Ratings Race: Korean Drama Beats ‘Melo Movie’ and ‘Trauma Code’ on Netflix

A Channel A drama that shattered its own premiere records has swiftly taken over Netflix’s Top 10 rankings, reaching the No. 1 spot after only four episodes. The drama in question is Channel A’s new weekend series, The Witch (written by Jo Yu-jin and directed by Kim Tae-gyun).

Based on Kang Full’s webtoon of the same name, The Witch tells the mysterious, thriller-romance story of Park Mi-jung (played by Noh Jung-eui), a girl known as “The Witch,” and Lee Dong-jin (played by Park Jin-young), a man determined to break the curse of misfortune surrounding her. Initially discussed as a Disney+ Original project, the series eventually found its home on Channel A and Lifetime.

As of 7:00 AM on the 26th, Netflix’s “Today’s Top 10 Series in Korea” lists The Witch at No. 1, with Melo Movie dropping to second. Other titles in the Top 10 include:

No. 3: Screwballs

No. 4: The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call

No. 5: Doctor John

No. 6: The Blank Menu for You

No. 7: Failure Frame

No. 8: Please Take Care of My Refrigerator

No. 9: Sakamoto Days

No. 10: Zero Day

From its very first broadcast, The Witch captivated viewers with its immersive storytelling. The premiere episode, which aired on February 15, achieved a nationwide paid household rating of 2.4% and peaked at 3.3% (according to Nielsen Korea)—a record for a debut on Channel A. The second episode saw a modest increase, with ratings climbing to 3% nationwide and 2.8% in the metropolitan area, peaking at 3.5%. Riding an upward trend, the drama entered Netflix’s Top 3 by its second episode and, by the fourth, overtook the long-running hit Melo Movie to claim the top spot.

The Witch not only stays true to the charm of its source material but also enhances it by weaving a tense atmosphere and intricately portraying the complex emotions between Mi-jung and Dong-jin. This deeper narrative has resonated with viewers, fueling the drama’s growing popularity.

Audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with comments such as:

“I’m really enjoying it. It’s a refreshing subject.”

“I can’t wait for Saturday—I’m looking forward to episode 5.”

“If you appreciate Kang Full’s style, you’re definitely going to love this.”

“It’s No. 1 on Netflix Top 10 today.”

“Noh Jung-eui’s gaze is so mysteriously charming.”

“The Witch envelops you with its unique, slow-burning aesthetic.”

“A gentle yet powerful drama with deep, moving moments.”

“Great production, direction, acting—and even the cameos are fantastic.”

In episode 4, the plot intensifies as Dong-jin (Park Jin-young) fights to prove that Mi-jung (Noh Jung-eui) is not, in fact, a witch. He revises a report for her, analyzes incident patterns, and focuses on predicting dangers—all in his quest for certainty. The episode’s ratings hit 3.1% in the metropolitan area and 2.9% nationwide, with a peak of 3.6%, marking a clear upward trend. Amid his efforts, Dong-jin confronts statistical discrepancies and real-life hardships, resolving conflicts with Jung Eui-gap. His determination to save others—and perhaps break Mi-jung’s curse—has only heightened anticipation for future episodes.

The Witch is a 10-episode series airing every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 PM on Channel A.

Ratings for Channel A’s weekend drama “The Witch” (Nationwide, Nielsen Korea):

Episode 1 (Feb. 15): 2.4%

Episode 2 (Feb. 16): 3.0%

Episode 3 (Feb. 22): 1.7%

Episode 4 (Feb. 23): 2.9%