New K-dramas Buried Hearts and Undercover High School have sparked a fresh wave of competition, with both shows reporting significant rating jumps for their second episodes.
According to Nielsen Korea, Buried Hearts achieved an 8.1 percent nationwide rating on February 22, up 2 percent from its premiere. The Park Hyung Sik-led drama now stands as the most-watched miniseries of the week.
Undercover High School, starring Seo Kang Joon, also saw growth, climbing to 6.6 percent nationwide. While trailing behind Buried Hearts in overall viewership, the action series dominated Saturday’s key demographic (viewers aged 20–49) with a 2.8 percent rating.
“The chemistry between Park Hyung Sik and his co-star is electric! Buried Hearts is getting better every episode,” wrote a fan on X (formerly Twitter).
“Undercover High School’s pacing is perfect—Seo Kang Joon never disappoints,” commented a viewer on a Naver forum.
For Eagle Brothers Maintains Weekend Dominance Amid New Competitors
While newer dramas battle for weekday attention, For Eagle Brothers continues to rule weekend slots. The family drama held steady with a 16.3 percent nationwide rating on February 22, reaffirming its popularity among older audiences.
Struggles for When the Stars Gossip and The Witch
Not all shows shared the success. When the Stars Gossip, starring Lee Min Ho, hit a series low of 1.783 percent as it nears its finale. The sci-fi romance has struggled to maintain momentum despite early hype. Similarly, fantasy thriller The Witch recorded a 1.7 percent rating for its third episode, raising questions about its ability to recover.
“It’s disappointing to see When the Stars Gossip lose steam. The plot feels rushed now,” shared a fan on Reddit.
What’s Next for the Ratings Battle?
With Buried Hearts and Undercover High School both trending upward, their rivalry is expected to intensify. Industry analysts suggest character development and plot twists in upcoming episodes could determine which drama emerges as the clear leader.
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Saikat Nandy is an entertainment news writer who covers the latest trends and stories from the world of showbiz, has a keen eye for spotting the most interesting and relevant topics, and delivers them to his audience with flair and humor. He is also a freelance blogger, content writer, and website designer who loves to explore new technologies and creative ideas.
