[Edaily Starin Gim Ga Yeong Reporter] “The Dating Expert” set a new all-time high in viewership ratings.

According to Nielsen Korea, a ratings research firm, on the 28th, the ENA Monday-Tuesday drama “Love Doctor,” which aired on the 27th, recorded a viewership rating of 2.7% based on nationwide household ratings. “Love Doctor” started at 1.8% and rose to 2.7% in just eight episodes.
In that episode, Park Min-jae (played by Choo Young-woo) faced a real-life obstacle. While visiting the area near Im Yu-jin’s home to meet her, he ran into Im Yu-sung (played by Kim Min-seok). Im Yu-seong’s attitude—as he pressed Park Min-jae about the nature of his relationship with Im Yu-jin—revealed his displeasure toward Park Min-jae. Im Yu-seong was taken aback when he learned that Park Min-jae had lost one leg and was living with a prosthetic. The sight of Park Min-jae repeatedly apologizing in front of him evoked sympathy.
After leaving, Im Yu-seong soon returned to find Park Min-jae. Im Yu-seong insisted that no matter how much he thought about it, he could not allow the two of them to be together, and demanded that Park Min-jae break up with Im Yu-jin. Despite his firm opposition, Park Min-jae refused to back down, arguing that it was Im Yu-jin’s choice to make. He conveyed his sincere feelings for Im Yu-jin, saying, “I’ll do my best to reciprocate her feelings, and even if I have to give up everything else, I’ll never give up on Yu-jin.” Later, Park Min-jae returned home and replied to an email withdrawing his acceptance of a postdoc position at a U.S. university. His message conveyed his unwavering determination not to let go of Im Yu-jin, even in the face of reality’s obstacles.
Im Yu-jin began preparing for her showdown with Kim Se-jin (played by Im Jin-hyo). She sought out Lee Ji-hoon, a genius mathematics professor, and even obtained a foolproof formula for winning at card games, completing her thorough preparations for victory. On the day of the showdown, just as the two were locked in a tense standoff, the doorbell rang right as Im Yu-jin was about to win. It was Park Min-jae, who had sensed that something was amiss between them. Upon learning that Im Yu-jin had placed a bet with their relationship on the line, Park Min-jae flew into a rage, while Im Yu-jin voiced her sense of injustice. When Park Min-jae confronted her, asking if she took their relationship so lightly, Im Yu-jin retorted that it was actually Park Min-jae who was underestimating her. The two clashed, unable to understand each other’s feelings. Im Yu-jin left, leaving Park Min-jae with the meaningful words, “In the end, I’m the one who lost,” and the two drifted apart once again.
Upon learning that Park Min-jae had turned down a postdoc opportunity at a U.S. university, Professor Ahn Jae-hong (played by Lee Chang-hoon) summoned him to ask why. Since such opportunities are rare, Professor Ahn found it difficult to understand Park Min-jae’s decision, and Park Min-jae made excuses, saying he wasn’t ready yet and needed time to think it over. Meanwhile, Im Yu-jin also found herself conflicted by Park Min-jae’s sudden decision. Worried that it might be because of her, she went to see Park Min-jae to ask him directly why he’d made that choice. Instead of answering, Park Min-jae asked her to explain the meaning behind something she’d said previously, revealing his anxiety. Having interpreted her words as a request to break up and been on edge ever since, he was finally relieved when Im Yu-jin replied that she had simply said it in the heat of the moment. Later, when Im Yu-jin asked why he had given up on his postdoc again, Park Min-jae sincerely told her, “I just want to do my best for you.” However, Im Yu-jin didn’t want Park Min-jae to give up on his dreams; instead, she encouraged him, saying she would wait for him while he became an even better person.
Toward the end of the episode, the scene shifted to Im Yu-jin, who was anxiously waiting for someone at the airport after four seasons had passed. A twist followed when it was revealed that the person who came to greet her with a warm smile was not Park Min-jae, but Lee Ji-hoon. Viewers are now curious to find out what happened between them.
“Love Doctor” is a drama depicting the spicy, bitter, and sweet romance between Min-jae, a doctoral student who was a high school swimmer but lost one leg to illness, and Yoo-jin, a master’s student who lost her sense of direction but has since embarked on a new path. The series stars actors Choo Young-woo and Kim So-hyun.