“The Divorce Insurance” Ends with Record-Low Ratings in Korea — But Becomes a Global OTT Hit
tvN’s Monday-Tuesday drama The Divorce Insurance ended on a dismal note, earning the dubious honor of falling into the 0% viewership range just one episode before its finale—an all-time low for the network.
The Divorce Insurance Wraps Up with 0% Viewership
According to Nielsen Korea, the penultimate episode of The Divorce Insurance, aired on May 5, recorded a nationwide rating of 0.9%, marking not only its lowest point but also one of the poorest ratings ever for a tvN prime-time drama. The show started with a decent 3.2% on March 31 but plunged below 2% by episode 4, never recovering. Episode 10 registered 1.0%, and episode 11 dropped below the dreaded 1% mark.
This performance is even lower than 2020’s A Piece of Your Mind, which closed at 1.2%. It’s the first time since About Time (2018), which once dipped to 0.887%, that a tvN drama has seen such a steep decline—highlighting a long-standing problem in the network’s Monday-Tuesday lineup.
Why Did “The Divorce Insurance” Flop in Korea?
Despite featuring beloved actors such as Lee Dong-wook, Lee Da-hee, Lee Kwang-soo and Lee Joo-bin, the K-drama failed to resonate with Korean viewers. Many cited issues with its slow pacing, lack of emotional depth, and a narrative that leaned too heavily on concept rather than connection. Online viewers commented, “With this cast, I expected more” and “I gave up halfway through,” reflecting a sense of disappointment.
The premise of a fictional insurance company developing divorce-related products was fresh and ambitious, but the execution—especially the setup of a male lead who’s been divorced three times—proved polarizing. Viewers also noted the episodic storytelling weakened character development and romantic chemistry.
The Divorce Insurance is the latest in a string of underwhelming Monday-Tuesday dramas on tvN. Past titles like “A Piece of Your Mind,” “About Time,” and “Record of Youth” also struggled to break past the 2% viewership threshold. These repeated failures point to broader programming issues within the network’s early-week lineup.
Unexpected Global Success: Top 5 on Amazon Prime Video Worldwide
While “The Divorce Insurance” underperformed in Korea, it has found new life abroad. Just one day after the finale, the drama soared to 4th place globally in Amazon Prime Video’s TV show rankings, according to streaming analytics site FlixPatrol. It maintained that rank on May 8 and continues to trend in multiple regions.
The series reached the #1 spot in six Asian countries: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Additionally, it entered the Top 10 in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and more—demonstrating the power and reach of Korean dramas on global streaming platforms.
International viewers appear to be more open to The Divorce Insurance’s unconventional story and genre blend. The show mixes romantic comedy with workplace drama and social satire, focusing on a group of insurance professionals creating “divorce insurance” to deal with modern relationships.
Directed by Lee Won-suk of “Killing Romance,” the series aimed to deliver a warm, healing message about moving on after heartbreak. While its structure may have clashed with domestic tastes, the flexibility of streaming platforms allows global audiences to consume the story at their own pace—potentially explaining its overseas success.
Following the end of The Divorce Insurance, tvN is set to premiere a new Monday-Tuesday drama, “Second Shot at Love,” on May 12. Starring Choi Soo-young and Gong Myung, the series will explore themes of sobriety, second chances, and personal growth.
With tvN eager to recover from multiple ratings slumps, industry watchers are keen to see if this new show can reverse the trend.
