tvN and Netflix co-produced series “Unknown Seoul” turns expectations into results
tvN‘s Saturday-Sunday drama ‘Unknown Seoul‘ is a representative Korean drama that is simultaneously broadcast domestically and released on global OTT platforms. It premiered on May 24, 2025, and concluded on June 29, featuring strong performances by Park Bo-young and Park Jin-young, which boosted both domestic viewership and international popularity.
Before the broadcast, there was much attention on whether tvN’s programming competitiveness and Netflix’s global distribution network would enhance the potential of the work. After its conclusion, it is being evaluated not only as a highly anticipated work but also as a prime example of the effectiveness of a content distribution model that combines broadcast channels and OTT platforms.
The expanded reach created by broadcasts on tvN and releases on Netflix
“Mysterious Seoul” is broadcast every Saturday and Sunday on tvN, and is also available to viewers both domestically and internationally through Netflix. According to the official program description from tvN, the series consists of a total of 12 episodes, and aired from May 24, 2025, to June 29, 2025.
tvN established a connection with domestic viewers through its fixed broadcasting schedule and regular broadcasts, while Netflix provided accessibility tailored to each country’s time zones and viewing habits. This created a system where a single work could be evaluated based on two key metrics: television viewership ratings and OTT viewing data.
Box office indicators that cannot be judged solely by viewership ratings
Traditional broadcast viewership measures the number of viewers watching television during a specific time slot. In contrast, Netflix uses different metrics, such as the number of views, whether a title enters the global top 10, and the viewing period, which vary depending on the country and release date.
Therefore, when evaluating the performance of dramas released simultaneously, it is necessary to consider not only the TVN viewership ratings and Netflix rankings separately, but also how widely the work is consumed both domestically and internationally.
Park Bo-young in a dual role and a realistic coming-of-age story
“Unknown Seoul” is a romantic coming-of-age drama in which identical twin sisters, who are the same in everything except their faces, exchange lives and search for love and the meaning of life. Park Bo-young plays both Yu Mi-ji and Yu Mi-rae, portraying the distinct personalities and emotional journeys of each character.
Park Jin-young played the role of Lee Ho-soo, a lawyer and high school classmate of the twin sisters. Actors Ryu Kyung-soo, Won Mi-kyung, Jang Young-nam, and Kim Sun-young also participated as key characters, supporting the themes of family, work, disability, trauma, and the choices of youth.
The work focuses on the process by which characters confront their own sense of deprivation and return to their everyday lives, rather than on grand events or sensational plot twists. This realistic narrative style is analyzed as a key factor in creating a sense of connection with viewers, not only on broadcast television but also among OTT users.
First broadcast: 3.6%, Final episode: 8.4% (increase)
“Mysterious Seoul” premiered with a national viewership rating of 3.6%, and steadily expanded its audience base. According to a report by the National Daily, the final episode achieved a national rating of 8.4%, more than double the rating of the first broadcast.
According to reports, the final episode recorded a viewership rating in the 9% range in the Seoul metropolitan area. It is regarded as a work with a particularly pronounced upward trend in the latter half, having secured an audience that followed the character relationships and emotional arcs rather than relying solely on initial buzz.
Netflix enters the global top 10 non-English language rankings
According to CJ ENM’s announcement, “Mysterious Seoul” ranked within the top 10 of Netflix’s global TV show rankings in the non-English language category for 5 weeks. This indicates that the work maintained its popularity among overseas viewers, independent of domestic broadcast ratings.
The story, particularly the premise of transforming the lives of twin sisters, and the coming-of-age narrative set in Seoul, created a story structure that is easy to understand across languages and cultures. The simultaneous broadcast and streaming release served as a bridge, connecting domestic popularity with overseas viewership.
Simultaneous release dramas: The next challenge
The combination of tvN and Netflix has the advantage of simultaneously pursuing stability in domestic broadcasting and expanding global distribution. However, high broadcast viewership ratings do not automatically guarantee success for OTT platforms, and conversely, high rankings overseas do not necessarily translate to popularity among the domestic audience.
Ultimately, the quality of the work, the actors’ performances, the release date, the competitiveness of the genre, and the universality that can be conveyed to overseas users must all work together. “Unknown Seoul” relatively fulfills these conditions and demonstrated the potential of a simultaneous release strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When was “Unknown Seoul” broadcast?
The program aired on tvN from May 24 to June 29, 2025, and consisted of a total of 12 episodes.
Is “Unknown Seoul” available on Netflix?
Yes, it was released on Netflix in collaboration with the tvN broadcasting station, and viewers both in Korea and abroad were able to watch it through the OTT platform.
Who are the main actors in “Unknown Seoul”?
Park Bo-young played the twin sisters Yu-mi-ji and Yu-mi-rae, and Park Jin-young played the role of Lee Ho-soo. Ryu Kyung-soo, Won Mi-kyung, Jang Young-nam, and Kim Sun-young also appeared in this production.
What was the viewership rating for the final episode of “Unknown Seoul”?
According to a report by the JoongAng Ilbo, the final episode’s nationwide viewership rating was 8.4%. It was also reported that the viewership rating in the metropolitan area was in the 9% range.
Did “Unknown Seoul” gain popularity overseas?
According to CJ ENM’s announcement, the Netflix global TV show ranked within the top 10 in the non-English-speaking region for 5 weeks. This work has confirmed both domestic broadcasting achievements and international OTT popularity.
