MBC’s new Friday–Saturday drama Mary Kills People has seen a steep ratings decline, dropping from 3.2% at its August 1 premiere to 1.8% by its third episode on August 8 (Nielsen Korea, nationwide). In contrast, SBS’s Try hit a personal best of 5.5% in the same time slot.
The 19+ rated remake of the Canadian drama follows doctor Woo So-jung (Lee Bo-young), who aids terminally ill patients in assisted deaths, and detective Ban Ji-hoon (Lee Min-ki), who goes undercover to investigate her. While the debut drew praise for its bold premise and strong performances, industry observers cite the restrictive adults-only rating as a key reason for its limited mainstream reach.
Episode three delivered a pivotal twist as So-jung discovered that one of her “patients” was actually Ji-hoon in disguise, intensifying the drama’s moral and emotional stakes. The highlight was the tragic story of high school terminal patient Jo Soo-young, whose heartfelt farewell to his father left viewers in tears.
Despite low ratings, the cast has been lauded for their performances—Lee Bo-young’s layered portrayal of a conflicted doctor, Lee Min-ki’s nuanced depiction of a morally torn detective, and strong direction from Park Joon-woo.
Viewer reactions remain largely positive, with many puzzled by the drop: “It’s so good, why are the ratings low?” and “This drama is deeply moving—more people should watch.”
With nine episodes left, it remains to be seen whether Mary Kills People can rebound in ratings, but its exploration of human dignity and life’s end ensures it will be remembered for more than numbers.
Ratings so far (Nielsen Korea, nationwide):
- Ep. 1 (08.01) – 3.2%
- Ep. 2 (08.02) – 2.1%
- Ep. 3 (08.08) – 1.8%
Sources: 위키트리
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