K-drama Viewership Ratings Jan 2026: The Judge Returns Finally Hits Double Digits

The weekend battleground just got a lot more crowded. According to Dramabeans, the week of January 12-18, 2026, saw a massive influx of new content as three major shows made their highly anticipated premieres. While the newcomers fought for attention, established hits proved they weren't going down without a fight, with some reaching new career highs.

K-drama Viewership Ratings January 2026 Breakdown

The biggest headline of the week is The Judge Returns, which successfully crossed into the coveted double-digit territory. It's a significant milestone that solidifies its position as the current weekend leader. Meanwhile, To My Beloved Thief also saw a noticeable jump in its numbers, showing that the audience's loyalty remains split among high-quality productions.

• 1st Place: The Judge Returns (Hit 10%+ ratings)
• 2nd Place: To My Beloved Thief (Rising steady)
• 3rd Place: Our Golden Days (Closing the gap)
• New Entries: No Tail to Tell, Undercover Miss Hong, Positively Yours

Triple Premiere Shake-up

The weekend slot is now more competitive than ever with the arrival of No Tail to Tell, Undercover Miss Hong, and Positively Yours. While it's too early to call them hits, their entry hasn't yet derailed the momentum of Our Golden Days, which continues to creep closer to its rivals. It's a crowded house, and viewers are the ultimate winners with so many options.