'Choi Woo-san' viewership plunges to 1.2%, members offer 90-degree apology

MBC variety show 'Choi-u-su-san' has slumped to the 1% viewership rating range. The 9th episode broadcast on the 19th recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 1.2%, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points compared to the previous week. With all three broadcasts following the recent 7-episode extension staying in the 1% range, the program is facing a crisis.

The cast, including Jang Dong-min, Yang Se-hyeong, Boom, Heo Kyung-hwan, and Yoo Se-yoon, held an emergency viewership rating countermeasures meeting and took time for self-reflection during this broadcast. The members faced the harsh reality while checking the per-minute viewership rating graphs presented by the production team. Heo Kyung-hwan said, "The peak viewership was when the Samgyetang meal started," and Boom also showed a self-deprecating reaction, saying, "The Samgyetang insert performed better than our one-shot.""Only midfielders without an attacker," the members' self-diagnosis

The cast admitted that the program's direction is out of step with the viewers' demands. Heo Kyung-hwan cited the popular variety show 'Hangout with Yoo' as an example, pointing out, "Yoo Jae-suk pushes forward, but we all start from the same position. We play the same and appear the same." Yoo Se-yoon also criticized the lack of a decisive blow, saying, "We are just constantly passing in front of the goal."

Heo Kyung-hwan added, "We have too many midfielders and need an attacker. Someone needs to push forward." Sharp reactions from viewers were also revealed without filter. Criticisms directed at the program's format and attitude poured in, such as "It was the least funny," "They filled 30 minutes with a boring opening," "Aren't they just trying to film comfortably?", "It would be better to go back to the mountains," and "I miss Season 1."

'Choi-u-su-san', which originally started as a survival-type variety show set in the mountains, attempted various changes after the 7-episode extension, such as chase games, one-day bandit experiences, and challenges of running a sashimi restaurant, but failed to rebound in viewership ratings. It previously recorded 1.1% for episode 6 and 1.6% for episode 7. The production team released analysis data comparing it to competing programs in the same time slot, '2 Days and 1 Night' and 'Running Man'."Please save us," a national apology from the 5-member group including Jang Dong-min

Ultimately, the members bowed 90 degrees to the viewers at the end of the broadcast. Jang Dong-min expressed his apology, saying, "I am deeply sorry to everyone who spent their precious Sunday time watching MBC and 'Choi-u-su-san'." He continued his desperate plea, saying, "Everyone in the world has a mission they are assigned, and we five ignorant people have only just realized it. Please do not change the channel and save us."

During the meeting, Jang Dong-min emphasized that there are not many broadcasting opportunities left, stating, "We are talking to the writers for an hour every day."Appearance of Kim Jun-ho, Kim Ji-min, Shin Bong Sun, and Sam Hammington

In this broadcast, Kim Jun-ho, Kim Ji-min, Shin Bong Sun, and Sam Hammington appeared. Yoo Se-yoon constantly re-cooked the seasoned conch to suit the guests' tastes. The scene showed Yoo Se-yoon stopping the cooking only after hearing the guests' compliments.

In the past, a story surfaced about Heo Kyung-hwan and Kim Ji-min deciding to try being together if neither married before the age of 50. Kim Ji-min's husband Kim Jun-ho reacted by asking, "Are you saying you almost had an engagement ceremony?" and Sam Hammington asked, "Why are you so sensitive? Do you lack confidence?" Shin Bong Sun revealed that she is currently single, contrary to the marriage plans she declared in a 2023 interview, and when asked about comedians as potential dating partners, she replied, "There is no one who makes my heart flutter."