New Netflix K-Drama Shoots To #1 As Viewers Rave Over The Lead Couple’s Acting

A new K-Drama is already gaining explosive attention after only two episodes!

SBS’s new Friday-Saturday series, My Royal Nemesis, has quickly become one of the most talked-about new releases, drawing attention for its unique premise, polished production, and standout performances from its leads, Lim Ji Yeon and Heo Nam Jun.

According to Nielsen Korea, the second episode of My Royal Nemesis, which aired on May 9, 2026 (KST), recorded a nationwide rating of 5.4%. Its peak rating reached 6.9%, while its highest rating among viewers aged 20 to 49 reached 2.72%.

The series has also reportedly found major success on Netflix. After entering Netflix Korea’s “Today’s Top 10 Series” chart at No. 10 following its premiere, My Royal Nemesis rose to No. 1 by May 10, just two days after its first broadcast.

So, what’s fueling the craze? Viewers have been especially impressed by Lim Ji Yeon’s performance, with many praising how naturally she switches between historical-drama intensity, comedy, and emotional vulnerability. Heo Nam Jun has also drawn positive reactions for his diction, voice, and portrayal of the cold but intriguing male lead.

• “I started watching because people said it was funny, but the visuals and directing were pretty too LOL.”
• “It has that kind of vibe you think of when SBS makes a well-made drama. I’m looking forward to what’s next.”
• “Everyone is good at acting LOL.”
• “The story is solid, and the acting is also so good, so it’s super fun. For real, it reminded me of SBS rom-coms from their golden era.”
• “It’s good.”
• “I just watched it, and it’s seriously hilarious LOL. It’s not just funny either. The story seems solid, the acting is good, and it’s super entertaining.”

Online comments praised the drama’s overall quality, with viewers writing, “Everyone is good at acting,” “The story is solid, and the acting is so good, so it’s super entertaining,” and “Im Ji Yeon is insanely good at acting.”

• “The male lead’s projection and voice are so good. His pronunciation comes through so clearly.”
• “Lim Ji Yeon is seriously so good at acting.”
• “Wow, the poster is so pretty.”
• “This is fun. The male lead pulls off the prickly character in a charming way, and Lim Ji Yeon’s acting goes without saying. She’s amazing. Their chemistry is good, so I’m looking forward to it.”
• “I just watched episode 1, and both the female and male lead have good acting and diction, so it was easy to watch LOL.”

With strong early ratings, growing online buzz, and a No. 1 ranking on Netflix Korea, My Royal Nemesis appears to be off to a powerful start. Now, viewers are watching to see whether the series can maintain its momentum as the tangled past and present connections between the characters continue to unfold.

• “It’s seriously so fun LOL. Lim Ji Yeon is hard carrying this whole series.”
• “I burst out laughing for real during that fighting scene LOL.”
• “It’s seriously so fun.”
• “It’s fun LOLLLLL.”
• “It made me want to keep up with a K-Drama for the first time in a while. I need to watch this.”

Watch the official trailer here: