Kim Tae-ho's 'Manito Club' Ends with Disappointing Ratings Despite Star-Studded Cast

Kim Tae-ho's latest variety show, 'Manito Club,' concluded with underwhelming ratings, failing to capture the audience's attention despite its star-studded cast including Jennie and Go Yoon-jung. The show ended with a disappointing 0% viewership.

Airing its final episode on the 26th, MBC's 'Manito Club' recorded a nationwide household rating of 0.9%, marking its lowest viewership. The show started with a 2% rating in February but failed to maintain momentum, briefly spiking during Go Yoon-jung's appearance in the second season, only to remain in the 1% range. Ultimately, it ended in humiliation with its lowest ratings after just three months.

'Manito Club' was an undercover gift-giving variety show, promoting the idea of 'a group of people who know how to share.' The format, which added missions and emotional elements to the familiar Manito game, was based on an idea by BLACKPINK's Jennie, generating buzz.

Expectations were high due to Kim Tae-ho's involvement, known for his iconic work on 'Infinite Challenge.' Many anticipated a new hit from the renowned producer, who expressed confidence in the show's direction during early interviews.

However, the outcome was disappointing. Following other lackluster performances like 'My Name is Gabriel' and 'Good Day,' critics suggest Kim Tae-ho's recent shows lack the impact of his earlier work. His statement during interviews about expecting a turnaround makes the result even more painful.

The underutilization of the cast was another disappointment. The third season featured Cha Tae-hyun, Hwang Kwang-hee, Park Bo-young, Lee Sun-bin, and Kang Hoon, all known for their charm and popularity. Hwang Kwang-hee is a well-established variety character, and Kang Hoon has proven his presence on 'Running Man.' Cha Tae-hyun is a veteran in the field, while Park Bo-young and Lee Sun-bin are known for their wit. Despite their individual star power and potential, the show failed to capitalize on their chemistry and relationships, leading to criticism of the production's execution.

The show's ambiguous identity was a major reason for its failure. While the title suggested a 'Manito game variety' with mystery and twists, the actual content was a mix of healing, observation, and variety, lacking a clear focus. Some viewers expected an 'Infinite Challenge'-style chase or a Kim Tae-ho mission variety, but the result was neither, leading to dissatisfaction. The use of video calls, intended for mission delivery and emotional connection, was criticized for disrupting the flow, with remote interactions overshadowing on-site chemistry.

Some found the format bland. Recent trends favor fast-paced and humorous content, but 'Manito Club' was perceived as too gentle and slow. While it had the virtues of a 'kind variety show,' it failed to deliver strong entertainment.

Despite the buzz around stars like Jennie, Go Yoon-jung, and Park Bo-young, the program itself did not leave a lasting impression. The focus was more on who appeared rather than what was entertaining, leading to harsher evaluations of Kim Tae-ho. Once a pioneer of new variety show formats, his recent projects have not met expectations, suggesting that brand power alone is insufficient.

Not every project can succeed, but 'Manito Club' left a sense of regret for not delivering a clear dose of dopamine, emotion, or narrative. Instead of being a comeback for Kim Tae-ho, it became a challenge, highlighting that star casting alone doesn't make a successful variety show, and ultimately, entertainment value is more important than format.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr