Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung Dominates TV-OTT Buzz for Four Consecutive Weeks

MBC's 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung' has secured the top spot in TV-OTT Sunday buzz for four consecutive weeks, establishing itself as a major trendsetter in the entertainment industry for the latter half of 2025. This program marks Kim Yeon-koung's first venture post-retirement and has been warmly received by viewers.

According to the 'Fundex Report: K-Content Competitiveness Analysis' released by Good Data Corporation (Week 1 of November), 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung' ranked first in TV-OTT non-drama buzz for four weeks straight. It also placed fourth in overall TV-OTT non-drama buzz, showcasing its strong presence. With both buzz and viewership on the rise, 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung' has become a central figure in entertainment, being the nation's 'first volleyball variety show' and resonating with audiences through its fresh emotional depth and authenticity. This analysis was conducted by Good Data Corporation, a K-content buzz analysis agency, from November 3 to 9, 2025, covering 191 non-drama TV-OTT programs either airing or scheduled to air, based on netizen reactions from news articles, blogs/communities, videos, and social media.

The show also achieved remarkable success in viewership ratings. According to Nielsen Korea, the episode aired on the 9th recorded a 3.5% viewership rating among the 2049 demographic, ranking first among all weekly programs and maintaining its position as the top Sunday variety show for four consecutive weeks. Additionally, it reached a 5.2% household viewership rating in the metropolitan area, with peak ratings hitting 6.9%, setting a new personal best.

'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung' follows the journey of Kim Yeon-koung, a volleyball legend turned rookie director, leading the 'Pilseung Wonder Dogs' through their challenges and growth. The recent episode featured a nail-biting match against the Jeonggwanjang Red Sparks, the last team of captain Pyo Seung-joo, with the game reaching a tense 24-23 set point in the first set. Viewers are eagerly anticipating the outcome of the 'Pilseung Wonder Dogs' against a professional team, captivated by their intense competition.

Produced with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Communications Agency (KCA), 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung' also offers exclusive content on its official YouTube channel 'Wonder Dogs Locker Room.' The upcoming 8th episode will air on November 16 at 9:50 PM, 40 minutes later than usual, with potential schedule changes due to the 2025 K-Baseball Series broadcast.

Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr