Reporter Kim Seo-yoon of TenAsia digs into the current status of the entertainment industry, including notable dramas, entertainment, and noteworthy rising stars. IHQ, which made a name for itself through mukbang entertainment, is shaking. From 'Delicious Guys' to 'I'm here to make money', they are struggling in the swamp with 0% ratings. However, viewers seem to turn their backs on the lack of effort, such as showing the main content of the mukbang, 'The Taste Judge'.
'Delicious Guys' (hereafter referred to as 'Tasty Guys') is a long-running program that has been running since January 2015. At one time, it was called the representative mukbang entertainment and enjoyed popularity. When you think of IHQ, it is so influential that you naturally think of 'Taste Guy'. That reputation has disappeared without a trace.
He is a 'delicious guy' who has gone through 3 member changes. The original members Kim Jun-hyeon, Yoo Min-sang, Moon Se-yoon, and Kim Min-kyung were in their heyday when they were in the 'Dung 4' system. Kim Jun-hyun, who was called 'Professor Meok' and played the role of the main MC, started to shake when he got off.
The 'Taste Guy' side, which suffered a crisis, said in January of this year, "We celebrated the 8th anniversary. We are going into a major reorganization of the production team and cast." PD Lee Myeong-kyu, who originally led the program, took over as CP, and PD Na Jeong-hyeok took over directing the scene.
Viewers are tired of the flood of mukbang entertainment. Also, they don't feel the need to watch programs whose main content is 'Mukbang'. In other programs, enough mukbang is melted naturally, attracting viewers' interest. For example, there are star mukbangs from MBC's 'I Live Alone', Jeon Hyun-moo, Park Na-rae, Lee Jang-woo, 'Farm U Line' and 'Omniscient Interfere'.
All the people famous for mukbang gathered, but they couldn't create good synergy. The viewership rating is struggling at 0%, and it is difficult to find a video with more than 5,000 views on its own YouTube channel. It is said that the expression of the taste of the food is overdone, and that it has become just a restaurant promotion program at some point.
Although they tasted bitterness several times, IHQ could not abandon their lingering attachment to mukbang entertainment. Launched 'Maspansa' in May. For those who can't make a decision before choosing a menu, it provides a courtroom-style conclusion. The composition was different from previous programs, but it was not enough to capture the hearts of consumers who were tired of eating shows. The number of views that came out best on YouTube for 'The Taste Judge' stagnated at 6,000.
IHQ, which gained popularity with mukbang, faced a crisis with mukbang. The public is no longer interested in artificial eating shows. IHQ itself cannot be unaware that it is time for selection and concentration.
Kim Seo-yoon, staff reporter seogugu@tenasia.co.kr