This Rom-Com Broke Viewership Records When It Came Out, But Please Avoid It If You're Just Getting Into K-Dramas

Crash Landing On You broke viewership records when it aired and is one of the most popular K-dramas of all time, but audiences new to the genre should avoid watching it. Released in 2019, Crash Landing On You focuses on the love story between Ri Jeong-hyeok and Yoon Se-ri. When Se-ri decides to go paragliding, she accidentally lands in North Korea where she has the difficult task of finding her way back to her country with the help of Captain Ri. The romantic K-drama was immensely popular when it premiered and received positive reviews from critics and audiences.

Despite Crash Landing On You’s appeal, the K-drama wasn't without criticism. Given that the plot involves North Korea, it's unsurprising that the K-drama ended up tackling serious matters and was criticized for its portrayal of the country. Crash Landing On You could at times be slow and predictable, and it doesn't really develop its side characters despite having several plotlines. However, it's still a great show to watch, and there is a reason why it's still one of the most popular K-dramas of all time.

Crash Landing On You Was Huge When It Came Out And Remains Popular 6 Years Later

Crash Landing On You Is The Second Highest-Rated K-Drama On TVN

Crash Landing On You played a huge role in the Korean Wave and remains popular six years after its release. The show, which was initially broadcast on tvN, broke viewership records and became one of the most-watched K-dramas of all time. In its first week, Crash Landing On You took the top spot on tVN, with a viewership record of 6.074%. As more episodes of the K-drama were released, it continued to rise in popularity, and its final episode, which took the number one spot from another beloved tvN K-drama, Goblin, had a record-setting rating of 21.7% (via ABS-CBN).

Crash Landing on You's Ri Jeong-hyuk and Yoon Se-ri

10 Best K-Dramas Like Crash Landing On You

Many K-dramas out there share the same elements that made Crash Landing on You such an overwhelming success and are musts for any watchlist.

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While Crash Landing On You was the most-watched show on tvN, JTBC’s Sky Castle’s final episode had a higher viewership rating, thus making Crash Landing On You the second most popular K-drama at the time of its premiere. Crash Landing On You held the record for the network's most-watched K-drama for five years but was recently dethroned by Kim Soo-hyun' and Kim Ji-won’s Queen of Tears. There are many reasons that Crash Landing On You remains one of the K-dramas that are considered masterpieces, including but not limited to how compelling the main couple was.

Why Crash Landing On You Is Not The Ideal K-Drama For Beginners

Crash Landing On You Has A Lot Of Subplots

There are several K-dramas that audiences who are new to the genre should watch, such as Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Boys Over Flowers, and What's Wrong With Secretary Kim before tackling a show like Crash Landing On You. While the 2019 series is great, it is more suitable for an audience that has experience with Korean TV shows. This is because Crash Landing On You features several tropes that are often used in romantic K-dramas including a love triangle, troubled childhood, and family discord.

TVN's 10 Highest-Rated K-Dramas
K-Drama	Release Year
Queen of Tears	2024
Crash Landing On You	2019
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God	2017
Mr. Sunshine	2018
Mr. Queen	2020
Crash Course In Romance	2023
Under the Queen's Umbrella	2022
Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born	2024
Vicenzo	2021
Our Blues	2022

Further, it takes a while for Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok to get any real development. The K-drama does point to the fact that the lead characters have feelings for each other early on in the show, but nothing tangible happens between them until later. Unlike most romantic K-dramas, Crash Landing On You has a bittersweet ending that might not be ideal for a new audience. While not everyone was happy with how the series concluded, it's still in line with the overarching themes featured throughout the story because a simple happy ending wouldn't have worked.

You Should Definitely Watch Crash Landing On You After Getting Into K-Dramas

Crash Landing On You Is Great For Audiences Who Are Already Into K-Dramas

Crash Landing On You is a great romantic K-drama to watch for people who are already used to the style and pacing of Korean shows. The series has a unique storyline for anyone looking to watch romantic K-dramas about doomed couples. The lead characters are also popular South Korean actors who have starred in several shows and movies, so audiences who aren't new to the genre might have already seen their other work and are familiar with them.

People who have already gotten into K-dramas are already familiar with the tropes and the type of humor that is often employed in the genre. As a result, it's easier not to become confused with the various plotlines in the show or the pacing, which can sometimes be slow and therefore frustrating for newcomers. It's also a good thing thatCrash Landing On You doesn't have a typical happy ending, which works better when you compare it to other K-drama finales.

Source:ABS-CBN