'The Secret Friends Club' ends with 0% ratings despite star-studded cast including BLACKPINK's Jennie

29 Apr 2026, 18:22 by K-Soul · allkpop

Producer Kim Tae Ho’s new variety show, 'The Secret Friends Club', has come to an underwhelming close, failing to generate the buzz it was expected to and ending with ratings in the 0% range. Despite a flashy lineup featuring stars like Jennie and Go Youn Jung, along with a fresh concept, the show ultimately fell short of achieving commercial success.

'The Secret Friend Club' finale, which aired on April 26, recorded a nationwide household rating of 0.9%, marking its lowest viewership. The show initially debuted in February with ratings in the 2% range but failed to maintain momentum. Although there was a brief rebound during its second season featuring Go Youn Jung, ratings largely hovered around 1% before dropping to a series low at the end of its three-month run.

'The Secret Friend Club' was introduced as an undercover gift-delivery variety show built around the idea of “people who know how to share what they receive.” The format added missions and emotional elements to the familiar “manito” (secret gift exchange) game. It also gained attention for being inspired by an idea from Jennie.

Expectations were especially high due to Kim Tae Ho’s involvement. As the iconic producer behind 'Infinite Challenge,' many anticipated the birth of another signature hit. Kim Tae Ho himself expressed confidence early on, outlining the show’s direction in initial interviews.

However, the outcome did not meet expectations. Following lukewarm results from 'My Name Is Gabriel' and 'Good Day,' this marks another disappointing performance, prompting criticism that Kim Tae Ho’s signature variety style may have lost its former impact. His earlier comment that the show would have “a chance to rebound” made the final result feel even more disappointing.

Another major point of criticism was the underutilization of its cast. The third season featured a strong lineup including Cha Tae Hyun, Hwang Kwang Hee, Park Bo Young, Lee Sun Bin, and Kang Hoon—all known for both their popularity and variety skills. Hwang Kwang Hee is widely recognized for his strong entertainment persona, while Kang Hoon has proven his presence on shows like 'Running Man.' Cha Tae Hyun is a veteran in the field, and both Park Bo Young and Lee Sun Bin are known for their wit.

Despite this, many viewers felt the cast’s chemistry failed to fully develop. While each member had individual charm, the show struggled to build meaningful dynamics or relationships, leading to criticism that it failed to make the most of a strong lineup. This, in turn, raised questions about the production’s execution.

The show’s unclear identity was also cited as a major reason for its lack of popularity. While the title suggested a mystery-driven “manito game” with twists, the actual format blended healing, observational, and variety elements without fully committing to any one direction.

Some viewers expected the high-energy chase-style missions reminiscent of 'Infinite Challenge' or Kim Tae Ho’s signature mission-based variety format, but the show took a different approach. Others argued that if it wasn’t going to be a chase-style variety, it should have leaned more clearly into a healing concept—but it ultimately did neither convincingly. The use of video calls as a device for delivering missions and emotional moments also drew mixed reactions, with many saying it disrupted the flow and reduced immersion compared to in-person interactions.

There were also criticisms that the format felt too mild. In an era where fast pacing and strong humor dominate variety trends, 'The Secret Friend Club' came across as too gentle and loose. While it had the qualities of a “wholesome” show, it struggled to deliver memorable entertainment value.

Although the cast—including Jennie, Go Youn Jung, and Park Bo Young—generated attention, the show itself failed to spark meaningful discussion. The focus remained on who appeared rather than what made the program enjoyable, which has been seen as a significant shortcoming.

As a result, evaluations of Kim Tae Ho have grown more critical. Once praised for pioneering new variety formats, the producer is now facing scrutiny as recent projects continue to fall short of expectations. Industry observers note that brand power alone is no longer enough to guarantee success.

While not every project can succeed, 'The Secret Friend Club' ultimately leaves behind a sense of missed opportunity. Despite its fresh concept, it failed to deliver a strong emotional impact, excitement, or narrative. Rather than serving as a turning point for Kim Tae Ho, the show is now seen as a reminder that star power alone cannot sustain a variety program—and that, in the end, entertainment value matters most.

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