“’My Absolute Boyfriend” Becomes SBS’s Lowest Rated Drama EVER

Published Categorized as K-Dramas and K-Movies
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SBS drama “My Absolute Boyfriend” has broken a record but not the type of record that anyone would want to break.

The ongoing Wednesday-Thursday drama hit a new low with its ratings according to Nielsen Korea.





On June 12, episode 17 and 18 rated 1.8% making it the lowest rated drama in SBS history and the only drama to fall below the 2% mark. June 13 episodes managed to recover a bit recording 3.2% and 2.9% with its 19 and 20 episodes respectively.

“My Absolute Boyfriend” tells the story of a special effects make-up artist who has a scar due to bad love experiences. She has a humanoid robot Young-Goo programmed to be the perfect boyfriend.

A popular actor appears in front of her and falls in love with her. She gets involved in a love triangle.





The drama is led by Yeo Jin Goo, Girl’s Day Minah, Hong Jong Hyun, and others.

Netizens attribute the drama failing due to many reasons; many believe the plot is overused and old.

What do you think of this?


My Personal Thoughts

I am gonna be honest. I never liked these types of stories. Robots have NO FEELINGS. They are programmed by us humans. I find a love line between a robot and a human disgusting, especially when the robot and the human kiss, literally, the girl/boy is kissing a bunch of metal and wires, if that doesn’t gross you out, I don’t know what to tell you.

Besides that, the idea behind the drama is also kinda repetitive and has been done quite a lot. There is nothing special anymore about an average girl who is in a love triangle between a man and a robot. *gross*





Remember “Are You Human Too”? That drama had a high budget but failed to garner an audience, the drama did well overseas but poorly in South Korea. It was due to many facts but I believe the core plot was really repetitive as well. I thought Seo Kang Joon did well in both roles but couldn’t continue because of the love line between the robot and the girl, I was grossed out.

I believe Yeo Jin Goo is an amazing actor but he has been choosing repetitive drama scripts lately. I can’t remember the last time any of his dramas did well in ratings in his country which I bet is frustrating for him.

He can portray a wide range of characters and always gives his best. I honestly admire that kid a lot.

He is currently preparing for “Hotel Del Luna” alongside IU, that drama has an interesting script, arguably the most interesting script he’s been a part of for a couple of years now. I hope it breaks the cycle of bad luck he’s been going through for the past couple of years.

Fighting!

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By Hilda Moore

Hi all, my name is Hilda and I am a huge kdrama fan, I am responsible for covering news in relation to Kdramas on jazminemedia.com~ My all time fav kdramas are: My Mister, Hotel Del Luna and Kill Me, Heal Me.

48 comments

  1. I am not that “grossed” out by the storyline but really do not care for the acting of the female lead. Her expression stays the same no matter who she is associating with at the time. I love the male lead “robot” he is extra handsome and plays his part well I feel. Definitely not the worst show I have watched by any means. I wish them luck with the rest of their episodes.

  2. I like the drama, but you’re right it’s weird. But I still love Yeon Gin Goo!

    It’s a little ahead of its time considering the fact that they are literally making “love robots” right now. Haha

    If you are a fan of his may I suggest his historical drama, The Crowned Clown. Awesome!
    Fighting!

    1. I really love this version. Every sad scenes are so heartbreaking. They have good set of cast and the storyline is so great and creative.
      I really appreciate SBS’s version of it.
      This drama has only one downside and it is its brutal ending… but it is great as it is for having an ending where Young Gu still operates will give various imaginative pictures of their lovestory’s future. The ending turns out well and every episode is worth watching…

      Anyway. Keep up the good work SBS. Best regards to your future projects. Fighting!

  3. For me, im a fan of korean dramas here in the Philippines.. i really loved this drama as well as my colleague here was also a fan, we always chat about the events that happen in every episode.. i really hope that the ratings will recover soon.. Good luck “my absolute boyfriend”..

    1. I prefer this latest ‘my absolute boyfriend’ than the old one. I love all the characters and the portrayer/artists they are all so great and they play their character so well. I’m so thankful that they remake this kdrama, I like the twists of the story. Fighting! I’ll be waiting for the episodes and I want to know how it ends.

  4. I read the manga….I was alright.
    Tried watching both the Japanese and Taiwanese live actions and I just couldn’t enjoy it. It was better off as just manga. Lol so I didnt even try to watch the Korea version of it.

  5. I am actually enjoying this series. I find it much more than about robots and humans loving each other. This is a story where a woman loved a man, supported him as he persued his dreams, truly invested in the relationship believing he did as well only to have him crush her heart in the end. 7 years of making memories, unilaterally and ambiguously ended left her grieving and lost. How do you find yourself and move forward? It’s about the role of wealth overcoming human decency in the form of Diana, whose self loathing and deep hurt drives her to hurt others first.
    It’s about people thinking love can be bought and or owned. It’s about what it means to be human and who defines the properties and values of love.

