Drama Ranking for 1st Week of May

tvN’s Lovely Runner has taken over the top spot previously dominated by Queen of Tears . The show’s stars Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon secured the top two spots in the cast rankings, thanks to their kiss scene in episode eight and the subsequent behind-the-scenes video. While the series maintains a modest 4% viewership rating, its online buzz is unmatched. MBC’s Chief Detective 1958 claimed second place. Despite steady popularity, the show’s performance falls short of initial expectations. The direction feels outdated, the story lacks intrigue, and the romance, instead of adding to the excitement, detracts from it. JTBC’s Frankly Speaking and The Atypical Family debuted in third and fourth place, respectively. Frankly Speaking may feature familiar setups, but Ko Kyung Pyo’s comedic timing and chemistry with Kang Hanna earned praise. Meanwhile, The Atypical Family has been lauded as a well-made drama right from its first week. Audiences appreciated the show’s unique concept, enhanced by strong direction and music.

K-Dramas to Watch While You Wait for the Next Episode of ‘Lovely Runners’

  1. tvN Lovely Runner (Share 60.52%)
  2. MBC Chief Detective 1958 (Share 6.18%)
  3. JTBC Frankly Speaking (Share 4.71%)
  4. JTBC The Atypical Family (Share 4.63%)
  5. KBS Beauty and Mr. Romantic (Share 2.77%)
  6. Netflix Goodbye Earth (Share 2.60%)
  7. Disney Plus Blood Free (Share 2.48%)
  8. SBS The Escape of the Seven: Resurrection (Share 2.47%)
  9. MBC The Third Marriage (Share 2.14%)
  10. MBN Missing Crown Prince (Share 1.67%)
  1. Byeon Woo Seok, Lovely Runner (Share 25.46%)
  2. Kim Hye Yoon, Lovely Runner (Share 23.52%)
  3. Ko Kyung Pyo, Frankly Speaking (Share 2.83%)
  4. Jang Ki Yong, The Atypical Family (Share 2.64%)
  5. Chun Woo Hee, The Atypical Family (Share 2.56%)
  6. Lee Je Hoon, Chief Detective 1958 (Share 2.12%)
  7. Song Geon Hee, Lovely Runner (Share 1.90%)
  8. Im Soo Hyang, Beauty and Mr. Romantic (Share 1.68%)
  9. Kang Hanna, Frankly Speaking (Share 1.55%)
  10. Lee Seung Hyub, Lovely Runner (Share 1.49%)

Non-Drama Ranking for 1st Week of May

Park Sung Hoon topped the cast rankings after his appearance on tvN’s You Quiz on the Block . He candidly shared stories of his challenging upbringing and lengthy struggle as an unknown actor, garnering viewer support. Mijoo, recently revealed to be dating Song Bum Keun, landed in sixth place. Her public relationship became a hot topic on Hangout with Yoo , drawing significant attention.

  1. Coupang Play SNL Korea Season 5 (Share 5.04%)
  2. JTBC A Clean Sweep (Share 4.59%)
  3. tvN You Quiz on the Block (Share 3.77%)
  4. ENA/SBS Plus I Am Solo (Share 3.43%)
  5. JTBC/Wavve My Sibling’s Romance (Share 3.31%)
  6. MBC I Live Alone (Share 3.26%)
  7. MBN Korea-Japan Singing Contest ( Share 2.94%)
  8. Mnet I-LAND2 : N/a (Share 2.88%)
  9. SBS Running Man (Share 2.37%)
  10. KBS Gag Concert (Share 2.34%)
  1. Park Sung Hoon, You Quiz on the Block (Share 2.23%)
  2. Gian 84, SNL Korea Season 5 (Share 1.87%)
  3. Dustin Nippert, A Clean Sweep (Share 1.50%)
  4. Ryu Soo Young, Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant (Share 1.20%)
  5. Kim Yun Jee, Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 – You Are My Destiny (Share 1.06%)
  6. Mijoo, Hangout with Yoo (Share 1.02%)
  7. Jeon Hyun Moo, I Live Alone (Share 0.95%)
  8. Kim Seung Soo, My Little Old Boy (Share 0.93%)
  9. Yoo Jae Suk, Hangout with Yoo (Share 0.87%)
  10. Jihyo, I Live Alone (Share 0.87%)

Source ( 1 )

Edited by Seo Hayne Translated by Yu Jin Kim

What choice would you make if you had the chance to save your favorite idol? Lovely Runner has been receiving positive reviews for its story of a fan who travels back in time to save an idol who has lost his will to live. This article introduces 5 dramas that depict romance between a star and a non-celebrity, similar to Lovely Runner .

