Viewers were surprised to see the numbers…
Koreaboo
Despite its strong performance since its debut, tvN‘s historical drama The Queen Who Crowns has experienced an unexpected setback in its latest viewership numbers.
The most recent episode garnered a nationwide rating of 3.6%, marking its lowest performance since the series premiere. It was also a significant drop from the previous episode’s 4.1% share.
The period show — which follows the compelling story of a young woman’s rise from humble origins to become one of the most influential figures in the Joseon Dynasty — has consistently captivated audiences with its masterful blend of political intrigue, romance, and historical drama. The show’s stellar cast and high production values have made it a standout in the competitive world of Korean television.
Since its premiere, The Queen Who Crowns has dominated its time slot, consistently outperforming rival programs across both cable and general programming channels — including major competitors like JTBC, Channel A, TV Chosun, and MBN. This makes the recent ratings dip particularly surprising, as the show had been maintaining steady viewership numbers throughout its run.
The sudden decrease has caught many off guard, especially given the K-Drama’s strong narrative momentum and positive critical reception. While a 3.6% rating might seem modest by some standards, it’s worth noting that cable dramas typically draw smaller audiences than their network counterparts.
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Looking ahead, fans of the series have something extra to anticipate, as a special two-episode prequel titled The Queen Who Crowns: Before Sunrise is set to premiere on February 21 on the streaming platform Viki.
As The Queen Who Crowns approaches its finale, it remains to be seen whether this ratings dip represents a temporary fluctuation or a more significant trend. Given the show’s track record and dedicated fan base, many are optimistic that viewership numbers will rebound as the story builds toward its conclusion.
