KBS2 drama A Love Other Than Yours struggles with 1% viewership

Despite a dramatic cliffhanger in the 12th episode broadcast on the 24th, KBS2's A Love Other Than Yours maintained viewership in the 1% range, marking five consecutive episodes of low ratings with only two broadcasts remaining.

The KBS2 weekend mini-series 'A Love Other Than Yours' is struggling to find a clue for a ratings rebound with only two episodes remaining until its conclusion. Although tension was heightened by a shocking ending where Ahn Eun-jin witnessed the moment just before Seo Kang-joon and Jo A-ram were about to kiss, viewership remained at 1.9%. Having stayed in the 1% range for five consecutive recent episodes, attention is focused on whether the series can recover its poor performance in its final stretch.

In the 12th episode of 'A Love Other Than Yours' broadcast on the 24th, Namgung Ho (Seo Kang-joon) and Lee Mi-do (Ahn Eun-jin) realized that their feelings for each other had changed. Despite being lovers for 10 years, their relationship entered an irreversible phase as they both found themselves swayed by different people. Lee Mi-do retracted her previous words telling Park Su-a (Jo A-ram) not to like him, but she faced complex emotions upon witnessing Namgung Ho giving his heart to another woman.

When Park Su-a was in danger, Namgung Ho rushed to her despite Lee Mi-do's attempts to stop him. To Lee Mi-do, this inevitably appeared as a moment where Namgung Ho prioritized Park Su-a over her. Conversely, Lee Mi-do could not easily settle her feelings for Han Tae-seung (Lee Joo-ahn) after facing his painful past. The fact that Lee Mi-do showed concern for Han Tae-seung even as he dealt with the trauma of his father's death revealed that the relationship between Namgung Ho and Lee Mi-do was no longer as solid as before.

The conflict surrounding Lee Mi-do and Han Tae-seung also deepened. Seo Jae-hyeok (Kwak Si-yang), the representative of Jaegang Law Firm, pressured Han Tae-seung to thwart a wind power plant project by using Lee Mi-do's mother as leverage. Han Tae-seung was once again cornered as a despicable plan to deceive innocent local residents with land compensation money was revealed. Unaware of the circumstances, Lee Mi-do appealed to Han Tae-seung, who was attempting to make a dangerous choice, saying, "Make me not regret liking you." Han Tae-seung, who tried to solve the problem while speaking harshly to Lee Mi-do, eventually broke down, saying, "Please do not forget me too quickly or entirely."

Lee Mi-do also reconsidered the fears Namgung Ho had endured for her over a long period. While persuading Lee Wan-do (Lee Min-jae), who lost consciousness after repeatedly entering a lake to find a music box cherished by his first love, she recalled that Namgung Ho had also lived with a fear of water. Namgung Ho had feared water after Lee Mi-do's father passed away while saving him from drowning in the sea, but he suppressed his fear to learn how to swim with his younger sibling. It was also thanks to Namgung Ho's support and devotion that Lee Mi-do was able to continue her dream of filmmaking despite repeated failures.

Recalling how Namgung Ho had always put Lee Mi-do and her family before himself, Lee Mi-do finally said, "I take back my words about not liking that girl." While these words came from a sincere desire for Namgung Ho to live the life he wanted, they were far from a declaration that their relationship had been restored. It was a moment where they had to acknowledge each other's feelings rather than holding onto one another simply because they loved them.

A decisive change also came to Park Su-a. It was revealed that the person who stole evidence of corporate corruption was her old friend Ji Su-yeon (Kim Seung-hee), who had stayed at her house in the past. Following Ji Su-yeon's report, allegations regarding the swapping of raw sweet potatoes were reported in the media, leaving Park Su-a facing disciplinary action as a whistleblower accused of receiving money. Namgung Ho stayed by the side of the self-reproaching Park Su-a, comforting her by saying she had done nothing wrong and should not regret it. Having settled her relationship with Ji Su-yeon, whom she had avoided for fear of losing a long friendship, Park Su-a hardened her resolve not to be swayed by the emotions of others anymore.

Only three days remain until the one-month romance ends. Park Su-a suggested eye contact to Namgung Ho and did not avoid his gaze even after 10 seconds passed. This was not because her feelings for him had disappeared, but because she wanted to face him confidently as someone who had learned to love herself. When Park Su-a attempted to kiss him first, Namgung Ho pulled her back toward him. However, the situation entered a new phase as Lee Mi-do and Han Tae-seung appeared just before the two's lips could touch. As both couples confirmed their deepening feelings, tension remains as to what choices they will make one month later.

While curiosity about the conclusion has grown as the characters' emotions become intricately intertwined, viewership is not moving. Even though the cracks in the 10-year relationship at the center of the drama and the formation of new relationships have reached their final stages, this has not translated into increased viewer interest. With only two broadcasts left until the end, attention is focused on whether the conflicting emotions surrounding Seo Kang-joon and Ahn Eun-jin will lead to a ratings rebound along with a final twist.

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