K-netizens Discuss Why “Apartment 404” Has Low Ratings Despite Having BLACKPINK’s Jennie And Yoo Jae-seok

On March 9, a post was made on the popular online forum Nate Pann with the title “A program with God Yoo Jae-seok and Jennie can also get 1% ratings..”

The post compared two variety shows with 1% ratings, “Nana Tour with SEVENTEEN” and “Apartment 404.” It explained that “Nana Tour” has low ratings due to the fact that it was only seen by SEVENTEEN’s fandom and was not the public’s pick. The show’s full version can be watched on the paid platform Weverse, which can generate sales.

Meanwhile, the author of the post also pointed out that “Apartment 404” also acquired low ratings despite having a nationally famous cast, including Cha Tae-hyun, Yoo Jae-seok, BLACKPINK’s Jennie and Yang Se-chan. “Is there a big problem with the PD and the writer?” the post asked.

Original post: Pann Nate

This post has gathered approximately 60,000 views and countless comments after only 14 hours. In the comment section, Korean Internet users gave various explanations such as:

• But there’s a trend that the overall ratings of TV variety shows are not so good these days. Unlike before, the ratings of major variety shows such as “Omniscient Interfering View” and “Knowing Bros” have completely decreased. These days, people watch YouTube clips and watch YouTube channels more than entertainment shows, so there’s nothing we can do

• There’s no variety show that has good ratings these days

• I think it’s because the members on the show are really good, but the program itself is not good

• Like the comment below, I like Jennie , so I’m watching it. :( If it wasn’t for Jennie, I would never watch it live… It’s true that the program is really distracting… It’s a mix of all the characteristics of Jung Chul-min’s shows of all time, so viewers will not be able to immerse

• If it’s like that with Yoo Jae-seok, Cha Tae-hyun, Yang Se-chan, and Jennie, it must be because of the program’s disappointing format. But the ratings of all the entertainment shows these days are so low, so the ratings don’t mean much. Honestly, there are fewer people watching TV than YouTube these days

• Yoo Jae-seok has been on the decline, while Jennie is definitely disliked and not popular. 1%… LOL. That’s why he was replaced as an advertising model last time

• The first episode is important for every show… Honestly, this show’s first episode was the most boring