Na Yeong-seok's 'Space Rice Cake Shop' tops 2049 ratings for 5 weeks

tvN variety program 'Space Rice Cake Shop' is establishing itself as a new hit format from Na Yeong-seok's production team, recording No. 1 in the 2049 viewership rating for the same time slot for five consecutive weeks. As the rice cake shop business, which began in Goheung, expands with the opening of a second branch in Seoul, the program's universe is also growing in unexpected directions.

In the 5th episode of tvN's 'Space Rice Cake Shop' broadcast on the 28th, the so-called 'Jirak-i-deul'—consisting of Lee Eun-ji, Mimi, Lee Young Ji, and An Yu Jin—were shown completing a schedule nearing their final business days in Goheung. This episode recorded a 2.8% viewership rating based on nationwide households, an increase of 0.2% points from the previous week, with the peak viewership rising to 3.5%.

Notably, in the viewership rating for the 20–49 age group, which is tvN's core audience, the show took first place in the same time slot across all channels, including terrestrial broadcasters, for both nationwide and metropolitan areas for five consecutive weeks. During the same time slot, KBS2's 'Happy Together' recorded 2.1%. Considering the recent trend in the variety market, which prioritizes the choices and buzz of the younger demographic over absolute household viewership ratings, the achievement of 'Space Rice Cake Shop' holds significance beyond simple rating figures.

'Space Rice Cake Shop's competitiveness lies not in grand narratives, but in the relationships between the cast members and the everyday humor arising from unexpected situations. This is also a variation of the observational variety format that PD Na Yeong-seok has long built. It is a method of transplanting the 'structure of living and working directly in an unfamiliar space and building relationships,' which was repeatedly utilized in 'Three Meals a Day,' 'Youn's Kitchen,' and 'Jinny's Kitchen,' into the space of a rice cake shop.

On this day, the Jirak-i-deul began their third day of lunch service featuring 'Gamja Cream Tteok-janya' (Potato Cream Rice Cake) and 'Black Sesame Torong Ice Cream' using glutinous rice cakes, as well as 'Goguryeo Ramen,' which Lee Young Ji improvised. The problem began when Lee Young Ji, who actually made the menu, could not properly remember her own recipe. This spontaneity connected to the program's humor while simultaneously acting as a variable in the actual business operations.

Lee Eun-ji eventually showed quick-wittedness by converting 'Goguryeo Ramen' into a free service menu. Contrary to expectations, the customers' reactions were positive. Mimi's 'Gamja Cream Tteok-janya,' which was initially sold in a limited quantity of five, also sold out quickly and was converted into a regular menu item.

However, as the number of orders increased, mistakes followed. Mimi continued through a busy situation, such as omitting cheese or missing orders while trying to handle 'Myeongnan Bajirak Star' and 'Gamja Cream Tteok-janya' simultaneously, or remaking food after forgetting the glutinous rice cake skin. Rather than a perfectly controlled kitchen, the characteristic of 'Space Rice Cake Shop' is converting the cast members' mistakes and improvised responses into content.

During the evening service, the 'Tteok-makase' (Rice Cake Omakase) proposed by Lee Young Ji was fully unfolded. As 16 mart employees visited as a group dinner party, the Jirak-i-deul presented an 8-course meal utilizing rice cakes. Moving beyond a simple snack bar concept, the program attempted plating and customer service reminiscent of fine dining, focusing more on 'how far the familiar subject of rice cakes can be expanded' rather than the food itself.

Of course, accidents occurred during the process of handling a large group of customers. There were two fewer servings of 'Myeongnan Bajirak Star' than the number of orders, and even the core ingredient, sliced rice cake noodles, ran out. Lee Eun-ji bought time by singing on the spot and then managed the situation by suggesting, "The chefs themselves will come to serve the team leader and the store manager directly."

Such scenes show that 'Space Rice Cake Shop' is a food variety show as well as a relationship variety show. In a real restaurant, these could be situations that end in failure, but the process of the cast members filling in each each other's shortcomings and finding instant solutions functions as a single narrative.

After finishing business, the Jirak-i-deul expressed their gratitude to the customers, saying, "It really wasn't easy, but we were deeply moved to see you all eating so happily." As the fatigue of labor intersected with the customers' reactions, the program's unique, humble sentiment was also highlighted.

However, another variable arrived for the Jirak-i-deul, who faced their first day off the next day. Just as they finished the task of making rice cakes and were about to head into the town, unexpected news arrived from the headquarters regarding the opening of the second branch in Seoul.

In particular, the wish of Lee Young Ji, who had hoped to head to Seoul, became a reality, signaling a new phase for the show. On the other hand, Mimi and Lee Young Ji expressed their desire to stay, noting they had grown accustomed to the Goheung location and had developed an affection for it, but their request was not granted.

'Space Rice Cake Shop,' which combines the regional setting of Goheung, traditional rice cake food, and the spontaneous chemistry of the four cast members, is not merely following the established Na Yeong-seok variety formula but is instead innovating by applying new themes to a familiar format. Specifically, the fact that it has ranked No. 1 in the same time slot for five consecutive weeks among the 20–49 demographic demonstrates that this format is effectively resonating with younger viewers beyond mere buzz.

As the small rice cake shop that started in Goheung expands to a second branch in Seoul, 'Space Rice Cake Shop' is now poised to create new relational variables through new spaces, customers, and menus. Attention is focused on how a variety show that began with a foundation of regionality and daily life will evolve as it moves into an urban space.