Mystery Drama 'Witch' Captivates Viewers with Strong Premiere Ratings

The new mystery drama 'Witch' (마녀) made a striking debut on February 15, 2025, captivating audiences with its intriguing atmosphere, stunning visual direction, and solid storyline. The show achieved impressive ratings of 2.6% in the metropolitan area, peaking at 3.3%, marking the highest viewership for a premiere episode in Channel A's history (Nielsen Korea, based on paid broadcasting households).

Written by Jo Yu-jin and directed by Kim Tae-kyun, 'Witch' follows the character Dong-jin (played by Park Jin-young), who uses data mining to uncover the mysterious 'law of death' that seems to follow Mi-jeong (played by Noh Jung-ui). The episode featured special appearances by Ju Ji-hoon, Yoon Park, Kim Hye-ok, and Hyun Bong-sik, adding a delightful touch to the narrative.

Director Kim Tae-kyun's artistic direction filled the narrative with a compelling sense of immersion, while the performances of Park Jin-young and Noh Jung-ui enhanced the romantic mystery atmosphere. The unique premise of a data miner exploring love stories has set high expectations for future episodes.

The premiere opened with Dong-jin showcasing his data mining skills, analyzing customer behavior patterns at a casino to identify 'pain points'—individuals who have lost significant amounts of money and are unlikely to return. His abilities were further highlighted during a police statement following a car attack, where he deduced that two brothers, who were involved in a fight, shared a home based on various clues.

The emotional connection between Dong-jin and Mi-jeong was palpable when they encountered each other on the subway. Mi-jeong, who had been the subject of rumors and misfortune during their school days, was still haunted by her past. Dong-jin's concern for her grew as he remembered her lonely high school days, where she was often isolated due to the strange incidents surrounding her.

As the story unfolds, Mi-jeong's reputation as a 'witch' due to the mysterious accidents that occurred around her during school years becomes a central theme. Dong-jin, who sees through the misconceptions, is determined to reach out to her, but their paths diverge tragically.

The episode concluded with a poignant moment as Dong-jin, now resolved to break the cycle of misfortune surrounding Mi-jeong, asked her, "Do you believe in witches?" This cliffhanger leaves viewers eager for the next episode, which airs today, February 16, at 9:10 PM.