The dilemma of 'Hong Kim Dong-jeon' that no one sees... Topic with high viewership ratings in the 1% range

《Kim Jiwon's Kakao Talk》
The story of the day that is open and harsh. TenAsia reporter Kim Ji-Won criticizes entertainment industry issues with a tricky gaze.

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KBS2's variety show 'Hong Kim Dong Jeon' is a 'strange' program with low ratings but high topicality. This 'strange phenomenon' occurred because the number of viewers watching broadcasts on TV has decreased, but viewership ratings are still used as a major indicator for program evaluation. In an era where more people watch programs on online platforms than on TV, these 'errors' can occur when evaluating programs based only on viewership ratings.

'Hong Kim Coin' is a variety show in which each person's fate is determined by the coin they choose. The name of the program is a parody of Hong Gil-dong and is derived from the surnames of MCs Hong Jin-kyung and Kim Sook. While observational entertainment and love entertainment are pouring in recently, it follows the form of real variety that was mainstream in the past.

The first episode of 'Hong Kim Dong', which aired on July 22 last year, recorded an audience rating of 1.7% (Nielsen Korea). The latest episode, the 40th episode aired on the 15th of this month, showed 1.4%. The highest viewer rating during the broadcast so far is 3.0%. It's been a long time since I've been in the middle of a long time since I've been in the middle of a long time. If you look at the TV viewer ratings alone, it means that no one is watching 'Hong Kim Dong-jeon'.

But online, the story is different. 'Hong Kim Dong-jeon' achieved first place (as of June 6) for 10 consecutive weeks in OTT platform wave KBS non-drama. It also ranked 4th (as of April 3rd) in the content entertainment category to attract new paid subscriptions to Wave. Jo Se-ho, Joo Woo-jae, Hong Jin-kyung, and Kim Sook are maintaining the top ranks every week in the topicality category of entertainment performers based on the broadcast content value information analysis system RACOI of the Korea Communications Commission. It is a phenomenon that appeared because there are few viewers who watch 'Hong Kim Dong-jeon' during the main broadcast, but there are viewers who watch it when they want to see it, and it is constantly mentioned online.

The 'classic items' of 'Hong Kim Dong-jeon', which were used in past entertainment programs such as hidden cameras and talk busking, gave freshness to the younger audience. It made the generation who enjoyed 'Infinite Challenge' and 'Running Man', which are synonymous with variety, feel friendly. The 'Sujeo Game', which was first released last year, created program mania and is still loved. The game of rising status in five rooms, gold spoon, silver spoon, bronze spoon, earth spoon, and no spoon, brought laughter and empathy. The non-stimulating content, the chemistry between the five members, and the unpredictable development are the reasons why it was able to secure fixed viewers online.

On YouTube, 'The video of Wooyoung borrowing money from Nichkhun' recorded 1.44 million views, 'Members' endoscopy while sleeping' recorded 2.6 million views, and the episode shorts of 'Lin Jiao Ming' starring Lee Suji recorded 7.87 million views. The composition of presenting 'short fun' to the younger generation who are accustomed to clip videos and shorts videos is also the reason why it was able to draw a good response.

'Hong Kim Dong-jeon' received the Entertainer of the Year (Kim Sook) and Best Couple Award (Jo Se-ho and Joo Woo-jae) at the 'KBS Entertainment Awards' at the end of last year. This year's Entertainer Award is an award given to the Daesang candidates, and the Best Couple Award is selected by viewers' votes. It is proof that it has been recognized by 'real viewers' to that extent.

Just looking at the viewership ratings of 'Hong Kim Dong Jeon', it is understandable that rumors of its repeal once circulated. However, if you consider online topicality, the story is different. As the number of ways to watch programs has diversified, 'errors' can occur when evaluating the value of a program based only on viewership ratings.

Reporter Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia bella@tenasia.co.kr