Kim Tae-ho Returns to MBC with 'The Secret Friends Club' Featuring BLACKPINK's Jennie

In an era of content overload, TenAsia's Taeyuna is here to guide you through the world of variety shows, uncovering hot issues, key points, main figures, and behind-the-scenes stories to enhance your viewing experience.

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Kim Tae-ho, the renowned producer, is making a comeback to MBC's variety scene with 'Manito Club,' reuniting with BLACKPINK's Jennie for the second time. The show is set to premiere on February 1st.

'Manito Club' is a real variety show where participants deliver surprise gifts without revealing their identities. The initial lineup includes Jennie, Dex, Choo Sung-hoon, Noh Hong-chul, and Lee Soo-ji.

The teaser released on the 16th showcases members hiding their identities while delivering gifts, reminiscent of the chase sequences Kim Tae-ho popularized in 'Infinite Challenge.'

The star-studded cast features Noh Hong-chul, known for his chase prowess in 'Infinite Challenge,' along with popular entertainers Choo Sung-hoon, Lee Soo-ji, and Dex. Jennie, reuniting with Kim Tae-ho after two years since JTBC's 'My Name is Gabriel,' adds to the excitement.

After leaving MBC in 2022 and founding TEO, Kim Tae-ho returned to MBC with 'Good Day,' a music variety show featuring G-Dragon. Despite high expectations, the show received lukewarm responses, with its focus on G-Dragon's interactions rather than music, leading to a decline in viewership from 4.3% to 2%.

Industry insiders note that Kim Tae-ho's recent variety shows haven't matched his past successes. 'Gabriel,' which featured stars like Park Bo-gum and Jennie, was criticized for its awkward concept, resulting in a low 0.9% viewership.

Despite these setbacks, Kim Tae-ho expressed satisfaction with his work. At the 'Earth Marble World Tour 3' press conference, he defended 'Gabriel,' highlighting its global format and profitability through distribution and advertising. He also mentioned 'Good Day's' international success, despite its domestic ratings.

Ultimately, the success of 'Manito Club' will depend on the producer's ability to deliver a solid format and fresh entertainment. Without these, even a star-studded cast can't guarantee success. As 'Manito Club' prepares to debut, all eyes are on how it will be received.

Reported by Taeyuna, TenAsia youyou@tenasia.co.kr