JTBC’s romance drama My Youth tells the story of Sunwoo Hae (Song Joong-ki), a former child star and now florist-novelist, and his complicated reunion with first love Sung Je Yeon (Chun Woo-hee), a driven management team leader. Together, they navigate lingering emotions, missed timing, and rediscovered love.
Premiering on September 5, My Youth opened with a modest 2.9% nationwide rating (Nielsen Korea, paid households). However, instead of climbing, ratings slipped: Episode 2 at 2.8%, Episode 3 at 2.2%, Episode 4 at 2.4%, and by September 19, Episode 5 had plunged to 1.9%, marking the show’s lowest viewership to date.
This steep decline contrasts sharply with Song Joong-ki’s previous works such as Descendants of the Sun (2016), which peaked at a staggering 38.8%, as well as hit dramas Vincenzo and Reborn Rich, both of which dominated ratings and pop culture. Expectations were particularly high for his return to romance after nine years, but audiences have criticized the lack of chemistry between the leads and overly conventional plotlines, such as the male lead’s clichéd terminal illness diagnosis.
The slump has drawn criticism toward Song Joong-ki himself, with some questioning his ability to immerse viewers in the sensitive role of a man rekindling his first love. His frequent references to personal matters, including remarriage, on variety shows have also led some to feel a disconnect between his on-screen persona and real-life image.
Still, the failure cannot be attributed to the actors alone. Screenwriter Park Si-hyun, previously praised for nuanced storytelling in Run On (2020), and director Lee Sang-yeob, behind hits like Shopping King Louie (2016), Familiar Wife (2018), and Yumi’s Cells (2021–2022), have both stumbled in delivering a compelling narrative this time around.
Compounding matters is fierce competition. My Youth airs opposite SBS’s thriller Queen Mantis, starring Go Hyun-jung, which has surged to a 7.5% rating and continues to build buzz for its gripping storyline. With the rival series gaining momentum each week, My Youth faces an uphill battle to reclaim Friday night audiences.
Whether the drama can overcome its slump and salvage its reputation remains to be seen, but for now, Song Joong-ki’s long-awaited return to romance has been overshadowed by one of the steepest rating declines in recent K-drama history.
Sources: Daum
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