Is Choo Sung-hoon's Overexposure on Variety Shows Diminishing His Charm?

Former MMA fighter Choo Sung-hoon is experiencing a backlash from his extensive appearances on variety shows. Despite enjoying a 'second heyday' with his active participation in the entertainment industry, critics argue that his unique charm is being diluted due to his ubiquitous presence on TV. Ratings for his shows have also been disappointing.

Choo has been busier than ever, appearing regularly on four variety shows and preparing for two more. He has also made guest appearances on JTBC's 'Same Day Delivery to Our House' and tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block.'

Choo's YouTube channel surpassed 2 million subscribers just 14 months after its launch, with his self-proclaimed 'macho uncle' persona winning over viewers. His candid and down-to-earth personality, combined with his unique accent as a Korean-Japanese and his contrasting tough yet human image, have contributed to his popularity. Riding this wave, Choo has been actively engaging with audiences across both YouTube and variety shows.

Choo's regular appearances on variety shows surged at the end of last year. Within a month, he was featured on tvN's 'Health Farmer,' Channel A's 'Chef and Hunter,' tvN's 'Chagane,' and JTBC's 'Can't Do It Alone.' On Thursdays, his appearances on 'Chagane' and 'Chef and Hunter' even overlapped.

However, the ratings have not been favorable. 'Health Farmer' has consistently recorded ratings in the 1% range over six episodes, while 'Chagane' started at 2.7% but dropped to the 1% range by its second episode, maintaining similar figures for the third and fourth episodes. 'Can't Do It Alone' began with a 1.1% rating, which fell to 0.7% and 0.8% in subsequent episodes. 'Chef and Hunter' suffered a complete flop with ratings below 1% for all four episodes.

One reason cited for this underperformance is Choo's participation in multiple shows with similar concepts. Both 'Health Farmer' and 'Chef and Hunter' focus on Choo's physical prowess, with a similar theme of earning delicious food through hard work. In 'Chagane' and 'Can't Do It Alone,' his instinctive behavior and speech are highlighted, but his energy levels vary depending on the guests and situations, sometimes showing signs of fatigue. As Choo's distinctive character becomes more prevalent, viewers report a sense of déjà vu with his numerous appearances.

Choo's YouTube channel is also not performing as well as before. The average view count for videos released this year is around 680,000, a significant drop from the 5.74 million average views in January last year. As his activities expand, viewer interest seems to be spreading thin.

Despite these challenges, Choo Sung-hoon's influence remains strong. He will be joining forces with Jennie and Dex in MBC's 'Manito Club,' directed by Kim Tae-ho, set to premiere on February 1. In April, he will embark on an unplanned journey with Kim Jong-kook in SBS Plus's 'The Way of the Macho Man.' However, the continuous low ratings could be detrimental to Choo's career, prompting calls for more strategic choices rather than sheer quantity.

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