From Low to Lower: New K-Drama Plunges to 0% Ratings After Just 2 Episodes

MBC’s highly anticipated new Friday-Saturday drama Crushology 101 is off to a rocky start. Despite being based on a popular Kakao webtoon with over 170 million views, the drama has recorded some of the lowest premiere ratings in the network’s recent history.

According to Nielsen Korea, Episode 2 of Crushology 101, which aired on April 13, pulled in just 0.9% nationwide, a steep drop from its 1.3% premiere. It’s one of the worst ratings ever recorded for a primetime MBC drama since the Friday-Saturday slot was introduced in 2021.

✦ About the Drama

Based on a fan-favorite romance webtoon still running since 2019, the story follows Bunny, a hopeless romantic who finds herself entangled with five different male leads on a college campus. The show targets female viewers in their 20s and 30s and represents MBC’s push to expand its IP into new formats.

However, despite the strong IP and fan anticipation, the series is struggling to connect. While Episode 1 offered plenty of plot—from Bunny’s first encounters with Hwang Jae-yeol (Lee Chae-min) and Cha Ji-won (Jo Joon-young), to love-triangle setups and near-kiss moments—the overall storytelling and tone have left viewers divided.

✦ Viewer Reactions: Mixed at Best

Some praise the show for its fresh casting and warm visuals, calling it “wholesome and emotional.” Others have criticized the drama’s awkward acting, overly bright lighting, and rushed storytelling. The use of rookie actors unfamiliar to older viewers may have also contributed to viewer drop-off.

The disconnect from the original webtoon is also a sticking point. Fans complain that key emotional beats have been watered down, while others argue the drama has its own charm. Certain viewers even appreciate the more simplified, binge-friendly tone.

Episode 2 marked the official start of the drama’s romantic entanglements. Bunny’s complicated feelings are now split between her debt-tangled relationship with Jae-yeol and a growing emotional tension with Ji-won. A new rival, Jo Ah-rang (Kim Hyun-jin), has also emerged—expressing direct interest in Bunny and spicing up the dynamic further.

Meanwhile, the male leads are also stepping into clearer arcs. Jae-yeol has begun showing a softer, more attentive side—offering Bunny his jacket and inviting her to class. Ji-won, on the other hand, creates misunderstanding when his younger sister Cha Hye-won (Chae Jenny) is mistaken for a secret lover, shaking Bunny’s emotions.

✦ Can It Bounce Back?

Despite the rough start, it’s still early—only two episodes in. Romantic dramas often gain traction in their middle episodes as characters’ feelings deepen. Whether the series can recover depends on script improvement, stronger performances, and better emotional pacing.

With a fiercely loyal webtoon fanbase, much of the show's future may hinge not on live ratings, but on streaming buzz, social media word-of-mouth, and overseas response.

Episode 3 airs Friday, April 18 at 9:50 PM KST. Whether Crushology 101 can turn things around—or become another missed opportunity—remains to be seen.

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