Walking on Thin Ice Release Date: Complete Schedule and Streaming Details
Explore the verified on thin ice release date schedule, international streaming options, episode broadcast calendar, and cast insights for the KBS2 drama.
When high-stakes suspense meets desperate family sacrifice, television fans are quick to track every broadcast milestone, making the official on thin ice release date one of the most anticipated calendar marks of the television season. Directed by Song Hyun-wook and featuring an all-star lineup led by Lee Young-ae, the dark crime thriller drama—often searched interchangeably by audiences under Walking on Thin Ice or simply On Thin Ice—delivers relentless tension across twelve gripping installments. If you missed the initial broadcast run or want to track when episodes hit regional platforms, pinning down the confirmed on thin ice release date rollout across networks and digital providers is essential for planning your viewing schedule.
From its Korean television network premiere to its distribution across international on-demand platforms, the series captivated audiences with its morally complex premise. Below is an exhaustive breakdown of the show's premiere windows, weekly broadcast calendar, streaming availability, cast profiles, and ratings trajectory.
Official Broadcast Premiere and Network Schedule
The initial domestic on thin ice release date arrived on September 20, 2025, launching as part of KBS2’s dedicated weekend prime-time lineup. Occupying the competitive Saturday and Sunday evening slot at 21:20 KST (Korean Standard Time), the series provided viewers with a gritty alternative to traditional weekend fare.
Produced jointly by Baram Pictures and Slingshot Studio, the 12-episode production carried an average runtime of 70 minutes per installment. The creative helm was manned by veteran director Song Hyun-wook, paired with screenwriter Jeon Young-shin, celebrated for co-writing acclaimed thrillers such as Argon (2017) and The Lies Within (2018).
| Production Metric | Official Specification |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Walking on Thin Ice (은수 좋은 날 / Eunsu joeun nal) |
| Broadcast Network | KBS2 |
| First Air Date | September 20, 2025 |
| Finale Air Date | October 26, 2025 |
| Timeslot | Saturdays & Sundays at 21:20 KST |
| Episode Count | 12 Episodes |
| Average Episode Duration | 70 Minutes |
| Production Houses | Baram Pictures, Slingshot Studio |
| Lead Director | Song Hyun-wook |
| Lead Screenwriter | Jeon Young-shin |
The broadcast structure allowed the series to deliver concentrated suspense over six consecutive weeks. Community reports and fan discussions highlighted how the weekend release model fostered intense week-to-week speculation over the fates of the central characters.
Complete Episode Release Calendar
Reviewing the week-by-week on thin ice release date timeline illustrates how the storyline built momentum from late September through late October 2025. Each two-episode weekend block escalated the moral dilemmas faced by the protagonist as her desperate actions triggered escalating criminal repercussions.
The broadcast run progressed smoothly without preemptions, culminating in the season finale on October 26, 2025.
| Episode Number | Original Air Date | Broadcast Day | Major Narrative Arc Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | September 20, 2025 | Saturday | Kang Eun-soo's crisis; discovery of the hidden contraband |
| Episode 2 | September 21, 2025 | Sunday | The initial illicit transaction; detective Jang Tae-gu mobilizes |
| Episode 3 | September 27, 2025 | Saturday | Eun-soo encounters the enigmatic art instructor Lee Kyung |
| Episode 4 | September 28, 2025 | Sunday | Mounting financial pressures and closing police surveillance |
| Episode 5 | October 4, 2025 | Saturday | High-risk distribution maneuver; dramatic spike in series tension |
| Episode 6 | October 5, 2025 | Sunday | Internal betrayal among the local criminal syndicate |
| Episode 7 | October 11, 2025 | Saturday | Family secrets emerge as Do-jin's health deteriorates |
| Episode 8 | October 12, 2025 | Sunday | Jang Tae-gu closes the investigative net around suspects |
| Episode 9 | October 18, 2025 | Saturday | Fractured alliances between Eun-soo and Lee Kyung |
| Episode 10 | October 19, 2025 | Sunday | The syndicate's retaliation threatens Eun-soo's inner circle |
| Episode 11 | October 25, 2025 | Saturday | Penultimate confrontations and desperate escape plans |
| Episode 12 | October 26, 2025 | Sunday | Grand finale; resolution of the investigation and family fate |
For viewers following real-time discussions, this linear broadcast cadence meant that major plot revelations were unpacked simultaneously across international forums every Sunday night.
Global Streaming Platforms and Digital Availability
For international viewers outside of South Korea, tracking the digital on thin ice release date across authorized services ensures access to high-definition subtitled streams. Digital platforms typically refreshed their catalogs shortly after the linear broadcast concluded in Seoul.
