Park Eun-bin declares fake engagement with Yang Se-jong as ratings hit 6%

The momentum of the tvN weekend drama 'Chilling Romance' has shifted following a shocking engagement announcement from Park Eun-bin. Chun Yeo-ri (played by Park Eun-bin), the CEO of Reina Hotel, designated Ma Gang-uk (played by Yang Se-jong) as her fiancé in front of her family and company officials. This decision disrupts the strategic relationship being pursued by Kang Min-hwan (played by Ong Seongwu). To avoid the pressure of an engagement with Kang Min-hwan imposed by her grandmother Baek Kyung-ja (played by Ye Su-jeong), Yeo-ri chose a fake engagement with Ma Gang-uk instead.

Two men's conflicting choices and a love triangle

The confrontation between Kang Min-hwan and Ma Gang-uk over Yeo-ri is intensifying. Kang Min-hwan, the heir to CL Group, has long held feelings for Yeo-ri, who comforted him during his despair after he discovered the truth about his adoption. Having planned to push for an engagement after gaining the favor of Baek Kyung-ja following his studies abroad, Min-hwan has begun moving to push Ma Gang-uk away, revealing a true nature hidden behind a gentle facade as his plans are disrupted by Ma's appearance.

Prosecutor Ma Gang-uk approached Yeo-ri's life with a warm personality. After becoming entangled with her, he began seeing the ghosts he feared most, yet he refused to leave her side, enduring her fears alongside her. He even smiled when Yeo-ri showed a hint of jealousy toward her colleague, prosecutor Im Seo-hyun (played by Chae Young Lim). Having nurtured his feelings while watching the flustered Yeo-ri after a sudden kiss, Ma is now facing blatant hostility from Kang Min-hwan.

The reality of the yacht accident and a 12-year-old curse

The drama's supernatural elements are heightening the tension. Having survived a yacht accident 12 years ago that claimed the life of her friend Kang Ji-hwan (played by Kim Min-Chul), Yeo-ri began seeing ghosts. Due to a curse that causes ghosts to appear to anyone she touches, she has lived her life keeping her distance from others. Following a shaman's advice to resolve the grudges of the deceased to prolong her own life, she now helps ghosts find peace. Kang Ji-hwan, who died in the accident, also remains as a ghost hovering around her.

Viewership rating surpasses 6% amid global success

'Chilling Romance,' which premiered on the 18th of last month with a 3.0% viewership rating, broke its own record by reaching 6.0% in the 6th episode aired on the 2nd. The series appears to be maintaining an upward trend following the conclusion of SBS's 'Agent Kim Reactivated' on the 25th of last month, which ended with a peak viewership rating of 23%. In the TV drama popularity rankings released by Fundex of Good Data Corporation, the show took 2nd place for three consecutive weeks, while Park Eun-bin and Yang Se-jong placed 2nd and 3rd in the cast popularity rankings, respectively.

International performance has also been confirmed. The show maintained its position in the rankings for three consecutive weeks, reaching 5th place in the Netflix Global TOP 10 Non-English Shows category. It also entered the TOP 10 in 42 countries, including Korea, Japan, Brazil, and India.

Episode 7 preview: First encounter with Pengmyosun

In the 7th episode, airing on the 8th at 9:10 PM, the fallout from the engagement announcement continues. While walking a drunken Ma Gang-uk home, Yeo-ri unexpectedly encounters his grandmother, Pengmyosun (played by Cha Mi-kyung). While helping him return home alongside her colleague Go Pil-dong (played by Lee Chang Hoon), Yeo-ri is met with a sharp gaze from Pengmyosun, who begins a barrage of questions regarding her grandson's romantic life.