Underrated on TV, Now a Global Sensation on Netflix — The K-Drama Everyone’s Talking About

A Korean drama that once struggled with ratings barely over 1% on television is now making headlines after shooting to the top of Netflix’s charts. Tastefully Yours, an original series from KT Genie TV that aired on ENA, has become a surprise success after its Netflix release—ranking No.1 in Netflix Korea’s Top 10 series list as of May 15.

According to FlixPatrol, the series also climbed to No.2 among all Netflix TV shows globally and became the most-watched show in 23 countries, including Hong Kong and Indonesia. What once failed to gain attention on traditional TV has now found a massive audience through streaming, highlighting the dramatic shift in viewer behavior from broadcast to OTT platforms like Netflix and YouTube.

Tastefully Yours centers around a blossoming romance between Han Beom-woo (played by Kang Ha-neul), a corporate heir who buys out small restaurants to inherit his family’s food company, and chef Mo Yeon-joo (played by Go Min-si), who runs a nameless, one-table restaurant in Jeonju.

Initially, expectations were low. The show struggled with dismal TV ratings during its broadcast run. But on Netflix, Tastefully Yours is getting a completely different reception. It’s now being praised as a case study in how underperforming content can thrive when given a second chance on the right platform—underscoring the ongoing transformation in how Korean viewers consume content.

Fans who discovered the show online left comments like, “No one plays a quirky character like Kang Ha-neul,” “Go Min-si’s acting is so flavorful,” and “If Kang Ha-neul’s in it, I’m watching.” Others praised it as “the kind of cozy drama we’ve been missing lately.”

Even older viewers are now shifting away from TV, preferring to binge dramas via OTT and YouTube. As a result, traditional network shows are facing record-low viewership. Recent examples include MBC’s Crushology 101, SBS’s Spring of Four Seasons, and KBS’s Kick Kick Kick Kick—all struggling around the 1% mark.

In the past, a drama that failed to cross 10% TV ratings would be considered a flop. But in today’s OTT-driven landscape, audiences are more ruthless and discerning. Uninteresting content is quickly abandoned, and the platform's strength often determines a show’s success.

With this shift in power, more Korean production companies are now focusing on Netflix over local platforms. Netflix currently boasts over 14 million monthly active users in South Korea—more than double the numbers for local services like Coupang Play and TVING.

Still, this growing dominance has raised concerns. If Netflix continues to consolidate its position, it could lead to an over-reliance on a single platform, weakening content diversity and giving Netflix excessive control over what gets seen.

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