In domestic and regional territories, streaming distribution was managed across Coupang Play and Wavve, while global audiences relied on Rakuten Viki and Kocowa. Subtitle tracks were rolled out within 12 to 24 hours of the domestic broadcast, accommodating English-, Spanish-, and Portuguese-speaking audiences.
| Platform | Territory Coverage | Audio & Subtitle Options | Video Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBS World / KBS2 | South Korea (Linear) | Original Korean audio; Korean closed captions | 1080i / Full HD |
| Coupang Play | South Korea (VOD) | Korean audio; Korean SDH | 1080p / 4K UHD |
| Wavve | South Korea (VOD) | Korean audio; Korean SDH | 1080p Full HD |
| Rakuten Viki | Americas, Europe, Oceania | Korean audio; English, Spanish, Portuguese subtitles | 1080p Full HD |
| Kocowa | North & South America | Korean audio; Multi-language localized subtitles | 1080p Full HD |
Prospective viewers should verify region-locking on third-party sites, as distribution licensing may shift over time. Checking the official KBS Television Program Directory provides real-time updates regarding broadcast archives, rebroadcasts, and current international syndication packages.
Cast and Character Roster
Leading up to the verified on thin ice release date, anticipation surged around Lee Young-ae's radical character transformation. Known globally for her historic and sophisticated roles, her portrayal of Kang Eun-soo presented an exhausted, vulnerable woman driven to extreme measures.
The drama weaves tension through the contrasting motivations of its three primary figures: an ordinary mother turning to crime, an inscrutable schoolteacher harboring dark secrets, and a dogged investigator unwilling to drop the trail.
| Character | Portrayed By | Character Archetype | Core Narrative Motive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kang Eun-soo | Lee Young-ae | Desperate Housewife & Mother | Securing medical funds for her terminally ill husband |
| Lee Kyung | Kim Young-kwang | Dual-Identity Art Teacher | Navigating shadowy underworld connections |
| Jang Tae-gu | Park Yong-woo | Seasoned Police Detective | Unraveling the new syndicate distribution chain |
| Park Do-jin | Bae Soo-bin | Ailing Husband | Enduring pancreatic cancer while keeping family intact |
| Park Soo-ah | Kim Si-a | Eun-soo's Teenage Daughter | Aspiring artist unknowingly caught in the crossfire |
| Baek Yeo-ju | Oh Yeon-ah | Banking Associate & Confidante | Serving as Eun-soo’s sole reliable workplace ally |
| Yang Mi-yeon | Jo Yeon-hee | Demanding Law Professor | Driving academic and social pressures on the family |
The supporting cast, featuring Do Sang-woo, Won Hyun-joon, and Lee Kyu-sung, rounds out the criminal underworld elements that continually squeeze Eun-soo's fragile operation.
Viewership Metrics and Critical Reception
Audience analytics recorded immediately following each on thin ice release date demonstrate how the crime drama captured viewership in a competitive weekend landscape. Based on nationwide data published by Nielsen Korea, the show maintained consistent interest throughout its six-week run.
The series debuted with a 3.7% nationwide share, reached its peak at Episode 5 with 5.1%, and held strong through its finale at 4.9%, averaging a 3.9% nationwide rating.
| Ep. | Air Date | Nationwide Share (%) | Seoul Metropolitan Share (%) | Estimated Viewers (Thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept 20, 2025 | 3.7% | 3.2% | 685 |
| 2 | Sept 21, 2025 | 3.4% | 3.3% | 666 |
| 3 | Sept 27, 2025 | 3.6% | 3.6% | 630 |
| 4 | Sept 28, 2025 | 3.0% (Lowest) | 2.9% (Lowest) | 545 |
| 5 | Oct 4, 2025 | 5.1% (Highest) | 5.1% (Highest) | 957 |
| 6 | Oct 5, 2025 | 4.3% | 4.4% | 888 |
| 7 | Oct 11, 2025 | 4.3% | 4.5% | 830 |
| 8 | Oct 12, 2025 | 4.0% | 3.9% | 761 |
| 9 | Oct 18, 2025 | 3.2% | 3.2% | 607 |
| 10 | Oct 19, 2025 | 3.7% | 3.7% | 645 |
| 11 | Oct 25, 2025 | 3.7% | 3.6% | 667 |
| 12 | Oct 26, 2025 | 4.9% | 4.5% | 886 |
| Avg | — | 3.9% | 3.8% | 731 |
Player experience and community reports from international K-drama communities highlighted the standout performance of Episode 5, where the sharp rise in viewership matched an intense mid-season cliffhanger. The production maintained a steady audience by balancing grounded domestic drama with the pacing of a classic noir thriller.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the official on thin ice release date for the television premiere?
The official domestic television premiere date was September 20, 2025, on South Korea's KBS2 network. The series broadcast its final episode on October 26, 2025.
How many total episodes aired following the initial on thin ice release date?
The series contains a total of 12 episodes. Each episode features an approximate running time of 70 minutes, airing two installments per weekend across a six-week broadcast schedule.
Where can international viewers stream Walking on Thin Ice?
International audiences can stream the full series on Rakuten Viki and Kocowa in supported territories. In South Korea, on-demand streaming is hosted on Coupang Play and Wavve.
Will there be a second season following the original on thin ice release date window?
KBS2 and production partners designed the series as a self-contained 12-episode limited miniseries. As of late 2026, the production companies have announced no plans or development for a follow-up season.
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