5 K-dramas with unbelievably low IMDb ratings

K-dramas are usually loved for their emotional stories, great acting, and addictive plots. Whether it’s a sweet romance, a thrilling revenge tale, or a historical drama, fans around the world generally expect high quality from new Korean shows.

But sometimes, even with famous actors, big budgets, and lots of promotion, a show just doesn’t work, and viewers don’t hold back their opinions. Most of the time, a high IMDb rating means people enjoyed the show.

But when the rating is really low, it’s often a sign that something went wrong. Maybe the story felt weak, the characters didn’t feel real, or the pacing was off. What’s shocking is that some of these badly rated dramas had all the ingredients for success, but still ended up disappointing fans.

Keep reading to know those K-dramas with really unexpected ratings on IMDb that many fans didn't expect.

5 K-dramas with shockingly low IMDb ratings, explored

Here’s a look at five K-dramas that were expected to do well but flopped instead. Their IMDb scores are surprisingly low and show just how tough the audience can be when things don’t meet expectations:

5) Hierarchy

A glimpse into Hierarchy (Image via Netflix)

IMDb Rating: 6/10

Hierarchy is set in a prestigious high school where the kids from Korea’s richest and most influential families hold all the power. On the surface, their lives look perfect, full of luxury, status, and control but beneath those polished uniforms is a harsh world of secrets, manipulation, and strict social rules.

Things start to change when a new transfer student arrives. He doesn’t come from a wealthy background and isn't even scared to stand up against the unfair system. The show was well-received by viewers on Netflix and fans might not have expected that it would get a low rating of just 6 on IMDb.

Not only this, it features Roh Jeong-eui as the female lead, an acclaimed actress who recently appeared in the hit K-drama Crushology 101. But despite the star-studded cast, the show didn't receive an impressive score.

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4) The Scandal of Chunhwa

The Scandal of Chunhwa (Image via Prime Video)

IMDb Rating: 5.8/10

The 2025 historical romance K-drama, The Scandal of Chunhwa, tells the story of Princess Hwa-ri, who defies royal expectations by choosing her own husband after the heartbreak of her first love. The narrative takes place in the midst of scandals, palace intrigue, and her search for the creator of erotic paintings that bear her likeness.

It centers around the fictional kingdom of Dongbangguk, which gained attention from viewers when the show aired. The lead character, Princess Hwa-ri, is played by actress Go Ara, whom fans have previously seen in K-dramas like Reply 1994, Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol, and more.

3) Beauty and Mr. Romantic

Beauty and Mr. Romantic (Image via Prime Video)

IMDb Rating: 5.8/10

Love and Mr. Romantic is an emotional drama that tells the story of two families connected by their emotional journey. The main character is Park Do-ra, a movie star whose life takes a sudden turn into pain and suffering.

Having suffered a loss of credibility and status, she must now find her own way back to where she was before. Go Pil-seung, the new drama producer, eventually helps her find her way back. Pil-seung believes that Do-ra is a talented actress and that she needs someone to lift her spirit.

The story in this K-drama is good, and it even features Im Soo-hyang as Do-ra, the actress who won hearts with her portrayal in My ID is Gangnam Beauty, where Soo-hyang played the lead alongside fan-favorite actor Cha Eun-woo.

2) When the Phone Rings

A glimpse into When the Phone Rings (Image via Netflix)

IMDb Rating: 5.8/10

Another hit K-drama that many didn't expect would end up in this list is When the Phone Rings. Yes, you read that right. Despite an intriguing mystery and romantic plot and success on Netflix, this K-drama only received a rating of 5.8 on IMDb.

When the Phone Rings also has a star-studded cast, including Chae Soo-bin, who's all set to appear in the fantasy film, Omniscient Reader: The Prophet, alongside some of the A-listers like Lee Min-ho. The actress was paired up with Yoo Yeon-seok, who made headlines for his cameo in Kang Ha-neul's Tastefully Yours, but despite their popularity, this show didn't get a good score.

1) King the Land

IMDb Rating: 5.6

The romantic K-drama King the Land centers on Gu Won, the heir to the upscale hotel conglomerate The King Group, who is engaged in a bitter inheritance dispute. He then crosses paths with Cheon Sa-rang, a happy and diligent hotel worker who is known for her smile, whom Gu Won initially despises.

The two are seen working through difficult personal and professional obstacles, gradually falling in love against the backdrop of power struggles in the hotel industry and family conflicts. This K-drama features Im Yoon-ah, popularly known as Yoona, alongside Lee Jun-ho.

It's available to stream on Netflix and is generally liked by viewers, but has received a poor rating of 5.6 on IMDb. Other cast members in the series include Kim Ga-eun, Anupam Tripathi and more.