tvN’s 2025 drama lineup began under a cloud of disappointment, marked by the humiliating failure of its 50 billion won blockbuster When the Stars Gossip. Despite boasting top-tier stars Gong Hyo-jin and Lee Min-ho and one of the largest production budgets in cable drama history, the series struggled to escape ratings in the 1–2% range, drawing criticism for its clichéd narrative and difficult dialogue.
The network’s struggles continued with follow-up dramas such as The Potato Lab and The Divorce Insurance, both of which remained stuck in the low 2–3% ratings range. For a time, tvN appeared unable to recover from the collapse of its most ambitious project.
Rookie Actors Spark a Turning Point
The tide began to turn with Resident Playbook: One Day, a Wise Intern, a spin-off of the beloved Hospital Playlist franchise. After its broadcast was delayed due to last year’s residents’ strike, the drama finally premiered in April 2025 amid tempered expectations.
Contrary to early concerns, Resident Playbook: One Day, a Wise Intern gained momentum through strong word-of-mouth. Its realistic portrayal of young doctors navigating their first careers, understated romance, and grounded storytelling resonated with viewers. Go Yoon-jung and Jung Joon-won’s chemistry, supported by rising actors including Cynthia, Kang You-seok, and Han Ye-ji, helped lift the drama to ratings in the 8% range nationwide, according to Nielsen Korea.
Consistent Growth Through Fresh Faces
Momentum continued with Head Over Heels, which concluded with a solid 4.9% rating despite airing in the competitive Monday–Tuesday slot. Choo Young-woo earned widespread praise for his portrayal of a high school student with emotional depth, while co-star Jo Yi-hyun anchored the drama’s emotional arc. Choo Young-woo later topped drama cast buzz rankings for two consecutive weeks, solidifying his status as a breakout actor.
A Record-Breaking Reversal With Bon Appétit, Your Majesty
The most dramatic success story came from Bon Appétit, Your Majesty. The series closed with a 17.1% finale rating, ranking fifth among all-time tvN weekend dramas. It also made history as the first tvN drama to top Netflix’s Global Non-English TV Show chart for two consecutive weeks.
Im Yoon-ah led the series as chef Yeon Ji-young, earning praise for her commanding performance and international appeal. Particular attention centered on Lee Chae-min, who was cast just one month before filming began as tyrant king Yi Heon. Despite minimal preparation time, his performance exceeded expectations, and his romantic chemistry with Im Yoon-ah despite a 10-year age gap won over both domestic and global audiences.
Lee Chae-min later ranked No.1 in the September Actor Brand Reputation Rankings and placed at the top of Good Data Corporation’s TV-OTT integrated buzz rankings during the drama’s broadcast period.
Strong Finish to tvN’s 2025 Lineup
Young actors continued to shine in Shin’s Project, which recorded a peak rating of 9.1%. Bae Hyun-sung gained recognition for his role opposite veteran actor Han Suk-kyu, while Lee Re impressed viewers with action-heavy scenes and a confident, girl-crush image.
With additional second-half releases such as Our Unwritten Seoul, Law and the City, and Typhoon Family receiving positive feedback, tvN successfully reversed the narrative of failure that defined its early 2025 schedule.
From a costly blockbuster collapse to a rookie-driven revival, tvN’s 2025 drama performance ultimately underscored one clear lesson: fresh faces and solid storytelling can outperform even the most expensive productions.
Sources: Newsen,Nielsen Korea
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