Yoo Yeon Seok-Chae Soo Bin's new K-drama's high-ranking debut on Netflix, Fundex; Family by Choice ends on peak records
When the Phone Rings featuring Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin's Wattpad-esque chemistry instantly climbed the K-drama ranks after its November 22 premiere.
MBC drama When the Phone Rings, starring Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin, did the unthinkable in its debut week after the November 22 premiere on the South Korean network and Netflix internationally. The Wattpad-esque melodrama swooped in for its big moment, ranking 4th on Netflix’s Global TV (Non-English) chart with only two episodes released at the time. According to the Global Top 10 rankings updated for the week November 18 to 24, the series amassed 3.3 million views, cracking the record of the highest first-week viewership for a non-original Netflix drama. The show instantly got fans hooked and even overpowered the Netflix original K-drama Mr Plankton, registering its second week on the Top 10 since its November 8 premiere.
Also read | Byeon Woo Seok finally locks down new K-drama with beloved K-pop idol actress
The early weekend romance mystery title particularly went viral on social media. K-drama enthusiasts catching on to the show’s buzz viewed fan-edited clips that quickly drew attention to the storyline’s fan-fiction-like charm.
When the Phone Rings shines bright on South Korean drama rankings as well
Like its record-breaking debut on the global streamer, When the Phone Rings didn’t take long to climb the Good Data Corporation’s K-Content Online Buzzworthiness. Just days after its first MBC broadcast, the show soared to the top and assumed 2nd place in the drama category for the third week of November. Leading duo Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin also emerged as clear winners on the Buzzworthiness performers chart at #4 and #5, respectively, trailing behind only the Family By Choice trio of Hwang In Youp, Bae Hyeon Seong and Jung Chae Yeon.
Family By Choice ends on season-high ratings
In addition to the family drama’s star cast finishing atop the performers' list, the coming-of-age JTBC series finished third on the FUNdex Buzzworthiness chart. Moreover, the 16-episode run ended on its personal all-time high ratings. According to Nielsen Korea, Family By Choice’s final two episodes, airing back-to-back on November 27, gained average nationwide viewership ratings of 3.4% and 3.7%, respectively.
Netflix’s The Trunk, a high-class mystery melodrama starring Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun Jin, premiered on November 29. Based on Kim Ryeo Ryeong’s book, the brand-new K-drama is poised to take over the new K-drama rankings for this past week, set to be updated in a day or two.
K-dramas ranking on Netflix Global Top 10 (non-English): Nov 18-24
| K-drama (rank) | Weeks in Top 10 | Views |
| When the Phone Rings (#4) | 1 | 3,300,000 |
| Mr Plankton (#9) | 2 | 2,100,000 |
Top 10 Kdramas that generated the most buzz in Week 3 of November: Updated on Nov 26
| TV-OTT | TV |
| 1. The Fiery Priest 2 (SBS) | 1. The Fiery Priest 2 (SBS) |
| 2. When the Phone Rings (MBC) | 2. When the Phone Rings (MBC) |
| 3. Family by Choice (JTBC) | 3. Family by Choice (JTBC) |
| 4. Love Your Enemy (tvN) | 4. Love Your Enemy (tvN) |
| 5. Gangnam B-Side (Disney+) | 5. Parole Examiner Lee (tvN) |
| 6. Parole Examiner Lee (tvN) | 6. Brewing Love (ENA) |
| 7. Brewing Love (ENA) | 7. Iron Family (KBS2) |
| 8. Mr Plankton (Netflix) | 8. Face Me (KBS2) |
| 9. Iron Family (KBS2) | 9. Snow Whites Revenge |
| 10. Face Me (KBS2) | 10. Marry YOU (Channel A) |
Top 10 drama actors who generated the most buzz in Week 3 of November
| Actor | K-drama |
| 1. Hwang In Youp | Family by Choice |
| 2. Bae Hyeon Seong | Family by Choice |
| 3. Jung Chae Yeon | Family by Choice |
| 4. Yoo Yeon Seok | When the Phone Rings |
| 5. Chae Soo Bin | When the Phone Rings |
| 6. Kim Nam Gil | The Fiery Priest 2 |
| 7. Ju Ji Hoon | Love Your Enemy |
| 8. Jung Yumi | Love Your Enemy |
| 9. Sung Joon | The Fiery Priest 2 |
| 10. Lee Ha Nee | The Fiery Priest 2 |
Recommended Topics Get more updates from Bollywood, Taylor Swift, Hollywood, Music and Web Series along with Latest Entertainment News at Hindustan Times.