Finally Kicked Off… Korean Drama Hits New Highest Viewership Ratings, Gaining Momentum

Actress Kim Hee-sun’s realistic acting has resonated with viewers, and ‘No Next Life’ is gaining momentum, breaking its own viewership records. As the ratings have been somewhat disappointing until now, attention is focused on the future trend of viewership.

In the 5th episode of TV Chosun’s Monday-Tuesday mini-series ‘No Next Life’ aired on the 24th, Kim Hee-sun, playing Jo Na-jeong, evoked a passionate response from viewers by portraying the realities and emotions of a working mother. The broadcast recorded a peak viewership rating of 2.9% per minute, once again breaking its own highest viewership rating following the previous day. (Based on Nielsen Korea)

‘No Next Life’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘No Next Life’) is a chaotic, comedic coming-of-age drama about three 41-year-old friends who are tired of the same everyday life, the parenting war, and the monotonous office life, striving for a better ‘complete life’.

The 3rd episode aired on the 17th broke its own highest viewership rating with 2.8% per minute. (Based on Nielsen Korea) Additionally, as of the 22nd, it ranked 2nd in Naver’s ‘Most Searched Dramas,’ showcasing its popularity. Within just two weeks of airing, it also proved its popularity on OTT by ranking in the TOP 2 in Netflix’s ‘Today’s TOP 10 Series in Korea’.

Jo Na-jeong (Kim Hee-sun), a full-time housewife, dreams of returning to her job as a home shopping host due to a lie. Goo Joo-young (Han Hye-jin), the planning director at an art center, feels the pressure of marriage without children, and Lee Il-ri (Jin Seo-yeon), the deputy editor of a magazine, is shaken by conflict with her younger boyfriend. ‘No Next Life’ resonates deeply with viewers through its narrative that effectively incorporates the realistic struggles of women who have taken a career break.

At the press conference, Kim Hee-sun confessed, “After getting married and having a child, I spent six years at home raising my child.” She added, “Whenever I watched TV while looking after my child, I missed it, thinking, ‘If I hadn’t gotten married, wouldn’t I have played that female lead?'” She continued, “(In the drama) Na-jeong’s career as a home shopping host was interrupted for six years while she raised her child, and she is struggling to work again.” She also said, “I think women will understand my feelings, but isn’t life about overcoming challenges one by one?” Notably, Kim Hee-sun’s statement, “I’m glad I can work like this now,” drew attention. She explained, “Before, I took it for granted, but after a six-year break, I feel like I’m working harder.”

In the broadcast that day, Jo Na-jeong filled in for Song Ye-na and hosted the show, but she encountered trouble after learning the reason for her program’s exclusion from the schedule. Hearing Jo Na-jeong’s story, Goo Joo-young and Lee Il-ri offered comfort with different advice, leaving Jo Na-jeong in a dilemma due to their conflicting words.

Meanwhile, Jo Na-jeong arranged an interview for Song Ye-na, who had always liked Lee Il-ri. However, Song Ye-na continued to act thoughtlessly, and the situation escalated when Lee Il-ri and Song Ye-na clashed. Ultimately, Jo Na-jeong and Song Ye-na got into a verbal argument, leading their relationship to an irreversible state.

Despite this, Jo Na-jeong, upon hearing from Yang Mi-sook that Song Ye-na was unreachable, visited her home. Jo Na-jeong found Song Ye-na collapsed from intestinal obstruction and rushed her to the emergency room. After the surgery, she was surprised to hear Song Ye-na’s hidden true feelings, which increased viewer immersion.

Viewers responded with various comments such as, “The combination of the three is so good,” “Ye-na’s character exists everywhere in society,” “I’m enjoying it,” and “I cried and laughed because it was so relatable, and the whole episode just flew by.”

The episode airing on the 25th (today) has foreshadowed a sudden emotional change between Kim Hee-sun and Han Ji-hye due to an unexpected encounter, piquing viewers’ curiosity. In the drama, Jo Na-jeong and Yang Mi-sook meet in the middle of a police station, and Jo Na-jeong shows shock with her mouth agape in a bewildering situation. The question arises as to what incident occurred between Jo Na-jeong and Yang Mi-sook.

The production team of ‘No Next Life’ stated, “Kim Hee-sun and Han Ji-hye will face a situation with a major twist that overcomes the bond of animosity they’ve had since their school days.” They urged viewers to “confirm the narrative of Kim Hee-sun and Han Ji-hye’s animosity, which will enter a completely new phase after their encounter at the police station, through episode 6.”

‘No Next Life’ airs every Monday and Tuesday at 10 PM.