Roh Jeong Eui’s latest romantic comedy drama, Crushology 101, has achieved remarkable global success, securing the top spot on streaming charts in Europe, North America, and 17 other countries. However, the series struggles domestically, with viewership ratings in South Korea dropping to a historic low of 0.9% for its second episode. Adapted from a popular Kakao Webtoon, the drama’s vibrant visuals, charming cast, and relatable storyline have resonated strongly with international audiences, creating a stark contrast with its lackluster performance at home.
The series premiered on April 11, 2025, on MBC, introducing Roh Jeong Eui as Ban Hee Jin, nicknamed Bunny, a sculpture major at Yein University navigating love and heartbreak. Despite high expectations due to its trendy cast, including Lee Chae Min and Jo Joon Young, and a webtoon fanbase boasting 170 million cumulative views, the drama has failed to capture South Korean viewers. Its global triumph, however, highlights the growing international appetite for K-dramas.
Crushology 101 debuted on April 11, 2025, with a nationwide rating of 1.3% in South Korea, according to Nielsen Korea. The second episode, aired on April 12, plummeted to 0.9%, marking one of the lowest ratings for an MBC primetime drama in the Friday-Saturday slot since its introduction in 2021. Internationally, the drama has excelled, topping streaming charts in 19 countries, including major markets in Europe and North America, as reported by Kakao Entertainment on April 16, 2025. The series ranked No. 2 overall on KOCOWA+, which serves 88 countries across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Oceania, and secured the No. 2 spot on Japan’s U-NEXT platform. It is also available on Viu in Southeast Asia and Amazon Prime Video’s Channel K in India.
Crushology 101, based on the Kakao Webtoon Bunnywa Obbadeul by Ni Eun, follows Bunny, a talented sophomore who, after a humiliating breakup with Go Bong Soo (Kim Hyun Mok), finds herself entangled with multiple attractive men, including Hwang Jae Yeol (Lee Chae Min) and Cha Ji Won (Jo Joon Young). The webtoon, serialized from September 22, 2019, to October 16, 2023, has garnered 170 million views, fueling anticipation for the adaptation. Directed by Kim Ji-hoon and written by Lee Seul and Sung So-eun, the 12-episode series targets viewers in their 20s and 30s with its lighthearted, visually appealing narrative.
Roh Jeong Eui, a rising Gen Z star known for roles in The Witch and Hierarchy, delivers a bubbly performance as Bunny, contrasting her previous cold and detached characters. Lee Chae Min, recognized from Hierarchy, plays the reserved yet warm Hwang Jae Yeol, while Jo Joon Young portrays the charming chaebol heir Cha Ji Won. Additional cast members include Hong Min Ki, Kim Hyun Jin, and Choi Bo Min, enhancing the drama’s appeal with their “webtoon-like” visuals.
Full Logistical Details
- Premiere Date: April 11, 2025, at 9:50 p.m. KST on MBC.
- Broadcast Schedule: Airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m. KST (8:50 a.m. EST, 6:20 p.m. IST).
- Streaming Platforms:
- Viki: Available globally with English, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitles.
- KOCOWA+: Accessible in 88 countries, including North America, Latin America, Europe, and Oceania.
- U-NEXT: Streaming in Japan.
- Viu: Distributed in Southeast Asia.
- Amazon Prime Video’s Channel K: Available in India.
- Episode Count: 12 episodes.
- Plot Summary: Bunny, a sculpture major, vows to prioritize looks after a disastrous first romance. Her journey involves navigating relationships with Hwang Jae Yeol, a visual design student; Cha Ji Won, a wealthy heir; and others, blending humor, romance, and self-discovery.
- Production: Produced by MBC and backed by Kakao Entertainment, leveraging the webtoon’s established fanbase.
Supporting Statistics and Records
Domestic Ratings:
- Episode 1 (April 11): 1.3% nationwide (Nielsen Korea).
- Episode 2 (April 12): 0.9% nationwide, surpassing Kokdu: Season of Deity as MBC’s lowest-rated Friday-Saturday drama premiere.
- Predecessor Undercover High School debuted at 5.6% and ended at 5.8%, highlighting Crushology 101’s domestic underperformance.
Global Performance:
- No. 1 in 19 countries, including Europe and North America, per Kakao Entertainment’s April 16 report.
