Song Joong-ki's Return to Romance in 'My Youth' Faces Initial Ratings Challenge

Reporter Jung Se-yoon from TenAsia delves into intriguing broadcasting issues with a unique perspective, making them easy to read.

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Actor Song Joong-ki's latest drama, 'My Youth,' premiered on the 5th, marking his return to traditional romance after nearly nine years since 'Descendants of the Sun.' Despite high expectations, the show only garnered a 2% viewership rating, leaving some disappointment. Analysts suggest that the drama lacked elements to captivate viewers' attention.

JTBC's Friday series 'My Youth' tells the emotional romance of Sun Woo-hae, who starts a normal life later than others, and Sung Jae-yeon, played by Chun Woo-hee, who unexpectedly disrupts his first love's peace. Song Joong-ki plays Sun Woo-hae, a former child star who burned out early and now lives as a novelist and florist.

At the 'My Youth' press conference, Song Joong-ki expressed confidence, saying, "The theme of reunion is captivating. I believe viewers can feel the excitement, comfort, and tenderness as Sung Jae-yeon and Sun Woo-hae reunite. That's the biggest strength of our drama."

However, the premiere on the 5th recorded a 2% viewership rating according to Nielsen Korea's nationwide paid household standard. This is lower than the 3% final episode rating of his previous work, 'The Innocent Man.' On the same day, SBS's drama 'Mantis,' starring Go Hyun-jung, achieved a 7.1% rating, more than tripling 'My Youth's' performance. Considering Song Joong-ki's popularity and star power, the 2% rating is particularly disappointing.

After the broadcast, some viewers expressed disappointment, saying, "The chemistry between Song Joong-ki and Chun Woo-hee is lacking," "It's strangely hard to get immersed," "The story is predictable and monotonous," and "The acting is good, but it's not entertaining." While the acting is praised, the chemistry and charm between the two leads fell short of expectations.

Cultural critic Kim Heon-sik told TenAsia, "'My Youth' lacked initial engagement," adding, "'Mantis' drew attention with Go Hyun-jung's role as a serial killer, filling the early episodes with mystery and thriller tension. In contrast, 'My Youth's' story of reunited first loves felt too familiar and lacked impact."

As the show is still in its early stages, there is potential for a turnaround. A broadcasting insider noted, "Melodramas tend to engage viewers more deeply as they progress into the mid-to-late episodes. Song Joong-ki's acting prowess and presence remain strong, so there's ample room for a shift in viewership trends." All eyes are on whether Song Joong-ki can overcome the initial slump and achieve a successful comeback in his first romance role in nine years.

Reporter Jung Se-yoon, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr