Even before its premiere, MBC’s “The Secret Friends Club” attracted significant attention thanks to its lineup featuring Jennie alongside several well-known Korean celebrities. With Jennie’s immense global popularity as a member of BLACKPINK, many viewers expected the program to become a major hit. However, the show has instead struggled with alarmingly low ratings since its release.
The disappointing results have surprised many fans and industry watchers, as Jennie is widely considered a star whose projects usually achieve strong success. Online forums have been filled with reactions from viewers who expressed shock that even a top-tier celebrity like Jennie could be involved in a program that is performing so poorly.
On March 5, Korean newspaper Hankook Ilbo published an analysis explaining several reasons behind the show’s lackluster performance. According to the report, one of the main issues lies in the program’s outdated format. In today’s highly competitive Korean television landscape where innovative and experimental reality shows are constantly being introduced the concept of celebrities completing secret missions and building friendships through gift exchanges has been criticized as repetitive and uninspired. Many viewers noted that similar formats had already appeared in numerous previous programs.
Another problem cited by critics is the lack of memorable chemistry among the cast members. Successful reality shows often rely heavily on the personalities of the participants and the natural interactions between them. However, viewers say that “The Secret Friends Club” has yet to produce a compelling relationship or standout dynamic among the participants that could spark conversation or go viral on social media.
The show has also been criticized for focusing too heavily on completing missions rather than allowing authentic emotional connections to develop. As a result, the relationships between cast members appear rushed and disconnected, making it harder for audiences to become emotionally invested in the program.
The report further pointed out that the changing media landscape may also be a factor. With celebrities now sharing large parts of their daily lives through social media platforms, audiences have less curiosity about discovering personal details through traditional reality shows. Because of this shift, producers today must create formats that feel innovative and fresh rather than relying solely on the star power of famous participants.
Many viewers on online forums agreed with the analysis, adding their own reasons for losing interest in the show. Some commented that the cast lineup felt underwhelming, while others said the title alone did not spark curiosity. Several viewers also argued that modern reality shows need stronger personality-driven moments and natural interactions between cast members, rather than heavily structured tasks or forced moral messages.
Others criticized the lack of chemistry among the participants and described the concept as outdated. Some also noted that certain cast members had previously been involved in personal controversies, which they felt negatively affected the overall appeal of the show.
As discussions continue online, the unexpected struggles of “The Secret Friends Club” highlight how even a global star like Jennie cannot guarantee success for a television program without a compelling format and strong cast chemistry.
Sources: Hankook Ilbo