Lee Joon Hyuk leads buzz rankings as ‘Love Scout’ becomes a fan favorite

Lee Joon Hyuk has solidified his status as a leading K-drama star, topping the buzzworthy actors’ rankings for the third week of January. His performance in SBS’s workplace romance Love Scout has captivated audiences, helping the show achieve impressive domestic viewership ratings despite the generally lukewarm performance of other dramas airing in the same time slot. The series, which stars Lee Joon Hyuk as Yu Eun Ho and Han Ji Min as Kang Ji Yun, has earned widespread praise for its heartwarming storyline and engaging chemistry between the lead actors.
According to the Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex update on January 21, Lee maintained his top position on the drama actors’ buzz list for the second consecutive week, thanks to his swoon-worthy performance. Meanwhile, his co-star Han Ji Min ranked third, slipping one spot from the previous week. Lim Ji Yeon, who stars in The Tale of Lady Ok, claimed the second position on the list.
Other currently trending dramas also had actors featured in the Top 10 rankings. These include The Tale of Lady Ok, Motel California, and The Queen Who Crowns. However, Squid Game 2 and When the Stars Gossip stood out, as they had only one actor each—Choi Seung Hyun (T.O.P.) and Lee Min Ho, respectively—on the list.
On the drama chart, Love Scout took the top spot among TV shows, while Netflix’s Squid Game 2 claimed the top position in the combined TV and OTT rankings. Disney Plus’s Unmasked, starring Kim Hye Soo, Jung Sung Il, and Joo Jong Hyuk, was the only purely OTT title to make it into the Top 10, ranking eighth.
Meanwhile, on the non-drama side, Netflix’s dating reality show Single’s Inferno 4 dominated the buzz rankings. Contestant Lee Sian, who became a fan favorite, ranked fourth among non-drama performers. However, Lee Sian has faced legal issues, as her agency, Leaders Entertainment, reportedly sued her for breaching her exclusive contract amid discussions about her participation in Single’s Inferno 4.
Lee Joon Hyuk’s success with Love Scout highlights the drama’s growing popularity, reaffirming its place as a standout in the current K-drama lineup.