MBC is grappling with what many industry insiders are calling a “ratings disaster year,” as nearly all of its 2025 dramas recorded underwhelming or outright dismal numbers. Even trusted hit-maker Lee Bo-young, known for her solid viewership pull, saw her project fall into the 1% range, raising concerns about the network’s upcoming 2025 MBC Drama Awards.
According to MBC on December 6, the broadcaster will hold its annual awards ceremony on December 30. However, with no major hits to celebrate, expectations for this year’s event are extremely low.
MBC launched multiple series this year — including Motel California, Undercover High School, Crushology 101, Oh My Ghost Clients, Mary Kills People, To the Moon, and the currently airing Moon River — but the results were overwhelmingly cold.
A Year of Missed Marks
Motel California, starring Lee Se-young and marking Na In-woo’s first project after his military exemption controversy, was expected to compete strongly. Instead, it suffered a decisive loss in its time slot to SBS’s My Perfect Secretary, with viewers criticizing its “slow and dull progression.” Ratings stalled between 3–5%.
Undercover High School, Seo Kang-joon’s comeback drama after military service, began with promise but faltered as complaints grew about its “childish writing and direction.”
Oh My Ghost Clients fluctuated between 2.8% and 5.6%, never gaining stable momentum.
Meanwhile, Mary Kills People struggled to translate its euthanasia-centered story into empathetic television, sinking into the 1% range, making it an unlikely contender at the awards.
A Lone Performer—But Still Underwhelming
The only relative bright spot is the sageuk Moon River, which recently climbed into the 6% range. While this is considered decent by this year’s standards, it falls short of the high expectations traditionally associated with MBC’s reputation as a “sageuk powerhouse.”
Other series such as Crushology 101 and To the Moon endured humiliating runs in the 1–2% range from start to finish.
An Awards Night With No Clear Winner
With no breakout hits and no major critical successes, insiders say this year’s MBC Drama Awards may be one of the most difficult ever to judge. Normally, the Grand Prize (Daesang) goes to a drama or actor who demonstrated excellence across ratings, buzz, and performance. But 2025 produced no clear frontrunners.
Industry officials have been blunt: “ This year’s Daesang is basically an empty house waiting to be looted. There’s no standout drama to anchor the ceremony.”
As the ceremony approaches, all eyes are on whether MBC will grant the Daesang based on legacy, internal priorities, or an attempt to salvage PR amid a lost drama year.
Sources: Daum
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