessed with a hobby or have a cringeworthy past, you’ll totally relate to this drama. We laughed so much while filming—it’s packed with heart-fluttering moments, so get ready!”

Following the premiere, social media and online forums were flooded with excited reactions, with viewers praising the game world’s visuals, describing them as spot-on, and calling the drama frustrating in the best way, highlighting its humor and addictive nature. Many shared that it brought back their own embarrassing memories, making it impossible to stop watching, while others said they were laughing so hard they could barely breathe. Some described the humor as painfully relatable and admitted they were completely hooked.

The cast’s performances have also been highly praised, with viewers complimenting Moon Ga-young’s stunning appearance and her strong yet entertaining character. Choi Hyun-wook’s portrayal of the dramatic and over-the-top "Dark Dragon" boss was also met with enthusiasm, with many saying he was perfect for the role.

With its unique premise, charming execution, and a seamless blend of humor, romance, and fantasy, My Dearest Nemesis is already proving to be one of the most talked-about dramas of the season. The series airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 PM KST, with Episode 2 premiering tonight on February 18.

As this hilariously cringe worthy first love story unfolds into an unexpected office romance, viewers are eager to see how their relationship will develop. Many are curious whether their embarrassing past will continue to haunt them or if they will find a way to rewrite their history, making the upcoming episodes highly anticipated.