Ha Jung-woo's Comeback Drama 'How to Become a Landlord in Korea' Struggles with Low Ratings

Actor Ha Jung-woo's comeback drama after 19 years, 'How to Become a Landlord in Korea,' is struggling with low ratings, hovering in the 2% range.

The 8th episode of tvN's weekend drama 'How to Become a Landlord in Korea' (hereafter referred to as 'Landlord'), which aired on the 5th, recorded a viewership rating of 2.8%. The drama, which premiered on September 14th, started with a decent 4.1% rating for its first episode but has steadily declined, remaining in the 2% range.

Despite the ratings, the supporting cast of 'Landlord' shines brightly. Actors Kim Geum-soon, Hyun Bong-sik, Park Seo-kyung, and Ryu Abel, who appear as neighbors and family related to the Seyoon Building, leave a strong impact as unexpected victims of incidents.

Kim Geum-soon plays Jeon Yang-ja, the mother of Jeon Yi-kyung (played by Jung Soo-jung) and a major real estate player, while Hyun Bong-sik appears as Oh Dong-gi, the owner of a café on the first floor of the Seyoon Building. Both characters meet tragic ends due to their greed for redevelopment shares and money, leaving a shocking impression. Kim Geum-soon portrays a calculating side, prioritizing money even when her daughter is kidnapped, yet also reveals hidden maternal instincts, leaving a deep impression. Hyun Bong-sik's character discovers Ki Soo-jong's kidnapping crime by chance, gets imprisoned, and meets a tragic end while fleeing after an accidental incident, evoking a sense of bitterness.

Park Seo-kyung plays Ki Da-rae, the hearing-impaired daughter of Ki Soo-jong and Kim Sun (played by Im Soo-jung), bringing a new phase to the drama as she faces the aftermath of her parents' crimes. Ryu Abel, as real estate agent Jang Hee-joo, heightens the tension with her mysterious death, trapping Ki Soo-jong (played by Ha Jung-woo) in a predicament. The involvement of these two key figures in the kidnapping and death incidents in the latter half of the drama draws attention to how they will influence the unpredictable storyline of 'Landlord.'

With the stellar performances of the supporting cast enriching the drama, the 9th episode of 'Landlord' will air on the 11th at 9:10 PM.

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