Roh Jeong Eui’s “Crushology 101” Severely Tanks Just After 2 Episodes, Experts Weigh In
Roh Jeong Eui and Lee Chae Min‘s latest drama, Crushology 101, has tanked, recording viewership in the 0% range after just two episodes. This marks the lowest ratings ever for a Friday-Saturday drama on MBC. Critics point out that the show, from its storyline to its casting, was not in line with the preferences of typical TV audiences.
Crushology 101 tells the story of Ban Hee Jin, also known as Bunny, who finds herself entangled with a group of attractive men after a traumatic first relationship. It was adapted from a popular Kakao Webtoon with over 170 million cumulative views. Set against the backdrop of a university campus, starring two of the hottest young stars, it was expected to do well with everything going for it. However, the outcome was disastrous: episode 1 drew only 1.3% in viewership, and episode 2 dropped further to 0.9%. This is even lower than the 1.3% recorded by episode 15 of Kokdu: Season of Deity, the previously lowest-rated MBC Friday-Saturday drama.
The biggest reason cited for the low ratings is the storyline’s lack of appeal to the main viewer demographic. MBC’s Friday-Saturday dramas typically attract middle-aged female viewers, and Crushology 101 failed to present any early elements that might engage that audience. The first two episodes follow Bunny as she recovers from a breakup and begins developing romantic feelings for a string of handsome, well-off men. While this setup is meant to spark interest, critics argue it wasn’t portrayed in a compelling way.
Cultural critic Kim Sung Soo claimed that Crushology 101 failed to include any social messages or themes that resonated with older generations.
“The core viewers of terrestrial TV are aged 40 and above, and those who watch live broadcasts are mostly in their 50s or older. MBC dramas have historically performed well when they’ve included social messages or themes that resonate with older generations—even if the story is set in high school, like Undercover High School. So far, Crushology 101 hasn’t shown any such elements.”
Critic Jung Deok Hyun added that the drama was too centered on looks, and a lack of star power.
“The recurring focus on appearance in the storyline creates a barrier. The plot, in which Bunny is dumped by an average-looking ex and then meets a series of attractive men, doesn’t align with current sensibilities. The casting also doesn’t immediately grab attention. While Roh Jeong Eui provides a central anchor, the presence of mostly rookie actors makes it hard to rely on star appeal compared to other dramas.”
Timing also worked against the show. The show premiered during the final week of two highly-rated dramas, Treasure Island, which ended with a 15.4% rating, and The Art of Negotiation, which closed with 10.3%. Up against such heavy competition, it was difficult for Crushology 101 to attract attention.
Still, with many episodes left, there’s room for improvement! Stay tuned for more on the drama.
