K-Drama Crashes to Record Low, Plummets to 0% Viewership Overnight

KBS2’s Wednesday-Thursday drama Kick Kick Kick Kick has suffered a staggering ratings decline, hitting 0.7% nationwide on February 21, according to Nielsen Korea. This marks a 0.3% drop from its previous episode’s 1.0%, making it the lowest-rated KBS Wednesday-Thursday drama since its revival in August 2023.

The office comedy starring Ji Jin-hee and Lee Kyu-hyung follows a once-famous producer as he launches a content company, chasing 3 million subscribers. While it debuted at 2.1%, its numbers have steadily fallen:

Ep 2: 1.0%

Ep 3: 1.2%

Ep 4: 0.7%

Ep 5: 1.0% (brief recovery)

Ep 6: 0.7% (back to 0% territory)

With six episodes remaining, the show faces an uncertain future, as another drop could set a new negative record.

What Went Wrong?

Despite its lighthearted premise, Kick Kick Kick Kick has struggled to hold audience interest. Some viewers cite weak comedic execution, predictable plotlines, and a lack of chemistry among cast members. Others believe KBS’s declining reputation for weekday dramas is also a factor.

A Glimmer of Hope?

In the latest episode, subplots included:

A chaotic camping trip with leads Jeon Hye-yeon and Kim Eun-ho encountering a wild bear.

A workplace rebellion, where staff protested against strict corporate rules, leading to a company-wide strike.

A viral moment, as Baek Ji-won’s yoga class video soared to #1 on YouTube, pushing the subscriber count to 2.1 million.

With 900K subscribers left to hit their goal, the series may attempt a final-act comeback—but will it be enough?

KBS2’s Kick Kick Kick Kick airs every Wednesday and Thursday at 10:50 PM KST.