Nam Goong Min Responds to Low Ratings Criticism With Grace: “Will Take Responsibility”
Top-tier actor Nam Goong Min, known for his stellar performances and award-winning roles, has once again shown the true dignity of a seasoned star—this time in response to early criticism of his new SBS drama “Our Movie” (우리영화).
On June 15, just two days after the show’s premiere, Nam Goong Min took to his personal social media to share a headline that labeled him as suffering the “humiliation of being last place in ratings.” Rather than ignoring or dismissing the comment, he addressed it with calm, accountability, and surprising optimism.
“Despite the provocative title, the article proves someone actually watched our drama. Thank you so much,” the actor wrote, adding, “Even though the current ratings are low, I am incredibly confident in our work. Please give us just until episode 5. If by then we don’t show a clear turnaround, feel free to scold me even more harshly. I will take full responsibility.”
Before the premiere, expectations and concerns were already swirling. Namgoong Min, who previously swept major acting awards returned to SBS after three years, drawing much attention. However, concerns also loomed over whether a slow-burn melodrama could succeed in the Friday-Saturday drama slot. Namgoong Min was well aware of this.
At the press conference, he candidly stated, “Do we have a competitive edge? None. There are no provocative or dopamine-inducing scenes or direction.” He added, “If high ratings are tied to shock value, this might struggle. But if a less provocative show turns out well, that would be an even bigger achievement. So I’m confident.” He admitted uncertainty about the ratings but said, “From a production perspective, the outcome was better than expected.”
This statement follows the broadcast of “Our Movie”’s first two episodes, which aired on June 13 and 14. The series, starring Nam Goong Min as director Jae-ha and Jeon Yeo-bin as actress Da-eum, explores a poignant, time-sensitive love story between a filmmaker with no future projects and an actress facing her final performance. The drama opened to a 4.2% national average rating for episode 1 and slightly dipped to 3.3% for episode 2.
However, viewer reviews remain divided. Some say the show lacks the engaging storytelling needed to reverse the ratings. The tear-jerking theme of a terminal illness and the slow narrative have proven to be barriers for some viewers. Criticism has also been directed at Jeon Yeo-been, who plays a character in her 20s despite being 37 in real life. Viewers found her energetic tone mismatched with the character’s age and criticized a particular scene in Episode 2 where she shouts, “You all think you have a lot of life left, right?” as jarring and immersion-breaking.
Some viewers commented:
- “I changed the channel during the yelling scene.”
- “Her voice sounds forced and artificial.”
- “Am I the only one who finds her acting awkward?”
Opinions on the show overall are also mixed—some find it calming and healing, while others call it flat and boring.
While such early dips are not uncommon, Nam Goong Min’s direct and gracious handling of the criticism is rare. As a three-time SBS Drama Awards Grand Prize winner (“Hot Stove League” in 2020, “The Veil” in 2021, and “My Dearest” in 2023), he could have easily brushed off the scrutiny. Instead, he acknowledged it—and in doing so, won praise not only for his acting but for his character.
Meanwhile, it is important to note that early ratings often don’t reflect a drama’s full potential, as many K-dramas have seen major rebounds thanks to word-of-mouth and storytelling that unfolds over time. In Nam Goong Min’s case, his passion and sense of accountability over “Our Movie” are evident.