The KBS2 weekend drama, which has been on a ratings high, has once again claimed the top spot. It surpassed the news specials on the three major TV networks covering the 'Impeachment Resolution Passed' and secured the 'Overall Rating No. 1' position.
According to Nielsen Korea's viewership data as of the 14th, Iron Family (directed by Seong Jun-hae, Seo Yong-su / written by Seo Suk-hyang) episode 23, which aired on that day, recorded 2.58 million viewers and a 14.5% rating nationwide, securing the top spot in the daily ratings of the three major networks. This demonstrated the show's immense popularity.
Despite the news coverage on the second vote and approval of President Yoon’s impeachment, which flooded the airwaves, Iron Family maintained high ratings and continued its successful run.
MBC’s MBC News Special came in second place, with 2.18 million viewers and an 11.3% rating. In third and fourth place, MBC's MBC News Desk (10.6%) and News Special (9.8%) garnered 2.07 million and 1.93 million viewers, respectively. Fifth place was taken by MBC's Friday-Saturday drama When the Phone Rings (6.9%), with 1.34 million viewers.
Viewers’ reactions to Iron Family were also heated after the broadcast, with comments such as: “Episode 23 with a 14.5% rating... it held up well even against the impeachment news specials. Well deserved praise," "Gang-ju, the iron family, is so cute," "Already episode 23...," "I’m really enjoying watching this drama," "Even amidst the chaos, Iron Family is holding strong in ratings. It will likely continue to rise as the series ends," "Love and money come full circle with a big twist… so exciting," and "Watching it live again today."
In episode 23, Kim Jung-hyun’s character, Seo Gang-ju, was seen rescuing the Cheongnyeong Laundry family from a crisis. After a theft at the laundry house, where money was stolen again, Lee Man-deuk (Park In-hwan) faced a life-threatening situation, causing Seo Gang-ju to fall into deep conflict. Fortunately, after regaining consciousness, Lee Man-deuk revealed to Go Bong-hee (Park Ji-young) and Ahn Gil-ye (Kim Young-ok) that the money hidden under the bed was missing, but they did not believe him. Upon returning home and checking under the bed, Go Bong-hee and Ahn Gil-ye found the money still there. At that moment, Choi Jin (Han Soo-ho), who had been visiting his maternal grandparents, accidentally witnessed this while going to the bathroom and informed his mother, Lee Mi-yeon (Wang Ji-hye), that a large sum of money was hidden in the grandparents' room.
The previous night, Seo Gang-ju, after much thought, retrieved the money he had buried in the ancestral burial ground and returned it to its original place. This action was later discovered by Lee Da-rim (Geum Sae-rok), who, feeling both grateful and guilty, kissed him on the cheek. However, Baek Ji-yeon (Kim Hye-eun), concerned that the laundry house's daughter might be dating her son, sought out Lee Da-rim to question her about the reason she had kneeled at a hotel. Seo Gang-ju, using quick thinking, said, "We’re going to break up," and Lee Da-rim, in turn, defused the situation. Believing Lee Da-rim’s words over her son’s, Baek Ji-yeon decided to step back.
Iron Family continues to captivate audiences with its compelling storyline and engaging character dynamics.
Meanwhile, Ji Seung-don (Shin Hyun-joon) called Seo Gang-ju and revealed that he planned to offer the executive position to Cha Tae-woong (Choi Tae-joon). He also mentioned that he intended to live with Seo Gang-ju in the same house, which triggered Seo Gang-ju's anger. In response, Seo Gang-ju declared, "I will show you that I can start from the bottom and succeed," and decided to move out.
Cha Tae-woong was appointed to the executive position at Ji Seung Group, and Ji Seung-don instructed Lee Cha-rim (Yang Hye-ji) to guide Cha Tae-woong around the company. While the two passed through the fashion research institute and the executive office, Seo Gang-ju remained in the office, sorting out his belongings. When Seo Gang-ju came face-to-face with Cha Tae-woong, he left with a final request to take care of his father. Lee Da-rim, who witnessed the scene, couldn’t hide her sorrowful expression.
Determined to start over on his own, Seo Gang-ju headed to Cha Tae-woong's rooftop room. He proposed to Lee Da-rim to start a business together to recover the 3.8 billion won they had lost, and Lee Da-rim agreed enthusiastically. However, the scene ended with Lee Mi-yeon secretly taking money out from under the bed. The hidden 6.2 billion won was now known not only to Lee Man-deuk, Ahn Gil-ye, Go Bong-hee, Seo Gang-ju, and Lee Da-rim, but also to Lee Mi-yeon. This new development surrounding the money has sparked curiosity about how far the unfolding events will go.
Iron Family airs every Saturday and Sunday at 8:00 PM on KBS2.
Iron Family Re-broadcast Schedule
KBS2
December 15 (Sunday)
3:20 PM: Episode 23
8:00 PM: Episode 24
December 20 (Friday)
11:10 AM: Episode 23
12:30 PM: Episode 24
KBS WORLD
December 15 (Sunday)
11:30 AM: Episode 19
9:00 PM: Episode 20
December 16 (Monday)
6:00 AM: Episode 20
2:10 PM: Episode 19
3:25 PM: Episode 20
December 17 (Tuesday)
11:20 AM: Episode 16
December 18 (Wednesday)
11:20 AM: Episode 17
December 19 (Thursday)
11:20 AM: Episode 18
December 20 (Friday)
11:20 AM: Episode 19
KBS Drama
December 15 (Sunday)
8:35 AM: Episode 22
9:55 AM: Episode 23
4:25 PM: Episode 22
5:45 PM: Episode 23
December 16 (Monday)
9:55 AM: Episode 23
11:15 AM: Episode 24
3:25 PM: Episode 23
4:45 PM: Episode 24
December 17 (Tuesday)
2:00 PM: Episode 23
3:20 PM: Episode 24
December 18 (Wednesday)
10:00 AM: Episode 23
11:20 AM: Episode 24
5:50 PM: Episode 23
7:10 PM: Episode 24
December 19 (Thursday)
2:00 PM: Episode 23
3:20 PM: Episode 24
December 20 (Friday)
10:00 AM: Episode 23
11:20 AM: Episode 24
December 21 (Saturday)
12:40 PM: Episode 23
2:00 PM: Episode 24