Korean TV Entertainment Powerhouse Stuck In A Rut With Failing Viewership Ratings

When it comes to South Korean entertainment, be it K-Drama or entertainment programs, tvN has been one of the most recognized names for its lineup of international hits—including Queen of Tears, Marry My Husband, Crash Landing On You, and You Quiz On The Block.

Which Show “Paved The Way” For tvN To Become A Top K-Drama Channel?

But in 2025, tvN is struggling to gain meaningful traction. Alongside the significant underperformance of When The Stars Gossip, tvN’s entertainment programs are also “in a rut,” according to news outlet MyDaily.

tvN’s “When The Stars Gossip” is streaming on Netflix | Netflix

While its longstanding fan-favorites like Amazing Saturday and You Quiz On The Block are holding down the fort, some of the channel’s newest shows have failed to generate buzz and are seeing a decline in viewership ratings.

For example, Handsome Guys, which premiered December 2024, cast some of Korea’s adored TV personalities like actor Lee Yi Kyung and heartthrob Olympian Oh Sang Wook. Yet, even under the directing of Producer Yoo Ho Jin who is best known for the mega-hit that is 2 Days 1 Night, the show has not been able to gain momentum. Seven episodes in, Handsome Guys is sitting at a mere 1.5% viewership rating. Despite some of the highest-profile guests, like BTS‘s Jin, the show has not been successful at winning over the audience.

[#오늘의방탄] #핸썸가이즈
다른 의미로 잘 맞았던 핸썸즈!🤣
진 만큼이나 핸썸했던 제주도 건축물 탐방😊#오늘의석진 #진 #Jin #BTS #방탄소년단 #햄썸즈팀워크좋진 #정답을맴돌진 pic.twitter.com/NoCgIt838d

— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) January 12, 2025

In fact, even high-profile cast members from the K-Pop and K-Drama world with more dedicated fandoms have been unable to bring tvN its former glory.

Rented In Finland stars household names like ASTRO‘s Cha Eunwoo and actor Lee Je Hoon, but it has been hitting unremarkable viewership ratings averaging at 2%. Green Bean, Red Bean Spin-Off: Cafeteria Operation also features EXO‘s D.O. and best friend Lee Kwang Soo, but despite its strong start, the viewership rating has since dropped to the 3% range.

| tvN

MyDaily noted that tvN’s slump might stem from a lack of innovation. Most shows feel redundant with show premises and plots that have all been done and seen before. Given the channel has multiple new entertainment programs lined up to premiere soon, the news outlet questioned whether tvN will be able to win back the viewers’ hearts.

Meanwhile, some Korean viewers have noted that tvN’s struggles might not entirely be the production giant’s fault. In a post discussing MyDaily’s take at the “flopping” shows, viewers mentioned two major reasons: The state of South Korea amid its political unrest and, of course, YouTube.

| theqoo

• “Given the state of South Korea… no one cares about rich celebrities and their comfortable lives getting paid to travel abroad and ‘heal.’
• “I mean, I like how Handsome Guys tries to explain things about Korean culture. It’s kind of like MBC‘s Those Who Cross the Line.“
• “This whole ‘healing overseas’ thing is boring now… I never liked the concept to begin with.”
• “I usually leave tvN shows playing in the background, like white noise. But some of these shows are seriously unappealing. Even the people starring in them come off as totally uninteresting.”
• “TBH… I don’t get why anyone would watch celebrities get paid to travel outside Korea to ‘heal’ or whatever. Haha. I do watch the GBRB one, but only on YouTube.”

Read more about When The Stars Gossip‘s s viewership rating here.

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