ENA’s “New Recruit 4: Sabotage” continues to hold strong in the ratings race as the military comedy-drama moves toward the end of its fourth season.
The series has maintained its momentum throughout its latest episodes, with its latest broadcast once again taking the top spot in its time slot.
The drama’s recent ratings performance comes amid a particularly close competition with tvN’s “The Ordinary Jackpot.”
Earlier in the week, “New Recruit 4: Sabotage” recorded its highest viewership rating since the beginning of the season, demonstrating the growing interest surrounding its final episodes.
According to Nielsen Korea, the September 22 episode achieved an average nationwide rating of 4.821 percent, setting a new personal record for the series.
The result was especially notable because “The Ordinary Jackpot” was close behind.
Its fourth episode recorded an average nationwide rating of 4.815 percent, leaving only a tiny difference between the two dramas.
The close numbers highlighted just how competitive the evening drama lineup had become, with both series attracting viewers during the same time period.
“New Recruit 4: Sabotage” had already been generating considerable attention before its latest ratings achievement.
The drama ranked No. 2 on Good Data Corporation’s weekly list of the most buzzworthy dramas earlier in September, behind tvN’s “Four Hands, Two Sonatas.”
Its cast also appeared on the buzzworthy actor rankings, with Kim Min Ho and Lee Won Jung placing No. 5 and No. 6 respectively.
A New Chapter in Park Min Seok’s Military Story
Based on the popular animation of the same name, “New Recruit” is known for its black-comedy approach to military life.
The series follows young adults navigating the unusual culture, relationships, pressures, and situations that can emerge within South Korea’s military environment.
The fourth season continues the story of Park Min Seok, played by Kim Min Ho.
Having progressed through his military service and been promoted to corporal, Park Min Seok finds himself dealing with a fresh series of challenges.
Rather than allowing his promotion to bring a peaceful period, the arrival of a mysterious new recruit and a new battalion commander creates another turbulent chapter for him and the other soldiers.
The season has continued balancing its comedic elements with character-driven moments as the soldiers approach major changes in their military lives.
One of the season’s recent storylines centered on Kang Chan Seok, played by Lee Jung Hyun, and Choi Byung Nam, played by Kim Hee Soo, as they finally prepared for discharge.
Their military journey had previously been extended because of Homeland Defense Training, making their eventual discharge an important moment in the storyline.
Kang Chan Seok, who initially appeared as a troublesome character, had undergone considerable development, while Choi Byung Nam continued to provide much of the humor and warmth within the group.
The production team also teased further developments surrounding Jo Baek Ho, played by Oh Dae Hwan.
After successfully completing Homeland Defense Training, his future within the military became another storyline for viewers to follow, particularly as questions remained about whether he would succeed in the final promotion review.
With the fourth season approaching its conclusion, the drama has been bringing several of its ongoing stories toward their next stage.
The combination of returning characters, new developments, and the show’s familiar military setting has helped maintain interest throughout the season.
The ratings success also follows the drama’s strong position on weekly buzz charts.
While “Four Hands, Two Sonatas” led the overall buzz ranking in the September 13 results, “New Recruit 4: Sabotage” remained firmly in second place, ahead of several other popular ongoing series.
As the finale approaches, attention is now focused on how Park Min Seok’s latest military challenges will unfold and how the remaining characters’ stories will conclude.
The drama’s recent record rating and extremely narrow competition with “The Ordinary Jackpot” have added another notable chapter to its fourth-season run.
