"This Could Surpass 30%...”—The Must-Watch K-Drama Everyone’s Talking About

KBS’s weekend drama ‘For Eagle Brothers’ is on a steady rise, recently surpassing 19% in viewership. With its compelling family-centric storyline and heartfelt performances, the series is now eyeing the 20% mark—and perhaps even 30%.

Since its premiere on February 1, For Eagle Brothers has held the No.1 spot among weekend dramas, recording the highest ratings among all currently airing shows. With momentum building, lead actor Ahn Jae-wook made a surprising pledge at KBS’s 52nd anniversary event on March 4, vowing, “If ratings surpass 30%, I’ll dance on set!” His confidence underscores the drama’s immense popularity.

What’s Driving the Success?

At its heart, For Eagle Brothers tells a moving story of family, resilience, and second chances. Ma Gwang-sook (Uhm Ji-won), who loses her husband just ten days into marriage, finds herself rebuilding his family’s traditional brewery alongside his four younger brothers. Instead of focusing on a conventional blood-tied family, the drama explores how relationships forged through hardship can be just as strong, striking a deep chord with viewers.

The brothers' diverse personalities create a dynamic mix of comedy and heartfelt moments. From the responsible second brother Chun-soo (Choi Dae-chul) to the carefree yet lovable third brother Heung-soo (Kim Dong-wan), the cold yet devoted professor Beom-soo (Yoon Park), and the quietly strong youngest brother Kang-soo (Lee Seok-gi), each sibling adds layers of charm and conflict to the story.

Actress Shin Seul-ki who gained global popularity in Netflix's reality series, Single’s Inferno, also brings extra charm to KBS 2TV’s weekend drama Five Eagle Brothers, Please! with her dynamic on-screen chemistry. Playing the role of Seri, she delivers a realistic mother-daughter dynamic with Bae Hae-sun (Mi-ae) while showcasing a fresh and endearing student-teacher relationship with Yoon Park (Beom-soo). Her natural and steady performance has earned praise, and recent episodes, which saw her relationship with Yoon Park’s character take a sudden turn, have piqued viewers’ curiosity.

A Unique Blend of Tradition and Emotion

Set against the backdrop of Doksuri Brewery, the show seamlessly weaves Korea’s growing interest in traditional liquor with a heartwarming family narrative. Just like makgeolli (rice wine) takes time to ferment and mature, the drama illustrates how trust and family bonds also develop over time. This theme, paired with the ongoing retro boom among younger viewers, has contributed to its widespread appeal.

Uhm Ji-won shines as the tenacious yet warm-hearted Gwang-sook, while Ahn Jae-wook, Choi Dae-chul, Kim Dong-wan, Yoon Park, and Lee Seok-gi breathe life into their respective characters. Their dynamic interactions—filled with humor, friction, and undeniable chemistry—make for an engaging watch.

What’s Next?

With the story now diving deeper into the brewery’s revival, the evolving bond between Gwang-sook and her brothers-in-law, and the potential romance with LX Hotel chairman Han Dong-seok (Ahn Jae-wook), anticipation for upcoming episodes is higher than ever.

Can For Eagle Brothers break the 30% viewership mark and make Ahn Jae-wook keep his dance promise? The drama airs every Saturday and Sunday at 8 PM, with Episode 11 set to premiere on March 8.