tvN is a cable channel of Korea and its dramas are popular in and out of Korea. The channel has quite a lot of hit dramas on its record. The channel keeps on having high ratings with interesting plots and Hallyu actors in its cast.

Here is a list of the tvN dramas with the highest ratings up until now (all years) (updated article).

 

1. "Crash Landing On You" - 21.7%

The drama "Crash Landing On You" (2019-2020) with Hyun Bin and Son YeJin makes tvN history by breaking the record of its highest ratings. With the final episode of the drama, the drama ratings reached 21.7%. The love story of the North Korean soldier and South Korean chaebol hooked the country.

 

2. "Queen of Tears" - 20.7%

The awaited K-Drama "Queen of Tears" (2024) with top Hallyu stars Kim SooHyun and Kim JiWon started with 5.9% and reached impressive ratings of 20.7% with episode 12.  Viewers are hooked and the drama went viral for its story and amazing acting. It is still airing.

 

3. "Goblin" - 20.5%

The drama "Goblin" also titled "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" aired in 2016-2017 starring Gong Yoo, Kim GoEun, Lee DongWook and more. In and out of Korea, the drama was extremely popular. There was definitely a "Goblin craze". The final episode of the drama reached its highest personal ratings at 20.5%. "Goblin" held the record of tvN best ratings until "Crash Landing on You" broke it.

 

4. "Reply 1988" - 18.8%

The "Replies" series were popular and "Reply 1988" (2015-2016) was the most popular. The last episode reached 18.8%. Girl's Day's HyeRi, Park BoGum, Go KyungPyo, Ryu JunYeol and Lee DongHwi acted in the drama.

 

5. "Mr. Sunshine" - 18.1%

The historical drama "Mr. Sunshine" (2018) with Lee ByungHun and Kim TaeRi had a huge budget and it received a lot of love in and outside of Korea. The drama scored 18.1% of ratings on its last episode.

 

6. "Mr. Queen" - 17.4%

The comedy historical drama "Mr. Queen" (2020-2021) starring Shin HyeSun and Kim JungHyun was also popular. The drama started at 8.0% and kept on increasing its ratings up to 17.4% for the final episode.

 

7. "Crash Course In Romance" - 17%

The romance drama "Crash Course in Romance" (2023) starred Jeon DoYeon and Jung KyungHo. The drama started with 4.0% but gained a lot of popularity week after week with its love story, elite education, and scandals. The drama reached 17% with its last episode.

 

8. "Under The Queen's Umbrella" - 16.852%

The historical drama "Under The Queen's Umbrella" (2022) starred Kim HyeSoo, Kim HaeSook, Choi WonYoung, Moon SangMin, SF9's Chani, Yoo SeonHo, Kim MinGi, and more. It was a hit drama. Starting at 7.6%, the drama kept on gaining viewers and reached 16.852% with its last episode. The story of the queen, her sons, and all the political schemes passionated.

9. "Vincenzo" - 14.6%

The black comedy drama "Vincenzo" (2021) starring Song JoongKi, Jeon YeoBeen, 2PM's Ok TaecYeon, Kim YeoJin, and Kwak DongYeon was popular. The drama was also available on Netflix at the same time. The drama started at 7.7% and ended at 14.6%. Viewers have been stunned by the amazing acting and the catchy storyline of a mafia consigliere getting rid of the bad guys.

 

10. "Our Blues" - 14.6%

The life drama "Our Blues" (2022) starring Lee ByungHun, Shin MinA, Han JiMin, Kim WooBin, Cha SeoungWon, and Lee JungEun gathered a lot of interest with its touching story and its talented cast. The drama started at 7.3% and ended at 14.6%.

 

11. "100 Days My Prince" - 14.4%

The comedy historical drama "100 Days My Prince" (2018) starring EXO’s D.O. and Nam JiHyun was also one of the most popular dramas of tvN. The last episode of the drama reached 14.4%.

 

12. "Hospital Playlist" - 14.1%

The drama "Hospital Playlist" (2020) with Jo JungSuk, Yoo YeonSeok, Jung KyungHo, and Kim DaeMyung was popular. The drama kept increasing in ratings and reached 14.1% with its last episode. The story of these close friends working at the hospital had interested many.

 

13. "Signal" - 12.5%

The drama "Signal" (2016) with Lee JeHoon, Kim HyeSoo, and Choi JinWoong was also a hit. The drama reached 12.5% of ratings with its last episode. This drama is often mentioned as one of the best K-Dramas in the international K-Drama community.

 

14. “Hotel del Luna"- 12%

IU and Yeo JinGoo addicted viewers to the ghosty fantasy drama “Hotel del Luna”. The drama was so popular that many are hoping for a second season. The drama reached 12.0% on its last episode.

 

15. "Marry My Husband" - 12.0%

The 2024 drama "Marry My Husband" based on a web novel and webtoon was a hit. With Park MinYoung, Na InWoo, Lee YiKyung, Song HaYoon, and Highlight's Lee GiKwang, the revenge drama caught attention from the start with 5.2%. It continuously grabbed viewers' attention until reaching 12.0% with its last episode.

 

Reflecting on the 1st week of April, the K-Drama landscape sparkled with series that intricately spun enchanting narratives and introduced memorable characters. These shows infused an additional layer of thrill into the new year, transforming the first week of April into a period brimming with endearing on-screen tales.

By the use of extensive data collection that involves analyzing netizen's reactions to various online platforms such as news websites, online communities, social media platforms, and videos, Good Data Corporation shows an insight into the Korean entertainment industry by providing a weekly ranking of the most talked about actors and dramas in Korea.
Wondering which K-Dramas and actors are trending in Korea at the moment? Read on to find out!

 

Hottest Korean Drama (On TV & OTT) For The 1st Week of April

The most talked about drama was...

"Queen of Tears"

The K-Drama "Queen of Tears" first aired on March 9th, and it has since found its way to the top of the most-talked-about ranking. Viewers are enjoying the outstanding cast, laugh-til-your-stomach-hurts moments, and captivating plot of the series, raising anticipation for the next episodes.

Here is the full ranking of the Hottest Korean Dramas for the 1st Week of April:

1. "Queen of Tears"

2. "Parasyte: The Grey"

3. "Wonderful World"

4. "Wedding Impossible"

5. "The Escape of Seven: Resurrection" 

6. "Lovely Runner"

7. "Beauty and Mr. Romantic"

8. "Nothing Uncovered"

9. "Hide"

10. "The Impossible Heir"

 

Hottest Korean Actor (On TV & OTT) For The 1st Week of April

The most talked about Korean actor was...

Kim JiWon - "Queen of Tears"

Kim JiWon has topped the ranking again. She has been receiving praise as one of the most popular K-Drama actresses of the moment. Her acting in the drama has been the talk of the town and fan communities.

Here is the full ranking of the Hottest Korean Actors for the 1st week of April:

1. Kim JiWon - "Queen of Tears"

2. Kim SooHyun - "Queen of Tears"

3. Park SungHoon - "Queen of Tears"

4. Kwak DongYeon - "Queen of Tears"

5. ASTRO's Cha EunWoo - "Wonderful World"

6. Kim NamJoo - "Wonderful World"

7. Jun JongSeo - "Wedding Impossible"

8. Moon SangMin - "Wedding Impossible"

9. Kim JungNan - "Queen of Tears"

10. Lee JooBin - "Queen of Tears"

It looks like "Queen of Tears" generated quite the buzz (again) in the first week of April. Other popular dramas included "Parasyte: The Grey", "Wonderful World", and more.

Make sure to check out these shows and their talented cast members!

“Queen Of Tears” is one of the hottest K-Dramas currently on air, praised for its ability to tap into a spectrum of different emotions from the viewer. At the helm of is Kim SooHyun and Kim JiWon, two stars with a prolific and proven career. Many can agree that they put on an acting masterclass with every new episode.

They portray the love story of Baek HyunWoo (Kim SooHyun) and Hong HaeIn (Kim JiWon) so beautifully, that despite the constant strife these two characters experience, you can’t help but smile at the amount of love they have for one another.

Some K-Dramas have a knack for taking the most overdone tropes and going the extra mile to put a new spin on it. “Queen Of Tears” does just that, completely immersing viewers into a world of entertainment and joy.

Now, let’s take a look at some of the tropes “Queen Of Tears” employs to captivate audiences worldwide.

 

Love Triangle

The classic love triangle is a trope many K-Dramas employ to shake up the relationship between the main leads and propel them closer to their happy ending. And at times, the third party can infect viewers with a case of “second lead syndrome”, making it hard to choose who you want to end up as the final couple.

However, in the case of “Queen Of Tears”, while the inclusion of Yoon EunSeong (Park SungHoon), does complete the triangle, he isn’t your typical second lead. He portrays an unhealthy obsession with Hong HaeIn that has both audiences and characters keeping a far distance from him. While many love triangles can be wholesome and sweet, the one presented in “Queen Of Tears” is anything but.

 

Life Endangering Sickness

At one point in time, K-Dramas were a breeding ground for hospital visits, diagnoses of “three months to live”, and bed ridden main leads. Some netizens voiced their distaste for this trope, feeling like it was just too overdone. And while “Queen Of Tears” does employ this, the drama immerses you to the point that it just feels like a natural part of the story — which it very much is.

There’s a natural build up to Hong HaeIn’s discovery of her brain tumor and her breaking the news to Baek HyunWoo. And due to her strong will to live, at times it doesn’t even seem like she’s at risk of death. However, the way the tvN drama portrays this life-endangering condition ties it so deeply within the plot and uses it as a vehicle of growth for the characters. While they do experience moments of pain and heartache, Baek HyunWoo and Hong HaeIn grow as both individuals and as a couple, due to HaeIn’s health condition.

 

An (Un)Typical Chaebol Family

Typically, chaebol families never leave the best impression. Due to their immense wealth and high social status, they can be arrogant and undermine the people who work below. And in a way, the Hong family totally fits into this stereotype. While in a position of power, they totally revel in their chaebol status, making every effort to utilize it to its fullest.

Despite this, however, there are glimpses of their humanness and vulnerability. Most notably in the recent episodes, we see them stripped of their luxuries. The Hong family is forced into the countryside without the usual comforts they’ve become so accustomed to. However, they slowly begin to embrace their fall from grace and show signs of adaption to their situation. Combined with their quirky personalities, they become a chaebol family that you begin to love and cheer for.

 

Fated Lovers

Baek HyunWoo and Hong HaeIn’s love story after marriage hasn’t been an easy one. It’s filled with misunderstanding, pain, and incredible loss that becomes the wedge between their happy relationship. Although it ends in divorce, their love manages to remain intact, only becoming stronger with time. And we eventually learn that their history runs deeper than imagined.

Connected by a red string of fate and having briefly met during high school, it seems their meeting was bound to happen one way or another. With how much this trope is done, it can be easy to grow tired of it and scoff at its inclusion. However, everything from the build up to the reveal of their first meeting made audiences feel completely invested, hoping they realize their connection sooner rather than later. Watching them unravel a fate that started during their adolescence is heartwarming and sweet, making you excited for what might happen next.

While these tropes can certainly be overdone, “Queen Of Tears” navigates them in such an intriguing and magical way that will you glued to your seat while watching everything play out.

Do you have a favorite trope from the hit K-Drama “Queen Of Tears”?