‘Four Hands’ Takes No. 1 on Netflix Korea After Just Four Episodes, Surpassing 19+ Thriller ‘The Rats’
A new Korean drama is making waves after climbing to the top of Netflix Korea’s daily Top 10 series chart just four episodes into its run.
tvN’s weekend drama “Four Hands”, starring Song Kang and Lee Jun-young, has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about Korean series of the second half of 2026. The drama has been gaining momentum across television ratings, online buzz, and streaming platforms.
According to Netflix Korea’s “Top 10 Series in Korea” chart released on September 8, “Four Hands” ranked No. 1, overtaking the 19+ thriller “The Rats.”
The current rankings placed “Four Hands” at No. 1, followed by “The Rats,” “The Secretary,” “Jochunchungrang,” “I Am Solo,” and other popular Korean programs.
“The Rats” had previously attracted significant attention both in Korea and overseas, ranking fifth on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English TV list after its release on August 28. The sudden rise of “Four Hands” has therefore drawn considerable attention.
Four Consecutive Weeks at No. 1 in Its Time Slot
“Four Hands” is also performing strongly on traditional television.
The drama’s fourth episode, which aired on September 6, recorded an average nationwide rating of 5.8 percent, with a peak of 6.2 percent, according to Nielsen Korea. In the Seoul metropolitan area, it recorded an average of 6.0 percent and peaked at 6.6 percent.
The drama has remained No. 1 among cable and general programming channels in its time slot for four consecutive episodes.
Its ratings have also shown a steady upward trend. After opening at 3.4 percent with its first episode, the drama jumped to 5.9 percent by its second episode and has continued to maintain strong momentum.
Rivalry Begins to Tear the Two Pianists Apart
The fourth episode marked a major turning point in the relationship between Kang Bio, played by Song Kang, and Choi Jeong-yo, played by Lee Jun-young.
The two had initially grown closer after becoming official piano practice partners. However, their relationship began to crack when a loan shark known as Manager Kim entered the picture.
Manager Kim demanded information about Jeong-yo’s missing father and even physically assaulted him. He then threatened to collect the debt from Kang Bio instead, knowing that Jeong-yo had no money.
Meanwhile, Kang Bio clashed with his mother, Kang Ji-hye, after declaring that he would no longer participate in competitions. He eventually left home and asked Jeong-yo to let him stay in his dormitory for a few days.
Things became even more complicated when Kang Bio learned that his agency’s CEO was planning to terminate his contract and sign Jeong-yo instead.
To make matters worse, his childhood friend and violinist Hong Jae-in also became captivated by Jeong-yo’s performance.
Overwhelmed by jealousy and insecurity, Kang Bio eventually confronted Kang Seung-woon and demanded to know why it had to be Jeong-yo.
Kang Seung-woon responded coldly, warning him that he would be the one left completely devastated by their relationship, further intensifying the conflict between the characters.
Lee Jun-young and Song Kang Dominate Buzz Rankings
The drama’s growing popularity is not limited to television ratings.
According to Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex TV-OTT popularity rankings, “Four Hands” ranked No. 1 overall. Among individual cast members, Lee Jun-young ranked first and Song Kang ranked second.
The drama also maintained the top spot in the overall drama popularity rankings announced on September 1, surpassing other popular titles including “Boot Camp 4: Sabotage” and “The Rats.”
The Netflix success is particularly notable because both of the drama’s leading actors have strong streaming records.
Song Kang, who recently returned from military service, previously gained international attention through Netflix’s “Sweet Home,” which topped charts in 10 countries within four days of its release and entered the Top 10 in 70 countries.
Lee Jun-young has also recently attracted attention for his role in the JTBC drama “The New Employee: Chairman Kang,” which recorded a peak rating of 13.6 percent.
Director Park Hyun-seok has praised the chemistry between the three main cast members, noting that they prepared intensely for their roles while maintaining a warm and friendly atmosphere between takes.
Why Is the Drama Called ‘Four Hands’?
The title “Four Hands” refers to a piano technique in which two performers sit side by side at a single piano and play a piece together using four hands.
Known as yeontan (連彈) in Korean, the technique serves as a symbolic representation of the complicated relationship between Kang Bio and Choi Jeong-yo.
The series marks Song Kang’s return to television following his military service. It is also his first tvN drama in roughly five years since “Navillera” and his first major romance role in approximately three years since “My Demon.”
For Lee Jun-young, “Four Hands” is his final leading role before enlistment and marks his return to tvN after roughly eight years, excluding special appearances.
At the drama’s press conference, Lee Jun-young described the series as something viewers could enjoy much like listening to classical music—slowly taking in and appreciating each piece.
Jang Gyuri, meanwhile, emphasized that every character carries their own wounds and shortcomings, and encouraged viewers to follow how they overcome those struggles and grow.
A Coming-of-Age Story Set in the World of Classical Music
“Four Hands,” which premiered on August 29, is set at a prestigious arts high school and follows young musicians as they navigate friendship, love, competition, and personal growth.
Kang Bio is a talented student who comes from a wealthy background but struggles to gain recognition from his legendary grandfather.
Choi Jeong-yo, meanwhile, possesses extraordinary musical talent while dealing with a difficult family situation.
The two begin to grow closer after being paired for a school assignment involving a four-hand piano performance.
Writer Shin Yi-won reportedly became interested in the world of classical music after coming across news about a pianist winning a major competition. As she explored the lives of musicians, she discovered that their passion, ambition, despair, and relentless efforts could provide stories just as compelling as those found in traditional dramas.
With Kang Bio and Choi Jeong-yo’s relationship gradually shifting from friendship toward rivalry, viewers are now eagerly anticipating what comes next.
The fifth episode of “Four Hands” is scheduled to air on September 12 at 9:10 p.m. KST.