MBC is grappling with what many industry insiders are calling a “disastrous year for ratings,” as nearly all 2025 dramas posted disappointing or even disappointing numbers. Even trusted hit producer Lee Bo-young, known for his solid viewership pull, saw his project fall into the 1% range, raising concerns about the network’s looming 2025. MBC Theater Awards.
According to MBC on December 6, the broadcaster will hold its annual awards ceremony on December 30. However, with no major successes to celebrate, expectations for this year’s event are extremely low.
MBC has launched several series this year, including MotelCalifornia, Undercover high school, Crusology 101, Oh, my ghost clients, Maria kills people, To the Moonand the one currently on air The River of the Moon – but the results were extremely cold.
A year of missed grades
MotelCaliforniastarring Lee Se-young and marking Na In-woo’s first project since the military exemption controversy, it was expected to compete strongly. Instead, it suffered a decisive loss in its time slot compared to that of SBS My perfect secretarywith viewers criticizing him “slow and boring progression.” The ratings stopped between 3 and 5%.
Undercover high schoolSeo Kang-joon’s comeback drama after military service began with promise but faltered as complaints about his “childish writing and directing” grew.
Oh, my ghost clients it fluctuated between 2.8% and 5.6%, never gaining stable momentum.
In the meantime, Maria kills people has struggled to translate its euthanasia-focused story into empathetic television, falling into the 1% bracket, making it an unlikely awards contender.
A lone artist, but still disappointing
The only relative positive point is the sageuk The River of the Moonwhich recently reached the 6% threshold. While this is considered decent by this year’s standards, it falls short of the high expectations traditionally associated with MBC’s reputation as a “sageuk powerhouse.”
Other series like Crusology 101 AND To the Moon they endured humiliating runs on the order of 1-2% from start to finish.
An awards night without a clear winner
Without great successes and without great critical successes, insiders say that this year MBC Theater Awards it might be one of the hardest ever to judge. Normally, the Grand Prize (Daesang) goes to a drama or actor who has demonstrated excellence in ratings, buzz and performance. But 2025 has produced no clear trailblazers.
Industry officials were blunt: “This year’s Daesang is basically an empty house waiting to be ransacked. There’s no great drama anchoring the ceremony.”
As the ceremony approaches, all eyes are on whether MBC will grant the Daesang based on legacy, internal priorities or an attempt to salvage public relations in a lost year of drama.
Sources: Daum