  6. Let’s face it – this is different from other robot drama, in that this is bottom line, an artificially intelligent sex toy by design… that is less pronounced as the series goes on, but that was the main joke in the beginning, as it was in the manga even more so. There’s that, juxtaposed with the age old question, at what point does something become human? Also, is very telling that the robot was created and programmed by men, to supposedly for what a woman would want, and which is bizarre at many points. This has a correlation to much of Korea’s entertainment industry, which tightly grooms it’s younger stars, at least, and manages their images based on what they think their audience will respond to most.

    That said, I am watching it devotedly because I like both the Male leads especially! I don’t know where it’s going, it’s definitely diverged far from the manga. But I’ll hang in there.

    I’d say the plot lines have developed too fast and resolved too fast – and weirdly (the flower boxes? Really?).

    I think this is a drama that suffered from being filmed totally in advance. They could have changed up well with weekly feedback.

    1. GOOD COMMENTO :D.

      I like Wang Jooooooooooooooooon. T_T And YES.. WHICH DIRECTION IS IT GOING!!?!!?! In terms of hr long episodes, we’d be on episode 11, meaning the drama is just barely over halfway over,… DOES WANG JOON STILL HAVE A CHANCE????? PLEASE . But also, I didn’t know that the drama was filmed already. I was hoping if I posted a really good review about how much I want Da Da to make up with Wang Joon, that the writing would be influenced and it would happen (XD).. But.. sad.

      but anyway. I don’t get why people don’t like it more. This cheering for the (not) main(??????) guy thing is sooo bizarre…

    2. My sentiments exactly Laura. Yes, the male leads are the best but the cliche is whats annoying. Suppose that happened in real life, wouldn’t you just go back to wang Joon or fall in love with another boyfriend altogether who’ll you will relate with as humans. I mean instead of a robot who at the back of your mind you will always know that he bound to be upgraded like a computer. yes, it is fictional. But why try to cement an idea that is very overly ridiculous by sensationalising it into a drama? I just thought that Are you human would be the last draw.
      This drama is a no because of the plot but a yes because of the effort of the actors. Overall I feel it should remain as manga or a comic/anime. or they should say outright that this is the male version of Samantha (the sex doll). Now il be on board.

  7. For me its a good tv series i watch a plenty of kdrama so i know if its bad or good but this one is good. Lets just say that it is average yeah i agree that the story is kind of common but I still find it entertaining and lovely. I Hope my absolute boyfriend recover the rating good luck and fighting.

  8. This kinds of stories started in manga series , and live actions, I don’t know what to feel about it though, for me hmmm… Robot to human love just has to stay in comics, I guess… But at least they tried it to go live action, still ok to watch it for me but it really depends

  9. I love this drama… I’ve always wait for the EP 20 but I’m 2 weeks now waiting to Wednesday and Thursday but there’s nothing episode release yet…. PLSSSS… I love this plsss continue it for me .., and I also love the cast of this drama … I almost fell in love with Yeo Jin goo (yeong gu ) bcoz it’s my first time watching it the robots now is wanted to be love by Dada ( Bang Minah) … It’s interesting I love it .. plsss if you continue it … It would be more successful drama for now ❤️

  10. I prefer taiwan version of my absolute boyfriend even though it’s had a sad ending. I love jiro wang 🙂 portrayed as a robot. Try to watch it. My absolute boyfriend taiwan version

  11. Honestly I don’t get why everyone is so annoyed by the relationship between a robot and a human. It’s just a DRAMA and it can be anything since it’s fictional. I don’t see people being annoyed by those sci-fi show though. This is my SECOND show that I “chased” while it’s still airing because I hate to wait week by week.

  12. I need to comment since I have so many feelings from this drama. I’ve been watching dramas since 2003 so I know a good drama when I see one. Yes, this has been remade time and time again and I didn’t know what Minah was like as an actress, but I decided to try it one day instead of working on my final papers and then I COULDN’T STOP WATCHING IT. (Also, this 30-min long episode thing is really misleading because you think the episodes are so short that you just keep watching…) I ended up catching up in like 3 days–ugh. (I had to stop at SOME point to grade papers though…)

    Anyhow. I read the manga as well and watched the Japanese version; I can’t remember if I’d watched the Taiwanese version (I think I didn’t)… I’m not always into remakes, just because I know the storylines and/or I fear they’ll mess up the version that I loved. But I started to watch it nonetheless and OMIGOD. This drama is giving me so many feelings.

    ((SPOILERS-ish)).

    I’m surprised that the ratings are so low (although I know these dramas now split time slots with not only the other two broadcasting stations, but also the cable stations too, right?). It’s so good and yes, the robot thing has happened a few times by now (I LOVED “I’m Not a Robot”. I didn’t watch “Are You Human Too?”) but WHAT IS THIS LOVE TRIANGLE. I think this is the first time (other than Hana Yori Dango Japanese version) where I wanted the girl to end up with the.. 2nd main??? Wang Joong (HJH) IS the second main guy right? Since the title refers to the robot???? But I want Wang Joon and Da Da to end up together though… !!! I don’t remember what happened in the manga or jdorama, as those were years ago, but I do know that this storyline is steering away from the other versions… And I’M LIKING IT.

    IF YOU WANT TO FEEL CONFUSED ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS, WAtCH It.

  13. At first i loved the drama. Then i became extremely disappointed when Jingoo appeared as a robot. Why? this storyline is beyond bogus. I mean you have to keep battling with yourself and reminding yourself that Jingoo is no human but a pretty machine. I’d rather watch a robocop like drama than believe that a fellow human like me – but with a slightly higher IQ- decided to make me a boyfriend. where’s the fun in that? I like Jingoo don’t get me wrong. He is one of the underrated actors but he’s got all the qualities to become a buzz. from his expressions (have you seen his waterfall cry)? to his body. he is very manly, can we all say Amen? (And sometimes I feel like the directors took advantage of his body in this drama more than his acting skills). I don’t refute that I am bound to see a robot naked, But it is just a robot. Whats the point of it becoming my boyfriend. It should be doing chores while I Netflix n chill. That’s why Jin-goo’s role kind of becomes redundant. Let’s be real if you were given such a robot you would love it like you love your clothes, then look for oppa to love like you love a man.

  14. I liked the Taiwanese version better. It was older and some of the acting was so-so, but I think they unnecessarily added complicated elements to the story it didn’t need. In the other version the female lead was someone who was lonely and constantly got rejected. Her childhood friend/neighbor was in love with her and never told her. I enjoyed the plot more. Especially when this average girl orders a “boyfriend” online after getting a business card from a man she helped. When he asked her what she wanted in return she said a boyfriend. So..Kronos Heaven business card brandished. Shes feeling depressed so she checks out the website and thinking it’s a joke she check Mark’s ALL the bells and whistles. This sticking her with a giant bill. After the trial in order to keep him her and Night..(the robot in this one) come up with ways to try to earn money. The ending is a tear jerker but I found it more endearing then the Korean version which seemed to add a lot of tropes that took away from the charm of the other versions.

  15. I’m in love with this drama. Every time I watch the latest episode I really cannot wait for the next one. I cannot understand why Koreans doesn’t watch it. It’s one of my favorite Kdramas ever! The two male lead actors are also extremely hot, I’m in love not only with this drama but also with both of the male lead actors.

  16. So I couldn’t get Yeo Jin Goo’s kid roles outta my head, he was good in them but I wasn’t sure how I would feel seeing him in more adult roles. Reason being, I personally watch dramas as an escape and kind of imagine myself in the story lines. I try to feel what they are feeling, have the illusion of liking the guys etc. It takes my mind off my everyday stress. So I wasn’t sure if I would be drawn to the characters when I kept thinking of him as a youngster. But it actually was a non issue lol! He is great at showing emotion, I can see the maturity, and on the physical side he is definitely not a little guy anymore. I have enjoyed his dramas including “My Absolute Boyfriend”. He has range in acting and it was really evident in “The Crowned Clown”. He made my heart flutter, wasn’t expecting that. I will watch his next drama as well and wait for him to draw me in.

  17. I’ve watched it till the end, but let me say its kinda disappointing, Its unnecessary to make an open ending like that, its sooo confusing. They could’ve stick to the original ending that zero nine has meltdown why confuse us that he on OFF mode move his fingers and then a guy approached Eom Dada that you’ll think he is Zero Nine while holding the umbrella that was left on Mawoong Joon’s Car. Ive heard that the ratings of this drama isn’t doing well because the story line is lacking or I mean too much I don’t know but I can’t really feel the true emotions of the cast except for Yoo Gin gu, he’s really a pro. It started really nice and smooth though

  18. I will NEVER understand this hatred of androids – I’m sorry. I grew up reading science fiction – I, Robot by Asimov is still one of my fav SF novels. I’m a Trekkie, and Data certainly had feelings. That wonderful episode, The Measure of a Man – I fully suggest anyone ‘grossed out’ by robot love, and convinced they are just ‘machines’ really should watch that. Also the Robin Williams film Bicentennial Man, for a look at where cyber intelligence is headed. Another film that explores life from an android’s perspective is A. I. Artificial Intelligence.
    These androids (Are You Human, Too, or Absolute Boyfriend) are NOT just some hunk of metal. Far from it. They are 5th generation computers joined with highly realistic humanoid bodies. They THINK. Both of the androids in these dramas also learn to feel – to have autonomy.
    We are not nearly at that level – YET. But we certainly will get there. I’m hoping it doesn’t turn into a Blade Runner situation. Bottom line, sentience is not exclusive to humans, and the quicker we figure this out the better.

