Once hailed as the “Drama Kingdom” for producing hits like Hur Jun, Jewel in the Palace, Lee San, Wind of the Palace, My Lovely Sam Soon and Couple or Trouble, MBC is now in a perilous state. Its recent slate of dramas has struggled dramatically, with viewership averages plummeting into the 1 % range a level unthinkable during its heyday.
The current Friday‑Saturday drama To the Moon is scheduled to conclude on October 25. Starring Lee Sun‑bin, Ra Mi‑ran, and Jo A‑ram, the series is ending without the usual promotional interviews: both Ra Mi‑ran and Jo A‑ram will skip end‑of‑run commentary, and Lee Sun‑bin’s participation remains uncertain. The show was dogged by early controversies including jokes misaligned with cultural sensitivity and accusations of racial stereotyping and failed to attract viewers despite being slotted in a prime terrestrial timeframe.
Its successor, Moon River starring Kang Tae‑oh and Kim Se‑jeong, debuts on October 31. But industry insiders have low expectations: both leads’ previous works were rated in the 1–2 % range, and the addition of a lead (Hong Su-zu) whose acting ability has been questioned raises further doubts.
Other recent MBC productions have shared a similar fate. Earlier this year, shows such as Motel California, Undercover High School, Crushology 101 and Oh My Ghost Clients were launched across diverse genres, yet none achieved a meaningful breakthrough. Analysts attribute this to both weak production quality and an inability to connect with viewers’ evolving tastes.
For example, Undercover High School peaked over 8% early on but fell to 5.8% by its finale. Crushology 101, adapted from a webtoon and positioned as a campus drama, was criticized by audiences as being “web‑drama level” rather than a sophisticated weekend primetime offering. The cumulative effect: MBC’s identity as a ratings powerhouse is eroding.
MBC’s most high‑profile hope this year was Mary Kills People, marking the return of veteran actress Lee Bo‑young. Despite her comeback appeal and solid production credentials, the heavy subject of euthanasia failed to resonate broadly, leaving the show with low ratings in the 1% range. Critics noted the network failed to capitalise on Lee’s star power.
Now, MBC is pinning its future on two upcoming projects: the legal drama Judge Lee Han Yeong starring Ji Sung, aimed at a December/next‑year launch, and the early‑2026 period piece Wife of a 21st Century Prince, featuring IU and Byun Woo‑seok. While both have high expectations, industry observers caution that the network cannot rely solely on star casting. Instead, they argue MBC must refocus on strong planning and resonate storytelling to rebuild its once‑unrivalled status.
Sources: Daum
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