Seoul, South Korea – The South Korean romantic comedy drama "Our Universe" is navigating its mid-run on tvN, recording a 1.4 percent nationwide viewership rating for its sixth episode on February 19. The series, which premiered on February 4, 2026, has seen fluctuating numbers as it continues its Wednesday and Thursday night broadcasts.
Early Performance and Story Overview
"Our Universe" kicked off its run with an average nationwide viewership of 1.9 percent for its premiere episode on February 4. The drama, starring Bae In-hyuk, Roh Jeong-eui, and Park Seo-ham, tells the story of two in-laws forced to live together and raise their infant nephew, Woo-ju, after the sudden death of their siblings. The series marks a return for tvN's Wednesday-Thursday drama slot after a three-year break.[soompi+1]
The initial episode set a relatively strong start for a cable channel drama. Cable networks typically draw smaller audiences compared to major free-to-air broadcasters like KBS, SBS, MBC, and EBS. Viewership dipped slightly for the second episode, which aired on February 5, recording 1.330 percent nationwide and 1.389 percent in the Seoul metropolitan area.[en+1]
Ratings Fluctuation Continues
The drama experienced a rebound with its third episode on February 11, climbing to 1.790 percent nationwide and 1.602 percent in Seoul. This upward movement suggested growing interest in the unique premise of unexpected co-parenting and blossoming romance. The fourth episode, broadcast on February 12, maintained a solid performance, achieving a 1.5 percent nationwide rating. This marked the show's highest Thursday rating at that point.[wiki+1]
However, the fifth episode, airing on February 18, saw a decrease, registering 1.3 percent nationwide. This represented a 0.2 percent drop from the previous episode. The latest figures show a slight recovery, with episode six on February 19 reaching 1.4 percent nationwide. These numbers indicate a competitive but challenging landscape for "Our Universe" as it nears the halfway point of its 12-episode run.[soompi+5]
The Cable Channel Landscape
"Our Universe" airs on tvN, a prominent South Korean cable television network. Dramas on cable channels often have different viewership expectations compared to those on public broadcasting networks. While numbers might seem modest by free-to-air standards, a consistent performance in the 1-2 percent range can be considered stable for a cable drama, especially one reviving a time slot. The series is also available for international streaming on Viki and HBO Max, expanding its reach beyond South Korea.
The drama's success hinges not just on live television ratings but also on its performance across these streaming platforms. The story, which blends comedy, romance, and family themes, explores the journey of two adults navigating parenthood and an unexpected connection. This blend aims to attract a diverse audience seeking both heartwarming moments and romantic development.[en+2]
Looking Ahead
As "Our Universe" moves into its second half, industry observers will watch closely to see if the drama can build on its recent slight rating increase. The performances of Bae In-hyuk as Seon Tae-hyung and Roh Jeong-eui as Woo Hyeon-jin are central to the show's appeal, along with the endearing presence of their nephew, Woo-ju. The series continues to air every Wednesday and Thursday at 10:40 p.m. KST. Its ability to maintain or grow its audience in the coming weeks will determine its overall success in tvN's revived drama slot.[en]
