"Wait, What?" Star-Packed K-Drama Drops to 2% Ratings After Only Two Episodes

Despite its high-profile cast and early buzz, tvN’s new Monday-Tuesday drama The Divorce Insurance has experienced a notable ratings drop after only two episodes, sparking mixed reactions among viewers.

The drama, which premiered on March 31, stars top actors including Lee Dong-wook, Lee Joo-bin, Lee Kwang-soo, and Lee Da-hee. The Divorce Insurance tells the story of a task force creating a literal “divorce insurance” policy—blending satire, warmth, and contemporary relationship commentary.

According to Nielsen Korea, the premiere episode earned a nationwide average viewership rating of 3.2%, peaking at 4.3%, topping its time slot across cable and general programming channels. In the Seoul metropolitan area, it reached an average of 3.6%, peaking at 5.1%, marking a solid debut.

However, the second episode, which aired on April 1, dropped to a 2.4% nationwide average, a 0.8% percentage point decrease. With the ratings falling below 3% after just one episode, concerns have been raised about the drama’s trajectory.

The Divorce Insurance is directed by Lee Won-seok (Killing Romance) and written by Lee Tae-yoon (Secret Royal Inspector & Joy, Handsome Guys, Tamra, the Island). Ahead of the premiere, director Lee described the drama as “a heartwarming and soothing ‘milk tea’ for viewers who find daily life exhausting”—a feel-good series carefully crafted by the entire cast and crew.

In episode 2, the storyline follows the newly formed divorce insurance task force, including Jeon Na-rae (played by Lee Da-hee), as internal conflicts over goals and data strategies begin to emerge. Noh Ki-joon (Lee Dong-wook) and Kang Han-deul (Lee Joo-bin) visit Ki-joon’s ex-wife, now a Buddhist nun (played by Cho Bo-ah), to find clarity on the meaning of “divorce insurance.” The episode ends with the team receiving conditional approval from company executives and launching promotional efforts at a wedding expo. Meanwhile, hints are dropped that Jeon Na-rae may have joined the team with hidden intentions.

Online reactions to the second episode’s ratings drop were mixed. Some viewers voiced frustration, saying, “tvN really needs to be more selective with production teams. This is serious,” and “With only 12 episodes, the first two are critical. I’m disappointed.” Others added, “How could they waste this cast?” and “It’s the follow-up to The Midnight Studio, but ratings are halved…” On the other hand, some viewers remained optimistic, commenting, “I’m genuinely enjoying it. It’s fresh!” and “Director Lee’s past works are always unique—this one deserves a chance.” One fan noted, “Lee Dong-wook and Lee Kwang-soo’s chemistry is hilarious. I’m in!”

Despite its A-list cast and creative team, The Divorce Insurance now faces the challenge of recovering from an early ratings drop. Whether its unique concept and performances can turn things around remains to be seen.

The drama airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 p.m. KST on tvN, and is also available globally via OTT platforms TVING, Coupang Play, and Amazon Prime Video.