Lee Seung-gi, along with Yoo Yeon-seok, Lee Dong-hwi, Ji Seok-jin, Jo Se-ho, Kyu-hyeon, Joshua, and Hoshi, will return to reality game variety 'Bro and Marvel' on the 21st. This is the first joint content between the SBS production team and Teabing. It is a dice game that takes place in the middle of Dubai, and you have to go through various difficult missions from landmark trips.
'Bro & Marvel' is expected to be an inflection point for Lee Seung-gi as a broadcaster. He has not been able to produce any significant results over the past three years. As a broadcaster, it is often said that he is at a turning point. Lee Seung-gi is currently hosting TV Chosun's 'Brother Ramen' and SBS' Strong Heart League' with Kang Ho-dong. As the two reunited after 8 years, they received a lot of expectations and attention, but they couldn't use much force.
'Brother Ramen' recorded 1.6% on the 3rd, and 'Strong Heart League' recorded 2.4% on the 4th. In the case of 'Brother Ramen', it fell vertically from 2.1% in the first episode to the 1% level. 'Strong Heart League' also attracts all the topical characters in each episode, but it seems difficult to exceed the '3% of demons'.
'Brother Ramen' started as a latecomer among overseas cookbang entertainment. I expected a new picture or a differentiated strategy, but the pattern was similar. The way members study recipes, sell food to customers, and get evaluated. The pattern repeated each time also created a feeling like a 'rerun'.
Besides Lee Seung-gi, Kang Ho-dong and Bae In-hyuk did not speak Japanese, so it was difficult to communicate with the guests. All three of them like to cook, but they don't know how to do it professionally, so they are lost and wandering with a concept that is neither here nor there.
Lee Seung-gi has recently been showing low grades in all variety shows. The position has changed a lot from the past, when he received the 'National Younger Brother' and even received the entertainment award. Even so, I always put my name on the casting board. An industry insider said, “We are aware that the ratings for entertainment programs Lee Seung-gi appears in are not showing. There are many stars. It is the most ambiguous age, so there is no person who can replace it, so they call Lee Seung-gi."
This means that a suitable person to replace Lee Seung-gi's position has not yet been seen. In fact, as talented entertainers move to YouTube, etc., a phenomenon of 'lack of manpower' is appearing in the broadcasting industry. Even in the broadcasting industry, it is difficult to avoid criticism that he was passive in the search for new characters.
As the time to evaluate the box office success of a broadcast gets shorter and shorter, the impatience of the production team that they have to make a box office hit in the beginning is considered the main cause of hesitation in finding new characters.
However, you cannot just wait for a jackpot like scratching a lottery ticket. It is time for Lee Seung-ki and the production team to prepare for a new program with a new mindset. Viewers still have high expectations.
Reporter Ryu Ye-ji and Ten Asia ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr