"Rookie director Kim Yeon-kyung" became the center of hot attention by ranking first in TV-OTT non-drama cast member buzz in Good Data Corporation's "Fundex Report: Analysis of K-content competitiveness" (week 1 of October).
According to Good Data Corporation, MBC's "Rookie director Kim Yeon-kyung" ranked sixth in overall TV-OTT non-drama program buzz, more than doubling from the previous week and drawing noticeable reactions. In particular, Kim Yeon-kyung rose to first place not only in TV-OTT non-drama cast member buzz but also in TV non-drama cast member buzz, and viewers have shown explosive sympathy and support for her new challenge as a volleyball coach.
In this survey, MBC's "Rookie director Kim Yeon-kyung" ranked sixth in video views, fifth in VON comments, and seventh in news article count in the TV-OTT non-drama category, receiving broad interest across various areas related to buzz. Along with the rise in video views, active reactions continued on social media and elsewhere, raising both interest in and buzz around the program. The survey was conducted by K-content buzz analysis firm Good Data Corporation from Sept. 29 to Oct. 5, 2025, targeting 188 non-dramas that are airing or scheduled to air, analyzing netizen responses in news articles, blogs/communities, videos and social media, and was announced 10 days ago.
MBC's "Rookie director Kim Yeon-kyung," which aired two episodes as of the 11th, has established itself as a sincerity-based variety show that has captured both ratings and buzz from the start, as Kim Yeon-kyung's heartfelt leadership after transforming from the "emperor of volleyball" into a rookie director and the growth narrative of the "Must-win Wonder Dogs" delivered a deep resonance to viewers. In the third episode airing on the 12th, expectations are building as an unpredictable match result with the IBK Industrial Bank Altos professional volleyball team and the opening of a Korea-Japan showdown with Japan's strongest high school team are expected.
MBC's "Rookie director Kim Yeon-kyung" airs every Sunday night at 9:10 p.m. on MBC.
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