Actress Lee Young Ae has been nominated for the KBS Drama Awards with 'Eunsu’s Good Day', drawing attention amid ongoing debate over the drama’s underwhelming performance in ratings and public buzz.
On the 26th, KBS announced its expected list of nominees for this year’s awards, naming Ahn Jae Wook and Uhm Ji Won from 'Please Take Care of the Five Eagle Brothers!', Na Young Hee from 'Cinderella Game', Lee Young Ae and Kim Young kwang from 'Eunsu’s Good Day', and Chun Ho jin and Lee Tae ran from 'Brilliant Days'.
'Eunsu’s Good Day' drew significant attention as Lee Young Ae’s first KBS drama in 26 years. Along with 'Twelve', starring Ma Dong Seok, it was part of KBS’s ambitious push for a new Saturday–Sunday miniseries lineup. Despite high expectations, star casting, and a prime scheduling slot following strong weekend dramas, both series failed to achieve notable success in ratings.
As the drama struggled to gain traction, financial losses were also raised as an issue. According to labor union sources, KBS reportedly purchased the broadcasting rights to 'Twelve' for 5.5 billion won per episode (approximately 4.2 million USD), but earned only around 2.6 billion won per episode in advertising revenue (approximately 2.0 million USD), resulting in an estimated total loss of approximately 18 billion won (approximately 13.8 million USD).
The losses for 'Eunsu’s Good Day' were said to be even greater. KBS is reported to have invested about 10.6 billion won per episode in the 12-episode series, totaling roughly 120 billion won—an unusually large budget for a KBS drama. However, advertising revenue reportedly fell short, leading to an estimated total loss of around 88 billion won, according to the union.
Amid these circumstances, attention has also turned to whether Lee Young Ae—who did not conduct post-finale interviews for Eunsu’s Good Day—will attend the awards ceremony.
In contrast, weekend drama 'Please Take Care of the Five Eagle Brothers!', starring Ahn Jae Wook and Uhm Ji Won, led the ratings race with a peak viewership rating of 22.4 percent nationwide, according to Nielsen Korea. The drama was praised for its warm portrayal of building a new family beyond blood ties.
'Brilliant Days', featuring Chun Ho Jin and Lee Tae Ran, has also gained momentum in the latter half of its run, earning positive reviews for its family melodrama that resonates across generations. Meanwhile, daily drama 'Cinderella Game', led by Na Young Hee, garnered steady support for its emotionally charged family reunion story combined with a satisfying revenge narrative.
The 2025 KBS Drama Awards will be broadcast live on December 31 at 7:10 p.m. KST.
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