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 MetricOfficial Specification
Series TitleWalking on Thin Ice (은수 좋은 날 / Eunsu joeun nal)
Broadcast NetworkKBS2
First Air DateSeptember 20, 2025
Finale Air DateOctober 26, 2025
TimeslotSaturdays & Sundays at 21:20 KST
Episode Count12 Episodes
Average Episode Duration70 Minutes
Production HousesBaram Pictures, Slingshot Studio
Lead DirectorSong Hyun-wook
Lead ScreenwriterJeon 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 NumberOriginal Air DateBroadcast DayMajor Narrative Arc Focus
Episode 1September 20, 2025SaturdayKang Eun-soo's crisis; discovery of the hidden contraband
Episode 2September 21, 2025SundayThe initial illicit transaction; detective Jang Tae-gu mobilizes
Episode 3September 27, 2025SaturdayEun-soo encounters the enigmatic art instructor Lee Kyung
Episode 4September 28, 2025SundayMounting financial pressures and closing police surveillance
Episode 5October 4, 2025SaturdayHigh-risk distribution maneuver; dramatic spike in series tension
Episode 6October 5, 2025SundayInternal betrayal among the local criminal syndicate
Episode 7October 11, 2025SaturdayFamily secrets emerge as Do-jin's health deteriorates
Episode 8October 12, 2025SundayJang Tae-gu closes the investigative net around suspects
Episode 9October 18, 2025SaturdayFractured alliances between Eun-soo and Lee Kyung
Episode 10October 19, 2025SundayThe syndicate's retaliation threatens Eun-soo's inner circle
Episode 11October 25, 2025SaturdayPenultimate confrontations and desperate escape plans
Episode 12October 26, 2025SundayGrand 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.

PlatformTerritory CoverageAudio & Subtitle OptionsVideo Quality
KBS World / KBS2South Korea (Linear)Original Korean audio; Korean closed captions1080i / Full HD
Coupang PlaySouth Korea (VOD)Korean audio; Korean SDH1080p / 4K UHD
WavveSouth Korea (VOD)Korean audio; Korean SDH1080p Full HD
Rakuten VikiAmericas, Europe, OceaniaKorean audio; English, Spanish, Portuguese subtitles1080p Full HD
KocowaNorth & South AmericaKorean audio; Multi-language localized subtitles1080p 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.

CharacterPortrayed ByCharacter ArchetypeCore Narrative Motive
Kang Eun-sooLee Young-aeDesperate Housewife & MotherSecuring medical funds for her terminally ill husband
Lee KyungKim Young-kwangDual-Identity Art TeacherNavigating shadowy underworld connections
Jang Tae-guPark Yong-wooSeasoned Police DetectiveUnraveling the new syndicate distribution chain
Park Do-jinBae Soo-binAiling HusbandEnduring pancreatic cancer while keeping family intact
Park Soo-ahKim Si-aEun-soo's Teenage DaughterAspiring artist unknowingly caught in the crossfire
Baek Yeo-juOh Yeon-ahBanking Associate & ConfidanteServing as Eun-soo’s sole reliable workplace ally
Yang Mi-yeonJo Yeon-heeDemanding Law ProfessorDriving 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 DateNationwide Share (%)Seoul Metropolitan Share (%)Estimated Viewers (Thousands)
1Sept 20, 20253.7%3.2%685
2Sept 21, 20253.4%3.3%666
3Sept 27, 20253.6%3.6%630
4Sept 28, 20253.0% (Lowest)2.9% (Lowest)545
5Oct 4, 20255.1% (Highest)5.1% (Highest)957
6Oct 5, 20254.3%4.4%888
7Oct 11, 20254.3%4.5%830
8Oct 12, 20254.0%3.9%761
9Oct 18, 20253.2%3.2%607
10Oct 19, 20253.7%3.7%645
11Oct 25, 20253.7%3.6%667
12Oct 26, 20254.9%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.