MBC Drama 'The First Man' Extends Run by 20 Episodes Amid High Viewer Demand

MBC's daily drama 'The First Man' has confirmed a 20-episode extension. Directed by Kim Byung-woo, the series marks the return of Ham Eun-jung and Yoon Sun-woo to the screen after their respective marriages, generating buzz even before its premiere.

Premiering in December last year, 'The First Man' tells the story of a woman who lives another's life for revenge and another woman who steals lives for her desires, leading to a deadly confrontation. Originally planned for 120 episodes, the drama has been extended due to its success.

Since its debut, the show has consistently ranked high on IPTV VOD charts, proving its commercial success. It has also achieved remarkable results in TV-OTT buzz indices, rivaling mini-series. In response to the viewers' support, MBC decided to extend the series by four weeks, adding 20 episodes.

An MBC Drama Studio representative stated, "The show has surpassed the typical limits of daily dramas in key metrics like TV-OTT buzz indices and OTT real-time rankings. We decided to extend the series to thank our viewers for their support. Please look forward to the thrilling revenge and intense plot developments ahead."

In the episode aired on the 23rd, Han Young-ja (played by Choi Ji-yeon) witnessed the relationship between her husband Kang Nam-bong (played by Jung Chan) and Chae Hwa-young (played by Oh Hyun-kyung), heightening the drama's tension.

Shocked by the unexpected scene, Han Young-ja broke down, and her once peaceful life quickly spiraled into chaos. The preview at the end of the episode showed Ma Dae-chang (played by Lee Hyo-jung) discovering the affair between Chae Hwa-young and Kang Nam-bong, hinting at escalating conflicts. Viewers are eager to see how the emotional turmoil following the affair's revelation will conclude.

'The First Man' airs every Monday to Friday at 7:05 PM.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr