Reporter Ryu Ye-ji and TenAsia sees the future of the entertainment industry and its impact.
MBN's entertainment show 'The Couple on Rest', which was ambitiously released by PD Seo Hye-jin, is struggling with strong competition. Even though he pulled out the powerful 'sexless' card.
Pyeon Seong-woon is well-known. At the same time, there are many entertainment programs that have already established themselves. SBS's 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 - You Are My Destiny' is holding tight, and MBC's 'Oh Eun-young Report - Marriage Hell' is airing. TV Chosun is airing 'Brother Ramen' by Kang Ho-dong and Lee Seung-gi, and you can watch 'Busan Villager in Sydney' on tvN.
In particular, 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2' and 'Marriage Hell' are typical entertainment shows on the same time slot on Monday, so new entertainment shows are struggling. It is not easy to attack as the two major mountain ranges are firmly guarded and 'Brothers', 'Busan Village Guy' and 'Couple on Rest' try to share the pie.
The 'resting couple', which finally took off the veil on the 19th, recorded an audience rating of 1.9%. In the first episode of 'Couple on Rest', MCs Shin Dong-yeop, Han Chae-ah, and Kim Sae-rom, urinary medicine doctor Hong Seong-woo and obstetrician 'Obstetrics and Gynecology TV' Hye-seong Park had their first meeting. They looked into the current status of 'sexless' in Korea.
In addition, four teams of couples appeared in the 'Couple Resting Workshop'. These were couples who did not have marital relations after the wedding, couples who did not have a relationship due to financial burdens, couples who only wanted skinship with their wives, and couples whose libido decreased after giving birth. Those who had a common concern shared their marital relationship, saying that 'Kissless' would go to 'Sexless'. The private life of the couple, especially the most intimate part, was covered on the air. It gives the impression that it is blatant by taking 'selection' as a selling point.
Even before the first broadcast, 'Couple on Rest' dealt with material of 19 gold or higher and 29 gold level, and took topicality, but it did not even get viewership ratings. The first episode recorded an audience rating of 1.9%. On the same day, 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2' scored 6.6% and 'Marriage Hell' scored 3.3%. Even 'Brother Ramen', which showed a recent decline, recorded 2% and surpassed 'Couple on Rest'. 'Couple taking a break' recorded the lowest ratings in the same time period. It is a painful humiliation for PD Seo, who has written the myth of invincibility at the box office.
A reality couple with a difference was foreshadowed, but when the lid was opened, the 'resting couple' was full of sensational keywords. It may be possible to draw public attention for a while with stimulating keywords, but it is necessary to establish a fundamental identity for a long run. Attention is focusing on whether the 'Couple on Rest', which has taken its first step, will be able to overcome the hard walls of 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2' and 'Marriage Hell' and establish itself as a couple's entertainment show with a clear identity.
Reporter Ryu Ye-ji and Ten Asia ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr