Premiering on the 14th of last month and airing its final episode on May 20, 'Dear.M' concluded its 12-episode run, without overcoming viewers' cold reception.

'Dear.M' is a campus romance drama set at Seoyeon University, revolving around the anonymous confession post “M” shared on the school’s online community. It portrays the love, friendship, and growth of young adults. Though it received praise for its in-depth exploration of realistic concerns and emotional struggles faced by the generation exposed to social media, it failed to escape poor ratings and lingering controversies.

The show was originally slated to air on KBS2 in 2021, but its broadcast was indefinitely postponed due to school bullying allegations against lead actress Park Hye Soo. While it was eventually released on Japan’s U-NEXT and the global OTT platform VIKI, domestic broadcast continued to be delayed due to unresolved controversies and public backlash. After four years, it finally aired cautiously on the cable channel KBS Joy, but the absence of a main channel slot was a clear limitation.

The drama expands on the universe of the popular web series 'Love Playlist,' bringing back fan-favorite characters like the “Magnet Couple,” which generated significant anticipation. Writer Lee Seul once again showcased her knack for emotional resonance, depicting the excitement, pain, and growing pains of youth with realism. In particular, the complicated emotional line between Ma Joo Ah and Cha Min Ho, friends for twelve years, reminded many viewers of their own experiences with first love and one-sided affection.

Park Hye Soo expressed the turmoil of youth through her gaze and voice, while NCT's Jaehyun revealed his character’s hidden emotions through restrained acting, exemplifying the “best friend romance” genre. Roh Jeong Eui and Bae Hyun Sung delicately portrayed the emotions of breakup and reunion. Lee Jin Hyuk, Woo Da Bi, and Kwon Eun Bin also delivered realistic performances in their respective roles. Kwon Eun Bin, in particular, received praise for her sensitive portrayal of unrequited love as Min Yang Hee, the "Engineering Department goddess."

The direction and cinematography focused on capturing the unique sensibilities of youth dramas. The photo shoot-like visuals and emotional background music heightened the mood, but failed to translate into ratings or broader public interest. Actor Cha Tae Hyun made a surprise appearance in the final episode, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide.

In a closing statement, the production team shared, "We hoped the story of young people loving, worrying, and dreaming would offer viewers a chance to reflect on their own memories and emotions." However, regardless of intent, the shadow of the Park Hye Soo controversy loomed throughout, ultimately influencing the drama's reception.

With a four-year delay, incomplete comeback, limited channel accessibility, and public scrutiny of the lead actress, a combination of factors led 'Dear.M' to quietly fade away with a final viewership rating of 0.1%. While it may remain a bittersweet memory of youth for some, it will likely be remembered as a drama that drifted between controversy and anticipation.

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