The weekend drama battlefield in South Korea is becoming increasingly competitive, but one highly anticipated title, Confidence Queen starring Park Min Young, has turned into a major disappointment for TV Chosun. Just four episodes into its run, the series has plummeted to the dreaded 0% ratings mark, forcing the network to push back its broadcast time in an effort to recover viewership.
Premiering with a modest 1.1% rating, Confidence Queen initially saw a slight rise to 1.5% but quickly fell to 0.9%—a troubling number for a weekend drama that had received significant investment. In response, TV Chosun announced that starting from episode 5 (September 20), the drama would be moved from its original 9:10 p.m. slot to 10:30 p.m., a clear attempt to mitigate its ongoing struggle.
Confidence Queen marked not only Park Min Young’s long-awaited return but also Amazon Prime’s first foray into Korean drama production. However, its performance suggests that the project misfired from the beginning. TV Chosun has historically excelled with family psychological dramas and scandal-driven narratives like Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce) and Red Balloon, which resonate strongly with middle-aged female viewers—the channel’s loyal audience. Instead, Confidence Queen chose to remake the Japanese hit The Confidence Man JP, telling the story of con artists who steal from the rich to aid the poor. This genre shift proved ill-suited for TV Chosun’s demographic.
Casting Park Min Young as the lead also sparked debate. Known for her charming performances in romantic comedies such as What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim and Her Private Life, the actress took on the role of Yoon Yi Rang, a cunning swindler. Critics argue that her exaggerated expressions and delivery fail to capture the sharp wit and subtle craftiness essential to the role, further weakening the show’s appeal.
Meanwhile, rival dramas are thriving. tvN’s Bon Appétit, Your Majesty recently set a new record with 15.4% in episode 8, while SBS’s Queen Mantis maintains a strong 7.5%. By shifting to a later slot, Confidence Queen now directly competes with JTBC’s A Hundred Memories, which opened modestly at 3.3% and 3.6% but shows potential with its emotional storytelling and fresh cast.
In a weekend lineup saturated with high-performing dramas, Confidence Queen seems out of place—both in its network positioning and casting strategy. Viewers and industry insiders are increasingly concerned about Park Min Young’s career trajectory, as the actress faces one of her most challenging setbacks yet, compounded by public scrutiny over her changing appearance.
Sources: kenh14
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