Even the star power of Jang Ki-yong and Ahn Eun-jin has not been enough to stop the downward trend of SBS’s Wednesday–Thursday drama “Dynamite Kiss”. According to Nielsen Korea on December 19, episode 12 aired the previous night recorded a nationwide household rating of 5.6%, marking another disappointing result as the series approaches its finale.

The drama initially premiered last month with ratings in the low 4% range. Although it briefly gained momentum through word of mouth and managed a modest rebound, the improvement proved short-lived. As the story progressed, criticism mounted over its increasingly unfocused narrative and the perceived lack of chemistry between the two leads. With only two episodes remaining, viewer drop-off continues.

In episode 12, Gong Ji-hyeok (Jang Ki-yong) and Go Da-rim (Ahn Eun-jin) believed they were finally on track toward both professional success and a happy future together only to be confronted with unexpected turmoil. Da-rim had previously been threatened with exposure over her fraudulent employment after Gong Ji-hye (Jung Ga-hee) obtained official marriage records. Although the revelation was temporarily delayed for strategic reasons, Da-rim’s guilt grew as she feared someone truly qualified may have lost an opportunity because of her deception.

Overcome with remorse, Da-rim submitted her resignation, but Ji-hyeok rejected it. He explained that the so-called “Mother TF Team” had originally recruited only the lowest-scoring candidates, and Da-rim was the sole person who refused to give up on the team from the start. Thanks to her dedication, the team had achieved meaningful results despite being written off by others.

Ji-hyeok then accepted a new product development project on the condition that the entire TF team be hired as full-time employees. Determined to secure her teammates’ futures, Da-rim decided she would leave the company after the project’s completion. She courageously confessed everything to the team her fake employment, her relationship with Ji-hyeok, and the circumstances that led her there. Moved by her sincerity, the team chose to support both her career and her love.

The episode delivered emotional highs as Ji-hyeok embraced Da-rim, promising, “Don’t run away anymore. I won’t let you go,” before the two shared a kiss and spent the night together, reaffirming their deep bond. Their happiness continued as they enjoyed sweet dates and poured their energy into finalizing the new product, which was successfully completed after several sleepless nights.

However, just as the team celebrated, devastating news arrived: a rival company had released an identical product. At that moment, Ji-hyeok’s father Gong Chang-ho (Choi Kwang-il) and Gong Ji-hye stormed in. Enraged, Chang-ho immediately slapped Da-rim, triggering Ji-hyeok’s long-suppressed anger as he witnessed his estranged father strike the woman he loves.

Despite these dramatic turns, audience response has remained lukewarm. As “Dynamite Kiss” heads into its final stretch, viewers are questioning whether the drama can recover or if it will conclude under the weight of unmet expectations and falling ratings.

Sources: Daum