It was a weekend of celebration for two very different Korean dramas. JTBC’s new romantic comedy “The Practical Guide To Love” continues its impressive streak, climbing to a new ratings high with its fourth episode. Meanwhile, tvN’s hit office comedy “Undercover Miss Hong” ended its run on a triumphant note, securing the No. 1 spot in its time slot with a strong series finale.
“The Practical Guide To Love” Hits 4.8 Percent
JTBC’s “The Practical Guide To Love” is proving to be a steady winner. According to Nielsen Korea, the March 8 broadcast of the drama’s fourth episode recorded an average nationwide rating of 4.8 percent . This marks a new personal best for the show and continues its perfect record of rising ratings with each episode.
The romantic comedy, which premiered on February 28, started with a solid 3.1 percent for its first episode . It then climbed to 3.3 percent for episode two and jumped to 3.8 percent for episode three . The jump to 4.8 percent for episode four shows a full percentage point increase from the previous night, demonstrating strong word-of-mouth and growing viewer interest .
The drama stars Han Ji Min as Lee Ui Yeong, a competent hotel senior manager who decides to dive into the world of “intentional dating” after realizing her dream of organic romance might not come true . Her character’s awkward and funny blind dates have resonated with many viewers, especially those in their 30s who relate to the pressure of modern relationships .
Viewers have praised Han Ji Min’s natural and charming performance. One online comment joked, “I almost missed the plot because I was too busy looking at Han Ji Min’s face” . The chemistry between her character and the two male leads, played by Park Sung Hoon and Lee Ki Taek, has also become a major topic of discussion among fans.
“Undercover Miss Hong” Finale Scores 12.4 Percent
While “The Practical Guide To Love” celebrated its growth, tvN’s “Undercover Miss Hong” ended its run in first place. The March 8 series finale of the drama, starring Park Shin-hye, scored an average nationwide rating of 12.4 percent . At its peak, the finale reached 13.9 percent nationwide and 14.6 percent in the Seoul metropolitan area .
The finale secured the top spot not only in its time slot for Saturday-Sunday dramas but also ranked first among the key demographic of viewers aged 20 to 49 across all channels, including public broadcast networks .
The drama concluded with a satisfying ending. Hong Geum-bo (Park Shin-hye) and her team, known as the “Yeouido Pirates,” succeeded in bringing the corrupt Chairman Kang Pil-beom (Lee Deok-hwa) to justice . A key witness, Manager Bang Jin-mok (Kim Do-hyun), surprised everyone by testifying in court, which helped turn the tide in their favor . The story then jumped forward one year, showing the characters pursuing new paths. Hong Geum-bo even hinted at another undercover mission, this time investigating an insurance fraud case.
A Journey From 3.5 Percent to Double-Digit Success
“Undercover Miss Hong” began its run with modest ratings. The first episode, which aired in January, recorded 3.5 percent . However, the drama gained momentum steadily. By late February, it had soared to new heights, recording 10.6 percent and then 11.8 percent as it approached its final weeks .
The penultimate episode on March 7 set a then-record of 13.1 percent, building huge anticipation for the finale . Viewers praised the drama for its fresh premise, strong characters, and tight storytelling. The unique plot, which follows a 35-year-old financial supervisor who goes undercover as a 20-year-old intern, kept audiences engaged from start to finish .
Online reactions to the finale were enthusiastic. Comments included, “Park Shin-hye is Park Shin-hye,” “The court witness was Manager Bang Yepi!” and “Every main and supporting actor was perfect. Everyone did so well” . Many viewers appreciated the focus on female solidarity and the growth of the Room 301 roommates.
Also Read:
Other Dramas in the Weekend Lineup
KBS 2TV’s long-running weekend drama “Recipe for Love” also had a notable weekend. The show, which has been dominating Saturdays, earned average nationwide ratings of 18.0 percent and 11.3 percent for its episodes . It remains the most-watched show of the weekend overall.
MBC’s “In Your Radiant Season” recorded 4.1 percent for its fifth episode earlier in the weekend . Meanwhile, JTBC’s new drama “Still Shining,” which premiered on March 6, recorded 2.1 percent and 1.7 percent for its first two episodes .
With “Undercover Miss Hong” now concluded, all eyes will be on “The Practical Guide To Love” to see if it can continue its upward trend and fill the weekend drama slot with more romantic comedy fun.
Also Read: Undercover Miss Hong Ending: No-ra’s Shocking Vote Helps Keum-bo’s Team Defeat Pil-beom
Stay with VvipTimes for more updates on your favorite Korean dramas and stars.
