tvN's Monday-Tuesday drama Love in Disguise, starring Im Siwan and Seol In Ah, has experienced a decline in viewership ratings with its second episode, raising questions about whether the series can regain its opening momentum.
According to Nielsen Korea, episode 2 of Love in Disguise, which aired on October 20, recorded an average nationwide rating of 4.713% among households with paid television subscriptions.
This marks a decrease from the drama's premiere rating of 5.558%, which aired on October 19.
The ratings dropped by approximately 0.85 percentage points, showing a noticeable decline just one day after the series made its debut.
Despite the decrease, the drama has maintained a nationwide rating above 4%, giving it an opportunity to attract more viewers as the story develops.
The first two episodes recorded the following nationwide ratings:
| Episode | Air date | Nielsen Korea rating |
| --------- | ---------- | -------------------- |
| Episode 1 | October 19 | 5.558% |
| Episode 2 | October 20 | 4.713% |
Love in Disguise follows the story of Yoon Yi Joon, played by Im Siwan, a wealthy third-generation heir who becomes a murder suspect.
Seol In Ah plays Kang Jae Hee, a former special forces officer turned detective who secretly enters Yi Joon's life as his personal secretary to investigate him.
The series combines romance, comedy, and suspense as the two characters become involved in an unusual relationship.
In episode 2, Jae Hee begins her undercover investigation while working closely with Yi Joon.
Their frequent disagreements and playful exchanges provide much of the episode's comedy as they adjust to spending time together.
However, the drama has also received mixed reactions since its premiere, particularly regarding Im Siwan's speaking style and delivery of his character's lines.
Some viewers have expressed different opinions about his performance, with reactions divided over whether his unusual delivery suits the character's personality.
The original report also noted that the episode aired during coverage of the Korean professional baseball postseason, which may have contributed to competition for television audiences.
However, neither the mixed reactions to Im Siwan's performance nor the baseball broadcast has been confirmed as the direct cause of the ratings decline.
The decrease comes after the drama attracted initial attention for its leading cast and its combination of romantic comedy and mystery.
With only two episodes released, it remains too early to determine whether the ratings drop reflects a longer-term trend or a temporary change in viewing habits.
Attention is now turning to the drama's upcoming episodes to see whether Im Siwan and Seol In Ah's on-screen chemistry and the developing story can help Love in Disguise recover its ratings.
For now, the tvN drama has moved from a 5.558% premiere to 4.713% in its second episode, marking its first viewership decline since its debut.
