MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama Crushology 101 has stumbled into a rare and unfortunate milestone, recording viewer ratings in the 0% range after just two episodes, making it the lowest-rated primetime drama in the network’s history. Premiering on April 11, 2025, the youth romance drama, based on a popular Kakao webtoon, was expected to draw a strong audience but has struggled to connect with viewers, sparking discussions about its casting, storytelling, and competition in a crowded K-drama landscape.
Crushology 101 follows Ban Hee Jin, nicknamed Bunny (Roh Jeong Eui), a college freshman navigating a complex web of romantic entanglements after a traumatic first relationship. The 12-episode series features a cast of rising stars, including Lee Chae Min as Hwang Jae Yeol, Jo Jun Young as Cha Ji Won, Kim Hyun Jin as Jo Ah Rang, and Hong Min Ki. Despite its vibrant premise and fan-favorite source material, the drama debuted with a 1.3% nationwide rating for its first episode on April 11, dropping sharply to 0.9% for its second episode on April 13, according to Nielsen Korea. By its third episode on April 18, ratings reportedly dipped further into the 0% range, surpassing the previous record for low viewership set by MBC’s Kokdu: Season of Deity in 2023.
The drama’s rapid decline has drawn attention from critics and netizens alike. Allkpop reported that the show’s failure to resonate stems from a “disconnect between the show’s content and the preferences of traditional TV audiences.” Specific criticisms include awkward acting from the rookie cast, rushed storytelling, and overly bright lighting that some viewers found jarring. Fans of the original webtoon, which has been running since 2019, expressed disappointment over diluted emotional beats, with one netizen commenting on X:
“The webtoon had so much heart, but the drama feels rushed and flat. Bunny’s story deserves better!”
Others noted that the lack of A-list stars may have hindered its appeal to older viewers, as the cast primarily targets audiences in their 20s and 30s. However, some defended the drama’s fresh approach, with a viewer stating:
“I like the wholesome vibe and new faces. It’s not perfect, but it’s fun for a light binge.”
Directed by Kim Ji Hoon and written by an uncredited team adapting the Kakao webtoon Bunny and the Boys, Crushology 101 aimed to capitalize on the success of webtoon-based dramas like True Beauty. The story dives into Bunny’s romantic journey, starting with her debt-tangled connection to Hwang Jae Yeol and growing tension with Cha Ji Won, complicated by the arrival of rival Jo Ah Rang. The first episode packed in love-triangle setups and near-kiss moments, but critics argue the pacing felt chaotic, failing to build emotional depth.
The drama’s struggles come amid fierce competition. On April 13, KBS2’s Iron Family scored 17.4%, SBS’s Love Scout hit 11.4%, JTBC’s The Tale of Lady Ok reached 8.4%, MBC’s own Motel California earned 3.6%, and Channel A’s Check-In Hanyang secured 2.5%, per Nielsen Korea. Meanwhile, SBS’s Buried Hearts, which wrapped on April 13 with a peak of 17.9%, dominated as 2025’s top-rated miniseries, highlighting the high bar for success.
This isn’t the first K-drama to face such low ratings in 2025. KBS2’s Kick Kick Kick Kick, a sitcom starring Ji Jin Hee, also hit 0% for five consecutive episodes, ending its run on March 13 with a record-breaking low. Its failure was attributed to exaggerated characters and a lack of emotional resonance, despite its comedic ambitions. Similarly, tvN’s When the Stars Gossip, a high-budget space drama with Gong Hyo Jin and Lee Min Ho, dipped to 1.8% by its fifth episode in January, criticized for weak storytelling despite a 50 billion KRW budget.
Industry observers point to broader trends affecting Crushology 101’s performance. The rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, where dramas like The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call and When Life Gives You Tangerines have thrived globally, has shifted younger audiences away from traditional TV. Kpopmap noted that TVING’s Study Group ranked in the top 5 in over 140 regions on Viki, showing streaming’s international pull. Crushology 101’s terrestrial broadcast on MBC may have limited its reach, as it lacks a simultaneous streaming release on platforms like Netflix or Viki, unlike competitors such as JTBC’s Heavenly Ever After, which benefits from Netflix’s global reach.
MBC has not yet announced schedule changes for Crushology 101, but its Friday 9:50 p.m. KST slot faces an uphill battle. The drama’s third episode, aired on April 18, introduced new plot twists, with Bunny grappling with her feelings amid escalating romantic rivalries. Whether these developments can reverse the ratings slide remains uncertain. Netizens remain divided, with one X post stating:
“Episode 3 was better, but it’s too late. MBC needs to rethink their strategy for youth dramas.”
Historically, MBC’s Friday-Saturday slot, introduced in 2021, has seen mixed results, with Crushology 101 now holding the dubious distinction of its worst performance. For comparison, MBC’s Motel California peaked at 6.0% in Q1 2025, while Undercover High School ended at 5.8%, showing moderate success. The last drama to hit 0% before Crushology 101 was KBS2’s Kick Kick Kick Kick, underscoring the rarity of such a low rating.
As Crushology 101 continues, its young cast and crew face pressure to salvage the series. Roh Jeong Eui, known for 18 Again, and Lee Chae Min, from Crash Course in Romance, were expected to draw fans, but their relative inexperience in leading roles may have impacted the drama’s early reception. The latest update, as of April 18, 2025, confirms the drama’s 0% rating for its third episode, with MBC yet to comment on its future. With nine episodes remaining, the question looms: can Crushology 101 rebound, or will it cement its place in K-drama history as a cautionary tale?
Also Read: Crushology 101 Soars to No. 1 in 19 Countries Despite Korea’s Ratings Slump
Credits: Wikitree, MBC
