SBS’s new Friday Saturday drama “My Royal Nemesis” is quickly becoming one of the strongest new players in the weekend drama race.
The drama, starring Lim Ji Yeon and Heo Nam Jun, premiered on May 8 and has already shown strong results in both Korea and overseas. Its ratings rose from 4.1% for episode 1 to 5.4% for episode 2, showing a clear increase after only one week.
The overseas response is also strong. According to FlixPatrol, “My Royal Nemesis” ranked No. 2 globally in Netflix’s TV Shows category after only two episodes. It also reached No. 1 in 24 countries, including the United States, proving that the drama is gaining attention beyond Korea.
“My Royal Nemesis” follows Shin Seo Ri, played by Lim Ji Yeon, an unknown actress who becomes possessed by the soul of a notorious Joseon villainess, and Cha Se Gye, played by Heo Nam Jun, a cold and arrogant chaebol known as a “monster of capitalism.”
The unusual setting of a Joseon villainess entering the modern world helped the drama stand out from the start.
The drama entered a competitive weekend lineup, going up against strong titles such as “Perfect Crown,” which recorded a peak rating of 13.3%, and “Filing for Love,” which reached 9.4%. Since those dramas already had loyal viewers, there were early concerns about whether “My Royal Nemesis” could compete.
However, after only two episodes, the drama is now being seen as a possible new contender for the weekend drama throne.
Viewers are praising the drama’s fast pace, detailed directing, and the strong performances of Lim Ji Yeon and Heo Nam Jun.
The series is also getting attention for small but fun details, including the use of history content by YouTuber Hyangachi and a viral style video made by meme creator Jeff, which helped add realism to the story.
Lim Ji Yeon’s performance is also becoming a major talking point, as she moves between comedy and serious acting while playing Shin Seo Ri. Viewers are also noticing the drama’s careful styling details, including differences between Joseon era and modern designs.
With its rising ratings, strong Netflix ranking, and growing online buzz, “My Royal Nemesis” is shaping up to be a serious rival in the weekend drama battle.
“My Royal Nemesis” airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM.
Source: [1]