Fanletter, Please! (2022)

Fanletter, Please! is a romantic comedy about a top star whose career takes a nosedive when a scandalous rumor explodes online, accusing her of throwing away a fan letter from her special fan. Han Kang Hee (Choi Soo Young) has been beloved since childhood, but as her popularity grows, so do the envious stares and hopes for her downfall. Bang Jeong Suk (Yoon Park) pens a fake letter to fulfill his daughter’s heartfelt wish of receiving a reply from her favorite idol, Kang Hee. Kang Hee and Jeong Suk meet as a star and a fan’s parent, but it turns out that the two were each other’s first love in high school. The drama naturally depicts the world of show business surrounding Kang Hee and the romance with Jeong Suk, who reunites through a fan letter, bringing both fun and emotion.

Doona! (2023)

Doona! follows an ordinary college student named Won Jun (Yang Se Jong) and a retired idol singer named Doona (Suzy) who meet at a shared house. Based on a popular webtoon, the drama garnered attention from its casting stage with idol-turned-singer Suzy taking on the role of Doona. It depicts the unlikely connection between two people – a celebrated idol and a student – who have lived vastly different lives despite their similar ages. As they navigate their encounters, they develop a growing understanding and blossoming feelings. Suzy and Yang Se Jong’s performances received positive responses, with Suzy drawing on her experience as a member of Miss A to embody Doona, and Yang Se Jong meticulously portraying Won Jun’s inner turmoil sparked by his encounters with Doona.

Suzy Talks About Ending of ‘Doona!’ and Her Chemistry With Yang Se Jong

The Heavenly Idol (2023)

The Heavenly Idol is a fantasy drama that blends K-pop with a unique isekai setting. The story follows Rembrary, the High Priest who serves as the voice of God in another world, who finds himself waking up in the body of Woo Yeon Woo, a struggling idol singer, one morning. Kim Min Kyu plays both Rembrary and Woo Yeon Woo, hilariously portraying the High Priest’s struggles between his beliefs and his newfound idol status, along with his unpredictable words and actions. The drama stands out by adding a romance between Kim Dal (Go Bo Gyeol), a fan and manager, to the original web novel’s premise of an “idol-turned-High Priest’s sacred and chaotic adaptation to the entertainment industry.”

Shooting Stars (2022)

Shooting Stars takes viewers behind the dazzling lights of the entertainment industry, focusing on the tireless workers who make the stars shine. It’s a captivating blend of the busy world of show business and a heartwarming love story. Lee Sung Kyung stars as Oh Han Byeol, the talented head of Star Force Entertainment’s PR team. Her biggest challenge is Gong Tae Sung (played by Kim Young-dae), a top actor at the agency and her sworn nemesis. Sparks fly whenever Han Byeol and Tae Sung clash over work, keeping their colleagues entertained with their constant bickering. But what no one knows is that these two actually have a history. Back in college, they were both school promotional models and secretly harbored crushes on each other. Unfortunately, Tae Sung’s rising fame drove a wedge between them, leaving Han Byeol heartbroken. Now, fate brings them back together, and they finally find themselves falling for each other after years of misunderstandings. As their relationship blossoms, viewers can’t help but root for this unlikely couple.

Let Me Be Your Knight (2021)

Let Me Be Your Night is a romantic drama about an idol with sleepwalking disorder and a doctor who secretly treats him. Lee Jun Young, Kim Jong Hyun, Yoon Ji Sung, and Kim Dong Hyun play the members of the popular idol band LUNA in the drama. Jung In Sun plays the role of Yoon Joo Joo, a tour guide who becomes the live-in doctor for the leader of the famous idol band. The drama deals with the struggles and difficulties of being a popular idol without making the plot too heavy and serious. It also explores the dreams and love of youth. The drama has been praised for its realistic portrayal of idol culture and the excellent OST sung by the idol cast members.

Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.