“OTT Hit, TV Miss” K-Drama Fizzles Out with 5.8% Ratings Despite Strong Start and Online Popularity

MBC’s high-profile drama “Undercover High School” has officially come to an end, closing its 12-episode run on March 30 with a final episode that recorded just 5.8% nationwide ratings, according to Nielsen Korea. Despite an ambitious premise and an initially strong response, the series quietly bowed out, unable to sustain its early momentum.

Starring Seo Kang-joon as NIS agent Jung Hae-seong, the show followed his undercover mission as a high school student in search of a legendary stash of gold hidden since the time of Korea’s last emperor, Gojong. Mixing B-grade comedy, action, and espionage, the series stood out for its unique genre-blending and quirky tone.

A Hot Start, But No “Big Moment”

In its early weeks, “Undercover High School” was considered a promising contender alongside SBS’s “Buried Hearts,” hitting its peak with 8.3% ratings during episode 4. However, the story soon lost its grip, with viewers citing a lack of tension and surprises. The identity of the central villain was revealed early on, and the show struggled to maintain a balance between its comedic and thriller elements.

Critics pointed to the absence of a decisive plot twist or emotional climax that could have elevated the drama to must-watch status.

OTT Viewership Tells a Different Story

While its linear TV ratings fell short, “Undercover High School” found new life on OTT platforms, particularly on Wavve and, notably, TVING, a rare dual-distribution move for an MBC drama. The series performed well among younger audiences, even maintaining the No.1 spot on TVING’s drama ranking for several weeks.

This performance helped rebuild some momentum for MBC’s weekend lineup, which had struggled recently with titles like “Motel California.”

Online Buzz and Viewer Reactions

In terms of online popularity, the show made waves. According to Good Data Corporation, “Undercover High School” topped the overall buzz index for both TV and non-TV content in the third week of March. Lead actor Seo Kang-joon also ranked No.1 among drama actors, showcasing the show’s impact beyond ratings.

Following the finale, viewer reactions on Naver and online forums were filled with both praise and regret. Many lamented the low ratings, expressing surprise and disappointment:

• “The chemistry between the leads was incredible. Such a waste.”
• “Season 2, please. This was too fun to end here.”
• “Tight, well-paced finale. Honestly underrated.”
• “Why did this only get 5.8%? It deserved more.”
• “The ratings don’t reflect how good this really was.”

A Warm Ending

The final episode gave fans a satisfying conclusion. Jung Hae-seong completes his mission by recovering the emperor’s gold, while the antagonist, Seo Myung-joo (played by Kim Shin-rok), receives life in prison. Meanwhile, Oh Soo-ah (played by Jin Ki-joo) is promoted to a full-time teacher and finds closure both professionally and romantically, bringing her story with Jung Hae-seong to a heartfelt close.

What’s Next for MBC?

Taking over the Friday-Saturday slot is “Crushology 101,” premiering April 4 at 9:50 PM KST. Starring Roh Jeong-eui, Lee Chae-min, and Jo Joon-young, the upcoming drama is a romantic comedy based on a Kakao Webtoon with over 170 million views, following a woman’s chaotic love life after a failed first relationship.

While “Undercover High School” may not have broken records, it has certainly left a mark, as a drama that dared to be different, resonated with fans online, and reminded viewers that ratings don’t always tell the full story.