It was supposed to be the TV comeback of the year, but even ratings queen Park Min Young couldn’t save this one. TV Chosun’s much-hyped drama, Confidence Queen, officially wrapped on October 12, but its finale was less of a celebration and more of a sober ending after struggling to break the 1% viewership mark throughout its run.
The comedy series, which followed three charismatic con artists—dubbed a “scamming Avengers” trio—generated massive buzz ahead of its debut, thanks to a powerhouse cast that included the always-reliable Park Hee Soon and rising star Joo Jong Hyuk. Park Min Young, in particular, was lauded for her portrayal of Yoon Yi-rang, the genius-level leader of the con team. Critics called her so perfect for the role, it was “hard to imagine anyone else.”
The Domestic Disaster
Despite the star power, the show’s domestic run was a dramatic disappointment. Confidence Queen debuted at a meager 1.1% and quickly dipped to a concerning 0.9% by its fourth episode (Nielsen Korea data).
The drama reportedly struggled heavily against the time-slot juggernaut, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty. In a desperate attempt to boost its numbers, the network even shuffled the broadcast time, a move that ultimately failed to turn the tide. While the series managed a peak of 1.8% during episode eight, it ultimately concluded with a disappointing 1.4% finale rating.
But Wait: A Global Streaming Success Story
Here’s the twist: While the South Korean audience largely tuned out, the rest of the world couldn’t get enough!
On the day of its final episode, Confidence Queen was crushing it globally. The series landed in the Top 3 among dramas on Amazon Prime’s worldwide Top 8 TV shows list, and also secured a coveted spot on Coupang Play’s TOP10 rankings.
The stunning split suggests that while the show’s quirky, over-the-top premise may not have resonated with traditional domestic viewers, it found a massive, appreciative audience on the global streaming market, solidifying its status as a certified international hit—even if it was a domestic flop.
What do you think kept Korean audiences away?
