‘Goodbye Earth’ Continues its Reign: The Korean Drama Captivating Global Hearts

Months may have passed since Netflix’s ‘Goodbye Earth’ aired its final episode, but the emotional aftershock still lingers among Korean viewers. Despite its run ending over a month ago, the drama continues to dominate national popularity charts and remains the talk of the entertainment industry.

According to Gallup Korea, ‘Goodbye Earth’ was the most beloved broadcast video content among Koreans in April 2024, achieving a preference rate of 11.7%. This marks a leap from March’s 6.9%, where the show also ranked No. 1. It’s rare for a program, especially one that has concluded, to not only maintain the top spot but increase in popularity post-finale.

This surge places ‘Goodbye Earth’ in an elite category of dramas like ‘Queen of Tears’ (2024) and ‘The Glory’ (2023), which also surpassed 10% preference in past surveys. The staying power of this emotional drama proves its deep resonance with audiences.

The phenomenon is expected to persist well into the awards season. At the upcoming 60th Baeksang Arts Awards on June 5, ‘Goodbye Earth’ is nominated for a remarkable eight categories: Best Drama, Best Director (Kim Won-seok), Best Screenplay (Im Sang-chun), Best Actor (Park Bo-gum), Best Actress (IU), Best Supporting Actor (Choi Dae-hoon), Best Supporting Actress (Yeom Hye-ran), and Best New Actress (Kim Tae-yeon).

As the buzz surrounding the show intensifies, its stars are charting impressive paths forward. IU, who received praise for proving her acting chops as well as her musical talents, is set to headline the upcoming MBC fantasy romance ‘21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife’ alongside Byeon Woo-seok. Set in a fictional constitutional monarchy, it’s already labeled a most-anticipated drama of 2025.

Park Bo-gum, who charmed viewers with his multifaceted role, is thriving in both commercial and entertainment sectors. He continues his musical hosting duties on KBS2’s late-night show ‘Park Bo-gum’s Cantabile’, which has seen higher viewership this season. He also landed a major advertising campaign and will return to the screen in JTBC’s ‘Good Boy’ this June.

Meanwhile, Park Hae-joon, who portrayed the older version of Gwan-sik, transitions seamlessly into cinema with his hit action flick ‘Opposition’. Playing a narcotics officer, Park draws a sharp contrast to his prior character, and his film has already topped the box office for seven consecutive days, nearing one million admissions—an achievement especially notable for April, considered a low season.

Moon So-ri, who also played a pivotal role, stepped onto the baseball field to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a Lotte Giants game in Busan, her hometown. With packed schedules including photoshoots and an upcoming guest appearance in MBC’s legal drama ‘Labor Attorney Noh Moo-jin’, her star continues to rise.

Even the supporting cast is basking in newfound acclaim. Choi Dae-hoon, widely adored for his role as “Hak-ssi ahjussi,” appeared on the hit talk show ‘You Quiz on the Block’. Meanwhile, Chae Seo-an, who played Gwan-sik’s wife, captivated viewers with her delicate screen presence despite her limited screen time, landing her multiple magazine features and campaigns.

‘Goodbye Earth’ isn’t just a drama—it’s a cultural sensation that continues to uplift its cast and capture the minds of global audiences. Its legacy might have only just begun.