Some dramas see extreme highs and lows, and TV Chosun’s Confidence Queen is a perfect example. The show started with 0% ratings in Korea and even after schedule changes, it ended quietly without a rebound.
But on the global stage, the drama became a hit — topping Amazon Prime Video charts in five Asian countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, and even reaching the worldwide Top 10.
At the center of this surprising success is actress Park Min Young, proving that her value can no longer be measured by domestic ratings alone.
From “Roco Queen” to dark heroine
Park Min Young, often called the “Roco Queen” for her romantic-comedy hits like What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim and Forecasting Love and Weather, surprised fans with a completely different role.
In Confidence Queen, she played Yoon I Rang, a woman who enters the world of con artists for revenge. Each episode revealed a new side of her character, showing a darker, more complex side of Park Min Young than ever before.
Her performance drew both praise and criticism. Fans praised her saying, “Park Min Young brought the character to life,” and “Yoon I Rang couldn’t have been played by anyone else.”
Her fierce gaze, emotional depth, and bold transformations — from historical costume disguises to Catwoman-style looks — were praised as a brave expansion of her acting range.
Some overseas critics called her performance hammy, and some fans of the Japanese original were disappointed, but overall, her role showed her willingness to take risks outside her usual romantic-comedy comfort zone.
Domestic flop, global hit — why reactions differed
The contrast between Korea and overseas was clear. Low domestic ratings were caused by tough competition from tvN’s Tyrant’s Chef, late-night scheduling, the limits of TV Chosun, and the niche appeal of a “caper comedy.”
Global OTT viewers, however, weren’t limited by channels or schedules. They watched the show for Park Min Young, enjoying the thrills of the con artist story.
Fans in Asia who knew the original drama also appreciated her new interpretation. This proves that in the OTT era, success cannot be judged by domestic ratings alone.
Beyond ratings: Park Min Young’s global recognition
For Park Min Young, Confidence Queen was not a failure, but a chance to rediscover herself as an actress.
She stepped out of the safety of familiar genres and showed her talent to a worldwide audience. The 0% ratings may even be seen as proof of her courage to take on challenging roles.
Confidence Queen marks a new era for Park Min Young — one where she is not just a romantic-comedy queen, but a versatile actress who can make her presence felt across genres and countries.
Ratings no longer define her success, and she has proven she is ready to be a leading figure on the global stage.
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