After a long streak of humiliating ratings in the 0 to 1% range, KBS’s Wednesday-Thursday drama lineup has finally witnessed a major turnaround.
The newly premiered KBS2 drama 'The First Night With The Duke' recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 3.3% on its first episode that aired on June 11, according to Nielsen Korea. The performance sparked new hope that KBS’s primetime dramas could be revived.
Given that previous titles in the same timeslot, such as 'Kick Kick Kick Kick' and '24-Hour Health Club' had been stuck in the 0–1% range, this 3.3% is more than just a number.
In fact, the drama had a rocky start even before airing. Last December, the production team had to release an official apology after it was revealed that staff had hammered nails into the pillars of Byeongsan Seowon, a historic cultural heritage site in Andong, Gyeongbuk, to mount filming equipment. The incident expanded into a police investigation, with three staff members referred to the prosecution for violating cultural property preservation laws.
Director Lee Woong Hee bowed his head during the production press conference, saying, “We were unquestionably at fault,” and even lead actors Taecyeon and Seohyun offered apologies. The situation was so grave that even achieving a 1% rating seemed uncertain. But against all odds, the drama soared. Expectations were low, but the engagement was intense.
The first episode follows a college student named “K” who, upset by her favorite web novel going on hiatus, leaves a comment saying, “I could write something better with my left toe.” She suddenly finds herself transported into the story, inhabiting the body of a minor character named Cha Seon Chaek. While the premise suggests a light, comedic tone, the storytelling was surprisingly tight and fast-paced.
Thrown into a noble lifestyle without time to adjust, Cha Seon Chaek attends a high-society gathering called “Dahonghoe” to witness the iconic first meeting between the male and female leads. But when the villainous Do Hwa Seon insults the heroine, Jo Eun Ae, Seon Chaek diverts attention with a bizarre line: “I’d rather drink than have tea.” Her unexpected Soju Bomb (soju-beer mix) performance makes her the center of attention, and the party takes a wildly unexpected turn.
The next morning, Seon Chaek wakes up to find the male lead, Lee Beon (played by Ok Taecyeon), lying next to her. With no memory of what happened, she’s stunned—only for him to say, “You harassed me last night,” deepening the confusion. A single punchline, a plot that avoids tedious flashbacks, and cliffhanger transitions—these elements made the drama instantly binge-worthy and conversation-worthy.
The chemistry between the leads also boosted the viewer ratings. Seohyun shared that her love for the original work drove her to join the cast, saying, “The script was so gripping that I felt it would be a big mistake not to do it. When I heard Taecyeon was the male lead, I knew I had to take it.” Taecyeon added, “As soon as I heard Seohyun was involved, I agreed before even reading the script. We’ve worked together before and I trust her deeply.” Rather than a gimmick pairing of former idols, their synergy and character interpretation felt natural and stable.
Positive reactions quickly spread across online communities and social media after the broadcast. Comments included: “Insanely engaging,” “Seohyun and Taecyeon are a perfect match,” “Visuals exceeded expectations,” “This drama is way better than I thought,” and “One episode in, and I’m already locked in for the whole season.” These affirmations show the 3.3% rating was no accident. While a few criticized the premise as immature, most expressed excitement about how the chemistry and emotional depth will grow in later episodes.
In the end, 'The First Night With The Duke' overcame its early scandal by leaning into its pure entertainment value. Unlike previous KBS dramas that failed to gain traction, this show drew attention by its own merit from the very beginning.
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