Explosive Start: Choi Soo-young and Gong Myung’s “Second Shot at Love” Tops Ratings with First Episode at 5.7%
tvN’s newest Monday-Tuesday drama, Second Shot at Love, launched with a bang, topping its time slot and quickly winning over viewers with its blend of humor, heartache, and hometown charm.
Second Shot at Love Tops Ratings with Humor and Heart
Premiering on May 12, the first episode scored an impressive peak viewership rating of 5.7% and averaged 4.3% in Seoul. Nationwide, the episode recorded 3.4% on paid platforms, according to Nielsen Korea, ranking No. 1 among cable and general programming channels during its time slot.
Starring Choi Soo-young as Han Geum-joo and Gong Myung as Seo Eui-jun, the drama follows Geum-joo’s return to her rural hometown of Bocheon after her engagement falls apart and she loses her job. Her homecoming is met with unexpected upheaval, as her mother Kim Gwang-ok (Kim Sung Ryung) imposes a strict no-alcohol policy on their famously booze-loving household.
This sudden lifestyle shift ignites both comedy and tension, especially when Geum-joo’s father (Kim Sang-ho) and sister (Jo Yoon-hee) defy the rule and are dramatically reprimanded. The family’s chaotic attempt to quit drinking serves as a warm but sharp backdrop to the unfolding emotional journey.
Secrets, Romance, and a Promising Future for tvN’s Latest Hit
A major revelation in the premiere comes with the reason behind Geum-joo’s called-off wedding. Contrary to village gossip that alcohol was to blame, viewers learn her ex-fiancé (Yoo E-tae) was unfaithful—caught buying a pregnancy test the night before their ceremony. Her poignant line, “I broke off this wedding—because you’re worse than alcohol,” captured the heartbreak and marked a turning point for the character.
Adding intrigue is Geum-joo’s reunion with her first love, Seo Eui-jun, now a successful psychiatrist and head of the local health center, affectionately known as “Bocheon God Seo.” Their emotional encounter, set against the backdrop of an early morning hangover scene, has already sparked buzz among fans.
Penned by Myung Soo-hyun and Jeon Ji-hyun, and co-directed by Jang Yoo-jung and Jo Nam-hyung, Second Shot at Love is produced by Studio Dragon and How Pictures. Critics and viewers alike praised the cast’s natural performances, character chemistry, and the show’s detailed, immersive direction.
The drama’s strong debut marks a significant rebound for tvN’s Monday-Tuesday lineup, following the disappointing performance of its predecessor Divorce Insurance, which saw ratings fall below 1%. In contrast, Second Shot at Love more than tripled those numbers and surpassed the previous show’s peak.
