K-Drama sensation ‘Spooky in Love’ has officially conquered Netflix Korea, skyrocketing to the coveted No. 1 spot and smashing its own ratings records! The occult romance, which first sparked massive buzz with an unexpected bed scene in just its second episode, has cemented its place as one of this summer’s must-watch series. Directed by Lee Min Soo and written by Choi Jung Mi, this adaptation of the popular film has captivated audiences with its unique blend of supernatural intrigue and heartwarming romance.
An Unexpected Start: From Hotel Mishap to Hidden Feelings
From its premiere on July 18 as the successor to ‘Filing for Love,’ ‘Spooky in Love’ immediately grabbed attention. The intriguing premise follows a wealthy heiress who can see ghosts and a passionate prosecutor who fears ghosts more than anything – a recipe for both comedy and captivating chemistry. The dynamic between Raina Group heiress Cheon Yeo Ri (played by the incredible Park Eun Bin) and Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office prosecutor Ma Kang Wook (brought to life by Yang Se Jong) was an instant hit with viewers.
The drama wasted no time in serving up memorable moments. In Episode 2, Cheon Yeo Ri’s business trip to Jeju Island led to an accidental stay at the same hotel as Ma Kang Wook, who was there for a wedding. Thanks to a hilarious booking mishap, the two strangers were forced to share not just a room, but the same bed! This iconic scene delivered one of the drama’s most talked-about comedic moments. They spent the night completely unaware of each other’s identities, only to scream in shock simultaneously the next morning upon recognition – providing plenty of laughs. Cheon Yeo Ri, worried about Ma Kang Wook potentially seeing ghosts after their physical contact, cautiously questioned him. Unaware of her supernatural concerns, Ma Kang Wook hilariously snapped, “You’re not my type.” Despite his blunt words, his actions soon spoke louder, as he later risked himself to save her from danger, hinting at the undeniable chemistry brewing between the pair.
Deepening Romance: Accidental Kiss & Shocking Engagement
Their relationship quickly transitioned from reluctant cohabitants to crime-solving partners as they joined forces to investigate a mysterious 300-year-old cold case, deepening their bond with each passing episode.
Episode 6, which aired on August 2, saw Cheon Yeo Ri and Ma Kang Wook working even closer to uncover the truth behind a death connected to Hwagyeongdang. Their growing feelings were evident during a dinner with Cheon Yeo Ri’s longtime friend Kang Min Hwan (played by Ong Seong Wu) and Im Seo Hyun (Lim Chae Young), where both leads openly displayed jealousy toward one another. What happened next had fans reeling: while bickering like a classic K-Drama couple, they suddenly tried to avoid an oncoming motorcycle and accidentally collided lips! Both were initially stunned, but quickly tried to act unfazed, subtly acknowledging their undeniable, growing feelings. However, the biggest twist of the episode was yet to come. At a family gathering arranged by Cheon Yeo Ri’s grandmother, Baek Kyung Ja (portrayed by Ye Soo Jung), who was pushing for an engagement with Kang Min Hwan for succession reasons, a surprising figure appeared: Ma Kang Wook! In a move that shocked everyone in the room, Cheon Yeo Ri boldly declared that she would become engaged to Ma Kang Wook, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.
According to Nielsen Korea, Episode 6 recorded an impressive average nationwide household rating of 6.0%, peaking at an incredible 6.5%. In the Seoul metropolitan area, it achieved a 5.6% average and 6.1% peak, marking the drama’s highest ratings to date! This consistent success also meant it remained the No. 1 cable and general programming drama in its time slot for six consecutive episodes. Furthermore, among tvN’s highly sought-after 20-49 demographic, ‘Spooky in Love’ ranked first across all channels, including terrestrial broadcasters, proving its broad appeal.
Dominating OTT: Netflix & Beyond
‘Spooky in Love’ isn’t just a domestic hit; its popularity has surged globally, making it a true international phenomenon. The series has steadily climbed in popularity with each episode, with ratings rising consistently 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, with its star leads, Park Eun Bin and Yang Se Jong, both securing spots within the top 10 most buzzworthy TV performers.
Its performance on OTT platforms has been equally impressive, cementing its global reach. According to FlixPatrol, ‘Spooky in Love’ debuted at an astonishing No. 2 worldwide among Netflix TV shows shortly after its release and quickly climbed to 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 confirmed the series’ meteoric rise, climbing three spots to No. 5 in the Non-English TV category compared to the previous week. Domestically, it achieved the ultimate goal, claiming the No. 1 spot on both TVING and Netflix Korea. As of August 3, it reigned supreme on Netflix Korea’s “Today’s Top 10 Series” chart, successfully surpassing other popular titles like ‘The Apartment Job,’ ‘The East Palace,’ and ‘Chief Kim.’ The August 3 Netflix Korea Top 10 rankings truly showcased its dominance:
1. Spooky in Love
2. The Apartment Job
3. The East Palace
4. Better Late Than Single: After Service
5. Agent Kim Reactivated: The Universe
6. Agent Kim Reactivated
7. Teach You a Lesson
8. Better Late Than Single
9. Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You
10. GATE24
Strong Cast Chemistry & Director’s Vision
A major contributing factor to the drama’s immense success is its incredibly talented cast and the skillful direction bringing this unique story to life. Park Eun Bin, renowned for her exceptional acting, made a much-anticipated return to a tvN drama for the first time in three years since ‘Castaway Diva.’ Meanwhile, Yang Se Jong and Ong Seong Wu made their impressive tvN drama debuts through this series.
The drama also features exciting reunions, adding another layer of charm for eagle-eyed viewers. Park Eun Bin reunited with the veteran actress Ye Soo Jung for the third time, having previously worked together on ‘The Ghost Detective’ and ‘Do You Like Brahms?.’ She also teamed up with Baek Ji Won again after ‘Do You Like Brahms?’ and the global hit ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo.’ Yang Se Jong also had a reunion, joining forces with Kim Do Wan and Kim Min Ho two years after their collaboration in ‘Doona!.’ Director Lee Min Soo has received widespread praise for his masterful ability to balance the occult mystery with the blossoming romance, skillfully executing the unique premise of solving crimes by gathering testimony from ghosts found at burial sites. Viewers have particularly applauded Park Eun Bin’s nuanced portrayal of Cheon Yeo Ri, a lonely woman who bravely sacrifices her own happiness to protect others, and Yang Se Jong’s compelling performance as the fearless prosecutor who reveals an unexpectedly vulnerable side. Many fans have enthusiastically described the series as “the perfect summer drama that delivers both chills and romance,” further fueling anticipation.
With Cheon Yeo Ri’s shocking engagement announcement sending ripples through the story, anticipation continues to build for Episode 7. What will be the aftermath of her bold declaration? Find out when Episode 7 of ‘Spooky in Love’ airs on August 8 at 9:10 PM KST. Don’t miss this summer’s hottest K-Drama sensation!
