“First Lady” K-drama Ratings Surge to 1.9% as Finale Approaches

MBN’s political melodrama “First Lady” is ending on a high note, riding a wave of increasing viewership as it heads into its final episode. The shocking tale of a president-elect’s sudden divorce demand has captivated audiences, and the numbers prove it—the penultimate episode achieved a 1.9% rating, marking steady growth that signals strong finale interest.

First Lady Ratings Performance Overview

The Momentum Behind the Numbers

According to Nielsen Korea, the penultimate episode’s 1.9% viewership represents more than just a statistical bump—it reflects growing audience investment in the drama’s resolution. The 0.2 percentage point increase from the previous episode’s 1.7% rating demonstrates consistent upward trajectory as the story reaches its climax.

For cable dramas, especially those in the melodrama genre, maintaining steady ratings growth heading into a finale is a significant achievement. It indicates strong word-of-mouth, compelling storytelling, and audience loyalty—all factors that contribute to a drama’s overall success beyond raw numbers.

Explore more about K-drama ratings and industry trends on our entertainment analysis section.

What Makes “First Lady” Compelling

The drama tells an audacious story that hooks viewers from the premise alone: A president-elect suddenly demands a divorce from his wife just 67 days before his inauguration. This shocking setup provides the foundation for a narrative that explores power, ambition, marriage, and political intrigue.

Eugene’s Powerful Performance: Eugene stars as Cha Soo Yeon, a formidable kingmaker positioned to become South Korea’s first lady. When her husband Hyun Min Chul (played by Ji Hyun Woo), the newly elected president, blindsides her with divorce papers, she must navigate personal devastation while maintaining her political acumen.

Complex Character Dynamics: The drama doesn’t simply portray Soo Yeon as a victim. As a kingmaker—someone who helped orchestrate her husband’s rise to power—she possesses her own strength, connections, and strategic mind. This complexity elevates the drama beyond typical melodrama tropes.

Political Intrigue Meets Personal Drama: By setting the story in the highest echelons of political power, “First Lady” explores how personal relationships intersect with national politics, creating stakes that extend far beyond individual happiness.

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Why Ratings Matter for Cable Dramas

Cable network dramas face different challenges than their terrestrial counterparts. With more competition and fragmented audiences, achieving consistent viewership growth is particularly noteworthy. “First Lady’s” performance on MBN demonstrates the drama’s ability to:

• Build Audience Investment: Viewers returning week after week signal strong narrative engagement
• Generate Buzz: Rising ratings often correlate with social media discussions and word-of-mouth recommendations
• Validate Creative Choices: The upward trend suggests the drama’s bold premise and execution resonate with audiences
• Strengthen Network Credibility: Success helps establish MBN’s reputation for quality programming

The Final Episode Anticipation

With the finale airing on October 30 at 10:20 PM KST, speculation is running high about how Cha Soo Yeon’s story will conclude. Will she reclaim her position? Will the marriage survive? Or will she forge an entirely new path?

The rising ratings suggest viewers are emotionally invested in seeing these questions answered. Eugene’s portrayal of a woman balancing personal heartbreak with political savvy has clearly resonated, making the finale one of the most anticipated K-drama endings of the season.

Catch up on all episodes of “First Lady” on Viki before the finale airs.

Eugene and Ji Hyun Woo’s Chemistry

The drama benefits immensely from its lead actors’ performances. Eugene, known for her versatility across genres, brings depth to Cha Soo Yeon’s complex character arc. Ji Hyun Woo, portraying the president-elect with ambiguous motivations, creates tension that keeps viewers guessing.

Their dynamic—once a power couple now in crisis—forms the emotional core that drives the narrative forward. The actors’ ability to convey both intimacy and estrangement makes the central conflict believable and compelling.

What Happens After the Finale?

As “First Lady” concludes, its performance will be remembered as a testament to bold storytelling in K-drama. The drama took risks with its provocative premise and unconventional protagonist, proving that audiences appreciate complexity even in traditionally formulaic genres.

For fans saying goodbye to Cha Soo Yeon’s journey, the good news is that both Eugene and Ji Hyun Woo have established careers with extensive filmographies to explore. The drama’s success also increases likelihood of similar politically-charged narratives in future K-drama productions.

Don’t miss the finale tonight—it promises to deliver the resolution this gripping story deserves!

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