Korean Drama Finally Breaks When The Stars Gossip's Struggling Streak, Soaring to Netflix Top Rankings

The breakout hit is none other than The Potato Lab, a romantic comedy starring Kang Tae-oh and Lee Sun-bin. While the tvN drama struggled to gain traction in South Korea, its global impact has been undeniable, skyrocketing up the Netflix charts.

Hoping to revive tvN’s weekend drama lineup after When The Stars Gossip's major box office flop, The Potato Lab had unfortunately premiered to lackluster ratings, recording just 1.71% nationwide.

Following the Disastrous Performance of ‘When The Stars Gossip’

Taking over the time slot from When The Stars Gossip, which ended on February 23 with dismal ratings in the 1-2% range, The Potato Lab was under pressure to break tvN’s losing streak.

When The Stars Gossip was a high-budget space romance drama with a ₩50 billion (~$37 million) production cost and an A-list cast including Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin. However, its weak storytelling, outdated dialogue, and awkward scenes led to a sharp decline in viewership, dropping from a 3.3% premiere to as low as 1.8%, before closing at 2.6%.

After a strong 2023 with hits like Queen of Tears and Lovely Runner, tvN now faces a rocky start to 2024, making The Potato Lab a crucial test of its ability to regain momentum.

Two Episodes In

According to Nielsen Korea, The Potato Lab recorded a modest 1.7% nationwide viewership for its premiere on March 1, inching up slightly to 1.8% for its second episode. However, international audiences have responded differently.

On March 3, data from FlixPatrol revealed that The Potato Lab ranked No. 7 in Netflix’s Global TV Show category within its first week. Notably, it also secured the No. 9 spot in the U.S.—one of Netflix’s largest markets—and landed in the Top 10 in a whopping 52 countries, including No. 6 in South Korea.

Kang Tae-oh’s Post-Military Comeback Creates Buzz

The Potato Lab marks Kang Tae-oh’s highly anticipated return following his military service. The actor, who rose to fame as Lee Jun-ho in Extraordinary Attorney Woo, plays So Baek-ho, a by-the-book strategist for Wonhan Retail, who is determined to shut down the struggling potato research lab. His performance in the first episode—where he physically clashes with a fired employee—showcases his commitment to the role.

Lee Sun-bin plays Kim Mi-kyung, a passionate researcher nicknamed the “Potato Maniac” who is on a mission to save the lab. Their bickering dynamic soon sparks an unexpected romance.

Directed by Kang Il-soo (Emperor of the Sea, The Kingdom of the Winds, Jeon Woochi) and written by Kim Ho-soo (Solomon’s Perjury, Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung), the drama’s unique premise and sharp writing have contributed to its growing global appeal.

A Slow Start Domestically, But a Global Sensation

The premiere episode introduced Kim Mi-kyung’s struggle to keep her research department afloat following the takeover of Sun-nyeo Foods by Wonhan Retail. So Baek-ho arrives to evaluate the division’s performance, setting the stage for workplace conflicts and an inevitable romance.

By Episode 2, their relationship takes a surprising turn. In a standout scene, Kim Mi-kyung, tipsy after a company dinner, impulsively kisses So Baek-ho—recalling the “sexy director” from her favorite romance novel. Fans were quick to praise the heart-fluttering moment, anticipating the duo’s unpredictable chemistry.

Adding to the drama, Kim Mi-kyung’s ex-boyfriend Park Ki-se (Lee Hak-joo) resurfaces at the research lab, hinting at further complications in their budding relationship.

Despite its underwhelming domestic ratings, The Potato Lab has proven the power of global streaming, reaffirming that local viewership numbers no longer define a drama’s success.

Episode 3 of The Potato Lab airs on March 8 at 9:20 p.m. KST. With a surprising kiss and an ex-boyfriend thrown into the mix, viewers are eager to see what happens next!