'Mary Kills People,' starring Lee Bo Young, Lee Min Ki, and Kang Ki Young, is facing a decrease in viewership ratings in just the third episode.
The drama, which premiered on August 1, started with a nationwide household rating of 3.2% (Nielsen Korea), and has been showing a steady decline. By the second episode, the rating had dropped to 2.1%, and it has now recorded 1.8% in the third episode.
Industry insiders cite the 19+ (rated R) rating as one of the key reasons for the viewership rating decline. While its bold storytelling and strong thematic focus give it a unique edge, the mature rating limits accessibility, reducing its mass appeal. In the Friday-Saturday prime time slot, which often draws many family viewers, such a high age restriction inevitably narrows the target audience.
Bold topic about assisted death
The drama tells the story of a doctor who helps terminally ill patients end their lives, and a detective tracking her down. It tackles ethical dilemmas and moral conflicts on the edge of life and death, drawing attention with its provocative theme.
The main character, Woo So Jung (played by Lee Bo Young), is a doctor who saves lives but also assists those who choose death. Lee Min Ki plays Ban Ji Hoon, a detective who goes undercover as a terminally ill patient, delivering dramatic plot twists.
Ratings are stagnant despite stellar acting and direction
Lee Bo Young has earned praise once again for her restrained yet charismatic and compassionate performance. Viewers have praised, "Lee Bo Young is exceptional at playing doctor roles," and "She has an excellent eye for scripts." Lee Min Ki also delivers a powerful performance, portraying both the tension of an undercover op and the inner struggles as an individual. Kang Ki Young balances out the drama's pacing through light comedic breaks.
Director Park Joon Woo has enhanced the viewer experience through mise-en-scène and visual devices. He has been lauded for his cinematography and for bringing memorable scenes, such as underwater sequences evoking trauma, the hospital fire scene, and the scene where a detective stops a vehicle.
Relatable yet emotional episodes
While the overall message of the show is heavy, its episodes resonate with real-life situations. The episodes have delivered stories of an elderly man spending his final moments peacefully at his favorite beach, a national soccer hero who sought relief from pain without telling his family, and a young woman who, after being diagnosed as terminally ill, made her first and last confession before dying in her father’s arms.
Potential rebound in viewership ratings
The production team has hinted that "Episode 5 will bring a game-changing twist and meaningful stories" and hopes it will be "a time for viewers to laugh, cry, and reflect together."
Additionally, there has been a positive reaction to episode 4, with viewers sharing reactions on social media. They left comments such as, "Episode 4’s insane plot twist," "Definitely watching live next week," and "This drama really makes you think," showing growing anticipation.
SEE ALSO: Fans express disappointment in IVE's latest concept
SHARE
