MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama In Your Radiant Season has successfully captured viewers’ hearts from its very first broadcast, blending emotional romance with unpredictable mystery.
According to Nielsen Korea on February 21, the drama’s premiere episode, which aired on February 20, recorded 4.4% nationwide and in the Seoul metropolitan area, ranking No.1 among Friday-Saturday dramas. At its peak, the episode soared to 5.4% during a tense scene in which Song Ha-ran fiercely accused Seonu Chan of being her stalker, gripping audiences with intense suspense.
The episode opened with a glimpse into the innocent past of Song Ha-ran (played by Lee Sung-kyung) and Seonu Chan (played by Chae Jong-hyeop) during their time studying abroad in Boston seven years ago. However, their happiness was short-lived, as a sudden explosion dramatically changed the course of their lives.
Seven years later, the once bright and lively Song Ha-ran has transformed into a cold, workaholic chief designer, while the previously dark and reserved Seonu Chan has grown into a warm and energetic animation supervisor. Fate brings them back together in Korea through a collaborative project, but their reunion is anything but sweet.
Song Ha-ran, unsettled by Seonu Chan’s behavior especially his familiarity with her mistakenly suspects him of stalking her, leading to sharp confrontations. Adding to the tension are the burn scars visible on Seonu Chan’s body and the lingering trauma from the explosion, hinting that their reconnection is far more complex than a simple romantic coincidence.
The highlight of Episode 1 came in its shocking final twist. It was revealed that seven years ago, the person Song Ha-ran confessed her love to during online chats was not her then-boyfriend Kang Hyuk-chan (played by Kwon Do-hyung), but his roommate, Seonu Chan. The revelation that Seonu Chan was the one who heard her heartfelt “I love you, Kang Hyuk-chan” left viewers stunned and deepened curiosity about their tangled past.
Beyond the lead actors, veteran actress Lee Mi-sook added weight to the story with her commanding presence as Kim Na-na. Supporting cast members, including Han Ji-hyun and Oh Ye-ju, also enriched the narrative through the warm bond within the so-called “Na-na House.”
Following the broadcast, online communities and YouTube comment sections were flooded with enthusiastic reactions. Many viewers praised the visual chemistry between Lee Sung-kyung and Chae Jong-hyeop, saying it already felt like a fully realized drama. Others commented that the tightly woven narrative made the first episode feel like watching a film. The twist ending, in particular, sparked comments such as “MBC truly masters cliffhangers,” signaling the beginning of what fans are calling a new wave of “In Your Radiant Season” fever.
Episode 2 of MBC’s In Your Radiant Season airs tonight (February 21) at 9:50 p.m., as the drama continues to build momentum as the weekend’s most talked-about series.
Sources: Wikitree
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