Lee Dong-wook’s new drama, “Divorce Insurance” (이혼보험) is failing miserably with horrendous ratings (tanking around 1-2%) and virtually zero buzz—uncommon for the leading man of such a hit show as Goblin and Tale of the Nine-Tailed. Both fans and critics are terming it “forgettable” and “a wasted opportunity.”
5 Reasons Why the Drama Is Failing
1. Weak, Unoriginal Plot
The concept—a man peddling “divorce insurance” to salvage troubled marriages—was quirky but poorly executed.
In contrast to recent groundbreaking K-dramas (The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, The Atypical Family), the narrative is repetitive and unconvincing.
2. Lee Dong-wook’s Mismatched Role
Fans wanted his trademark charismatic, brooding charm (à la Grim Reaper), but his character is flat and uninspiring.
His rapport with co-star Esom has been described as “nonexistent”—a death sentence for a rom-com.
3. Bad Script & Pacing
The script is replete with clichés, minus the snappy wit of Behind Your Touch or emotional resonance of Queen of Tears.
The episodes drag on with filler scenes, and it becomes difficult to maintain interest.
4. Zero Marketing & Poor Timeslot
SBS hardly advertised the drama, and its Monday-Tuesday timeslot pits it against heavyweights such as The Auditors.
Not even Lee Dong-wook’s massive following could prevent it from getting drowned out.
5. “Why Does This Exist?” Syndrome
The “divorce insurance” idea is gimmicky, not credible.
Like Doctor Slump, but without the humor and heart: this drama won’t fully commit to either being funny OR deep.
Can It Recover?
With 4 episodes remaining, it’s a long shot—most have dropped it already.
Even with an improved ending, the damage is already done: no viral moments, no memes, no buzz.
What’s Next for Lee Dong-wook?
We fans are praying he’ll go back to darker, supernatural roles (Bad and Crazy vibes) or a well-crafted romance (Touch Your Heart redemption).
Verdict: Divorce Insurance isn’t merely a flop—it’s a cautionary tale for K-dramas based solely on star power.
