According to Nielsen Korea on August 3, the first episode of My Lovely Journey, which aired on the night of August 2, recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 0.6% based on paid platforms. In the same time slot, JTBC’s new legal drama Beyond the Bar achieved 3.7%, while MBC’s weekend series Mary Kills People drew 2.1%.
My Lovely Journey is a healing drama that follows the journey of Kang Yeoreum (played by Gong Seung-yeon), a former idol turned travel reporter, as she navigates the struggles of gig broadcasting work and personal growth. The premiere centered on the cancellation of the show she had been hosting for five years.
The episode opens with the filming of the “One-Day Trip” program, where Kang Yeoreum remains positive despite grueling conditions. However, PD Song’s (Dong Hyun-bae) unreasonable demands and dangerous setups push her to the brink. When she suffers an allergic reaction on set, Yeoreum tries to continue with swollen lips and slurred speech—only to be mocked in the final cut and see the show canceled.
Her agency CEO Oh Sang-sik (Yoo Jun-sang) defends her, but is scapegoated by PD Song. The turning point comes when editor Lee Yeon-seok (Kim Jae-young) reveals unedited footage at a meeting, exposing the truth and shifting the power dynamics—positioning him as a possible ally for Yeoreum.
After initially refusing a new “proxy travel” assignment, Yeoreum reconsiders following a harsh remark from her boss. In a quiet, emotional ending, she boards a bus for her first journey, marking the start of a new chapter.
Unlike a typical travelogue, My Lovely Journey positions itself as a healing drama—offering comfort and courage to viewers worn down by life. The first episode portrayed realistic hardships, inner strength, and unexpected connections in a cohesive and emotionally resonant narrative.
Gong Seung-yeon brought both raw vulnerability and warmth to her portrayal of Yeoreum, breathing life into the character. Viewers responded with comments such as:
- Looking forward to Episode 2. I don’t usually watch dramas, but this one’s refreshing and pulls you in.
- The story feels fresh, and I love seeing beautiful parts of Korea through the show.
- Caught the rerun and found it surprisingly entertaining—ratings will surely rise.
- It reminds me of indie films and calm K-dramas—loving the vibe.
- With so many violent dramas lately, this healing genre is a breath of fresh air.
- The lead actors are great. Looks like a healing + growth drama.
- Watching this kind of drama really calms the mind.
However, not all feedback was glowing. Some noted the pacing was slow or lacked impact, suggesting that the upcoming episodes will be crucial for regaining momentum.
The second episode of My Lovely Journey airs tonight (August 3) at 9:20 PM KST on Channel A. All eyes are on how Kang Yeoreum’s character will grow through these proxy journeys—and whether the ratings will eventually match the audience’s heartfelt praise.
Sources: wikitree
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