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Since its 2022 rebrand, ENA has cemented its reputation as a drama destination, launching with Goo Pil-soo Doesn't Exist and following with titles such as Extraordinary Attorney Woo, New Recruit and Riding Life. With distinctive concepts and consistently strong production values, the network has positioned itself as a significant player in scripted television and continues to grow steadily.
The recently concluded Honor: Their Court finished on a high note, posting a series-best 4.7% final rating (Nielsen Korea, paid households) and a 1.8% rating among viewers aged 20–49. Earlier, Good Woman Bu-semi closed with a 7.1% finale, and UDT: Our Neighborhood Special Forces also drew strong numbers—collectively underscoring the competitiveness of ENA’s Monday–Tuesday slate.
The channel’s growth is notable. On the 20–49 target metric, ENA recorded roughly 27% year-over-year growth, the largest increase among the top 10 channels. Since last September, it has entered the top seven and maintained that rank for seven consecutive months, sustaining its upward trajectory.
ENA’s original content has likewise made gains. In 2026, metropolitan ratings among viewers 20–49 for ENA originals reached 1.067% for dramas and 0.523% for variety—up 28% and 54% year-over-year, respectively—representing about a 40% overall increase.
Riding that momentum is Climax, which premieres at 10 p.m. on the 16th and is already generating buzz. Led by Ju Ji-hoon and Ha Ji-won and featuring Nana, Oh Jung-se and Cha Joo-young, Climax landed in Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex Top 10 TV drama buzz rankings in the first week of March—making it the first ENA drama to appear on the list before its premiere. With a tight genre premise and strong ensemble chemistry, it’s expected to draw viewers and sustain ENA’s rise.
ENA’s upcoming lineup remains robust. Titles on the slate include the crime-suspense thriller Scarecrow, starring Park Hae-soo, Lee Hee-joon and Kwak Sun-young; the medical-isolation rom-com Doctor Semboy, with Lee Jae-wook and Shin Ye-eun; That Dream For You, featuring Hwang In-yeop and Lee Hye-ri; and Love Doctor, directed by romance auteur An Pan-seok and starring Chu Yeong-woo and Kim So-hyun—among other diverse projects set to reach audiences.
O Gwang-hoon, head of ENA’s Content Business Division, said ENA has steadily strengthened its drama competitiveness by focusing on genres favored by younger viewers and on differentiated storytelling. He added that the network will continue to expand its drama brand through high-quality productions.
After delivering consecutive hits and earning the loyalty of young viewers, ENA will be watched closely to see whether Climax can keep the momentum going.
[Sports Today reporter Jeong Ye-won ent@stoo.com]
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