KBS’s much-anticipated return to the sitcom format is off to a rocky start. “Villains Everywhere”, the first prime-time sitcom from the broadcaster in 13 years, has seen its viewership drop dramatically, hitting just 1.5% nationwide viewership by Episode 3, according to Nielsen Korea.
“Villains Everywhere” Rating Status and Reaction
The show debuted on March 19 with a modest 2.7%, followed by 2.1% for Episode 2. But by its third episode, it hit its lowest point yet, dipping into the 1% range. Despite marketing as a fresh revival of a beloved format, the drama is already facing the same fate as its predecessor “Kick Kick Kick Kick,” which failed to reach even 1%.
Though many viewers have criticized the drama as unengaging, some loyal fans are voicing support online. In real-time chatrooms on Naver, reactions included, “It’s fun… definitely better than those cliché cheating dramas,” “Was I the only one who enjoyed it? Everyone’s slamming it,” “I found it warm and a little sad too… but people are hating it,” and “The cast is great, and Yena’s in it. I don’t get why the ratings dropped.”
“Villains Everywhere” tells the chaotic, comedic story of sisters Oh Na-ra and Oh Yoo-jin, played by Oh Na-ra and So Yoo-jin, living on the same floor of an apartment complex. Their multi-generational family includes four children and their elderly parents, painting a warm, if turbulent, picture of everyday life. Each episode runs 30 minutes, airing two back-to-back installments every Wednesday and Thursday night at 9:50 p.m KST.
Sitcoms Lost Popularity
This marks the first time a terrestrial network sitcom of this format has aired since “High Kick: Revenge of the Short Legged” (2011–2012). Sitcoms once dominated Korean primetime in the ’90s and early 2000s with series like “Three Guys and Three Girls,” “Nonstop,” “Unstoppable High Kick,” and SBS’s “Soonpoong Clinic.” At its peak, “New Nonstop” even hit a record-breaking 39.7% in ratings.
But by the 2010s, the sitcom format lost traction due to the rise of variety shows and changing viewing habits among younger generations. According to Hankook Ilbo, KBS’s decision to bring back sitcoms stems from the current economic strain on drama production. With overseas OTT platforms inflating budgets and ad revenue shrinking, sitcoms—with their lower cost and broader appeal—are seen as a practical fallback.
Still, producing sitcoms isn’t cheap, especially with ensemble casts. That’s why “Villains Everywhere” airs in the primetime slot instead of a daily format. KBS Drama Center director Kim Young-jo explained, “Daily sitcoms require a large writing team and high production costs, so we opted for a primetime twice-a-week format. If the response is good, we may consider producing Season 2.”
But with “Kick Kick Kick Kick” having failed just before it, the pressure on “Villains Everywhere” is heavier than ever. The show’s ability to bounce back in ratings could determine the fate of KBS’s entire sitcom revival strategy.
Whether this emotional turn can help the series rebound in viewership remains to be seen. “Villains Everywhere” airs every Wednesday and Thursday at 9:50 p.m. on KBS2.
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