Lee Dong-wook’s Struggle: First Viewership Divorce for TEN Starfield
Lee Dong-wook’s ‘Divorce Insurance’ Faces Uphill Battle as Ratings Dip
Despite starring Lee Dong-wook, the TVN drama “Divorce Insurance” is struggling to resonate with audiences, recording low viewership numbers after just four episodes. the romantic comedy, which explores the concept of divorce insurance, premiered on March 31, 2025, but has seen its ratings decline.
Initial Hopes and Disappointing Numbers
The first episode of “Divorce Insurance” garnered a 3.2% viewership rating nationwide,according to Nielsen Korea. Though, the most recent episode saw that number plummet to 1.4%. while the drama aims for a lighthearted and comical tone, viewer reception has been largely negative.
Some viewers have criticized the show’s humor as forced and unfunny. The series centers on the premise of introducing divorce insurance products amidst a rising divorce rate.
Director’s Style and Viewer Expectations
Director Lee Won-seok, known for his unique comedic style in the film “Killing romance,” brings a similar sensibility to “Divorce insurance.” However, this style may not be aligning with the expectations of terrestrial and cable drama viewers. While some believe that fans of “Killing Romance” might enjoy “Divorce Insurance,” the show has yet to achieve widespread appeal.
Novelty vs. Public Consensus
The concept of divorce insurance itself is a point of contention. While the focus on divorce, rather than customary family narratives, is considered novel within the K-drama landscape, it hasn’t necessarily translated into positive reception.The cast, including Lee Ju-bin and Lee Kwang-soo, has received generally positive feedback for their performances. Some suggest that the characters’ charm could develop further if given more time.
lee Dong-wook’s Star Power
lee Dong-wook has built a strong reputation through roles in popular dramas such as “Dokkaebi,” “Tale of the Nine-Tailed,” and “Killer Shopping Mall.” “Tale of the Nine-Tailed” saw success with ratings of 5.8% for Season 1 and 8% for “tale of the Nine-tailed 1938,” solidifying both popularity and a dedicated fanbase. However, critics suggest that “Divorce Insurance” fails to capitalize on Lee Dong-wook’s established charm due to the character’s direction and the show’s overall tone.
TVN’s Concerns and Potential for Rebound
The network, TVN, is reportedly concerned about the drama’s performance. Other recent TVN productions have also struggled to achieve high ratings.
Despite the current challenges, some believe that “Divorce Insurance” still has the potential to rebound if the plot becomes more focused and the emotional connections between characters are strengthened.Though, without a notable turning point, the drama risks concluding with low ratings.