Outshining Lee Jun-hyuk, Ju Ji-hoon, and Han Ji-min: This Actress Tops the Buzz Charts

An actress has risen to the No.1 spot in buzz rankings, surpassing several top stars. According to Good Data Corporation, which analyzes online competitiveness in K-content, Cha Joo-young ranked No.1 in the TV-OTT integrated buzz rankings for the second week of February. She beat out established actors such as Lee Jun-hyuk, Ju Ji-hoon, and Han Ji-min, solidifying her presence as the lead of ‘The Queen Who Crowns.’

‘The Queen Who Crowns’ Ends on a High Note

Cha Joo-young’s tvN and TVING drama ‘The Queen Who Crowns’ wrapped up on February 11 with strong viewer interest. The series follows the life of Queen Won-gyeong, who fought for power alongside King Taejong (played by Lee Hyun-wook) of the Joseon Dynasty. The show premiered with a nationwide rating of 4.9% (Nielsen Korea) and reached its highest viewership at 6.6% in the finale.

Despite it being her first historical drama, Cha Joo-young delivered a commanding performance as Queen Won-gyeong. Her strong vocal delivery and detailed emotional acting earned praise, as she convincingly portrayed a resilient character who remained unwavering at the center of power, keeping viewers engaged throughout the series.

Cha Joo-young Leads in Buzz, Beating Out Big Names

In the TV-OTT integrated buzz rankings, Cha Joo-young secured the top spot, followed by Lee Jun-hyuk (2nd), Lee Hyun-wook (3rd), Ju Ji-hoon (4th), and Han Ji-min (5th). The rankings also featured G-Dragon (6th), Choi Woo-shik (7th), Park Bo-young (8th), Lee Min-ho (9th), and Lee Hye-ri (10th), demonstrating fierce competition among top actors.

In the TV-OTT drama buzz rankings, Netflix’s ‘The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call’ took first place, while SBS’s ‘Love Scout’ ranked second. ‘The Queen Who Crowns’ concluded at No.3, achieving its highest buzz score yet. Meanwhile, Netflix’s ‘Melo Movie’ debuted at No.4 in its first week, with Choi Woo-shik and Park Bo-young ranking 6th and 7th in individual drama buzz.

Good Data Corporation’s data analyst Won Soon-woo commented, “For ‘Melo Movie’ to maintain strong competitiveness, not only Choi Woo-shik and Park Bo-young’s chemistry but also the popularity of supporting couple Lee Jun-young and Jeon So-ni will be key factors.”

Other notable rankings included tvN’s ‘When the Stars Gossip’ at No.5 and Channel A’s new drama ‘The Witch’ at No.6, with lead actors Roh Jeong-eui and Park Jin-young ranking 10th and 11th in individual drama buzz, respectively. TVING’s ‘Study Group’ (No.7) and U+ Mobile TV’s ‘Rivalry of Good’ (No.8) followed closely behind, with Lee Hye-ri’s role in ‘Friendly Rivalry’ earning her the No.9 spot in the individual buzz rankings. Rounding out the top ten were Netflix’s ‘Squid Game Season 2’ (No.9) and Coupang Play’s ‘Newtopia’ (No.10).

Cha Joo-young’s Growing Influence

The buzz rankings were based on an analysis of news articles, netizen reactions (VON), video clips, and social media discussions. The filtering process removed unrelated content and score manipulation attempts, ensuring a 97% accuracy rate. Cha Joo-young’s popularity continues to rise, as she recently filmed an episode of tvN’s variety show ‘You Quiz on the Block’, which is set to air on February 19. The episode will feature behind-the-scenes stories from ‘The Queen Who Crowns’, as well as insights into her career journey and personal reflections as an actress.

Debuting in 2016 with ‘Cheese in the Trap’, Cha Joo-young built her career through dramas such as ‘Love in the Moonlight,’ ‘The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop,’ ‘Juggler,’ ‘Greasy Melo,’ ‘The Spies Who Loved Me,’ and ‘Again My Life.’

However, she gained widespread recognition through Netflix’s ‘The Glory,’ where she played Choi Hye-jung, a school bully from a working-class background. Her bold, scene-stealing performance as one of Park Yeon-jin’s (Lim Ji-yeon) gang members showcased her ability to bring strong and layered characters to life.

She later starred in KBS2’s weekend drama ‘The Real Has Come!’, showing a different side of her acting range. With ‘The Queen Who Crowns,’ she has successfully transitioned into historical dramas, proving her versatility and solidifying her place as a rising star in the industry.

As she continues to take on new challenges, all eyes are on what’s next for Cha Joo-young.