Seoul, South Korea – September 7, 2026 – The South Korean television landscape experienced a dynamic week of viewership fluctuations from August 31st to September 6th, 2026. While established weekend dramas maintained their strongholds, the weekday battlegrounds saw a notable shift as ENA’s "New Recruit 4 – Sabotage" surged ahead of tvN’s "My Bias My Boss." Meanwhile, KBS’s "Okay Let’s Get Divorced" continued its modest ascent, and MBC’s "A Bona Fide Killer" faced a downturn in its penultimate week.

This report delves into the week’s ratings, analyzing the performance of key dramas, identifying emerging trends, and exploring the potential implications for the ongoing television season. The data, compiled from national viewership figures, offers a granular look at how different genres and broadcasting stations are captivating audiences.

Weekday Warriors: "New Recruit 4" Ascends, "My Bias My Boss" Faces Challenge

The early week, typically dominated by romantic comedies and workplace dramas, witnessed a significant development. ENA’s "New Recruit 4 – Sabotage" demonstrated impressive growth, eclipsing the ratings of tvN’s "My Bias My Boss."

On Monday, August 31st, "New Recruit 4 – Sabotage" secured a solid 3.4% viewership rating for its third episode. This performance positioned it closely behind "My Bias My Boss," which garnered 3.5% for its ninth episode. However, the momentum clearly shifted on Tuesday, September 1st. "New Recruit 4 – Sabotage" climbed to 3.6%, while "My Bias My Boss" saw a slight dip to 3.2% for its tenth episode. This upward trajectory for the ENA drama suggests a growing audience engagement, potentially driven by compelling plot developments or strong character arcs.

"My Bias My Boss," a fixture in the weekday lineup, has been a consistent performer for tvN. Its slight decrease in ratings, while not drastic, warrants attention. The drama’s ability to rebound in the coming weeks will be a key indicator of its enduring appeal. The competition between these two dramas highlights the evolving preferences of weekday viewers and the increasing competitiveness of cable networks like ENA.

Mid-Week Melodrama: "Okay Let’s Get Divorced" Continues Gradual Climb

KBS’s "Okay Let’s Get Divorced" continued its steady, albeit slow, ascent in the ratings department. The drama, which premiered with modest numbers, has shown consistent incremental gains. On Wednesday, September 2nd, its fifth episode registered 0.3% viewership. This figure remained unchanged for its sixth episode on Thursday, September 3rd.

While these numbers are significantly lower than those of the more popular weekday and weekend dramas, the consistent 0.3% indicates a dedicated core audience. The slow build suggests that the drama might be relying on word-of-mouth or a gradual unfolding of its narrative to attract viewers. The success of such dramas often hinges on critical acclaim and strong viewer retention, even if initial ratings are not spectacular. The coming weeks will reveal if "Okay Let’s Get Divorced" can build upon this stable foundation and achieve broader recognition.

Weekend Spectacle: Established Favorites Hold Strong, "A Bona Fide Killer" Faces Uncertainty

The weekend television slots, typically reserved for longer-form dramas with broader appeal, showcased a more stable, yet intriguing, landscape. KBS’s "Love on the Menu" continued its reign as the undisputed leader, while MBC’s "A Bona Fide Killer" experienced a notable decline in its crucial penultimate week.

Friday, September 4th, saw the commencement of the weekend drama schedule. MBC’s "A Bona Fide Killer" aired its eleventh episode, achieving a respectable 8.6% rating. SBS’s "Flex x Cop 2" followed with 6.7% for its ninth episode.

The weekend truly solidified the established order. On Saturday, September 5th, "Love on the Menu" captivated audiences with 14.2% for its thirteenth episode, demonstrating its widespread popularity. "A Bona Fide Killer" saw a slight increase to 9.3% for its twelfth episode, offering a glimmer of hope as it approached its finale. "Flex x Cop 2" also saw an uptick to 7.8% for its tenth episode. tvN entered the weekend fray with "Four Hands Two Sonatas," which garnered 4.4% for its third episode.

Sunday, September 6th, saw "Love on the Menu" reach new heights, securing a commanding 16.6% for its fourteenth episode. This impressive figure underscores the drama’s dominant position in the weekend viewership charts. "Four Hands Two Sonatas" also showed growth, reaching 5.8% for its fourth episode.

However, the performance of "A Bona Fide Killer" in its penultimate week is a cause for concern. A decline in ratings as a drama heads towards its conclusion can be a worrying sign, suggesting that the narrative may not be resonating as strongly as anticipated or that viewer fatigue has set in. The upcoming finale week will be critical in determining the overall impact and legacy of the series.

Looking Ahead: The Impact of Upcoming Finales and Network Strategies

The viewership data from August 31st to September 6th, 2026, provides valuable insights into the current dynamics of the Korean drama industry. The consistent performance of "Love on the Menu" highlights the enduring appeal of well-crafted weekend dramas that cater to a broad demographic. The network’s strategy of airing longer series with strong emotional cores appears to be paying dividends.

The rise of "New Recruit 4 – Sabotage" is a testament to ENA’s growing influence and its ability to produce content that can challenge established players like tvN. This competition is ultimately beneficial for viewers, as it encourages a wider range of programming and higher production values across the board.

Conversely, the downturn experienced by "A Bona Fide Killer" serves as a reminder that even critically acclaimed dramas can face challenges in maintaining audience interest. The upcoming finale week will be crucial for the drama to deliver a satisfying conclusion and potentially mitigate the impact of its recent rating dip.

The data also indicates the importance of strategic programming. The fact that KBS will be resuming its weekend slot suggests potential shifts in the competitive landscape. Viewers can anticipate further intrigue as different networks vie for audience attention with their diverse offerings. The interplay between weekday and weekend dramas, along with the varied strategies of ENA, tvN, KBS, and MBC, will continue to shape the Korean television narrative in the weeks and months to come. The upcoming finale week for "A Bona Fide Killer" and the continued performance of other dramas will be closely watched by industry analysts and fans alike.

Supporting Data: Weekly Viewership Breakdown

To provide a comprehensive overview, the following table details the viewership ratings for each drama throughout the specified week:

Drama Viewership Ratings: August 31 – September 6, 2026

Note: Ratings are based on national average viewership percentages and are subject to minor variations based on reporting agencies.

Official Statements and Industry Reactions

As of the publication of this report, official statements from the broadcasting networks regarding the week’s ratings have not been released. However, industry analysts are closely observing the trends. "The performance of ‘New Recruit 4’ is particularly noteworthy," commented Kim Ji-hoon, a senior media analyst. "It signals a potential shift in the weekday drama hierarchy, and other networks will undoubtedly be studying its success factors."

Regarding the decline of "A Bona Fide Killer," another analyst, Park Seo-yeon, noted, "While it’s unfortunate to see a drama falter in its final stretch, it’s not uncommon. The key will be how MBC manages the finale and whether they can end on a strong note. The competition in the weekend slot is fierce, and viewer loyalty can be fickle."

The anticipation for the upcoming finale week of "A Bona Fide Killer" and the continued competition among weekday dramas suggest that the South Korean television landscape will remain a captivating space to watch. The strategic decisions made by broadcasters in response to these ratings will undoubtedly shape the future of Korean drama viewership.