“I Shouldn’t Have Watched It”: Top 3 K-Dramas With The Most Disappointing Endings

Not all K-dramas stick the landing. According to a recent poll on DC Inside, Korean netizens named “Reborn Rich“, “Squid Game” and “Big Bet” as the top three “dragon-head-snake-tail” dramas—that is, series that started strong but ended in major disappointment.

The survey, conducted from July 7 to 13 under the question “Which drama do you regret finishing the most due to a disappointing ending?”, gathered 10,158 total votes.

1. Reborn Rich (30%)

With 3,046 votes (30%), “Reborn Rich”, starring Song Joong Ki, topped the list. The series captured massive attention with its intriguing premise of a man reincarnated as the youngest son of a chaebol family. However, its finale diverged from the original web novel and was met with backlash. Some viewers mockingly dubbed it “Firstborn Son of a Soup Shop”, referencing the lackluster twist that betrayed the show’s momentum.

2. Squid Game (20%)

“Squid Game”, with 1,991 votes (20%), placed second. The global Netflix phenomenon was initially praised for its originality and social commentary. But according to both Korean and international viewers, the recently released final season was criticized for its shocking and unsatisfying ending, which many felt tarnished its legacy.

3. Big Bet (7%)

Coming in third was “Big Bet” (652 votes, 7%). The crime-action drama received acclaim for its tight storytelling, compelling characters and its cast’s stellar performances. However, the second half drew criticism for losing focus, and viewers were left disappointed by the abrupt and hollow conclusion.

Other dramas mentioned in the poll included “Queen of Tears”, “Twenty-Five Twenty-One” and “Goryeo–Khitan War”, which also sparked debate among fans for their final acts.

Even the most promising dramas can fall flat in the end—proving that in K-dramaland, a strong finale is just as important as a powerful start.