Seoul, South Korea – May 25, 2026 – The South Korean drama scene this past week, from May 18th to May 24th, has been a dynamic theater of shifting fortunes. Viewership figures reveal a mixed bag of endings, premieres, and steadily climbing narratives. While some series celebrated their concluding episodes with strong performances, others faced a turbulent start. Amidst this flux, established dramas continue to captivate audiences, with a particularly strong showing from a new weekend contender that has swiftly ascended to double-digit territory.

A Week of Farewells and First Impressions

The week marked the poignant conclusion of We Are All Trying Here, a drama that bid adieu to its viewers with a respectable performance. While the final ratings indicate a modest uptick from its penultimate episodes, the series has consistently maintained a solid viewership base throughout its run, solidifying its place as a notable entry in the JTBC lineup. The drama’s final episodes, airing on Saturday and Sunday, garnered 4.1% and 5.3% respectively, suggesting a warm reception for its concluding chapters.

In stark contrast, the premiere of Fifties Professionals on MBC presented a more challenging debut. The highly anticipated new series, which kicked off on Friday, May 22nd, managed to secure 4.4% of the viewership. However, its second episode on Saturday saw a dip to 3.6%, indicating that the drama has yet to fully capture the audience’s attention. The coming weeks will be crucial for Fifties Professionals to demonstrate its staying power and address the initial lukewarm reception.

Meanwhile, the ongoing saga of Recipe for Love, broadcast on KBS, continues its downward trajectory. Despite its impressive run of 34 episodes, the romantic comedy, which has historically enjoyed strong ratings, saw its viewership figures decline further this week. Its Saturday broadcast registered 12.3%, followed by a slightly higher 13.2% on Sunday. While these numbers remain significant, the consistent downward trend signals a potential fatigue among its core audience or a challenging competitive landscape.

Rising Stars and Steady Climbers

Amidst the mixed fortunes, several dramas are demonstrating impressive momentum, signaling a bright future for their respective networks. The Scarecrow, airing on ENA, and The Legend of Kitchen Soldier on tvN are engaged in a fierce battle for audience attention, both experiencing significant surges in viewership. These two series, remarkably, are neck-and-neck, each recording 7.2% for their Monday episodes (May 18th) and climbing to an identical 7.9% by Tuesday (May 19th). This parallel ascent suggests a strong appeal to similar demographics or a shared narrative quality that is resonating with viewers. The synchronized growth of these dramas highlights their growing popularity and the competitive spirit between ENA and tvN in the current broadcasting environment.

Further adding to the positive trend, Sold Out on You on SBS, and Filing for Love on tvN, have both seen an increase in their viewership from the previous week. Sold Out on You, in its ninth episode on Wednesday, May 20th, recorded 3.1%, a positive sign after its previous week’s performance. While its tenth episode on Thursday saw a slight dip to 2.8%, the overall upward trend indicates growing engagement. Filing for Love, a consistent performer, also showed strength, with its ninth episode on Saturday garnering 5.9% and its tenth episode on Sunday reaching a notable 8.1%. This sustained growth underscores the drama’s ability to retain and attract viewers.

The Weekend Crown: A Royal Ascent

The most significant development in this week’s ratings battle is the emphatic arrival of My Royal Nemesis on SBS. The drama has not only entered the double-digit club but has firmly seized the weekend throne. Its Friday premiere was a powerful statement, with episode 5 achieving a commanding 9.5%. This strong debut was followed by an even more impressive performance on Saturday, where episode 6 surged to 10.3%, officially placing it in the elite tier of highly-rated dramas. This rapid ascent suggests that My Royal Nemesis has struck a chord with audiences, likely due to its compelling storyline, strong performances, or a captivating blend of genre elements that appeal to a broad demographic. The drama’s ability to achieve such high ratings so early in its run is a testament to its immediate impact on the competitive weekend programming slate.

Detailed Viewership Data: A Chronological Breakdown

To provide a comprehensive overview, here is a detailed breakdown of the drama viewership ratings for the week of May 18th to May 24th, 2026:

Monday, May 18th

• The Scarecrow (ENA, Ep. 9): 7.2%
• The Legend of Kitchen Soldier (tvN, Ep. 3): 7.2%

Tuesday, May 19th

• The Scarecrow (ENA, Ep. 10): 7.9%
• The Legend of Kitchen Soldier (tvN, Ep. 4): 7.9%

Wednesday, May 20th

• Sold Out on You (SBS, Ep. 9): 3.1%

Thursday, May 21st

• Cabbage Your Life (KBS, Ep. 9): 1.6%
• Sold Out on You (SBS, Ep. 10): 2.8%

Friday, May 22nd

• Fifties Professionals (MBC, Ep. 1): 4.4%
• My Royal Nemesis (SBS, Ep. 5): 9.5%

Saturday, May 23rd

• We Are All Trying Here (JTBC, Ep. 11): 4.1%
• Recipe for Love (KBS, Ep. 33): 12.3%
• Fifties Professionals (MBC, Ep. 2): 3.6%
• My Royal Nemesis (SBS, Ep. 6): 10.3%
• Filing for Love (tvN, Ep. 9): 5.9%

Sunday, May 24th

• We Are All Trying Here (JTBC, Ep. 12): 5.3%
• Recipe for Love (KBS, Ep. 34): 13.2%
• Filing for Love (tvN, Ep. 10): 8.1%

Analysis and Implications

The data from the week of May 18th to 24th, 2026, paints a picture of a robust and evolving South Korean drama market. The success of My Royal Nemesis underscores the enduring appeal of well-crafted weekend dramas that can generate immediate buzz and sustained viewership. Its rapid ascent to double digits is a significant achievement and sets a high benchmark for its competitors.

The simultaneous rise of The Scarecrow and The Legend of Kitchen Soldier is particularly noteworthy. Their identical ratings suggest a strong competitive synergy, potentially driving each other’s viewership through shared audience interest. This parallel growth could lead to an exciting narrative in the coming weeks as both dramas vie for the top spot within their respective time slots. The networks involved, ENA and tvN, will likely leverage this momentum with strategic marketing and content development.

Conversely, the struggling debut of Fifties Professionals highlights the challenges of breaking into a competitive market. The initial dip in ratings is a cause for concern for MBC, and the drama’s creative team will need to quickly identify and address the factors contributing to this early stumble. The long-term success of Fifties Professionals will hinge on its ability to adapt and resonate more deeply with viewers in the upcoming episodes.

The continued decline of Recipe for Love, despite its long run and past successes, is a common phenomenon in the television industry. As audience tastes evolve and new content emerges, even established favorites can face challenges in maintaining their viewership. This trend may prompt KBS to re-evaluate its programming strategy for long-running series and consider innovative approaches to retain audience engagement.

The steady growth of Sold Out on You and Filing for Love demonstrates the power of consistent storytelling and audience connection. Their upward trajectory suggests that these dramas are building a loyal following and are well-positioned for continued success.

Looking Ahead

The coming weeks will be critical for several of these dramas. My Royal Nemesis will face the challenge of maintaining its dominant position and fending off potential challengers. The race between The Scarecrow and The Legend of Kitchen Soldier is set to intensify, promising an exciting viewership battle. The performance of Fifties Professionals will be closely watched as it attempts to recover from its shaky start. Meanwhile, We Are All Trying Here concludes its run on a positive note, leaving a legacy of solid viewership. The industry will be observing how these dynamics play out, shaping the overall landscape of Korean television drama for the remainder of the year.