The ongoing MBC drama Motel California premiered on Friday night in South Korea to high ratings.
Ratings that were particularly good considering it was airing directly opposite the now-runaway hit Love Scout on SBS.
But, while Love Scout‘s ratings rose even higher last night, Motel California‘s ratings fell. Not drastically but, yes, they did fall.
Those ratings, via Nielsen Korea, were 3.8 percent nationwide (down from 4.5 percent for Episode 1), and down to 3.6 percent in Seoul (from 4.5 percent on Friday).
Why Motel California’s ratings falling for Episode 2 doesn’t matter
I would estimate 70 percent of Korean dramas released see a fall in ratings for their second episode.
This is generally due to people watching the first episode who are not sure if they like the actors or the plot, realize they don’t, and then move onto something else before Episode 2 airs.
In a huge percentage of cases, however, the K-drama then goes on to see a ratings rise for Episode 3 as other viewers tell their friends it’s a great watch.
In some cases, enormous ratings then occur as the drama progresses.
Look at Reply 1994, for instance.
That show’s ratings fell for Episode 2, only for the drama to rebound and go on to become one of the most-watched K-dramas in recent years (currently at #34 on Top 50 most-watched cable TV dramas).
That is why I am never worried that a drama I enjoy, and I am enjoying Motel California so far, experiences an episode 2 ratings fall.
That worry I reserve for Episode 4 and after.
Let’s see then how Motel California performs for its third episode, which is scheduled to air on January 17th.
Motel California stars Lee Se Young and Na In Woo.
The Korean drama is streaming internationally on Viki, where it is still earning a very very high 9.7 out of 10.
Brit-American journalist based in Austria,. Former radio DJ at 97X WOXY, and Founder/CEO of Leo Sigh. I’ve covered K-drama, K-pop, anime, and manga news for over a decade.