New SBS Drama “Spring Of Youth” Led By Rising Actors Shockingly Scores Ratings In The 0%, Will It Be Able To Rise Up?
SBS has launched a new weekday drama slot with “Spring of Youth,” but it’s facing tough competition ahead.
The show, which aired on May 7, recorded a viewership rating of just 0.7%, dropping into the 0% range by the second episode.
“Spring of Youth” follows Sa Gye, played by Ha Yoo Jun, a former member of a top K-pop band who is kicked out and embarks on a new journey in university. There, he meets Kim Bom (Park Ji Hoo) and begins his path to a remarkable comeback. The drama has drawn attention as a romantic series centered around a band, hoping to carry the legacy of the 2009 hit “You’re Beautiful.”
However, it’s been struggling to gain momentum. After a two-year hiatus, SBS revived its weekday drama slot with “Spring of Youth,” but the show is currently facing stiff competition. The drama is scheduled for 10 episodes, and despite being a promising start for SBS’s weekday lineup, it’s facing challenges. The late broadcast time at 10:40 PM, combined with the show’s weekly format, makes it hard to attract a larger audience.
Moreover, SBS’s attempt to bring back the campus genre after the success of “Cheer Up” three years ago is now up against other similar shows. Broadcasts like “Shining Watermelon” and “Run for It” have already aired, leaving “Spring of Youth” struggling to stand out.
Additionally, 2025 saw a slump in the performance of weekday dramas across networks. KBS2’s “Kick Kick Kick” and tvN’s “Divorce Insurance” received 0% ratings, while “Villains’ Country” and “24/7 Health Club” only reached 1%. The latter, however, may see a slight rise in ratings.
Despite these challenges, the drama still holds potential. Ha Yoo Jun, in his first lead role since “Namib,” along with rising stars like Lee Seung Hyup from “Lovely Runner” and Park Ji Hoo, known for her roles in “All of Us Are Dead” and “Little Women,” have good chemistry. With positive feedback from viewers, there’s still a chance that word of mouth could boost the show’s ratings over time.
“Spring of Youth” is also available for streaming on Netflix, which could help generate buzz through international audiences. The growing interest in the drama could lead to an increase in viewership as the show progresses.
As SBS prepares to air more dramas in this slot, including the upcoming Monday-Tuesday series, the competition with ENA and other networks will be fierce. It remains to be seen whether “Spring of Youth” will succeed in this competitive environment and capture higher ratings.
Have you seen “Spring of Youth” yet?
Source: (A)
