According to Koreaboo, K-Dramas are dominating Netflix internationally these days. However, there are some shows that, despite being a hit on Netflix, are not successful in Korea in terms of ratings, receiving mixed reactions from audiences at home.
"Crazy is okay"
TvN's "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" is one of the most watched Korean dramas on Netflix internationally. The drama is watched by many countries around the world for its combination of romance, unique themes, and emotional climax.
However, the ratings of this drama in Korea are quite low compared to its international popularity, the drama only achieved an average rating of 5.4%. Meanwhile, “Crash Landing on You”, another tvN drama airing at the same time, achieved a rating of up to 21.6%.
Some viewers said that Kim Soo Hyun's acting was one reason they didn't like the movie.
Moon Kang Tae in “It's Okay to Not Be Okay” is Kim Soo Hyun's first leading role since his discharge from the military, meaning this is Kim Soo Hyun's first film after a 3-year break from acting. Therefore, his return to the screen is highly anticipated.
However, viewers on some online communities said that Kim Soo Hyun's acting as Moon Kang Tae seemed "forced".
The drama has also caused a lot of controversy since it began airing. Many Korean viewers believe that some scenes in the drama constitute sexual harassment, such as the scene where the female lead character Ko Moon Young (Seo Ye Ji) enters the staff changing room and touches Moon Kang Tae's bare chest without his consent.
“It's Okay to Not Be Okay” was later accused of plagiarizing a letter written by SHINee's Jonghyun.
Another reason for the low viewership is that many Korean viewers feel that “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” is not a great show to watch with their families, so they just watch the show on Netflix instead of on TV, where viewership counts contribute to viewership.
"The Immortal King"
SBS's "The King: Eternal Monarch" starring Lee Min Ho, Kim Go Eun, and Jung Eun Chae was also the most-watched Korean drama on Netflix in 2020. Fans of the drama loved its star-studded cast and beautiful cinematography.
However, Korean audiences did not respond as positively, as the drama only achieved an average rating of 7.7%. Meanwhile, “Dr. Romantic 2”, another SBS drama, achieved a rating of 27.1%.
Like “It's Okay to Not Be Okay,” “The King: Eternal Monarch” has caused a lot of controversy in South Korea. Some viewers felt that there were elements of the fictional kingdom in the film that resembled Japanese culture, including architecture and warships.
Additionally, Jung Eun Chae (the drama's second lead) was criticized throughout its run for being romantically involved with singer Jung Joon Il.
Another reason why Korean audiences are not satisfied is the excessive insertion of product advertisements in the drama. In episode 8 alone, viewers discovered more than 5 cases of product placement, many of which interrupted the storyline.
Finally, pop culture critic Kim Hern-sik argues that “The King: Eternal Monarch” has lost its audience in Korea due to its lack of realism. While fantasy dramas have been successful internationally, Korean audiences tend to prefer more realistic stories.
