K-Drama With 0% Ratings in Korea Becomes No. 1 in 19 Countries!

Although it struggled to make a mark in domestic ratings, the Korean drama Crushology 101 is generating unexpected buzz overseas. According to Kakao Entertainment on April 16, the MBC Friday–Saturday series ranked No. 1 in 19 countries, including Italy, Switzerland, and Spain, shortly after its simultaneous release in 106 countries on April 11.

Global Viewership Surges Across Platforms

On KOCOWA+, which services 88 countries across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Oceania, Crushology 101 achieved second place in overall global rankings. The series also placed second on Japan’s U-NEXT and is currently being distributed to viewers in Southeast Asia via Viu and in India through Amazon Prime Video’s Channel K.

A Webtoon-Based Romantic Comedy That Charms Worldwide

Crushology 101 is based on a popular Kakao webtoon and tells the story of Bunny, a young woman still haunted by the embarrassing memories of her first love, who becomes entangled with a group of attractive men. The drama is gaining attention for its accurate casting, breezy storytelling, and bright, colorful visuals.

Roh Jeong-eui plays the role of Bunny and has captivated audiences with her bubbly and endearing portrayal. Lee Chae-min appears as Hwang Jae-yeol, a seemingly cold but secretly kind college student; Jo Joon-young plays Cha Ji-won, a warm and thoughtful heir to a wealthy family; and Kim Hyun-jin portrays Jo Arang, a celebrity sculptor. These distinct characters each engage with Bunny in different ways, creating an evolving romance with multiple possibilities.

A New Take on the Webtoon, With Campus Romance at Its Heart

While the show is based on the webtoon, several elements have been adapted to add freshness to the story. The restructured relationships and plot developments help enhance believability and emotional depth. Centered around college life and youth romance, the series brings out feelings of nostalgia and emotional relatability, particularly among viewers in their 20s.

Rising Stars Lead the Way

Roh Jeong-eui is quickly emerging as one of the most sought-after actresses among Gen Z and Millennial audiences. Her co-stars Lee Chae-min, Jo Joon-young, and Kim Hyun-jin—nicknamed “the oppas”—are each injecting the drama with charm and energy. As of the first two episodes, viewers are already wondering which of the three male leads will ultimately win Bunny’s heart.

Despite these strengths, the series has seen underwhelming results in Korea. According to Nielsen Korea, Episode 1 premiered with a nationwide rating of 1.3%, while Episode 2 fell to 0.9%, a noticeable drop compared to the previous drama Undercover High School, which recorded 5.6% for its premiere and 5.8% for its finale. Whether the show's rising global popularity can help redeem its weak domestic performance remains to be seen.

Comments from online viewers include reactions such as, “I started watching just for fun, but the cast chemistry is amazing,” and “Roh Jeong-eui fits the character of Bunny so well. I loved the webtoon, and the drama turned out way more refreshing and enjoyable than expected.” Others wrote, “My heart hasn’t raced like this in a while,” and “If this had aired during the Boys Over Flowers era, it would’ve been a guaranteed hit.” Many are also rooting for Bunny and Jae-yeol to become a couple, saying the show gets better with each episode.

Crushology 101 airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m. KST on MBC.

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