IU Shines as Top Buzzworthy Actor for Three Weeks Straight While The Divorce Insurance Claims No. 1 Drama Spot

Korean dramas continue to capture hearts worldwide, and this week is no exception. IU dominates the buzzworthy actor list for the third consecutive week with her role in When Life Gives You Tangerines. Meanwhile, The Divorce Insurance surges to the top of the drama rankings, stealing the spotlight. Here’s everything you need to know about these exciting updates in the K-drama world.

IU and Park Bo Gum Lead the Actor Rankings

When Life Gives You Tangerines remains a fan favorite, even two weeks after its emotional finale. The Netflix series has kept viewers talking, thanks to its heartfelt story and stellar cast. IU, who plays both the spirited Ae-sun and her daughter Geum-myeong, holds the No. 1 spot on the buzzworthy actor list for the third week running. Her co-star Park Bo Gum, portraying the steadfast Gwan-sik, follows closely at No. 2.

The Good Data Corporation compiles these rankings by analyzing data from news articles, online communities, videos, social media, and blog posts. Since the actor list now includes OTT platform stars, When Life Gives You Tangerines has secured a strong presence.

• IU (When Life Gives You Tangerines)
• Park Bo Gum (When Life Gives You Tangerines)
• Lee Je Hoon (The Art of Negotiation)
• Park Hyung Sik (Buried Hearts)
• Park Eun Bin (Hyper Knife)
• Lee Dong Wook (The Divorce Insurance)
• Heo Joon Ho (Buried Hearts)
• Sul Kyung Gu (Hyper Knife)
• Kang Tae Oh (The Potato Lab)
• Lee Hae Young (Buried Hearts)

IU’s performance has been widely praised. Fans admire her ability to bring depth to two distinct characters. One viewer shared on social media:

“Probably one of the best dramas I have ever seen—so raw, so realistic, so emotional. I wish I hadn’t watched it, just so I could experience it again for the first time.”

Park Bo Gum also earns accolades for his warm and steady portrayal of Gwan-sik. The chemistry between the leads has sparked endless discussions online, with fans calling the drama a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience.

The Divorce Insurance Takes Over Drama Rankings

In a surprising leap, The Divorce Insurance climbed seven spots to claim the No. 1 position on the buzzworthy drama list. Airing on tvN, this romantic comedy explores modern relationships with a fresh perspective. Its latest episode fueled massive online chatter, propelling it to the top.

The drama stars Lee Dong Wook as No Ki-joon, a charismatic lead who ranks No. 6 on the actor list. Alongside him, Lee Da-hee shines as Jeon Na-rae, a financial mathematician navigating love and heartbreak. Lee Joo-been and Lee Kwang-soo round out the main cast, adding humor and depth to the story.

Directed by Lee Won-seok and produced by KT Studio Genie, Mongjagso, and Studio Mondo, The Divorce Insurance streams new episodes every Monday and Tuesday on Prime Video in over 240 countries. Lee Da-hee spoke about her role, saying:

“I admired how she stands by her choices without regret and carries herself with self-assurance. I believe these qualities make her even more lovable.”

Despite its popularity, the drama faced a dip in viewership, dropping to 1.4% after its fourth episode. Fans remain hopeful for a rebound as the story unfolds.

Other Dramas Making Waves

While The Divorce Insurance leads, other dramas are holding strong. Buried Hearts on SBS stays at No. 2, boosted by an explosive finale. Its star, Park Hyung Sik, jumped to No. 4 on the actor list, and Heo Joon Ho re-entered at No. 7. Viewers praised the drama’s gripping plot, with one fan noting:

“This drama is 10/10 for me. The writing, the acting, the cinematography… I loved it so much.”

The Art of Negotiation on JTBC ranks third, with Lee Je Hoon also securing the third spot among actors. The Potato Lab holds steady at No. 4, while For Eagle Brothers rounds out the top five. Here’s the full list of the top 10 buzzworthy dramas:

• tvN – The Divorce Insurance
• SBS – Buried Hearts
• JTBC – The Art of Negotiation
• tvN – The Potato Lab
• KBS2 – For Eagle Brothers
• KBS2 – Cinderella Game
• MBC – Crushology 101
• ENA – New Recruit 3
• KBS2 – Villains Everywhere
• KBS1 – My Merry Marriage

Hyper Knife also deserves mention, with Park Eun Bin and Sul Kyung Gu ranking at No. 5 and No. 8 on the actor list, respectively.

Why These Shows Stand Out

When Life Gives You Tangerines has left a lasting mark. The drama earned a 9.4 rating on China’s DouBan platform and became the highest-rated K-drama on IMDb, surpassing hits like Squid Game and The Glory. Its 16 episodes, streaming on Netflix, garnered 6 million views and topped charts in four countries. The story, inspired by a real-life couple from Jeju Island, follows Ae-sun and Gwan-sik through decades of love and struggle.

Kim Seon-ho’s cameo as Choong-seob, IU’s love interest, added emotional depth. He shared his gratitude through his agency, Fantagio:

“I joined the sparkling world of When Life Gives You Tangerines with a fluttering heart. It was an honor to become part of a story that flows through time and changes with the seasons. Like Choong-seob, I will continue to live as someone who remains humble and true to his beliefs. To the director, writer, staff, and actors—thank you.”

The Divorce Insurance breaks from tradition with its witty take on relationships. Its rise to No. 1 reflects growing interest in stories that blend humor with real-world themes. Both dramas show the power of K-dramas to connect with global audiences.

Also Read: MBC’s ‘Undercover High School’ Stays Number One as Most Talked-About Drama While IU Claims Top Spot in Actor Rankings for Second Week in a Row

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Sources: Soompi

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