Song Joong Ki is 'out of time', Korean netizens turn their backs on 'irony', 'disparage' acting

The Korean drama market has always been harsh. The return of A-list star Song Joong Ki after 9 years of absence in the romantic genre, contrary to expectations, the film started quite hard with a modest rating, raising many questions?

According to statistics from Nielsen Korea, the first two episodes of My Youth aired on JTBC only achieved ratings of 2.9% and 2.8%, respectively. This number is not only much lower than expected, but also completely inferior to the opponent in the same time frame. Go Hyun Jung' s drama Queen Mantis , which aired on SBS, created a fever with a rating of 7.1%, and a strong viral effect on social networks.

This contrast shows that, in the ratings race in Korea, just a slow start is enough to leave a movie behind. My Youth was expected to be a "bang", but quietly opened like a work without resonance.

One of the reasons most discussed by the audience is Song Joong Ki's private life. After two marriages and now a father, the actor often mentions his wife and children in the media. This "family father" image has inadvertently become a barrier for My Youth. The audience commented that it was difficult for them to empathize when they saw Song Joong Ki as a romantic and sweet male lead. Many frank comments on forums say that a man who has been married twice, has a family, is no longer enough to "vibrate" the audience in a romantic drama. Returning to the melodrama genre puts Song Joong Ki under double pressure: both from the audience's expectations and from his own too big shadow in the past.

My Youth tells the story of Sunwoo Hae, a former child star who now lives quietly as a flower arranger and writer. His life is disturbed when he accidentally reunites with his first love Sung Jae Yeon (Chun Woo Hee). The first two episodes of the series focus on exploiting psychology, youthful memories and unfinished emotions in a gentle and subtle way.

However, this story lacks drama and attractiveness compared to its competitors. While Queen Mantis chooses the path of detective and criminal intensity, creating a climax from the beginning, My Youth is slow and more evocative. This easily makes a part of the young audience, who are used to the fast pace of action blockbusters or tense dramas, feel unattractive.

My Youth's disappointing opening was partly predictable. JTBC's Friday time slot is not strong, plus the precedent for low ratings from previous projects. However, what interests the public the most is still the question: Is Song Joong Ki still suitable for the romantic male lead as in the past?

"My Youth" is at a crossroads. It could become a big turning point, as Song Joong Ki proves his ability to adapt and conquer the audience with a new image. On the contrary, it can also become a "step backwards" in a career, confirming the fact that the old aura is gone. Now, the pressure is not only on the actor's shoulders, but also on the entire production team, in creating a work that is convincing enough and retains viewers in a competitive market.

My Youth: Song Joong Ki has just reappeared "feverish", the heroine is scrutinized exactly like his ex-wife? An chi21:38:41 06/09/2025My Youth has just officially aired and immediately attracted the attention of the audience thanks to its emotional life romance story, the expected cast, making viewers unable to take their eyes off.