  19. People seriously need to chill. It’s just a drama/fantasy. You would be lying if you can’t find the good moral story about love through this K-drama. I personally enjoyed it because of the lesson one must learn about love despite the character was a robot or not. There was especially one scene when Da Da spoke to Young Goo and said that she loves him for who he is, not as a robot and not as a human.

    If anything I was more disappointed about the ending and hoping there is more to it. Cause I feel like Young Goo should have turned out just like Pinocchio who was once a boy and became fully human or in this case Young Goo fully developed himself into a real human being. But then that wouldn’t be realistic I guess.

    1. Yeah I salute your kind of thinking I love the plot of the stroy, but many people not considering the message of the story what’s wrong between human/robot love stroy? this drama is so amazing I realized a lot and learned something

  20. I found this drama kind of icky. A robot and human not too smart of a plot. Even with all my imagination I could not enjoy this drama. Happy it is gone. I absolutely love the history dramas. More history dramas please. The clothing from the dramas is so beautiful.

  21. I was super bummed with the ending. But if you dont enjoy supernatural/sifi dramas why watch?
    It’s the same if a human/vampire couple or human/mermaid human/alien. None are human/human relationships but beautiful because love goes beyond what we are but who we are. I loved this series and couldnt wait for the next episode. I love anything out of the ordinary really and this did it for me. Wish there was a moment between them in the end, bc I feel left wanting.

  22. I like this korean drama. period . YOUNG GOO is a very talented actor but i would agree im a little bit dissapointed during the last Episode i thought that he would be fix and be with the girl. Fighting oppa.

    1. OMG… This was so touching. Absolute one of my favorite dramas. The definition of love demonstrated in this show from multiple angles and from the leads was just omg…so amazing. Ignoring the fact that he was a robot and just loved him for who he was… just really loved this love without bonderies feel. . Awesome. ❤

  23. Im really a fan of Kdrama but I rarely find a Kdrama that I could continue watching until the end. Some of the dramas I watched and stopped in the middle coz Its getting boring..others Id just watch and skip some episodes but this one got me really interested to watch– every single episode. I really admire the casts for their talent and and production for this drama. Esp the male lead Yeon Jin Goo he’s amazing portraying the robot character Young Goo. For those who felt grossed out about some scene yeah I feel you but this is a fantacy/ sci-fi drama..like any other alien-human, vampire/human, mermaid-human kdrama you usedto watch so chill will ya.. and just understand the moral of the story. The only thing left hanging here is the end part.. would be much better if they added one more episode and not an open ended one. So yeah I’ll rate the drama 9/10. Peace out! ❤️

  24. I’ve watch A LOT of kdramas and I can easily put this one as one of the most romantic ones. I also loved the ending as it made me wonder, perhaps ZeroNine moving his finger was a way of saying ‘thank you’ and the person with the umbrella who Da Da met in the end, is not 09 but rather Da Da moving on with her life.

  25. I keep thinking about the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz. He needed a heart. Also a fantasy, but with some of the same kinds of lessons re love found in this drama.

  26. I really liked the story, which was a surprise for me, because I find it so-so during the first half of the series and was kind of pissed about how the Da Da treats Young Go despite of all the efforts he did for her. The turnaround came when she started reciprocating in kind.

    This drama is, yes, out of the box and something most of us won’t like if it happened in real life, but who are we to judge what feels right or wrong for those who’s feeling it. Love, at the end of the day, is never ordinary.

    I haven’t cried this much over a drama but this definitely teaches lessons about love.

  27. I love this drama much… From the cast,plot,scene,everything i love it…. My opinion this is fantasy drama.. So it is no problem to have feeling with the robot… I really love hero and heroin.. I already watch their behind the scene.. They are so cute and sweet.. I will give 9/10.. I really recommend this drama should be watch..

  28. I think this series was under rated because others doesn’t appreciate the love between a robot and a human. I felt it that way with Are you human reason why I dropped it. However, this series held me back. I’m proud that I was able to finish it. The actors were all amazing. Yeo Jin Goo never fail to amaze me. If people will only give this story a chance, they’ll realize how good the story was.

  29. Please Make A season 2 SBS
    FOR ALL OF FANS IN PHILLIPINES
    I REALLY LIKE THIS KDRAMA PLSS RESPOND MY COMENT OR REPLY THIS COMENT FOR INFO
    TNX IN ADVANCE

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