SBS’s fantasy romance drama The Haunted Palace continues to dominate Friday nights, while MBC’s Crushology 101 struggles to gain traction as it enters its second half. On May 2, 2025, The Haunted Palace secured an average nationwide rating of 8.8 percent, maintaining its position as the most-watched miniseries of the week, while Crushology 101 recorded a low 0.8 percent rating.
Strong Performance of The Haunted Palace
The Haunted Palace, starring Yook Sungjae of BTOB and Kim Ji Yeon (Bona) of WJSN, premiered on April 18, 2025, on SBS. The drama, a historical fantasy romance, follows Yoon Gap, a palace official possessed by an ancient Imoogi spirit, and Yeo Ri, a shaman’s granddaughter who abandoned her mystical path. The series blends royal intrigue, supernatural elements, and romance, captivating viewers with its eerie storyline and strong performances.
The drama kicked off with a stellar 9.2 percent rating for its first episode, peaking at 10.7 percent, marking the highest premiere rating for an SBS drama in 2025. Its third episode hit a high of 9.3 percent, and the fourth episode scored 9.2 percent. On May 2, the fifth episode earned 8.8 percent, securing first place in its time slot across all channels. The show also topped Netflix Korea’s charts and ranked on Netflix’s Top 10 in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
The drama’s success is attributed to its engaging plot and the chemistry between Yook Sungjae and Kim Ji Yeon. Netizens have praised the series for its jump scares and visuals. One viewer on MyDramaList wrote:
Loving the haunted palace. Rating should be higher.
This is surprisingly good tbh. Im hooked.
Directed by Yoon Sung Shik, known for Mr. Queen, and written by Yoon Soo Jung, the series features a strong supporting cast, including Kim Ji Hoon, Shin Seul Ki, Kim Sang Ho, Son Byong Ho, and Gil Hae Yeon. It airs every Friday and Saturday at 21:50 KST.
Crushology 101 Struggles to Connect
Crushology 101, airing on MBC in the same time slot, began its second half on May 2 with a disappointing 0.8 percent rating, its lowest so far. The Viu Original drama, adapted from a popular webtoon, is a romantic comedy starring Roh Jeong Eui, Lee Chae Min, and Cho Jun Young. It follows Ban Hee Jin (Bunny), a sculpture student navigating a love triangle with Hwang Jae Yeol, a kind design student, and Cha Ji Won, a charming chaebol heir.
The drama premiered on April 11 with a 1.3 percent rating, but its second episode dropped to a shocking 0.9 percent, the lowest for an MBC drama. Its highest rating was 1.5 percent for the third episode. The fifth episode scored 1.1 percent, and the sixth episode ended the first half at 0.9 percent. Despite global streaming on platforms like Viki and Kocowa across 106 countries, the drama has failed to resonate with Korean audiences.
Critics note that viewers struggle to connect with the storyline and feel the chemistry between the leads. The show’s modern take on the Boys Over Flowers trope, filled with cute moments and campus romance, has not translated into higher ratings. Netizens have expressed mixed sentiments. One user commented on MyDramaList:
The cast is great, but the story feels flat. It’s not clicking.
The drama, directed by Kim Sang Hwi, has five episodes left to turn its fortunes around. It airs on Fridays and Saturdays at 21:50 KST.
Viewer Reactions and Social Media Buzz
The Haunted Palace has sparked positive reactions online. Fans on X have celebrated its consistent ratings. A post from @jiyeonbonafiles on April 27 noted:
“… ‘THP’ recorded a peak viewership rating of 10.5%, 8.8% in the metropolitan area, 9.2% nationwide, … not only ranking first in viewership ratings for the second consecutive week, but also taking an overwhelming first place in the Sat miniseries battle”
Another user, @soompi, posted on May 3:
“#TheHauntedPalace” Maintains No. 1 Ratings As “#Crushology101” Kicks Off 2nd Half
In contrast, Crushology 101 has received less enthusiasm. A post from @AhmedKdrama2 on May 3 stated:
Competitive Landscape
Both dramas face competition from JTBC’s Heavenly Ever After and tvN’s Resident Playbook. On April 26, Heavenly Ever After scored 6.0 percent, while Resident Playbook earned 4.8 percent, both achieving their highest Saturday ratings. The Haunted Palace outperformed these cable shows, solidifying its dominance in the Friday-Saturday slot.
Also Read: Crushology 101 Episodes 3 & 4 Recap: Love Triangles and Drunken Confessions Shake Up the Story
Current Status
As of May 4, 2025, The Haunted Palace remains a viewer favorite, maintaining strong ratings and streaming popularity. The drama’s mix of fantasy, romance, and mystery continues to draw audiences. Meanwhile, Crushology 101 faces challenges in boosting its viewership with its remaining episodes. Fans are watching closely to see if the romantic comedy can regain momentum.
CREDITS: Nielsen Korea
