The new SBS romance kdrama Love Scout has quickly become a sensation in Korea, breaking through with remarkable viewership numbers, thanks to Lee Junhyuk’s first-time foray into a romance role. The series hit double-digit viewership with its third episode, making a huge splash in the K-drama scene.
According to Nielsen Korea, the third episode of Love Scout, which aired on January 10 KST, recorded an impressive average nationwide viewership of 10.5%, peaking at 13.1%. This jump in ratings signifies not only the growing popularity of the drama but also Lee Junhyuk’s undeniable charm and strong performance.
In the latest episode, we see CEO Kang Ji Yoon (played by Han Ji Min) and her new secretary, Yoo Eun Ho (played by Lee Junhyuk), gradually becoming closer as they learn more about each other’s unexpected sides. Their initially rocky work relationship turns into mutual respect, with Eun Ho proving his worth despite their shaky start. The pair shares some heartwarming moments, including a hilarious scene at Ji Yoon’s favorite tteokbokki spot, where Eun Ho burns his tongue in an attempt to cool down Ji Yoon’s “murderously hot” spicy dish.
The drama’s steady rise in viewership has been driven by Lee Junhyuk’s stellar performance, which has struck a chord with fans. Though the first episode’s ratings were relatively modest (5.2/4.9), the show’s popularity began to pick up quickly, with episode 2 reaching 6.5/6.7, and by episode 3, it soared to 10.5/10.3, marking a significant leap.
Fans have expressed their excitement about Lee Junhyuk’s role, praising his performance and the chemistry he shares with Han Ji Min. Here are a few enthusiastic reactions from the audience:
- “This is fcking fun and he’s fcking handsome.”
- “Lee Junhyuk suits his role like a glove. Please let’s shoot more romance now.”
- “How is Lee Junhyuk’s face only showing up in melo-romance now? ㅜㅜㅜ Seriously, he’s too good.”
- “Seriously, Lee Junhyuk is freaking handsome.”
- “It already hit 10…? But Lee Junhyuk is honestly insane, he needs to keep picking scripts like that with that voice and expressions of his. Of course, he should try sageuks too.”
- “The first part of Ep. 1 was a bit weird, but it became super fun from the 2nd half.”
- “I’ll need to wait until Ep. 4 ㅠㅠㅠㅠ I’m so looking forward.”
- “I’m watching for sure.”
- “The visual combination is legendary.”
- “Me too, I’m watching it religiously now ㅋㅋㅋ.”
The show has hit all the right notes with its captivating blend of romance, humor, and Lee Junhyuk’s breakthrough performance. As the drama continues to grow in popularity, fans can’t wait to see what comes next. With ratings continuing to climb and an eager fanbase, Love Scout is well on its way to becoming the next big K-drama hit.
