K-Drama Dominates Ratings and Tops Its Time Slot with Unmatched Immersion

tvN’s 'My Dearest Nemesis' delivered an episode full of heart-fluttering moments as Mun Ka-young and Choi Hyun-wook took their relationship to the next level.

The episode, which aired on March 10, recorded an impressive 4.6 percent average viewership (peaking at 5.4 percent) in the Seoul metropolitan area and 4.5 percent nationwide (peaking at 5.3 percent), securing the number one spot in its time slot across all networks.

Among the key 20-49 demographic, the show also dominated with a 1.4 percent average and a peak of 1.6 percent, making it the top-rated show across all channels, including public networks based on Nielsen Korea’s paid platform ratings.

A Turning Point for Mun Ka-young and Choi Hyun-wook’s Characters

In this episode, Baek Su-jeong, played by Mun Ka-young, struggled with her growing feelings, while Ban Ju-yeon, played by Choi Hyun-wook, refused to hold back. His bold and straightforward confession, "I’m not sorry for kissing you. It wasn’t a mistake," set the stage for a major shift in their relationship.

However, Su-jeong, caught up in her own realistic concerns, pushed him away, only to be thrown into further turmoil when Ju-yeon’s persistence did not waver.

Determined to prove his sincerity, Ju-yeon unexpectedly crashed a family dinner after mistakenly believing Su-jeong was rekindling a connection with her blind date. Coolly joining the meal, he turned to Su-jeong’s younger brother, Baek Su-bin, played by Son Sang-yeon, and made his stance clear by saying, "This isn’t just a game for me."

Secrets Unveiled and a Tense Confrontation

Meanwhile, Ju-yeon’s closely guarded “secret room” was on the verge of being exposed. His grandmother, Jung Hyo-seon, played by Ban Hyo-jung, the powerful chairwoman of Yongseong Group, made a surprise visit to his home.

To avoid discovery, Su-jeong hurriedly hid inside the room, while Ju-yeon deliberately placed a family photo in the study to divert his grandmother’s attention. However, once Hyo-seon discovered the hidden photo, her reaction was swift and merciless.

She coldly dismissed his emotions as "weakness," but Ju-yeon expressed his long-held pain by saying, "I know I don’t deserve it, but I just wanted to keep at least one photo close to me."

Later, he finally revealed the truth about his secret room to Su-jeong, explaining that it was a space filled with the things that made him happy, allowing him to look forward to tomorrow even when he felt unloved. Moved by his words, Su-jeong comforted him, letting him know he deserved to hold onto the things he cherished.

A Kiss Under the Fountain—Their Love Story Begins

By the episode’s end, Su-jeong had finally come to terms with her feelings. Standing before a romantic fountain backdrop, she and Ju-yeon shared a kiss, marking the official start of their romance.

Ju-yeon acknowledged the risks of their relationship and told her, "This could cause problems for me as the heir of Yongseong Group, but as long as I have you, I think I’ll be fine." In response, Su-jeong smiled and said, "Alright. I’ll be your biggest secret. And by the way, this means I like you too."

However, just as their happiness seemed secure, the final scene hinted at a new twist when a mysterious package labeled 'Black Dragon' was shown in Su-jeong’s attic, teasing an upcoming revelation.

With the mystery surrounding the 'Black Dragon' deepening, the big question remains: Can they overcome the obstacles ahead, or will reality tear them apart?

Following the broadcast, fans flooded social media with reactions, praising both the performances and storytelling. Many expressed their excitement, with comments such as "Now this is how you do a rom-com. The writing is incredible" and "Choi Hyun-wook’s acting during his emotional scenes was amazing, I teared up." Others were captivated by the visuals, saying "That fountain kiss scene was absolutely breathtaking. I keep replaying it" and "Mun Ka-young’s delivery is so natural. No wonder Ju-yeon fell for her." Fans also raved about the chemistry between the leads, with one comment stating, "The chemistry is off the charts. I can’t wait for the next episode."

With tensions rising and emotions running high, 'My Dearest Nemesis' continues to captivate audiences, leaving them eager for what’s next.