Despite airing on a lesser-known network, “The Witch” has emerged as a surprise hit in South Korea’s competitive weekend drama scene. The series achieved a record-breaking 3.5% viewership in its second episode, a 145.8% increase from its debut, surpassing its competitor “When the Stars Gossip”, which only achieved a 1.9% rating for the latest episode.
The drama has captivated viewers with its engaging storyline and exceptional performances. “The Witch” is adapted from the webtoon of the same name by the popular author Kang Full, and its success has led to high expectations in the Korean drama industry.
“The Witch” is a mysterious romance drama about Dong-jin (Park Jin-young), a man determined to break the curse surrounding Mi Jeong (Roh Jeong-eui), a girl labeled a “witch” by society. Despite the tragic deaths or accidents of many men around Mi Jeong, including her father, Dong-jin refuses to believe in the so-called “curse of death.” He chooses to stay by her side, offering comfort and healing.
In the second episode of “The Witch”, the events leading to Mi-jeong being labeled a “witch” are further revealed. Roh Jeong-eui excellently portrays Mi-jeong’s deep anguish and loneliness as she isolates herself from society due to continuous tragedies around her. A powerful emotional moment occurs when Mi-jeong faces her father’s death, falling into utter despair.
The first two episodes are filled with a dark, heavy atmosphere, with the rare brightness provided by Park Jin-young’s character Dong-jin. He plays a longtime classmate who, despite the “curse of death,” stands by Mi-jeong’s side, seeking to prove she is not responsible for the misfortunes surrounding the men in her life.
With “When the Stars Gossip” nearing its end, “The Witch”’s ratings are predicted to keep rising, injecting fresh energy into the weekend drama time slot after months of underwhelming performances.
