While it struggled with viewership in South Korea, the MBC Friday-Saturday drama “Crushology 101” has become a surprising global hit, topping streaming charts in 19 countries and drawing enthusiastic international response.
According to Kakao Entertainment on April 16, the drama produced by Kakao and directed by Kim Ji-hoon was released simultaneously in 106 countries on April 11. It quickly rose to No. 1 in Italy, Switzerland, Spain, and 16 other regions.
On KOCOWA+, which provides content in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Oceania, “Crushology 101” ranked No. 2 overall. It also secured the No. 2 spot on Japan’s U-NEXT platform. In Southeast Asia, the show is distributed through Viu, and in India, it’s available via Amazon Prime Video’s Channel K.
Adapted from a popular Kakao webtoon of the same name, the drama tells the story of Bunny, a young woman carrying the emotional baggage of her first failed romance, as she navigates complicated new relationships with several charming men. The series is known for its vibrant visuals, cheerful tone, and strong chemistry among the cast.
Actress Roh Jeong-eui plays the lead role of Bunny, winning praise for her bright and lovable performance. Lee Chae-min stars as Hwang Jae-yeol, a reserved yet warm university student, while Jo Joon-young portrays Cha Ji-won, the kind-hearted heir of a wealthy family. The cast also includes Kim Hyun-jin as Jo Ah-rang, a famous sculptor. Each male lead offers a distinct personality, adding color to Bunny’s campus love story.
While the show stays faithful to much of the original webtoon, some character dynamics have been altered to enhance the narrative. The drama places a strong focus on youth, college life, and the fresh emotions of first love offering relatable content for viewers in their 20s and beyond.
Despite its international popularity, domestic ratings have been underwhelming. The premiere episode recorded a nationwide rating of 1.3%, while episode two dropped to 0.9%, according to Nielsen Korea. This is notably lower than its predecessor “Undercover High School,” which debuted at 5.6% and ended at 5.8%.
Nevertheless, overseas audiences appear to be bridging the gap. Global viewers have praised the show for its charming leads, relatable storyline, and visually appealing production. Online comments include:
- I started watching it casually but the cast chemistry is so good.
- Roh Jeong-eui fits the webtoon character perfectly. I was worried about the adaptation, but it’s surprisingly fresh and fun.
- The storyline is easy to follow and the visuals are stylish—perfect for international fans.
- This would have been a mega-hit if it aired during the “Boys Over Flowers” era.
- Can Bunny and Jae-yeol just start dating already? It gets better every episode!
“Crushology 101” airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m. (KST) on MBC.
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