This K-Drama Just Made History—for All the Wrong Reasons

A recent Korean drama is making headlines—but for all the wrong reasons.

With only two episodes remaining, MBC’s weekend series Bunny and Her Boys (also known as Crushology 101) has hit a shocking low, recording below 1% viewership in five separate episodes. According to Nielsen Korea, the show’s 10th episode, aired on May 10, garnered a national rating of just 0.8%, marking yet another plunge in its already shaky broadcast run.

This makes Bunny and Her Boys the first MBC Friday-Saturday drama to repeatedly dip into the 0% range, following its premiere on April 11. Despite a modest start at 1.3%, the series quickly slid to 0.9% by episode 2. A brief uptick in episode 3 (1.5%) wasn’t enough to prevent a continued downward spiral—with later episodes fluctuating between 0.7% and 1.2%.

Another "0% Club" Member?

The drama now joins the ranks of 2023’s Kokdu: Season of Deity, another MBC title infamous for its steep viewership drop. While Kokdu once hit a low of 1.3%, Bunny and Her Boys has not only matched but surpassed that record—in the worst way.

Adding to MBC’s struggles, Bunny and Her Boys is based on a popular Kakao Webtoon with over 170 million views. Despite strong source material and a youthful cast led by Roh Jeong-eui, Lee Chae-min, Lee Ji-hoon, and Jo Jun-young, the drama has failed to gain momentum.

Plot vs. Performance

Episode 10 reached an emotional peak with lead character Bunny (played by Roh Jeong-eui) deciding to leave for the U.S. after being accepted into an overseas scholarship program. This triggers a heart-wrenching farewell with love interest Hwang Jae-yeol (Lee Chae-min), who fails to stop her at the airport. The subplot involving Cha Ji-won (Jo Jun-young), who’s also heading to New York, adds further emotional tension. Yet despite these dramatic beats, audience interest continues to wane.

Viewer responses are mixed. Some sympathize with the low ratings—“It’s a shame, the cast deserved better”—while others blame shifting viewership habits: “Most young people just stream shows now.” Still, the bottom line remains unchanged—TV ratings are steadily declining.

Broader Drama Slump

Bunny and Her Boys isn’t alone. Across Korea’s Big Three networks (MBC, KBS, SBS), several prime-time dramas are struggling. SBS’s Spring of Four Seasons dropped from 1.4% to 0.7% in just two episodes. KBS2’s Pump Up the Healthy Love (starring Jung Eun-ji and Lee Jun-young) has remained stuck in the 1% range since its April 30 debut.

The exception? SBS’s historical fantasy drama The Haunted Palace (starring Yook Sung-jae and Bona), which is soaring with ratings nearing 10%, making it the current standout on Korean broadcast TV.

What’s Next for MBC?

Bunny and Her Boys wraps up with episodes 11 and 12 in the coming weeks. Its replacement, Oh My Ghost Clients (Korean title: Labor Lawyer Noh Moo-jin), premieres May 30 and stars Jung Kyung-ho as a civil servant who can see ghosts. The comedy-fantasy series explores workplace injustices and includes Seol In-ah and Cha Hak-yeon in supporting roles.

But even this new series faces a tough road ahead—it will premiere just as The Haunted Palace airs its finale, possibly overshadowing MBC’s fresh attempt.

Can MBC’s Friday-Saturday dramas bounce back? All eyes are on the next two weeks.

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