TV CHOSUN's drama There Is No Next Life continues its upward streak, setting another personal best in viewership.
According to Nielsen Korea, Episode 11, which aired on December 15, recorded a nationwide average rating of 3.4% and a peak minute rating of 4.4%. This marks the drama's fifth consecutive episode to achieve a new personal high, underscoring its growing momentum.
Ratings have steadily climbed since the introduction of the "late-life childcare liberation" storyline, with each episode drawing stronger audience engagement.
In the latest episode, Jo Na-jung (played by Kim Hee-sun) briefly found relief as her husband Noh Won-bin (Yoon Park) was cleared of false charges and Kim Sun-min (Seo Eun-young) regained consciousness. However, the relief was short-lived when she was suddenly notified of early termination from her job.
After confronting a company executive, she was met with a cold response: "A company exists to make money, not to pursue justice." The moment left Jo Na-jung devastated and speechless.
Kim Hee-sun delivered a layered performance, capturing Jo Na-jung's tangled emotions. Though she had mentally prepared herself, the reality of losing her job triggered an overwhelming sense of self-doubt and emptiness.
The emotional peak came in a heartbreaking breakdown. Having returned to life as a full-time homemaker, Jo Na-jung obsessively cleaned the house. While organizing the freezer, she injured her toe on a frozen item—finally unleashing the tears she had been holding back.
Other storylines also unfolded, including Gu Joo-young (Han Hye-jin) speaking with her divorced husband, and Lee Il-ri (Jin Seo-yeon) grappling with heartbreak after parting ways with Byun Sang-gyu (Heo Jun-seok).
With just one episode left until the finale, the story leaves viewers on edge. The three close friends set off on a healing trip, only for Lee Il-ri to suddenly disappear, raising questions about how each character will face their final crossroads.
The final episode of There Is No Next Life airs on December 16 at 10 p.m. on TV CHOSUN.
