Show with 19.3% Viewership Dethroned—This K-Drama Claims No.1 in Korea’s Favorite TV Programs

A new drama has taken the top spot as Korea’s most beloved TV program, surpassing KBS2’s For Eagle Brothers, which has been dominating the ratings. The latest survey results reflect just how popular this series has become among viewers.

Netflix original drama The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call ranked No.1 in Gallup Korea’s February 2025 survey of the country’s favorite TV programs.

From February 18 to 20, Gallup Korea surveyed 1,002 Koreans aged 18 and older about their most-watched TV and streaming programs. The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call claimed the No.1 position with 5.1% of the vote.

Released in full on January 24, just ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call follows the journey of genius surgeon Baek Kang-hyuk (Ju Ji-hoon), a battlefield veteran who takes on a new role as a university hospital professor, determined to establish Korea’s top trauma center. The medical drama doesn’t just focus on heroic surgeries but also highlights the struggles of public healthcare, the challenges of funding and maintaining trauma centers, and the tough working conditions in the field. The show is based on a web novel and has also been adapted into a webtoon.

Gallup Korea expanded its survey criteria in 2023 to include OTT content, making The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call the fourth Netflix-produced program to claim the top spot.

However, its 5.1% approval rating is relatively lower than previous Netflix chart-toppers. The Glory had a staggering 14.8% in March 2023, Culinary Class War scored 7.8% in October 2024, and Squid Game Season 2 garnered 5.6% in January 2025.

Korea’s Favorite TV Programs in February

Coming in second place was TV Chosun’s popular trot competition show Mr. Trot 3, with 4.9%. The program continues to be a favorite among Korea’s passionate trot music fans.

KBS1’s daily drama My Merry Marriage ranked third with 3.6%, climbing four spots from its No.7 ranking in January. Airing weekdays at 8:30 PM, the drama recently hit a peak viewership of 15.1% on February 20 (Nielsen Korea). The show, which premiered in October last year, has been gaining steady traction.

Meanwhile, For Eagle Brothers, KBS2’s latest weekend drama, secured the No.6 spot with 2.6%. The show, which premiered on February 1 and airs every Saturday and Sunday at 8 PM, recorded its highest viewership rating of 19.3% on February 23.

The series revolves around the five unique brothers of a long-standing brewery, "Eagle Distillery," and their eldest brother’s wife, who unexpectedly becomes the family’s head after her husband’s sudden death—just ten days into their marriage.

Full Ranking – February 2025 (Gallup Korea)

The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (Netflix)

Mr. Trot 3 (TV Chosun)

My Merry Marriage (KBS1)

You Quiz on the Block (tvN)

I Live Alone (MBC)

For Eagle Brothers (KBS2)

Running Man (SBS)

World Theme Travel (EBS) – Tied for 8th

King of the Singers 2 (MBN) – Tied for 8th

Cinderella Game (KBS2)

Survey Details

Period: February 18–20, 2025

Sample Size: 1,002 respondents (Korean nationals aged 18 and older)

Methodology: Random sampling of mobile numbers from Korea’s three major telecom providers, followed by Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI)

Margin of Error: ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level

Response Rate: 14.1% (1,002 out of 7,104 contacted individuals)

Commissioned by: Gallup Korea