Even before its premiere, ENA’s upcoming drama 'Honour' has already been making waves. Scheduled to air on February 2, the show has claimed the top spot in viewer intent ratings, signaling that the battle for audience attention has essentially been decided even before the first episode airs. Surpassing highly anticipated series from Netflix and Disney+, this Korean drama has set itself apart.
According to the Consumer Insight report on OTT K-original content for the fourth week of January 2026, 'Honour' recorded a 5% viewer intent rating, ranking first among upcoming drama releases. Following closely were Netflix’s 'The Art of Sarah' at 5% and Disney+’s 'Bloody Flower' at 2%. These numbers reveal where viewer anticipation is focused.
'The Art of Sarah' is a Netflix series about a woman, Sarah Kim, who wants to become a luxury brand even if it's fake, and a man, Mu Kyung, who chases her desires. Disney+’s 'Bloody Flower' is a mystery thriller centered around serial killer Lee Woo Gyeom, who can cure any incurable disease, and the people surrounding him. Against this backdrop of new releases backed by platform power and genre appeal, 'Honour' securing the pre-release number one spot indicates that viewers’ interest is not just curiosity; it’s almost a guaranteed choice.
'Honour' is a mystery thriller following three women lawyers confronting a massive scandal from the past head-on. Based on a Swedish drama of the same name, it follows lawyers Yoon Ra Young (played by Lee Na Young), Kang Shin Jae (played by Jung Eun Chae), and Hwang Hyun Jin (played by Lee Chung Ah). Set in the familiar courtroom stage, the story unfolds as past secrets pull current events into motion. Rather than debating who is right, the drama heightens tension by tracking what is being hidden to the very end.
There is a clear reason for 'Honour’s pre-release dominance. It marks Lee Na Young’s return to drama after roughly three years. Upon reading the script, she said, “I read it like a novel from the viewers’ perspective and couldn’t stop until the next episode. I wanted to be inside that intense narrative.” She also explained, “Yoon Ra Young’s journey of confronting wounds and pursuing the truth fascinated me. Her personality and the genre are entirely different from any character I’ve played before, so I wanted to take on the challenge.” The return of a highly regarded actress, combined with the promise of a genre-driven thrill immediately captured attention.
Yoon Ra Young is a celebrity lawyer with hundreds of thousands of social media followers, representing female crime victims at the firm L&J (Listen & Join). Lee Na Young emphasized that the character goes beyond superficial glamour. Yoon Ra Young risks everything to restore her clients’ dignity, earning her the description of a “celebrity lawyer in armor.” The “armor” hides vulnerabilities while allowing her to fight for justice, turning the courtroom into an emotional battlefield.
Jung Eun Chae and Lee Chung Ah’s involvement underscores the show’s “star-studded” casting. Jung Eun Chae described 'Honour' as “a project that gave me courage to take on a challenge again,” hinting at another acting transformation. Her character, Kang Shin Jae, is the fierce leader of L&J, ready to do anything to achieve what’s necessary, providing unwavering support and respect to colleagues and friends Yoon Ra Young and Hwang Hyun Jin. Jung Eun Chae noted that her choice to join Honor was influenced by “the production team’s trust in me as an actress and the people who would create the drama together.” The show’s true strength lies in its characters and high-stakes cases paired with intricate relationships.
The supporting cast further elevates the series. Actors including Yeon Woo Jin, Seo Hyun Woo, Choi Young Joon, Kim Mi Sook, and Lee Hae Young round out the lineup. In genre dramas, audience disengagement often occurs when believability falters, and this cast serves as a safeguard to maintain immersion. Convincing characters naturally heighten the suspense of the mystery.
Another reason 'Honour' stands out is its realistic subject matter. Beyond a typical mystery thriller, it tackles a “digital sexual crime cartel” head-on. The series meticulously depicts the intellectual battles and pursuit to dismantle a hidden network of evil. As the tightly woven mystery unfolds, the shocking truths revealed amplify the impact, blending real-world relevance with dramatic tension. This combination positions 'Honour' as a “well-made mystery thriller” designed to captivate viewers from start to finish.
Finally, the dynamic among the three lawyers drives the narrative. Yoon Ra Young, Kang Shin Jae, and Hwang Hyun Jin share a deep bond beyond law school friendship; they are witnesses to past events and the only community that can save one another. Sharing hidden wounds and secrets, they stand together against immense evil, forming alliances that are sometimes precarious and sometimes intensely charged. The storyline’s theme, “even if broken, they move forward together,” offers both genre thrill and emotional resonance.
Online reactions to the trailer have been fervent: “The lineup is insane,” “Finally, a drama worth watching,” “ENA really knows how to make dramas now,” “It’s amazing, can’t wait until February…”
'Honour' premieres on Monday, February 2, at 10:00 PM on ENA and will be available on KT Genie TV. The key question remains whether its pre-release hype as the number one anticipated drama can translate into top word-of-mouth buzz. Judging by the current momentum, it’s off to an extraordinary start.
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