- No. 2 on KOCOWA+ globally and U-NEXT in Japan.
- Released simultaneously in 106 countries, per Wikitree.
Webtoon Popularity: The original Kakao Webtoon has over 170 million cumulative views, making it a strong intellectual property for adaptation.
Comparative Context: Other K-dramas like Extraordinary Attorney Woo and The Good Bad Mother started with modest ratings but gained traction through word-of-mouth and digital platforms, suggesting potential for Crushology 101 to recover.
Public Reactions and Netizen Comments
International fans have praised the drama’s vibrant visuals and cast chemistry, with many expressing enthusiasm on social media:
“Roh Jeong-eui fits the webtoon character perfectly. I was worried about the adaptation, but it’s surprisingly fresh and fun.”
“The storyline is easy to follow and the visuals are stylish—perfect for international fans.”
“Can Bunny and Jae-yeol just start dating already? It gets better every episode!”
“I started watching just for fun, but the cast chemistry is amazing.”
“If this had aired during the Boys Over Flowers era, it would’ve been a guaranteed hit.”
On X, fans celebrated the global success while noting the domestic disconnect:
“0.9% in Korea. #1 worldwide. What did Korea miss?🌏 Now it’s topping charts across Europe, Japan, and the Americas.🔥 #Kdrama #Crushology101”
“Crushology 101 Sukses Global, Menyapu Puncak Streaming di 19 Negara Meski Kurang Populer di Korea Selatan #Crushlogy101”
Domestic critics, however, have been less kind, with some pointing to genre saturation and weak promotion:
“Between its nauseating visuals, its shallow characters and its uninspired K-drama tropes, Crushology 101 fails to entertain on any level.”
“Critics point to weak promotional efforts, genre saturation, and lack of star power as possible reasons for the dismal turnout.”
Detailed Drama Information
- Title: Crushology 101 (바니와 오빠들 / Bunnywa Obbadeul)
- Genre: Romantic comedy, campus romance
- Director: Kim Ji-hoon (Check Out the Event)
- Writers: Lee Seul (Dear M), Sung So-eun (Twenty-Twenty)
- Main Cast:
- Roh Jeong Eui as Ban Hee Jin (Bunny): A top sculpture student with a bright personality but poor romantic judgment.
- Lee Chae Min as Hwang Jae Yeol: A respected visual design student with a cold exterior and warm heart.
- Jo Joon Young as Cha Ji Won: A kind-hearted chaebol heir with secrets.
- Hong Min Ki, Kim Hyun Jin, Choi Bo Min: Additional male leads contributing to the love polygon.
- Supporting Cast: Choi Ji Su, Kim Min Chul, Nam Kyu Hee, Wang Bit Na, Kim Ji Hoon.
- Setting: Yein University, depicted with cherry blossom-filled visuals.
- Key Plot Points:
- Episode 1: Bunny’s humiliating breakup with Go Bong Soo and her awkward first encounter with Hwang Jae Yeol, where she accidentally breaks his tablet.
- Episode 2: Bunny takes notes for Jae Yeol to repay her debt, sparking tension and jealousy as romantic interests emerge.
- Unique Elements: Flips the anime harem trope with a female protagonist at the center, surrounded by multiple male suitors. Emphasizes vibrant cinematography and a “heart-fluttering visual feast.”
Crushology 101’s global success mirrors the trajectory of K-dramas like True Beauty and Business Proposal, which also leveraged webtoon adaptations and youthful casts to dominate international streaming platforms. However, its domestic ratings echo the struggles of Kokdu: Season of Deity, which similarly failed to connect with Korean audiences despite a promising premise. The drama’s international appeal aligns with the growing trend of K-dramas finding larger audiences abroad, as seen with Lovely Runner and The Atypical Family, which ranked highly on Viki and KOCOWA+.
As of April 16, 2025, Kakao Entertainment reported that Crushology 101 continues to trend on global streaming platforms, with strong viewership in 106 countries. MBC has not issued statements addressing the domestic ratings drop, but the network is reportedly banking on digital platforms and word-of-mouth to boost viewership. Episode 3 aired on April 18, 2025, at 9:50 p.m. KST, with promotional stills teasing deeper romantic developments between Bunny and her suitors.
Credits: MBC
