ENA’s ‘New Recruit 3’ Series Ends on a High with Record Ratings and Viral Buzz

ENA’s Monday-Tuesday drama ‘New Recruit 3’ has wrapped up its run, achieving its highest ratings to date and cementing its place as one of the network’s most successful series. Combining humor with a realistic portrayal of military life, the show won the hearts of viewers early on and maintained its momentum, introducing fresh characters alongside its returning cast.

According to Nielsen Korea, the finale episode recorded a nationwide rating of 3.3% and a capital region rating of 3.6%. Among ENA’s prime target demographic—known as the 2049 Target—the drama consistently led ratings within its time slot. Debuting with a 2049 rating of 0.8%, the show broke the 1% mark by its second episode and peaked at 1.5% in its final broadcast, earning the #2 position in ENA drama history behind ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’.

New Recruit 3 also dominated on streaming platform OTT Tving, securing the top spot on the Tving TOP 20 chart. Across SNS platforms and online communities, clips and behind-the-scenes content amassed millions of views, further fueling buzz around the show.

Data from Good Data Corporation Fundex confirmed its impact, ranking the drama #1 in TV buzz during the second week of April—another record high for ENA since ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo.’

To thank fans for their support, ENA has slated a marathon airing of ‘New Recruit 3’ during Korea’s Golden Holiday from May 3–6. Additionally, a special variety show titled ‘New Recruit 3: New Recruits’ Fancy Outing’ will air on May 5 at 10 PM. The special will feature the main cast sharing behind-the-scenes stories and showcasing their off-screen camaraderie.

In a statement, ENA expressed gratitude toward fans and emphasized the importance of its 2049-focused strategy, promising more dramas that balance heartfelt storytelling with engaging narratives.

The follow-up series, ‘Your Taste’ (Korean title “당신의 맛”), starring Kang Ha-neul and Go Min-si, is set to premiere on May 12 at 10 PM.