Unstoppable Rise: New Korean Drama Rockets to No. 2 on Netflix in No Time!

A new Korean drama has taken over Channel A’s history, setting a record for the highest premiere ratings—and now, it’s climbing the Netflix charts. 'The Witch', the network’s latest weekend drama, has stormed past major competitors like 'The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call', proving its growing popularity.

Based on the webtoon by renowned creator Kang Full, The Witch is a mystery-thriller romance centering on Park Mi-jung (played by Roh Jeong-eui), a girl feared and labeled as a “witch,” and Lee Dong-jin (played by Park Jin-young), a man determined to break the curse surrounding her. Initially considered for Disney+ as an original series, the drama ultimately landed on Channel A and Lifetime, with additional streaming availability on Netflix, TVING, and Coupang Play.

As of February 18 at 2 p.m. KST, The Witch ranked No. 2 on Netflix Korea’s “Top 10 TV Series” chart, trailing only 'Melo Movie' while surpassing The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, which dropped to third place.

From its very first episode, The Witch captivated audiences with its immersive storytelling. According to Nielsen Korea, the drama’s premiere on February 15 recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 2.4%, with a peak of 3.3%, setting a new record for Channel A’s highest-rated first episode in history. This surpassed the previous record held by Check-in Hanyang (1.8%) and came close to the final episode rating of that series (4.2%).

The second episode, which aired on February 16, saw a slight increase in ratings, reaching 3.0% nationwide and 2.8% in the metropolitan area, with a peak of 3.5%. With just two episodes aired, The Witch has already broken into Netflix’s Top 3, signaling strong momentum.

Mystery, Romance, and an Unbreakable Curse

The first episode introduces Park Mi-jung, a lonely girl plagued by misfortune, and Lee Dong-jin, a data analyst trying to uncover the mysterious “rules of death” that seem to follow her. At school, Mi-jung is ostracized, with whispers like, “Just being near her could kill you,” and “It happened again… and Mi-jung was there.” On a snowy day, she leaves the school behind, unnoticed by most—except for Dong-jin, who silently watches over her, hesitant to approach due to the eerie rumors.

Years later, fate brings them back together. Now 29, Dong-jin has become a big data expert, dedicating himself to statistical analysis in hopes of proving Mi-jung is not cursed. When they unexpectedly cross paths in a subway, he finally sees a chance to uncover the truth. The drama follows the original webtoon closely, preserving its blend of mystery and emotional depth.

While the first episode unfolds from Dong-jin’s perspective, the second shifts to Mi-jung’s, revealing the torment she has endured and the complex emotions she has buried for years. Roh Jeong-eui’s performance has been widely praised for bringing Mi-jung’s internal struggles to life with raw intensity.

Viewers have been hooked from the start, praising the drama for its captivating storytelling and strong performances. Many expressed their excitement, saying they "can’t wait for the next episode," while others applauded the lead actors, calling them "phenomenal" and noting that the adaptation stays true to the original webtoon. Some hailed Kang Full as a "genius," while others found the drama "refreshing compared to the usual sensationalized content." The show's darker undertones also resonated with audiences, with comments like "a bit dark, but beautifully emotional." With rising ratings and increasing buzz, some viewers are already speculating that if the show surpasses 5% viewership, it could become Channel A’s biggest weekend drama.

With only 10 episodes, The Witch airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 p.m. KST on Channel A. The viewership ratings for The Witch have been steadily rising, with the first episode, which aired on February 15, recording 2.4%, and the second episode on February 16 increasing to 3.0%, according to Nielsen Korea’s nationwide data. As the drama continues to climb both in ratings and Netflix rankings, many are wondering if The Witch will become Channel A’s biggest hit yet.