An anticipated drama, once aiming for a 10% viewership, has started with a disappointing 1% rating.
KBS2's highly anticipated new Wednesday-Thursday drama 'My Girlfriend is the Man' has stumbled out of the gate, earning a disappointing 1% viewership rating on its premiere episode. Despite its daring concept, trendy cast of K-pop idols, and watercolor-like cinematography, the drama’s opening numbers fell short of expectations, drawing attention to viewer reactions and its potential for a rebound.
According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode of 'My Girlfriend is the Man,' which aired on July 23, recorded a nationwide and metropolitan area rating of 1.7%. This marks a 1.6 percentage point drop compared to the 3.3% premiere rating of its predecessor 'The First Night with the Duke,' and is only about half the performance of the previous drama’s average.
Based on a webtoon, 'My Girlfriend is the Man' is a fantasy romantic comedy centered on a gender-swap premise. It tells the story of Kim Ji Eun (played by Arin), a girlfriend who suddenly transforms into a handsome young man, and her devoted boyfriend Park Yoon Jae (played by Sanha), who struggles to accept the surreal change.
In the first episode, the couple plans their first romantic trip. However, things take a shocking turn when Kim Ji Eun wakes up as a man, now appearing as Kim Ji Hoon (played by Yoo Jung Hoo). Park Yoon Jae, unable to believe what’s happening, mistakes Kim Ji Hoon for a stalker and punches him, leading to a chaotic mix of confusion, misunderstandings, and comedic moments.
With help from his older sister Kim Ji Hye (Choi Yoon Ra), Kim Ji Hoon tries to explain his new identity, while Park Yoon Jae slowly begins to uncover the truth. The episode blends fantasy elements with emotional storytelling, ending on a cliffhanger where Yoon Jae seemingly attempts to kiss Kim Ji Hoon, an ending dubbed the “heart-stopping two-shot finale.”
In the epilogue, Yoon Jae sees traces of Ji Eun in the tearful Kim Ji Hoon and delivers a powerful narration, “At that moment, I realized. This prick in front of me… is really my girlfriend, Kim Ji Eun.” The line left a strong impression on viewers.
The show walks a tightrope between youthful innocence and boundary-pushing themes. While some viewers expressed discomfort over the concept of a girlfriend turning into a man, others admitted, “I was so curious I had to watch,” and “It’s a twist I never saw coming.”
The cast includes idol-turned-actors like ASTRO’s Sanha, Oh My Girl’s Arin, and former LOONA member Chuu, who drew attention for taking on bold and fresh acting roles, including their first-ever onscreen kisses.
Notably, Yoo Jung Hoo had the challenging role of portraying Kim Ji Eun-turned-Kim Ji Hoon, a man with a woman’s inner identity, and delivered a nuanced performance switching between emotional vulnerability and playful charm. Producer Yoo Kwan Mo commented, “We cast actors based on both image and acting ability through auditions. There was no requirement that they had to be idols.” He added, “Idol actors are like superheroes. Despite their packed schedules, they stay energetic and never miss lines. Their dedication was truly impressive.”
Some have interpreted the original webtoon as having BL (Boys’ Love) elements. Anticipating such responses, Producer Yoo clarified, “We plan to include many scenes showing Kim Ji Eun through flashbacks and imagination sequences. I don’t believe people will view it as a BL drama.”
Instead, the show uses gender-swapping as a fantasy element to pose deeper questions about love, identity, and authenticity. While maintaining the emotional beats of a traditional romance, it differentiates itself with its bold theme, an approach receiving mixed but intrigued reactions.
Perhaps most striking is the 1.7% premiere rating, far below the 10% target proudly stated by the cast. Compared to the previous drama, which wrapped up in the 3% range, this debut is considered a lackluster beginning.
At the press conference, Producer Yoo emphasized, “Personally, I think buzz is more important than ratings. If things go well, we’re open to making Season 2.” Arin added, “I hope the results are good enough to earn us a reward vacation.”
Episode 2 of My Girlfriend is a Man airs at 9:50 PM on July 24 on KBS2.
SEE ALSO: ASTRO's Sanha drops ethereal concept photos for solo album 'Chameleon'
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