Crushology 101, a new MBC K-drama, has made history for the wrong reasons. Its viewership ratings have dropped to a shocking 0.7% by episode eight, the lowest ever for an MBC Friday-Saturday drama. The show, starring Roh Jeong Eui, has failed to connect with South Korean audiences despite global buzz.
The drama premiered on April 11, 2025, on MBC’s prime-time weekend slot. It follows Ban Hui Jin, nicknamed Bunny, a college student navigating romance after a painful breakup. Adapted from the Kakao webtoon “Bunny and Oppas,” it promised a fun, four-way campus romance.
Bunny, played by Roh Jeong Eui, is a sculpture student at Yein University. After her first love ends in heartbreak, she meets four attractive men: Hwang Jae Yeol (Lee Chae Min), Cha Ji Won (Cho Jun Young), Cho Ah Rang (Kim Hyun Jin), and Jin Hyun Oh (Hong Min Gi). Each brings a unique dynamic to her life.
The show’s first episode scored a modest 1.3% rating, per Nielsen Korea. By episode two, it fell to 0.9%, entering the “zero-percent club” of terrestrial TV dramas. Episode eight, aired on May 3, 2025, hit a record low of 0.7%.
Critics point to a weak storyline as a key issue. The plot, centered on Bunny’s romantic entanglements, lacks emotional depth. Many viewers find it cliché and overly focused on looks.
“The storyline feels out of touch with today’s trends,” said critic Jung Deok Hyun. “It’s too centered on appearance, which alienates viewers.”
The casting also draws criticism. While Roh Jeong Eui shines, the male leads lack the star power to pull viewers. Most are rookie actors, unlike MBC’s past hits with big names.
Kim Sung Soo, a pop culture critic, noted, “MBC dramas often succeed by blending youthful stories with themes older viewers relate to. Crushology 101 misses that mark.”
The show’s timing didn’t help. It launched against SBS’s Buried Hearts finale, which scored 15.4%, and JTBC’s The Art of Negotiation, ending at 10.3%. These heavyweights overshadowed the new drama.
Online, viewers are harsh. Many call the script “cringe” and the directing “subpar.” Some blame the original webtoon, calling it “uninteresting” and poorly suited for adaptation.
“This feels like a web drama, not a public broadcast,” one viewer wrote on theqoo. Another added, “The webtoon was weak, so why adapt it?”
Despite domestic struggles, the drama has found global success. It ranked number one on streaming charts in 19 countries, including Italy and Spain, per Kakao Entertainment. It also hit second place on KOCOWA+ and Japan’s U-NEXT.
International fans praise the cast’s chemistry. “Roh Jeong Eui is perfect as Bunny,” a viewer commented. “The drama is refreshing and fun.”
The show’s vibrant visuals and light tone appeal overseas. Its university setting and colorful cinematography give it a “spring vibe,” fans say. Yet, this hasn’t translated to South Korean viewership.
MBC’s Friday-Saturday slot has faced challenges in 2025. Predecessor Undercover High School ended at 5.8%, a decent figure. Crushology 101’s flop marks a sharp decline.
The drama’s 12-episode run leaves room for recovery. Some fans remain hopeful, citing its “light and easy” feel. Others, however, have already tuned out.
Viewership data shows episode three peaked at 1.5%, but the decline resumed. By episode eight, the 0.7% rating broke MBC’s previous low of 1.3%, set by Kokdu: Season of Deity.
Social media reflects mixed feelings. On X, some enjoy the chemistry, calling it “messy but fun.” Others dropped it, citing a “boring” plot.
“I stopped at episode two,” one user posted. “It’s just not for everyone.”
K-Netizens Also Reacted:
- “This is airing on a public broadcast channel…? Everything about it feels like a web drama.”
- “The original webtoon was trash to begin with. Why would they even adapt that into a drama? LOL. Seriously, were there really no better options for scheduling?”
- “I liked the webtoon, but the poster alone made me skip the adaptation…”
- “What’s the original like..? What’s the story even about?”
- “Funny how Bunny is the best-looking one.”
- “The story going off the rails in the original webtoon could’ve been fixed by the writer and director, but the setup requires the two male leads to be insanely handsome… And sorry, but they’re not quite there.”
- “What’s really baffling is the fact that it’s airing at all. How does something that looks this boring even make it to broadcast?”
Also Read: New Romantic Drama “Crushology 101” Struggles in Ratings Against Hit Finale of “Buried Hearts”
The drama airs Fridays and Saturdays at 9:50 PM KST on MBC. It streams on Viki, Kocowa, and Viu in select regions. With four episodes left, its fate hangs in balance.
Credits: MBC
