0% Ratings Crisis—Can This New K-Drama Be the Saving Grace?

KBS 2TV’s new drama ‘Villains Everywhere’ is set to premiere on March 19, and all eyes are on whether it can revive the network’s struggling sitcom lineup. Its predecessor, ‘Kick Kick Kick Kick,’ failed to gain traction, with ratings dipping to 0%, leaving expectations high for this latest release.

‘Villains Everywhere’ is a family sitcom that humorously portrays the chaotic yet heartwarming lives of an eccentric family. The drama boasts a strong ensemble cast, including Oh Na-ra, Seo Hyun-chul, Han Sung-min, Jung Min-kyu, So Yu-jin, Song Jin-woo, Eun-chan, Park Young-gyu, and Choi Ye-na, generating buzz even before its premiere.

1️⃣ The Battle Between Husbands & Wives

One major storyline follows submissive husbands and their free-spirited wives in a comedic survival game. Oh Na-ra and So Yu-jin play two sisters who embrace individuality and independence, while their husbands (Seo Hyun-chul and Song Jin-woo) struggle under their dominant rule.

At work, the husbands face constant pressure to retire, and at home, their only escape is a tiny spot on the sofa. As they battle to reclaim some dignity, the contrast between their exhausting reality and their wives’ carefree adventures provides plenty of humor and relatability.

Adding to the chaos, the sisters’ unpredictable antics push their husbands further into desperation, setting the stage for laugh-out-loud moments. The sitcom also captures the hilarious yet bittersweet struggle of middle-aged men trying to hold onto their status in a changing world.

2️⃣ The Love and Struggles of Youth

The drama also focuses on the youthful energy and romantic entanglements of three high school students—Koo Won-hee (Choi Ye-na), Seo Young-hoon (Jung Min-kyu), and Song Kang (Eun-chan)—who live in Oh Na-ra’s house.

Their journey through friendship, love, and self-discovery offers a nostalgic and heartwarming counterbalance to the adult chaos. A love triangle between Won-hee and the two cousin brothers, Seo Young-hoon and Song Kang, adds to the drama’s romantic tension, evoking memories of first love, jealousy, and growing pains.

The cast and crew shared their excitement at the press conference held on March 12 at the Stanford Hotel in Mapo, Seoul. Director Kim Young-jo revealed his motivation behind the project: “In these tough times, I believe people have the right to laugh. That’s why I wanted to create this drama.” Actress So Yu-jin also shared a personal anecdote about her decision to join the show: "Recently, my daughters asked me, ‘Mom, do you know Soonpoong Clinic? High Kick?’ Their friends told them to watch it on YouTube. While watching the old sitcoms, I realized that this trend is coming back. Then, as if by magic, I was offered this role."

Veteran actor Park Young-gyu, famous for his legendary comedic performances in Soonpoong Clinic, admitted: “I’m nervous. Sitcoms are all or nothing—if they fail, it’s painful. I’ve been through that before. But thankfully, this time, I have a good feeling.”

The cast also expressed hopes for a Season 2, with Oh Na-ra promising, “We’ll be your go-to comfort show, so please give us lots of love and support.” So Yu-jin added, “I really want to do a second season. We’ll work hard to make it happen.”

Meanwhile, fans have been eagerly anticipating the return of sitcoms, as seen in the official teaser comments, with many expressing excitement, saying it has been a long time since a sitcom like this aired and that they cannot wait to see Park Young-gyu in action again. Others have voiced hopes that the show will become a seasonal series, emphasizing the need for more comedy content. Some viewers have also shared their fond memories of High Kick, hoping that Villains Everywhere will bring the same kind of fun.