Oh Eun-young's 'Healing Stay' Outshines Seo Jang-hoon's 'Ask Anything' in Ratings Battle

Oh Eun-young, often dubbed the 'female Seo Jang-hoon,' has entered a ratings battle with Seo Jang-hoon in the same time slot through MBN's 'Oh Eun-young's Stay.' Both have been prominent figures in counseling variety shows, addressing everything from marital crises to everyday concerns. With their new shows featuring similar concepts, viewers are keen to see how they differentiate themselves.

Premiering on the 23rd, 'Oh Eun-young's Stay' offers a unique experience where individuals who haven't had the chance to heal from unexpected pains participate in a temple stay for two days and one night. Centered around Dr. Oh Eun-young, the show also features actress Ko So-young and comedian Moon Se-yoon, who listen to the participants' concerns and explore various solutions. Notably, this marks Dr. Oh's first outdoor shoot, adding to the anticipation.

The debut of 'Oh Eun-young's Stay' focused more on the participants' stories rather than Dr. Oh herself. Instead of offering hasty advice, she emphasized empathy and comfort. Ko So-young and Moon Se-yoon also played supportive roles, attentively caring for the participants.

The format, featuring ordinary people sharing their concerns, is reminiscent of KBS Joy's 'Ask Anything,' where Seo Jang-hoon and Lee Soo-geun, dressed as fortune-telling monks, provide practical advice and solutions. Coincidentally, 'Oh Eun-young's Stay' airs on Mondays at 9 PM, directly competing with 'Ask Anything.' In its first episode, 'Oh Eun-young's Stay' achieved a 1.0% viewership rating, surpassing 'Ask Anything's' 0.7%, taking an early lead.

Both Oh Eun-young and Seo Jang-hoon are considered titans in the counseling show genre. Seo Jang-hoon, despite not being a professional, is known for his straightforward and sometimes harsh advice, resonating with viewers. In contrast, Dr. Oh, a psychiatrist, offers healing solutions with empathy and understanding, earning widespread affection.

Currently, Oh Eun-young and Seo Jang-hoon are leading shows focused on counseling couples on the brink of divorce. 'Oh Eun-young Report: Marriage Hell' initially faced criticism for its provocative content but later gained public empathy by toning down its approach and focusing on genuine solutions. Dr. Oh's ability to pinpoint issues and resolve conflicts has been particularly praised.

On the other hand, 'Divorce Consideration Camp' features high-tension episodes with Seo Jang-hoon often scolding the couples, leading to vocal strain. While some viewers express concern over its edgy content, the show has successfully captured attention as a dopamine-driven variety show.

Both have also ventured into reality shows observing the lives of the wealthy. At the 'Neighboring Millionaire' press conference in April, Seo Jang-hoon addressed comparisons to Oh Eun-young's 'Billionaire Breakfast,' clarifying that he was unaware of the latter when he first received the offer.

Oh Eun-young and Seo Jang-hoon continue to thrive in the counseling show arena with their distinct charms. However, as dopamine-fueled, provocative shows increase, some viewers express fatigue. Amidst this, the empathetic and comforting approach of 'Oh Eun-young's Stay' is receiving positive feedback from the audience.

By Taeyuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr