Credit: KBS, tvN
KBS’s highly anticipated weekend series Twelve has stumbled in the ratings, falling well behind tvN’s Bon Appétit, Your Majesty , led by YoonA.
According to Nielsen Korea, the August 31st broadcast of Twelve recorded just 3.1% nationwide viewership. In the same time slot, tvN’s Bon Appétit, Your Majesty hit 11.1%, marking its highest numbers to date.
The matchup was closely watched before airing, as KBS attempted a new strategy by stacking its traditional weekend drama with a Saturday-Sunday miniseries. Twelve drew major buzz as Ma Dong Seok’s first small-screen project in nearly a decade, backed by a star-studded cast including Park Hyung Sik, Seo In Guk, Sung Dong Il, and Lee Joo Been. Its premiere on August 23rd landed at 8.1%, compared to Bon Appétit’s modest 4.9% debut, suggesting KBS’s gamble might pay off.
But momentum shifted quickly. Twelve tumbled to 5.9% by episode 2, then 4.2% and finally 3.1% by episode 4, weighed down by lukewarm reviews. Meanwhile, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty surged upward: 6.6% (episode 2), 7.6% (episode 3), and 11.1% (episode 4), crossing into double digits in just two weeks and widening the gap dramatically.
Adding to KBS’s woes, Twelve also lagged behind SBS’s Friday-Saturday drama The Winning Try , which wrapped August 30th at 6.4%. Its upcoming replacement, Queen Mantis , starring Go Hyun Jung and Jang Dong Yoon, premieres September 5th, signaling even tougher competition ahead.
‘Twelve’ Stars Share Key Viewing Points for K-Action Series
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