Big Names, Low Numbers: The K-Drama That’s Losing Viewers Fast

What was expected to be a hit has instead triggered alarm bells. tvN’s latest K-drama, The Divorce Insurance (literal title), featuring a lineup of popular stars, has seen a dramatic ratings crash, falling into the 1% range just four episodes in.

According to Nielsen Korea, the 4th episode, aired on April 8, recorded a nationwide viewership of 1.4%, based on paid households. That’s a 0.6-point drop from the previous episode’s 2.0%, and less than half of its premiere rating of 3.2%.

A Monday–Tuesday tvN drama dipping into the 1% range is rare. The last time this happened was with A Very Lucky Day in 2023, which aired on both TVING and tvN. For a tvN-exclusive release, this is the lowest figure since Mental Coach Jegal Gil in 2022.

High Hopes, Star Cast — But Where’s the Audience?

The Divorce Insurance stars Lee Dong-wook, Lee Joo-bin, Lee Kwang-soo, and Lee Da-hee in an office rom-com about an insurance company developing a bold new policy — divorce insurance that guarantees happiness post-marriage. It’s helmed by directors Lee Won-seok and Choi Bo-kyung, with a script by Lee Tae-yoon.

In episode 4, the drama's central product faces a regulatory crisis after the Financial Supervisory Service flags it as a violation of insurance regulations. Meanwhile, internal chaos unfolds as someone leaks the policy terms from team member Kang Han-deul’s (Lee Joo-bin) computer.

Relationship developments among the characters also unfolded: Noh Gi-joon (Lee Dong-wook) and Kang Han-deul grow closer, especially after he comes to her aid during an awkward encounter with her ex-husband. Elsewhere, Ahn Jun-man (Lee Kwang-soo) and Jeon Na-rae (Lee Da-hee) start bonding after a coincidental meeting at a laundromat.

Marketing Push, But Viewers Tune Out

To promote the drama, tvN aired a special variety spin-off before the premiere (Divorce Insurance: Rank Battle) and teased a cameo by actress Cho Bo-ah. Despite these efforts, ratings have continued to drop.

This comes amid a broader ratings slump across tvN's drama lineup, both on weekdays and weekends. The recent high-budget sci-fi romance When the Stars Gossip, with a production cost of ₩50 billion KRW (~$34M USD), ended with a peak of just 3.9% and a low of 1.7%. Its successor, The Potato Lab, set a new record low for weekend dramas at just 1.1%.

Still a Chance for Redemption?

The Divorce Insurance is a 12-episode series, meaning there's still room to bounce back. All eyes are now on whether the remaining episodes can reverse the ratings spiral and help revive tvN’s primetime drama presence.

The series airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8:50 p.m. KST on tvN.

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