Who Will Take the Throne After 'The Grand Duchess of the 21st Century'? Current K-Drama Rankings & Trends

 

Who Will Take the Throne After 'The Grand Duchess of the 21st Century'? Current K-Drama Rankings & Trends

With the mega-hit drama The Grand Duchess of the 21st Century (starring IU and Byeon Woo-seok) officially wrapping up its successful run, the K-drama world is buzzing with anticipation. Everyone is asking the same question: Which drama will claim the #1 spot next week?

As we witness a fierce transition in leadership, let’s look at the most popular dramas in South Korea right now, combining traditional TV viewership ratings and OTT streaming charts.

Current Top 5 K-Drama Rankings in Korea (Mid-May 2026)

RankTitleNetwork / PlatformMain CastRatings / Key Milestones
#1The Grand Duchess of the 21st CenturyMBC / Disney+IU, Byeon Woo-seokPeak Rating: 12.76% (Finished)
#2Wonderful New WorldSBS / NetflixLim Ji-yeon, Heo Nam-junFierce Rising Star (#1 on Netflix Korea)
#3Prescribing LoveKBS2Park Ji-hoon, Kim Jae-wonStable Rating: 9-10%
#4Yumi's Cells Season 3TVING (Exclusive)Kim Go-eun#1 on TVING for 4 consecutive weeks
#5ScarecrowENAGenre-enthusiasts' pickRating: 3.21% (High buzz online)


Deep Dive into the Trends: What's Hot in Korea?

🔥 The Next Crown Contender: 'Wonderful New World' (SBS / Netflix)

Now that The Grand Duchess of the 21st Century has ended, all eyes are on SBS’s new Friday-Saturday drama, Wonderful New World. Starring Lim Ji-yeon and Heo Nam-jun, it has taken the domestic market by storm. It recently topped Netflix’s "Global Top 10 Non-English Shows" chart and secured the #1 spot on Netflix Korea. Since it achieved explosive viewership right after The Grand Duchess ended, it is considered the strongest candidate to dominate the charts next week.


🌿 The Steady Performer: 'Prescribing Love' (KBS2)

Maintaining a steady 9-10% viewership rating, Prescribing Love has established a solid fanbase. Driven by the popularity of youth stars Park Ji-hoon and Kim Jae-won, it ranks second in recent drama brand reputation charts, making it a powerful rival in the upcoming ranking shift.


📱 The OTT Powerhouse: 'Yumi's Cells Season 3' (TVING)

For streaming platforms, the return of Yumi's Cells Season 3 has been a massive success. Although it doesn't have traditional TV ratings as a TVING exclusive, it has topped the platform's chart for four weeks straight, driving a huge wave of new paid subscribers.


Conclusion

While The Grand Duchess of the 21st Century dominated both TV ratings and global streaming, the throne is now empty. The current prediction in Korea heavily favors "Wonderful New World" to capture the crown next week, closely pursued by the steady viewership of "Prescribing Love." Keep an eye on these titles for your next binge-watch!


당신들 나라에서 인기 있는 드라마는 뭐일까요.? ^^

https://www.hallyu-culture.com/2026/05/BloodhoundsSeason2review.html


위치: 한국

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  1. donovan.lee2026년 5월 20일 오전 4:29

    What is currently the number one drama in your country? Is any upcoming show on this list trending where you live?

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