'Radio Star' Hits Record Low Ratings Amid Controversy

'Radio Star' has hit its lowest ratings since its debut in 2007, dropping to 2.0%, a 1.0% decrease from last week. Although the show fell to 2.2% in 2020 during its 693rd episode, this is the first time it has plummeted to 2.0%. This episode drew particular attention as it aired without editing Jo Gap-kyung, who recently apologized for her son's infidelity scandal.

The October 1st episode of MBC's 'Radio Star' featured Jo Gap-kyung, Chae Yeon, Go Woo-ri, and Lee Chae-young (from fromis_9) in a 'Loyalty Inducer' special.

Jo Gap-kyung was introduced as the most frequent performer on the 1989 show 'Stage of Friendship,' marking the beginning of the original military president lineage. She also shared her long-standing friendship with a female fan in her 30s who has supported her for years.

Chae Yeon, known as the 'original military president,' captivated the audience with stories from her heyday. She recounted how she gifted her mother a building in Jayang-dong and her father a foreign car with the earnings from her relentless performances at military bases, events, and overseas activities in the 2000s. Her tale of fulfilling her mother's long-held dream of owning a building and her father's reaction to driving a luxury car for the first time showcased her filial piety.

Chae Yeon also reminisced about her military base performances, recalling the enthusiastic reactions she received. She humorously revisited her 'tearful selfie' era from the Cyworld days, explaining how she took a photo while crying and later turned that emotion into the song 'I Sometimes Shed Tears.'

The episode also revealed behind-the-scenes stories from the 'X-Man' era, including the pressure of preparing new performances weekly and avoiding MC Yoo Jae-suk's gaze during random call-outs. She candidly shared her experiences of feeling intimidated among talented performers like Yunho and Stephanie.

Go Woo-ri shook up the atmosphere with her straightforward talk throughout the show. She openly discussed behind-the-scenes stories from her 'Rainbow18' activities and the creation of her 'Yah. Bbal. Ah' character, which emerged from an unexpected 19+ ad-lib during a web variety show. Her husband learned about the viral moment through acquaintances, adding humor to the story.

Go Woo-ri also shared her experience of career interruption after marriage and the formation of 'Rainbow18' with Jo Hyun-young. Her casual suggestion to perform at events and Waterbomb led to actual activities, including music shows and Waterbomb stages, illustrating the power of speaking things into existence.

She further shared a personal story about her husband during a challenging business period, revealing his humorous remark, "Sell me if you have to, just buy us a house." The couple's candid relationship was evident in their 'extreme wedding' story, which included a rainy ceremony and her husband's desire to play EDM music.

Go Woo-ri surprised the studio by announcing her 7-week pregnancy, achieved through IVF. She shared the timing of receiving the 'Radio Star' invitation the day after confirming her pregnancy test and revealed the baby's nickname, 'Lucky Charm,' adding warmth to the atmosphere.

Lee Chae-young, a 9-year veteran known as a 'second-hand rookie,' caught attention with her candid talk and emerging presence as a next-generation military president. She shared her popularity among soldiers, noting that not knowing fromis_9 in the military was akin to being a spy. Her stories included topping a 2019 survey for 'songs that boost morale in the summer' and ranking second in 'stars to meet on a 2025 spring morale-boosting tour,' with aespa taking first place.

Her dorm life stories were equally engaging, revealing the blunt comments exchanged among members about weight management and a memorable incident of losing appetite after ordering chicken. She also shared behind-the-scenes stories about her 'military base free pass' and 'rejected at the in-laws' remarks, along with her determination to protect her left profile, showcasing her multifaceted charm. The episode concluded with a '2026 Dance Initiation' stage with Chae Yeon, bridging generations and elevating the studio's energy.

Meanwhile, former daughter-in-law A of Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-kyung exposed her ex-husband B's infidelity and unpaid child support on the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Institute' on March 23. According to A, B had an affair with a temporary teacher at the same school just a month after A became pregnant. A filed for divorce in October 2024, and the court recognized B's infidelity as the main cause of the marital breakdown, ordering him to pay 30 million won in alimony and 800,000 won monthly child support until the child reaches adulthood.

In response, Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-kyung apologized on the 28th, stating, "After returning to Korea, we confirmed discrepancies between the information we received and the actual situation through court documents and the divorce proceedings. We sincerely regret not setting a good example as public figures."

Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr