The weekend drama landscape has become even more thrilling as KBS 2TV’s brand-new series To My Beloved Thief officially entered the ratings war. Premiering on January 3, the highly-anticipated drama starring Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min wasted no time in making its mark. According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode achieved an average nationwide rating of 4.3 percent—a figure that more than doubled the modest 1.7 percent finale rating of its predecessor Last Summer. This impressive start signals that viewers are eager to embrace the fresh storyline and dynamic performances of the new cast.
But To My Beloved Thief isn’t the only drama making headlines. The weekend lineup is packed with heavy hitters, each vying for audience attention:
- SBS’s Taxi Driver 3: The action-packed fan favorite soared to its highest ratings yet, pulling in an average nationwide rating of 14.2 percent. With its finale week just around the corner, the drama dominated its time slot across all channels, cementing its status as Saturday’s most-watched miniseries.
- MBC’s The Judge Returns: Despite airing in the same time slot as Taxi Driver 3, this new drama managed to climb in viewership. Its second episode rose to 4.4 percent, showing promising growth and resilience against tough competition.
- tvN’s Pro Bono: Entering the final two weeks of its run, the drama maintained strong momentum with a 6.0 percent rating, securing first place among cable channels in its time slot.
- JTBC’s Surely Tomorrow: Also heading into its final stretch, the drama matched its previous Saturday best with 3.3 percent, proving steady audience loyalty.
- KBS 2TV’s Our Golden Days: The reigning champion of Saturday dramas continued its dominance, climbing to an impressive 17.7 percent nationwide rating. Its consistent popularity makes it the undisputed leader of the weekend.
With To My Beloved Thief entering the fray, the weekend ratings battle has become more competitive than ever. Viewers now have a diverse lineup to choose from—ranging from thrilling action and courtroom drama to heartfelt storytelling. As the weeks unfold, all eyes will be on whether Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min’s new series can sustain its momentum and carve out a loyal audience base amidst such fierce competition.
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