TV Chosun’s latest Monday-Tuesday drama No Next Life made a flashy debut with a luxurious cast lineup and daring exposure scenes. Yet, its premiere only earned viewership ratings in the 1% range.
According to Nielsen Korea on November 11, the first episode of No Next Life, aired the day before, recorded 1.5% for part one and 1.9% for part two based on nationwide paid platform households.
Kim Hee-sun shed her glamorous image to play a struggling woman with curly hair, loose T-shirts, and mismatched sneakers, portraying her role with emotional depth. Han Hye-jin subtly captured the loneliness behind her polished appearance, while Jin Seo-yeon brought complexity to her character’s emotional contradictions.
Writer Shin Yi-won presents the lives of three 41-year-old women facing different challenges: Jo Na-jung seeks to return to work after a career break, Goo Ju-young battles infertility despite having it all, and Lee Il-ri wrestles with a disconnect between love and marriage. Director Kim Jung-min sensitively captures their emotional nuances with refined visuals.
During the press conference on November 10, the lead actresses shared the warm atmosphere on set. Han Hye-jin said, “It was amazing working with these women. We chatted so much before filming. Hee-sun is bold and a great leader. Seo-yeon is deeply affectionate.“
Kim Hee-sun added, “Seo-yeon made our group chat and looked after our health. Hye-jin kept me grounded when I panicked. This bond is the biggest treasure I got from this project.” Jin Seo-yeon humorously commented, “At first, I worried about chemistry, but everyone was so cool and confident in their beauty. There was no jealousy. I love my face, and so do they. We had zero issues. Filming was so much fun.“
When asked how young viewers might relate to the drama, Kim Hee-sun said, “It’ll feel like a lesson in advance. It covers real issues like career breaks, parenting, and being a gold miss wanting both love and work.” Han Hye-jin reflected, “Marriage can make people dull and selfish. But through understanding and respect, it can become something beautiful. This drama made me reflect on myself.“
No Next Life airs every Monday and Tuesday at 10 p.m. on TV Chosun and is also available on Netflix. It competes directly with tvN’s Nice to Not Meet You, starring Lee Jung-jae and Lim Ji-yeon.
At the press event, Kim Hee-sun jokingly said, “If our ratings exceed 5%, the six lead actors will offer free hugs and a coffee truck!” She cheekily added, “What was that show called again? Nice to Not Meet You? Do you really relate to their (Lee Jung-jae and Lim Ji-yeon) melodrama?“
With its blend of powerful acting, sharp writing, and grounded direction, No Next Life now faces the challenge of boosting its ratings in the coming episodes. Episode 2 airs at 10 p.m. on November 11.
Sources: wikitree
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