ENA’s “Between Steps” has wrapped up the first half of its run on the highest note possible. On October 20, the romance drama posted its best viewership ratings yet, setting a brand-new all-time high just as it heads into the second half of its story.
According to Nielsen Korea, the latest episode of “Between Steps” recorded an average nationwide rating of 2.447 percent — a new personal best for the show. For a cable drama, hitting a new peak at the midpoint is exactly the kind of momentum that networks dream about, and it suggests the audience is growing rather than drifting away as the plot thickens.
Between Steps (Credits: Soompi)
A Ratings Climb at the Perfect Time
Mid-run ratings jumps are always worth watching closely. Many dramas peak early on premiere hype and then settle into a slow decline, but “Between Steps” has done the opposite — building its audience episode by episode. A first-half finale that doubles as a ratings record is the strongest possible signal that word of mouth is working in the show’s favor.
The timing could not be better. With the second half of the run now underway, the drama carries real buzz into its remaining episodes. Fans of stars Kim So Hyun and Choo Young Woo will be hoping the romance keeps delivering the moments that pulled viewers in during the first half.
“Love in Disguise” Dips But Still Wins Its Slot
Over on tvN, the new romance thriller “Love in Disguise” had a quieter night. The drama saw a modest dip in viewership for its second episode, landing at an average nationwide rating of 4.7 percent — still comfortably ahead of its time-slot competition across all cable channels.
A second-episode dip is one of the most common patterns in K-drama ratings. Premiere episodes often ride on curiosity and pre-release buzz, and the real test comes in weeks two and three, when the story has to hold the audience on its own merits. Taking first place in its time slot despite the dip means “Love in Disguise” remains firmly in control of its lane.
What Comes Next
All eyes are now on whether “Between Steps” can push even higher in its second half. Dramas that peak at the midpoint sometimes climb further as finales approach — especially romance dramas, where late-run emotional payoffs tend to pull casual viewers back in. If the upward trend continues, the show could finish its run as one of ENA’s standout performers of the season.
For “Love in Disguise,” the question is whether episode three steadies the ship. Early dips are normal, but the coming weeks will show whether the thriller has the staying power to keep its slot-leading position through the rest of its run.
Also Read: Between Steps Stills Tease Cracks in Kim So Hyun and Choo Young Woo’s New Romance 3 Relatable Office K-Dramas to Watch If You Loved “The Ordinary Jackpot”
Source: Soompi — read the full story there.
