New K-Dramas Heavenly Ever After and Resident Playbook are winning over viewers with their unique stories and talented casts, climbing to their highest ratings yet. On April 20, 2025, both shows delivered standout performances, dominating their time slots and drawing huge audiences. Here’s everything you need to know about their latest success, the stories behind the dramas, and what’s driving their popularity.
Heavenly Ever After Breaks Ratings Records
Heavenly Ever After, a romantic fantasy drama on JTBC, premiered on April 19, 2025, and has quickly become a fan favorite. Its second episode, aired on April 20, scored an average nationwide rating of 6.1 percent, a jump from its debut rating of 5.8 percent. This made it the top show in its time slot across all cable channels.
The drama, directed by Kim Sok-yun and written by Lee Nam-kyu and Kim Su-jin, tells the heartfelt story of Lee Hae-sook, an elderly woman played by Kim Hye-ja, who dies at 80 and reunites with her late husband, Go Nak-joon, portrayed by Son Suk-ku, in heaven. Uniquely, Lee Hae-sook chooses to keep her 80-year-old appearance in the afterlife, inspired by her husband’s loving words that she was beautiful at every age, especially in her later years.
The cast includes Han Ji-min, Lee Jung-eun, Chun Ho-jin, and Ryu Deok-hwan, adding depth to the emotional narrative. Filming took place from June 1 to October 30, 2024, and the series airs every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 p.m. KST. It’s also available for streaming on Netflix in select regions, broadening its global reach.
“The story’s warmth and the cast’s chemistry are what make Heavenly Ever After so special. It’s a beautiful take on love and life after death.”
— Viewer comment on social media
The drama’s blend of romance, fantasy, and human connection has resonated with audiences, with netizens praising its unique premise and stellar performances:
- “Kim Hye-ja’s acting is so moving, I cried watching her reunite with her husband!”
- “The idea of choosing how you look in heaven is so fresh. Loving this drama!”
- “Son Suk-ku and Han Ji-min are perfect together. Can’t wait for more episodes!”
More Related News:
Han Ji Min’s Surprising Hug with Son Suk Ku Stirs Love Triangle in ‘Heavenly Ever After
12 Best and Enjoyable K-Dramas to Stream on OTT in April 2025
Resident Playbook Sets New Personal Best
tvN’s Resident Playbook, a spin-off of the beloved Hospital Playlist, is also soaring. On April 20, its fourth episode achieved an average nationwide rating of 5.1 percent, up from 4.5 percent for its third episode and 3.7 percent for its premiere on April 12. This marked the drama’s highest rating yet and made it the most-watched show of the entire weekend among viewers aged 20 to 49, earning a 2.9 percent rating in this key demographic.
Created by Shin Won-ho and Lee Woo-jung, written by Kim Song-hee, and directed by Lee Min-soo, the series follows the lives of first-year obstetrics and gynecology residents at the Jongno branch of Yulje Medical Center. The cast, led by Go Youn-jung as Oh Yi-young, includes Shin Si-ah as Pyo Nam-kyung, Han Ye-ji as Kim Sa-bi, Kang You-seok as Eom Jae-il, and Jung Joon-won. The show highlights their professional challenges, friendships, and growth in a department facing low birth rates.
The drama’s premiere was delayed from its planned 2024 release due to a real-life medical strike in South Korea starting in February 2024, which protested government plans to increase medical school admissions. Despite the setback, Resident Playbook debuted strongly and continues to gain momentum. It airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 p.m. KST and is available on Netflix in select regions.
The show’s relatable characters and nostalgic ties to Hospital Playlist have sparked excitement online. Cameos from Hospital Playlist stars, like Ahn Eun-jin as Choo Min-ha in episode 2 and a phone call with Yang Seok-hyung (played by Kim Dae-myung), have thrilled fans. Ra Mi-ran also appeared in episode 1 as a bank employee, adding emotional depth.
“Resident Playbook feels like coming home to Hospital Playlist, but with fresh faces. Go Youn-jung is killing it!”
— Netizen comment on X
Viewers have shared their enthusiasm for the drama’s mix of humor, heart, and medical realism:
- “The camaraderie between the residents is so fun to watch. Loving the team dynamic!”
- “That cameo from Ahn Eun-jin had me screaming. Please bring back more Hospital Playlist characters!”
- “The ratings are great, but the story is even better. This is my weekend must-watch.”
How They Compare to Other Dramas
On April 20, KBS 2TV’s For Eagle Brothers remained the top program of the night, rising to an impressive 20.7 percent nationwide rating, cementing its dominance on Sundays. Meanwhile, SBS’s The Haunted Palace, starring BTOB’s Sungjae and Cosmic Girls’s Bona, held steady with an 8.3 percent rating for its second episode, down slightly from its premiere’s 9.2 percent. MBC’s Crushology 101 struggled with a 1.1 percent rating, facing tough competition in the weekend slot.
Heavenly Ever After and Resident Playbook outperformed other cable dramas in their time slots, with Resident Playbook particularly shining among younger viewers. Posts on X reflected the excitement, with one user noting:
“#ResidentPlaybook hit 11.19% real-time rating at 10:38 PM KST! Tomorrow we’ll see 5-6% from Nielsen Korea. So proud of REPLAY TEAM!”
— @intoyounjung, April 20, 2025
Why These Dramas Are Clicking with Audiences
Both dramas have tapped into what viewers love: compelling stories and relatable characters. Heavenly Ever After offers a fresh take on love and aging, with Kim Hye-ja’s powerful performance drawing praise for its emotional depth. Its fantasy elements and universal themes of family and reunion appeal to a wide audience.
Resident Playbook builds on the Hospital Playlist legacy, blending medical drama with humor and heart. The focus on young residents navigating a challenging field resonates with viewers, especially younger ones, while cameos keep fans of the original series hooked. Its strong ratings in the 20-49 demographic show its broad appeal.
“These dramas are proof that great storytelling still wins. Heavenly Ever After makes me tear up, and Resident Playbook keeps me laughing!”
— Viewer comment online
What’s Next for These Hit Dramas
With 12 episodes each, both Heavenly Ever After and Resident Playbook have plenty of story left to tell. Heavenly Ever After will likely explore more of Lee Hae-sook’s afterlife journey and her relationships in heaven, while Resident Playbook will dive deeper into the residents’ personal and professional growth, possibly with more Hospital Playlist cameos.
Fans are already buzzing about upcoming episodes, with comments like:
- “Can’t wait to see how Lee Hae-sook’s story unfolds. Will she stay 80 forever?”
- “Resident Playbook is getting better every episode. More cameos, please!”
- “Both dramas are my weekend obsession. JTBC and tvN are killing it!”
To know the latest developments about Heavenly Ever After and Resident Playbook, keep an eye on Top K-News.
