'My Youth' starring Song Joong Ki and Chun Woo Hee, premiered on September 5 and has been getting a mediocre response from viewers.
There was much anticipation as the drama was Song Joong Ki's comeback work, marking his return to a classic romance nearly nine years after 'Descendants of the Sun.' However, it fell short, recording ratings in the 2% range. Analysts suggest this is because the show "lacked elements that could fully capture viewers’ attention."
JTBC’s Friday series 'My Youth' tells the emotional romance of Sun Woo Hae, who started a normal life later than others, and Sung Je Yeon (played by Chun Woo Hee), who unexpectedly has to disrupt her first love’s peace. Song Joong Ki plays Sun Woo Hae, a former child star who burned through his prime too quickly and now works as a novelist and florist.
At the drama’s press conference, Song said, "The theme of reunion makes this work appealing. I believe viewers can feel the excitement, comfort, and tenderness that Sung Je Yeon and Sun Woo Hae experience when they reunite. That’s the biggest strength of our drama," expressing confidence in the project.
However, the premiere of 'My Youth' recorded nationwide paid household ratings in the 2% range, according to Nielsen Korea on September 5. This is even lower than the final episode of JTBC's preceding, 'The Nice Guy,' which had a 3% rating. On the same day, SBS’s 'Queen Mantis,' starring Go Hyun Jung, scored 7.1% in ratings, more than three times higher than My Youth. Considering Song Joong Ki’s popularity and star power, the 2% ratings were a disappointing result.
Immediately after the broadcast, some viewers expressed disappointment, saying things like, “The pairing of Song Joong Ki and Chun Woo Hee doesn’t work,” “I can’t really get immersed in it,” “The story is predictable and monotonous,” and “The acting is good, but it’s not entertaining.” While the actors’ performances were praised, the chemistry and excitement between the two leads were seen as falling short of expectations.
Culture critic Kim Heon Sik told Ten Asia, “'My Youth' lacked pull in its early episodes. 'Queen Mantis' created buzz with Go Hyun Jung playing a serial killer and filled its beginning with mystery and thriller tension. But My Youth’s story of reunited first love felt too familiar and predictable, so it lacked impact.”
Since it is still early in the broadcast, there is potential for a rebound. A broadcasting official commented, “In romance dramas, viewers tend to become more immersed in the characters’ emotions as the story progresses. Song Joong Ki’s acting skills and presence remain strong, so there’s ample room for the ratings trend to change.” Attention is now on whether Song Joong Ki can shake off the slow start and succeed in his romantic comeback after nine years.
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