Yoo Jae-suk's Absence Leads to 1.5% Rating Humiliation—Will Haha, Heo Kyung-hwan, and Joo Woo-jae Bounce Back?

Haha, Heo Kyung-hwan, and Joo Woo-jae, who gathered without Yoo Jae-suk, received a colder report card than expected. Although the three, who have worked together on the MBC variety show 'Hangout with Yoo', teamed up for a separate variety show, the viewership rating for the first broadcast stayed in the 1% range. It seems that the expectation of a familiar combination did not lead to independent box office success. Attention is focused on whether the three can overcome the early slump and create an opportunity for a rebound.

The first episode of the MBC variety show 'What Is It, What Is It! What's Going On?' (hereafter 'What Is It, What Is It! What's Going On?'), which aired on the 9th, recorded a viewership rating of 1.5%. Considering that 'Hangout with Yoo', in which the three appear together, has recently been maintaining ratings in the 3–4% range, it is a disappointing start. While there were expectations that the familiar chemistry shown in the existing program could be continued on a new stage, looking only at the first episode's results, it still lacked the strength to attract viewers' interest.

'What Is It, What Is It! What's Going On?' is a spin-off program of 'Hangout with Yoo'. Haha, Heo Kyung-hwan, and Joo Woo-jae go on a trip according to a schedule designed by the production team, capturing the chaotic situations that occur amidst unpredictable circumstances. Since the three have already worked together in one program, their strength lies in knowing each other's personalities and variety show strengths and weaknesses well. However, they have been placed on a new testing ground in that they must lead the program with only the three of them, without the central axis of Yoo Jae-suk.

The opportunity to make up for the first broadcast's results is the second episode, which will be released on the 16th. In this broadcast, the story of the second day of the trip will unfold. Following the revelation of the identity of the first designer 'Owl', who previously made the three tear up, a new designer 'Kkandori' will personally visit the travel site and present them with another schedule. Attention is focused on whether the identities of the veiled figures and the unexpected travel plans can stimulate viewers' curiosity.

In particular, the appearance of 'Kkandori' is unusual. The released photo captures a mysterious figure secretly entering the accommodation in the early morning while the three were sleeping. 'Kkandori', wearing black sportswear and dress shoes, is known to be a person with a deep friendship with Haha, Heo Kyung-hwan, and Joo Woo-jae. Even in that they prepared a plan for the three with the production team for about one and a half months, it foreshadows a significant presence. With the fact that it is a familiar acquaintance revealed, curiosity grows as to who it is and how they will shake up the trip.

However, even the meticulously prepared plan does not seem to go as intended on site. As unexpected situations occur, 'Kkandori' becomes flustered, saying, "Nothing is going according to plan." Afterwards, Haha, Heo Kyung-hwan, and Joo Woo-jae change into 'Kkandori Crew' uniforms and join the new schedule. In the released photo, the three cannot hide their exhausted appearance from the morning. The atmosphere seems to be one where hard missions and unexpected situations await rather than the romance of travel.

Ultimately, the key is how much independent fun the combination of the three can create. It is difficult to guarantee the success of a spin-off just by gathering familiar cast members. While utilizing the relationships and characters built in the existing program, they must show differentiated settings and laughter unique to the new program. The first episode's viewership rating of 1.5% is certainly a disappointing number, but it is too early to determine future success or failure based only on the initial results.

'What Is It, What Is It! What's Going On?' has now taken its first step. It is important whether the identities of 'Owl' and 'Kkandori' to be revealed in the second episode, and the unpredictable trip waiting for the three, can bring back viewers' interest. Whether Haha, Heo Kyung-hwan, and Joo Woo-jae, having stepped out from the halo of Yoo Jae-suk, can prove their own variety color and achieve a rebound in viewership ratings, the next broadcast is expected to be the first watershed moment.

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