Ever found yourself watching My Dearest, ugly crying into your snacks, and wondering, “Wait, did actual Koreans love this drama as much as I did? Or was I just emotionally unstable?”
Well, let’s get into it because I did the digging, and spoiler alert—Korea was just as obsessed as we were.
The Ratings Didn’t Lie, And Neither Did My Tear Stains
If you ever wanted to know if a drama was the moment in Korea, checking the ratings was the way to go.
And let me tell you, My Dearest skyrocketed. It didn’t just do well, it dominated its time slot like a K-drama chaebol taking over a struggling family business.
Translation? Koreans tuned in, week after week, desperate for more pain—I mean, storytelling.
Why Were Koreans Hooked? Let’s Break It Down
Honestly, I got why this drama made waves in Korea. Here’s what kept them glued to their screens:
- Historical Dramas? They Ate That Up. Koreans have always had a deep love for sageuk (historical dramas). But it wasn’t just about the period costumes and palace intrigue.Historical dramas connected Korean viewers to their cultural roots, offering a sense of national identity and pride. My Dearest brought the Qing invasion of Joseon (1636-1637) to life—a painful chapter in Korean history that still carried emotional weight.
My Dearest brought the Qing invasion of Joseon (1636-1637) to life—a painful chapter in Korean history that still carried emotional weight.
- Acting That Deserved an Award … or Five. Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun Jin weren’t just acting—they were delivering.Korean audiences appreciated strong performances, and these two served up some of the most emotional, gut-wrenching scenes we had seen in a while.
- Romance That Was as Painful as It Was Beautiful. Let’s be real—Korean audiences have always had a soft spot for tragic, heart-clenching love stories.Relationships in historical settings often highlighted Confucian values, such as loyalty, honor, and duty over personal happiness.That constant push-and-pull between love and obligation? It hit differently when you realized it mirrored real struggles from Joseon-era Korea.
The Nostalgia Factor & Cultural Connection
Another reason My Dearest resonated with Korean viewers was its deep cultural ties.
Older generations grew up on sageuk dramas, so there was a sense of nostalgia when they saw hanbok-clad characters navigating palace politics and war-torn love affairs.
For younger audiences, this drama wasn’t just another period piece—it was an opportunity to reflect on Korea’s past while enjoying high-quality storytelling.
The attention to historical accuracy in fashion, language, and societal structure made My Dearest feel immersive and authentic.
The attention to historical accuracy in fashion, language, and societal structure made My Dearest feel immersive and authentic.
Unpacking The Korean Audience’s Fascination with Sageuk
For international viewers, it might have seemed surprising that Koreans were still hooked on period dramas.
But sageuk dramas served a unique purpose in Korean entertainment:
- They revisited and reinterpreted history, keeping national stories alive for modern audiences.
- They reflected on traditional Confucian values, like filial piety, loyalty, and sacrifice.
- They often paralleled modern social issues, allowing viewers to draw connections between past and present.
This was why My Dearest was more than just another romance—it tapped into Korea’s collective memory while delivering a compelling story.
My Dearest Took Home Major Awards
If all the buzz and ratings weren’t enough proof of its impact, My Dearest also swept up some major awards.
At the 2023 MBC Drama Awards, it won Drama of the Year, and Namkoong Min took home the Grand Prize (Daesang) for his incredible performance. Ahn Eun Jin also snagged the Top Excellence Award, proving that their chemistry and acting had the entire nation hooked.
The drama also made waves at the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards, winning Best Drama and Best Actor for Namkoong Min, further cementing its status as one of the most critically acclaimed K-dramas of its time.
The drama also made waves at the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards, winning Best Drama and Best Actor for Namkoong Min, further cementing its status as one of the most critically acclaimed K-dramas of its time.
Social Media Went Wild
If a drama trended online in Korea, you knew it was a big deal.
And guess what? My Dearest was everywhere.
- Trending hashtags? Check.
- Netizens dissecting every scene on Theqoo and DC Inside? Check.
- Fans crying over whether the leads would ever get a happy ending? Oh, absolutely check.
Final Verdict: Korea Was Just as Emotionally Wrecked As We Were
So, was My Dearest popular in Korea? Absolutely.
It had the ratings, the social media buzz, and the cultural impact to prove it.
Koreans, just like us, were here for the historical drama, the heart-wrenching romance, and the kind of storytelling that made you stare at a wall in emotional exhaustion.
Koreans, just like us, were here for the historical drama, the heart-wrenching romance, and the kind of storytelling that made you stare at a wall in emotional exhaustion.
Now, tell me—did you keep up with the Korean buzz, or were you just drowning in your own My Dearest-induced feelings?
Let’s talk in the comments.
And if you know someone still debating whether to watch, send this their way.
They needed to know what they missed out on!
P.S. In Case You Missed These ...
