tvN's New Variety Shows Struggle to Capture Audience Interest

In the era of 'content overflow,' viewers are often left wondering what to watch. Taeyuna, a reporter from TenAsia, steps in as a 'variety guide,' dissecting the hottest issues, key points, main characters, and behind-the-scenes stories to enhance the viewing experience.

---

tvN's latest variety shows have failed to make a significant impact. Despite launching four new programs within a month, none have surpassed a 3% viewership rating. The shows, ranging from travel and culinary themes to sports and variety, have been criticized for lacking freshness and entertainment value.

Since November, tvN has introduced a slew of variety shows. These include 'Just the Two of Us,' featuring Kim Go-eun and Lee Ji-ah on a culinary journey, 'Run, Fire Girls,' showcasing the growth of a young female soccer team, the Sunday variety show 'Handsome Guys,' and 'Finnish Boarding House,' where actors experience rural life in Finland.

However, the ratings have been disappointing. 'Just the Two of Us,' a four-part series, started with a 1.1% rating for its first two episodes, dropping to 0.7% by the third. The show, which pairs whiskey with food while exploring renowned restaurants and bars in Korea and Taiwan, has been criticized for its lack of depth and excitement.

'Run, Fire Girls' is reminiscent of the popular past show 'Fly, Shoot Dori,' but with a gender swap. Featuring the daughters of soccer stars Cho Hyun-woo and Jung Jo-gook, it was expected to showcase their unique soccer DNA. However, ratings fell from 2.0% in the first episode to 1.8% in the second, a stark contrast to its predecessor 'Iron Girl Squad,' which averaged 2% and peaked at 3.5%.

'Handsome Guys,' touted as a new Sunday variety show, also fell short of expectations. Airing in the same time slot as the conclusion of '2 Days & 1 Night,' it features Cha Tae-hyun, Kim Dong-hyun, Lee Yi-kyung, Shin Seung-ho, and Oh Sang-wook. The main PD, Yoo Ho-jin, is also from '2 Days & 1 Night.' Despite generating buzz by featuring BTS's Jin as a guest, the show struggled to differentiate itself from '2 Days & 1 Night,' with similar outdoor missions and cultural explorations. The team division in the first episode hindered the chemistry among cast members.

'Finnish Boarding House' had to settle for a 3.3% rating for its premiere, failing to capitalize on the success of its predecessor 'Three Meals a Day: Light.' The show features actors Cha Eun-woo, Lee Je-hoon, Lee Dong-hwi, and Kwak Dong-yeon living in a Finnish rural setting without modern conveniences like Wi-Fi, electricity, or running water.

While Cha Eun-woo's standout performance, including revealing his brother's face, garnered attention, the chemistry among the cast was lacking. Lee Je-hoon and Lee Dong-hwi, being from the same agency and frequently appearing together, did not offer a fresh dynamic. The contrasting personalities of 'nature-loving' Kwak Dong-yeon and 'city-dweller' Lee Dong-hwi provided some intrigue.

Despite the visual appeal and the presence of attractive actors, the shows have yet to deliver substantial entertainment. With four consecutive underperforming shows, tvN's year-end report card looks bleak.

Taeyuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr