tvN’s weekend drama 'Our Unwritten Seoul' has come to a grand conclusion. Despite a quiet start, the series steadily gained traction through word of mouth, eventually achieving a peak rating of 10.3% in its finale, a successful ending both in numbers and emotional impact.
More than just a romance or family drama, 'Our Unwritten Seoul' delivered a heartfelt message about “learning to love oneself,” leaving a lasting impression as a well-made healing drama.
The final episode, aired on June 28, depicted characters who had lived with emotional wounds finally facing their pasts, comforting one another, and standing at new beginnings. Yoo Mi Ji (played by Park Bo Young) left behind her period of confusion, successfully entered university, and set her sights on becoming a counseling psychologist. Lee Ho Soo (played by Park Jin Young) embraced his reality of hearing loss and found the courage to live his own life. The two quietly shared love and support, creating a deeply moving moment.
Meanwhile, Yoo Mi Rae (also played by Park Bo Young) left her job and found success growing strawberries in the countryside, proving her potential. Han Se Jin (Ryu Kyung Soo) returned from abroad and reunited with Yoo Mi Rae, adding a touch of romantic excitement. Other characters also healed and prepared for fresh starts, with a particularly emotional scene featuring Grandma Kang Wol Soon (Cha Mi Kyung) peacefully accepting the end of her long life.
The finale’s ratings hit 9% average and 10.3% peak in the Seoul metropolitan area, with national averages at 8.4% and a peak of 9.4%. Among tvN’s core 2049 demographic, the drama reached 3.9% average and 4.4% peak in Seoul, and 4.2% average and 4.7% peak nationwide, topping all channels, including major broadcasters, in its time slot. (Based on Nielsen Korea's paid platform data)
The drama's widespread love stemmed from its ability to blend empathy and healing into each character’s storyline. Centered on the unique premise of twin sisters, Park Bo Young delivered an impressive performance by playing four distinct roles. Her portrayal of Yoo Mi Ji and Yoo Mi Rae, who are visually identical but emotionally opposite, deepened immersion and invited viewers to follow their growth not just as observers, but as emotional companions. Park Jin Young also received praise for his subtle yet powerful performance, portraying Ho Soo’s quiet patience and tenderness with restrained emotion. Ryu Kyung Soo brought vibrancy to the story with his stable acting, while veteran actors like Jang Young Nam, Kim Sun Young, and Won Mi Kyung added further depth.
Screenwriter Lee Kang proved that even the smallest narratives of daily life can resonate deeply. With a warm, delicate lens, the story gently explored discomfort in relationships, fears of growth, and self-perception. Each character’s transformation was quietly compelling, with even individual lines of dialogue offering moments of comfort. Directors Park Shin Woo and Nam Geon also drew attention for their skillful direction, contrasting settings between Seoul and Dooson-ri, smooth transitions between past and present, and meticulous use of lighting, props, and color palettes shaped the show’s emotional tone. The directing brought out the actors' emotions and elevated the show’s quality with thoughtful editing and music.
During its run, 'Our Unwritten Seoul' consistently ranked high in both TV and OTT buzz indices, with accumulated video views surpassing 200 million. On social media and online communities, viewer reviews like “a drama of a lifetime,” “we need Season 2,” and “pure healing” fueled word-of-mouth popularity. Even after its conclusion, second-wave content, including scene replays, shared quotes, and OST playlists, continues to spread online.
In her closing remarks, Park Bo Young said, “The time I spent with 'Our Unwritten Seoul' will stay with me for a long time,” adding, “Like the twin sisters who understood each other best, I hope this story can bring comfort to someone else.” Park Jin Young shared, “I’m grateful this was my first project after discharge,” and said that playing Ho Soo, a character with such a kind and gentle gaze, left a lasting mark on him.
Ultimately, 'Our Unwritten Seoul' resonated with audiences not just through its ratings but through the emotional rewards of empathy and comfort. The show invited viewers to reflect on the 'unknown' and 'future' selves within us all, becoming a story of healing in its truest form.
Viewers of the finale responded passionately with comments like, “Park Bo Young’s acting was incredible,” “Looking forward to Season 2,” “The names Mi Ji and Mi Rae were so fitting,” “Truly a well-made drama,” “Total healing, I’m still emotional,” “A drama that really comforted me,” “Thank you for this life-changing series,” “Every moment was precious,” and “I need to rewatch this masterpiece.”
The baton of emotion now passes to tvN’s next weekend drama 'Law and the City,' premiering on July 5. Starring Lee Jong Suk and Moon Ga Young, 'Law and the City' is a courtroom psychological drama that promises to delve into the gray areas of law, justice, and human nature. While 'Our Unwritten Seoul' gently comforted the valleys of the heart, 'Law and the City' is set to explore fundamental understanding within sharp truths.
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