“The First Night with the Duke” Saves Face for KBS Dramas with Promising Ratings
According to Nielsen Korea on June 20, episode 4 of “The First Night with the Duke” aired the previous day and recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 3.3%.
The drama, which premiered on June 11, opened strong with 3.3% for episode 1 and climbed slightly to 3.4% in episode 2. Although it dipped to 2.7% in episode 3, it recovered in episode 4, once again hitting 3.3%.
With the exception of one episode, “The First Night with the Duke” has consistently stayed within the 3% range — a milestone that no other KBS Wednesday-Thursday drama has reached this year. Earlier in February, “Kick Kick Kick Kick” started at 2.1% but plummeted to the 1% range by episode 2 and ended with a low of 0.3%. Its successor, “Villains Everywhere”, also failed to break 3%, starting at 2.7% and struggling in the 1% range from episode 5 onward. Meanwhile, “Pump Up the Healthy Love” remained stuck in the 1% zone throughout its run.
In contrast, “The First Night with the Duke” debuted in the 3% range even without the benefit of a popular predecessor, drawing attention for its independent strength.
The show tells the story of a contemporary college student who wakes up in the body of a background character in a romance novel and ends up spending a night with the obsessive male lead. The fantasy-romance adapts the Western nobility-style setting of the original web novel into a Joseon-era historical drama. Starring Seohyun and Ok Taec-yeon, the series blends historical tones with romantic comedy elements.
Viewers are particularly drawn to its playful but frustration-free storytelling and the intriguing concept of a heroine altering the novel’s plot from within. Both leads have received praise for their performances: Seohyun plays a side character possessed by a modern soul, delivering lines in a contemporary tone without disrupting the flow. Ok Taec-yeon, portraying Gyeongseong-gun, balances darkness and romantic affection skillfully.
Before its premiere, “The First Night with the Duke” faced criticism for damaging Byeongsan Seowon], a UNESCO World Heritage site, during filming. KBS responded by issuing a public apology and scrapping all related footage. The director also apologized repeatedly during the pre-broadcast press conference.
Despite these early setbacks, the drama’s start has been solid. As “The First Night with the Duke” continues to gain traction, viewers are watching closely to see if it can break the curse of low KBS Wednesday-Thursday ratings once and for all.
