'The Art of Sarah' and Shin Hae Sun Sweep Korea's Most Buzzworthy Drama Rankings

Netflix's "The Art of Sarah" has made a commanding debut on Korea's most-watched drama rankings, sweeping both the most buzzworthy drama and most buzzworthy actor categories in its very first week. According to Good Data Corporation's weekly analysis — compiled from news articles, blog posts, online communities, video content, and social media — the mystery thriller series captured the No. 1 position among dramas that generated the most audience conversation nationwide.

Top 10 Most Buzzworthy Dramas

The full weekly rankings revealed a competitive landscape across multiple platforms. Following "The Art of Sarah" at No. 1, tvN's retro office comedy "Undercover Miss Hong" held strong at No. 2, capitalizing on the show's growing popularity and Park Shin Hye's spirited performance. MBC's courtroom drama "The Judge Returns" starring Ji Sung took No. 3, while tvN's romantic series "Spring Fever" and KBS2's heartfelt "To My Beloved Thief" rounded out the top five.

The lower half of the top ten included Netflix's second entry, "Can This Love Be Translated?" at No. 6, demonstrating the streaming platform's growing influence on Korean drama viewership. tvN's "Our Universe" placed No. 7, ENA's legal thriller "Honour" took No. 8, SBS's "No Tail to Tell" landed at No. 9, and KBS2's "Recipe for Love" completed the list at No. 10. Netflix's dual presence in the top ten — including the coveted No. 1 spot — underscores the platform's expanding footprint in the Korean entertainment landscape.

Shin Hae Sun Leads Actor Buzz Rankings

On the actor side, Shin Hae Sun's mesmerizing portrayal of the enigmatic Sara Kim propelled her to the top of the most buzzworthy drama actor rankings. Known domestically as "Lady Dua," the Netflix series features the veteran actress as a woman who meticulously fabricates a new identity in the glamorous world of luxury fashion. Korean critics have praised her performance as a "masterclass in layered acting," with Shin herself revealing in recent interviews that she was drawn to the character's extraordinary complexity.

"The role offered so much to explore as an actress — the deception, the ambition, the vulnerability beneath it all," Shin shared in a recent press event. Her co-star Lee Jun-hyuk, who plays the detective investigating her character's case, also made the rankings at No. 6, further cementing the drama's ensemble strength.

Complete Actor Rankings

Park Shin Hye of "Undercover Miss Hong" claimed the No. 2 actor spot, followed by Ji Sung at No. 3 and Park Hee Soon at No. 4, both from "The Judge Returns." Ahn Bo Hyun of "Spring Fever" took No. 5, while Nam Ji Hyun ("To My Beloved Thief") secured No. 7. Lee Joo Bin ("Spring Fever") placed No. 8, Moon Sang Min ("To My Beloved Thief") took No. 9, and Ko Kyung Pyo ("Undercover Miss Hong") rounded out the top ten.

"The Art of Sarah" debuting at No. 1 in both drama and actor categories is a rare achievement that speaks to the series' immediate cultural resonance. Since its February 13 premiere, the show has sparked extensive online discussion about themes of identity, social class, and the blurred boundaries between authenticity and fabrication. With two cast members in the actor top ten and the show generating more conversation than established hits from major broadcasters, the Netflix thriller appears poised to become one of 2026's defining K-drama moments.