Unstoppable! 🔥 SBS Extends K-Drama Reign to 6 Years, Crowned Global Chart-Topper for 2025!

Hello Korea Fam! Minho Kang here, your resident cultural historian at Hello Korea, and today we’re diving deep into some truly remarkable news from the heart of the Hallyu wave. Prepare yourselves, because the broadcast powerhouse **SBS** has just cemented its status as K-drama royalty, announcing an incredible feat: **six consecutive years** at the top for 2049 viewership for its dramas! And 2025? It was an absolute clean sweep, showcasing SBS’s unparalleled prowess in captivating audiences both locally and across the globe.

According to Nielsen Korea’s comprehensive analysis of major channel dramas from **January 1 to December 28, 2025** (including mini-series but excluding weekend dramas), SBS shattered records by being the *only* channel to break the 2% barrier in 2049 viewership, hitting a staggering 2.3%. This isn’t just a win; it’s a declaration of dominance. Beyond the target demographic, SBS also secured an overwhelming **8.2%** in household viewership, unequivocally proving its position as the undisputed #1 drama channel.

As a cultural historian, I find this continued dominance fascinating. It’s not merely about high ratings; it’s about SBS consistently identifying and delivering narratives that resonate deeply with a diverse, evolving audience, particularly the digitally-native 2049 demographic. Their strategy reflects a keen understanding of global trends while maintaining a distinct Korean flavor, truly a masterclass in cultural export.

What makes this achievement even more astounding is SBS’s incredible performance in the **2025 Mini-series Viewership TOP 10**, where they claimed an astonishing **five out of the top five spots!** This roster of “God-tier” dramas, as we affectionately call them, spanned across genres, demonstrating SBS’s versatility and commitment to quality storytelling. From sweet romances to thrilling K-fantasy and cathartic action, the perfect synergy of writers, directors, and actors—a “jak-gam-bae” (writer-director-actor) ensemble—coupled with SBS’s powerful brand, truly solidified their reputation as ‘갓스브스’ (God-SBS).

Let’s take a moment to celebrate some of the standout hits that propelled SBS to this stellar position:

• ❤️‍🔥 My Perfect Secretary: Starring **Han Ji-min** and **Lee Joon-hyuk**, this intimate romance about a perfect CEO and her equally perfect secretary captivated viewers, hitting double-digit ratings by its third episode and peaking at **12%** (with a momentary high of **14%**). It held its ground as the Friday-Saturday drama champion, also topping the 2025 Jan-Feb drama brand reputation charts.
• 💰 Treasure Island: A full-bet revenge saga led by **Park Hyung-sik** and **Heo Joon-ho**, praised for its flawless script, direction, and acting. It broke the elusive **15%** mark, achieving its highest ratings ever at **15.7%** in the Seoul metropolitan area, **15.4%** nationwide, and a breathtaking peak of **17.9%**. This masterpiece also clinched the #1 spot for 2049 viewership across all programs for its week.
• 👻 Ghost Palace (귀궁): SBS’s unique fantasy historical romance took the world by storm! Centering on a shamaness and an Imoogi (serpent-dragon) trapped in her first love’s body, it topped Netflix’s TV series chart in **5 Asian countries** within its first week and reigned supreme in **89 countries** (including the U.S., U.K., and France) on Rakuten Viki, boasting an impressive **9.7 rating**. Talk about a global phenomenon!
• 🎬 Our Movie (우리영화): This deeply moving love story between a director and an actress, capturing the pure essence of lives unfolding like a film, garnered immense critical acclaim. Its exquisite direction by **Director Lee Jung-heum** and the nuanced performances of **Namkoong Min** and **Jeon Yeo-bin** earned it the **Best Drama Award** at the 16th Korea Drama Awards.
• 🏉 TRY: We Become Miracles: A comedic growth sports drama about an underdog rugby team, this series starring **Yoon Kye-sang** achieved miracle-like viewership increases. It was lauded as the “youth version of Stove League,” even sparking a **71.71% surge** in online mentions of ‘rugby,’ proving SBS’s power to influence cultural interest beyond the screen.
• 🕷️ Mantis: The Killer’s Outing (사마귀: 살인자의 외출): This high-density crime thriller about a detective teaming up with his serial killer mother (!!!) became a talk-of-the-town hit. **Go Hyun-jung’s** transformative portrayal and **Jang Dong-yoon’s** passionate acting, combined with **Director Byun Young-joo’s** stylish direction, led it to chart in the top tiers of Netflix, reaching **#6 globally** in the non-English category.
• 🚀 Cosmic Marry Me (우주메리미): The sweet yet fierce 90-day contract marriage of **Choi Woo-shik** and **Jung So-min** created explosive chemistry. This rom-com consistently ranked high on Disney+’s worldwide chart for TV shows and, after its 6th episode, soared to **#1 worldwide**, proving its massive global appeal.
• 💋 Just Because of a Kiss! (키스는 괜히 해서!): This electrifying romance, kicking off with a kiss between **Jang Ki-yong** and **Ahn Eun-jin**, kept viewers hooked. It dominated weekday drama viewership for **7 consecutive weeks** and secured the **#1 spot globally** in Netflix’s non-English category for two weeks straight (11/24-12/7), signaling the triumphant return of SBS weekday dramas.
• 🚕 Taxi Driver 3 (모범택시3): Currently airing, this private revenge agency drama continues its legacy of thrilling action. With an impressive lineup of villains including **Sho Kasamatsu**, **Yoon Si-yoon**, **Eum Moon-suk**, **Jang Na-ra**, and **Kim Sung-kyu**, it has already shattered its own season-high ratings, peaking at **19.1%** and achieving a high of **5.57%** in 2049 viewership, topping all programs aired in December. It’s also been the #1 non-original on Netflix Korea and **#1 in buzz for 4 consecutive weeks** on GoodData Corporation’s FUNdex!

From captivating romance to high-octane thrillers and heartwarming sports narratives, SBS has truly delivered a stellar lineup that caters to every taste. Their consistent commitment to quality production, innovative storytelling, and brilliant casting has solidified their position not just as a domestic leader but as a significant force in the global K-drama landscape. We at Hello Korea have been watching closely, and we can confidently say that SBS isn’t just making dramas; they’re crafting cultural touchstones.

To celebrate these achievements, don’t miss the 2025 SBS Drama Awards, which will be broadcast live on **Wednesday, December 31st, at 8:50 PM KST**, where we’ll see which of these incredible works and talents will take home the top honors!

Editor: Minho Kang 📜

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