On the morning of April 27, TVDaily reported that The Secret Friends Club, featuring a lineup of top Korean stars including Jennie, Go Youn Jung, Jung Hae In, and Park Bo Young, has officially wrapped up with dismal viewership. Notably, episode 11, which aired recently, recorded a mere 1% rating.
The show initially generated high expectations due to its “all-star” cast. However, instead of growing, ratings steadily declined with each episode. The premiere began at 2.1%, dropped to 1.6% in episode 2, and eventually fell to around 1%—far below the producers’ expectations. Airing in the prime Sunday 6 PM slot, such figures are considered highly disappointing. In fact, the show’s ratings were less than a quarter of its predecessor King of Mask Singer, which achieved 4.4%.
Earlier, Hankook Ilbo published an analysis explaining the program’s underwhelming performance. One major issue was its outdated format, which failed to attract viewers in today’s highly competitive Korean TV landscape filled with innovative concepts. The show’s premise—celebrities completing secret missions and building relationships through gift exchanges—was criticized by netizens as repetitive and uninspired.
Additionally, the cast’s on-screen chemistry failed to leave a strong impression. Since the appeal of variety shows often depends on the personalities and interactions of its participants, the lack of compelling dynamics in The Secret Friends Club made it difficult for viewers to stay engaged. No particular relationship or moment stood out enough to spark buzz across online communities.
Another criticism pointed out that the show focused too heavily on completing missions, causing emotional connections between cast members to feel rushed and superficial. This contributed to an overall disjointed viewing experience that failed to resonate with audiences.
Finally, the report noted that with celebrities’ personal lives now widely shared on social media, viewers are less interested in watching reality shows for behind-the-scenes glimpses. To succeed today, a variety show needs not only big-name stars but also a fresh, engaging, and innovative format.
Online, many viewers agreed with these critiques while adding their own reasons for dropping the show: “The lineup feels bland,” “Even the title doesn’t make me want to watch,” “Variety shows need strong personalities and chemistry, not forced messages,” and “Some cast members have controversies that make it hard to stay invested.”
Despite its high-profile cast, The Secret Friends Club ultimately failed to capture public interest—serving as a reminder that star power alone is no longer enough to guarantee success in today’s entertainment landscape.
Sources: kenh14
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