Lee Jong-suk Revives tvN with Law and the City: Fastest-Rising Ratings of 2025
Actor Lee Jong-suk has made a powerful return to the small screen with tvN’s latest weekend drama Law and the City, marking one of the fastest-growing ratings in 2025 and reviving the network’s struggling drama lineup.
Law and the City premiered to strong numbers, with a 4.8% average in the Seoul metropolitan area and 4.6% nationwide making it the highest-rated tvN weekend drama debut this year. The second episode pushed the viewership even higher, averaging 5.1% nationwide and peaking at 5.9%, breaking records for tvN’s weekend drama ratings this year.
This success comes after a rough first half of 2025 for tvN. Big-budget drama When The Stars Gossip ended with dismal ratings despite a 50 billion won investment, and follow-up series The Potato Lab and Divorce Insurance hovered around the 1% mark.
Fortunately, a turning point came with Resident Playbook and Our Unwritten Seoul, both of which found success. Now Law and the City joins this winning streak, showing even faster growth in viewership than its predecessors and signaling a strong comeback for the network.
Lee Jong-suk impresses as Joo-hyung, a relatable, seasoned professional whose everyday routines resonate with viewers. His realistic portrayal and subtle emotions build a strong connection, especially in courtroom scenes where his sharp logic and steady voice shine.
A budding romance with Hee-ji (Moon Ga-young) adds emotional depth, as their contrasting personalities spark chemistry and intrigue.
Lee Jong-suk continues to live up to his “trustworthy actor” reputation, and his performance in Law and the City is a key factor in the show’s soaring popularity.
