'Spooky in Love' becomes Netflix Korea's No. 1 series after record-breaking ratings

03 Aug 2026, 20:30 by K-Soul · allkpop

'Spooky in Love' sparked buzz with an unexpected bed scene in just its second episode and has now climbed to the No. 1 spot on Netflix Korea while also achieving its highest ratings to date.

The series directed by Lee Min Soo and written by Choi Jung Mi has been gaining momentum in both ratings and online buzz. Based on the film of the same name, the occult romance follows a wealthy heiress who can see ghosts and a passionate prosecutor who fears ghosts more than anything. Premiering on July 18 as the successor to 'Filing for Love,' the drama has become one of this summer's biggest TV sensations, reaching the top of domestic OTT rankings in just three weeks.

An Intriguing Start... Surprise Bed Scene in Episode 2

The romance between Raina Group heiress Cheon Yeo Ri (played by Park Eun Bin) and Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office prosecutor Ma Kang Wook (played by Yang Se Jong) immediately caught viewers' attention.

In Episode 2, Cheon Yeo Ri traveled to a hotel on Jeju Island for business discussions. At the suggestion of her longtime friend Kang Min Hwan (played by Ong Seong Wu), she decided to stay the night. By coincidence, Ma Kang Wook was also staying at the same hotel while attending an acquaintance's wedding. A booking mishap forced the two to share not only a room but also the same bed, creating one of the drama's most memorable comedic moments.

After spending the night unaware of each other's identities, they finally recognized one another the next morning and screamed in shock simultaneously, providing plenty of laughs. Worried that physical contact with her might have caused Ma Kang Wook to start seeing ghosts as well, Cheon Yeo Ri cautiously questioned whether they had touched. Unaware of her concerns, Ma Kang Wook instead snapped, "You're not my type." Despite his words, he later risked himself to save her from danger, hinting at the growing chemistry between the pair.

From an Accidental Kiss to a Surprise Engagement Declaration

Their relationship quickly deepened as they joined forces to investigate a mysterious 300-year-old cold case.

In Episode 6, which aired on August 2, Cheon Yeo Ri and Ma Kang Wook worked together to uncover the truth behind the death connected to Hwagyeongdang, bringing them even closer. During a dinner with Kang Min Hwan and Im Seo Hyun (played by Lim Chae Young), both characters openly displayed jealousy toward one another.

While bickering like a couple, they suddenly tried to avoid an oncoming motorcycle and accidentally collided lips. Although both were stunned by the unexpected kiss, they soon tried to act unfazed while quietly acknowledging their growing feelings.

The biggest twist came later in the episode. At a family gathering arranged by Cheon Yeo Ri's grandmother, Baek Kyung Ja (portrayed by Ye Soo Jung), who wanted to push her into an engagement with Kang Min Hwan for succession reasons, the man who appeared instead was Ma Kang Wook. In front of everyone, Cheon Yeo Ri shocked the room by boldly declaring that she would become engaged to Ma Kang Wook.

According to Nielsen Korea, Episode 6 recorded an average nationwide household rating of 6.0%, peaking at 6.5% (Seoul metropolitan area: 5.6% average, 6.1% peak), marking the drama's highest ratings yet. It also remained the No. 1 cable and general programming drama in its time slot for six consecutive episodes. Among tvN's key 20-49 demographic, it ranked first across all channels, including terrestrial broadcasters.

Rising Buzz and OTT Rankings... Reaches No. 1 on Netflix

'Spooky in Love' has steadily climbed in popularity with each episode. Ratings rose from 3.0% for Episode 1 to 5.3%, 4.4%, 5.8%, 5.5%, and finally 6.0% for Episode 6.

The drama also ranked No. 2 on Good Data Corporation's FUNdex TV drama buzz rankings for two consecutive weeks, while stars Park Eun Bin and Yang Se Jong both placed within the top 10 most buzzworthy TV performers.

Its OTT performance has been equally impressive. According to FlixPatrol, the series debuted at No. 2 worldwide among Netflix TV shows shortly after release and reached No. 1 in eight countries, including Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, El Salvador, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic.

Netflix's official Global Top 10 rankings also showed the series climbing three spots to No. 5 in the Non-English TV category compared to the previous week. Domestically, it claimed No. 1 on both TVING and Netflix Korea.

As of August 3, it also topped Netflix Korea's "Today's Top 10 Series" chart, surpassing popular titles including 'The Apartment Job,' 'The East Palace,' and Chief Kim.

The August 3 Netflix Korea Top 10 rankings are:

Spooky in Love
The Apartment Job
The East Palace
Better Late Than Single: After Service
Agent Kim Reactivated: The Universe
Agent Kim Reactivated
Teach You a Lesson
Better Late Than Single
Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You
GATE24

Strong Cast Chemistry Draws Praise

The cast lineup has become another major draw for viewers.

Park Eun Bin returned to a tvN drama for the first time in three years since 'Castaway Diva,' while Yang Se Jong and Ong Seong Wu made their tvN drama debuts through this series.

Park Eun Bin reunited with Ye Soo Jung for the third time following 'The Ghost Detective' and 'Do You Like Brahms?.' She also teamed up with Baek Ji Won again after 'Do You Like Brahms?' and 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo.' Meanwhile, Yang Se Jong reunited with Kim Do Wan and Kim Min Ho two years after 'Doona!.'

Director Lee Min Soo has been praised for skillfully balancing occult mystery and romance through the unique premise of solving crimes by gathering testimony from ghosts found at burial sites.

Viewers have also applauded Park Eun Bin's portrayal of Cheon Yeo Ri, a lonely woman who sacrifices her own happiness to protect others, as well as Yang Se Jong's performance as the fearless prosecutor with an unexpectedly vulnerable side.

Many viewers have described the series as "the perfect summer drama that delivers both chills and romance," while anticipation continues to build for Episode 7, which will explore the aftermath of Cheon Yeo Ri's shocking engagement announcement. Episode 7 of 'Spooky in Love' will air on August 8 at 9:10 PM KST.

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