The Divorce Insurance Finale: Love Triumphs as Ratings Plummet - Inside the Bittersweet Ending of tvN's Workplace Rom-Com

A Sweet Ending to a Ratings Disaster: The Divorce Insurance Finale Recap

tvN's 'The Divorce Insurance' has finally reached its conclusion with episode 12, airing on May 6, 2025. Despite assembling an A-list cast including Lee Dong-wook, Lee Joo-bin, Lee Kwang-soo, and Lee Da-hee, the series struggled tremendously in viewership, hitting a shocking low of 0.9% with its penultimate episode. This marks tvN's biggest ratings disappointment in seven years for a Monday-Tuesday drama slot. Nevertheless, the finale delivered a satisfying conclusion for those viewers who remained loyal to the end.

The 12-episode workplace rom-com centered around an insurance company developing a unique product to protect clients from financial devastation in case of divorce. While the premise was innovative, the execution failed to capture a wide audience despite the star power involved. Let's dive into how this unconventional drama wrapped up its run.

Romance Blooms in the Final Hour

Episode 12 opened with a sweet morning scene between No Gi-jun (Lee Dong-wook) and Kang Han-deul (Lee Joo-bin), who had clearly taken their relationship to the next level after the previous episode's developments. Their chemistry, which had been building throughout the series, finally culminated in tender moments that showcased the mature approach to romance that set this drama apart from typical K-drama fare.

The finale didn't just focus on our main couple. The episode also resolved several other romantic storylines that had been developing throughout the series. Dae-bok and his wife continued their reconciliation journey, with him helping her with groceries and making efforts to strengthen their marriage. Meanwhile, Ah-young decided to give Woo-shik a chance, opening herself up to new possibilities in love.

Perhaps the most surprising romantic development came from Na-rae (Lee Da-hee) and Jeon-man (Lee Kwang-soo). After Na-rae received a job offer in Singapore, she invited Jeon-man to join her. The finale showed him rushing to the airport to accompany her, resulting in a passionate kiss that delighted viewers who had been rooting for this unlikely pair. Their relationship evolved from workplace friction to genuine connection, providing a satisfying arc for both characters.

The Divorce Insurance Finally Launches

After numerous obstacles and setbacks throughout the series, the divorce insurance product finally launched to the public in the finale. In a stroke of ironic fortune, the team's first client turned out to be none other than the company president's daughter, giving the product immediate credibility within the organization.

The launch proved to be a surprising success, with the public responding positively to the innovative insurance concept. This vindicated Gi-jun's vision and the team's hard work, providing a satisfying professional resolution to complement the romantic storylines. The risk assessment team was shown going through the AI questions with positive responses, symbolizing that despite the focus on divorce, the show ultimately delivered a message about happiness and fulfillment.

In the final scene, Gi-jun approached Dae-bok with yet another unconventional insurance idea - 'pride insurance' - suggesting that his creative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit would continue beyond the scope of the series. This ending maintained the show's whimsical tone while leaving viewers with a sense of ongoing possibilities for the characters.

Critical Reception and Viewer Response

Despite its abysmal ratings, 'The Divorce Insurance' did garner some positive critical reception. Reviewers praised the show's mature approach to adult relationships and its realistic portrayal of romance. The finale was described as 'sweet and relaxing' by Leisurebyte, which gave the episode a 3.5/5 rating, noting that while not particularly memorable, it delivered on its romantic promises.

Online communities showed mixed reactions to the series conclusion. Some viewers expressed frustration at the show's low ratings despite their personal enjoyment: 'I was enjoying it, so it's frustrating to see such low ratings.' Others admitted to abandoning the show midway: 'I gave up halfway through.' The disconnect between the quality of the cast and the viewership numbers became a topic of discussion across social media platforms.

What makes the ratings particularly painful is that this continues a troubling trend for tvN's Monday-Tuesday dramas. Previous shows in this time slot like 'A Piece of Your Mind,' 'About Time,' and 'Record of Youth' all struggled to surpass the 1-2% range, suggesting a potential issue with the time slot rather than just the content of 'The Divorce Insurance.'

What Went Wrong? Analyzing the Show's Failure to Connect

Despite featuring beloved actors with proven track records - Lee Dong-wook from 'Goblin' and 'Tale of the Nine Tailed,' Lee Joo-bin from 'Be Melodramatic,' variety star Lee Kwang-soo, and Lee Da-hee from 'Search: WWW' - the series failed to attract viewers. Several factors may have contributed to this disappointing performance.

The premise itself, while innovative, may have been too unfamiliar for typical K-drama audiences. The structure and pacing of the show took time to establish emotional connections, and by the time the later episodes focused more on character development and emotional arcs, many viewers had already tuned out.

Some critics pointed to the show's attempt to balance workplace comedy with serious themes about relationships as potentially confusing for audiences. The production team had stated their intent 'to portray relationships and life through the warm perspective of divorce,' but this nuanced approach may have been too subtle for viewers seeking more straightforward entertainment.

Additionally, competition from other platforms and shows during the same period likely impacted viewership. The changing landscape of Korean drama consumption, with many viewers preferring to binge-watch completed series on streaming platforms rather than follow weekly broadcasts, could also have contributed to the low ratings.

The Legacy of The Divorce Insurance

Despite its commercial failure, 'The Divorce Insurance' may find a second life on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video, where international audiences can discover it at their own pace. The show's unique premise and A-list cast could potentially attract viewers who missed the original broadcast.

The series also deserves recognition for attempting to tackle divorce - often treated as taboo or purely tragic in Korean media - with a more balanced and sometimes even lighthearted approach. By framing divorce as a risk management issue rather than a moral failure, the show offered a refreshing perspective that might influence future K-dramas dealing with similar themes.

For the cast, this project will likely be remembered as an unfortunate misstep rather than a career-defining moment. Lee Dong-wook, Lee Joo-bin, Lee Kwang-soo, and Lee Da-hee all delivered solid performances that were praised even by critics who found fault with other aspects of the show. Their chemistry as an ensemble was particularly highlighted as a strength, suggesting that the casting itself wasn't the issue.

Final Thoughts: A Flawed Gem Worth Discovering

As 'The Divorce Insurance' concludes its run, it leaves behind a complicated legacy. On one hand, it represents a commercial disappointment for tvN, with ratings that fell far below expectations for a drama with such star power. On the other hand, it offered a mature, thoughtful exploration of relationships, divorce, and second chances that resonated deeply with its small but dedicated audience.

For viewers who appreciate character-driven stories with a mix of workplace comedy and adult romance, the series still offers plenty to enjoy despite its flaws. The finale wrapped up the various storylines in a satisfying way, providing closure for the characters while maintaining the show's unique tone and perspective.

In the end, 'The Divorce Insurance' may be remembered not for its ratings but for its willingness to explore unconventional themes in the K-drama landscape. Sometimes the most interesting stories are the ones that don't find immediate commercial success but offer something different from the standard formulas. For those willing to give it a chance, this series might just be worth the investment - even without insurance against disappointment.