Kim Jun-hyun’s ‘From Today, Gupddung’ faces uncertain future

“From Today, Gupddung,” a spin-off of the Comedy TV variety show “The Delicious Guys” that returned after six years, has been placed on an unexpected testing ground from its very first release. Because the program began by monitoring viewer reactions without even confirming a follow-up filming schedule, there is a high possibility that the performance of a single episode will determine whether the program continues to exist.

“From Today, Gupddung” is a program where Kim Jun-hyun, the representative mukbang character from “The Delicious Guys,” steps into the spotlight for his first solo spin-off. Rather than simply eating meat, the show features an experiential format where he transforms into a part-time worker at an actual meat restaurant to grill meat directly for customers. By combining Kim's image as a “broadcaster sincere about meat” with the labor of the dining industry, the show attempts to differentiate itself from existing mukbang variety programs.

In the first episode released on the 20th, Kim did not head straight to the meat restaurant. He first visited a butchery to learn the meat processing and trimming stages, broadening his understanding of ingredients. He personally tasted and identified the characteristics of not only popular cuts like top blade, brisket, and sirloin but also relatively unfamiliar cuts such as shoulder blade, leaf meat, and neck meat. Rather than being a simple mukbang host, he expanded the content into the process of learning meat production, distribution, and cooking methods.

After being deployed to the meat restaurant, Kim moved around customers' tables like an actual employee to grill meat. He explained grilling methods tailored to the characteristics of each cut and revealed his own so-called “grilling tips,” such as seasoning with Maldon salt and adding truffle oil. By providing meticulous service, such as cutting the meat to the size the customer desired, he portrayed a scene close to an actual part-time job rather than a simple celebrity experience.

However, what drew more interest than the content of the broadcast was the unstable production structure of the program.

During the broadcast, Kim directly stated, “If the first episode goes well, we will continue with you all, but there is no plan for a second episode filming. We are moving forward based on the reaction.” This means that rather than being a regular program produced with the premise of multiple episodes from the start, “From Today, Gupddung” is structured to release the first episode as a sort of pilot and then decide whether to proceed with subsequent production based on viewer response and performance.

As of the morning of the 21st, the view count for “From Today, Gupddung” is recording approximately 5,000 views. Of course, since these are figures immediately after the release, it is too early to conclude the final commercial success. This is because YouTube content view counts accumulate over a certain period after release, and the rate of increase can vary depending on recommendation algorithms and viewer reactions.

However, compared to some videos released on “The Delicious Guys” YouTube channel this year, which recorded view counts in the 30,000 to 40,000 range, the current initial performance cannot be seen as an overwhelming response. In particular, as a spin-off program, the key variable for future success is expected to be how effectively the fandom of the original program can be moved to the new content.

The format of “From Today, Gupddung” itself is relatively clear. It assigns the role of a “griller” rather than an “eater” to the familiar mukbang character Kim, utilizing professional meat knowledge and field labor as variety elements. This is also one solution to the reality that it is difficult to differentiate simply by eating a lot of food in a saturated mukbang content market.

But the freshness of the format and actual commercial success are separate issues. The key is whether Kim's meat expertise provides new entertainment to viewers, whether the interaction with customers creates sufficient narrative and fun, and above all, whether it can secure an independent identity distinct from the existing “The Delicious Guys.”

Ultimately, “From Today, Gupddung” has placed the program itself on a testing ground from the very first episode. Unlike typical series that release already produced broadcasts in order, because subsequent episodes have not been confirmed, the viewer's click and watch time become the practical indicators that decide the production of the next episode.

As Kim himself stated, “We are moving forward based on the reaction,” the next destination for “From Today, Gupddung” remains open. Attention is focused on whether Kim's skill in grilling meat can draw the interest of viewers, or if it will end as a one-time experiment.