With just two episodes remaining until its finale, tvN’s variety program Perfect Glow is facing an uphill battle as its viewership continues to hover in the 0% range, despite strong production values and emotionally engaging content.
The December 25 broadcast of Episode 8 delivered heartwarming moments and showcased the transformative power of K-beauty, as the cast brought smiles and inspiration to guests in New York. Yet even with these highlights, the show recorded a 0.9% nationwide viewership rating, according to Nielsen Korea its lowest since premiere.
A Warm Episode That Failed to Boost Ratings
Episode 8 opened with a makeover for Julia, a charming guest hoping to look her best for an upcoming date with a longtime crush. Makeup artist LeoJ focused on a natural, romantic look designed to appeal from a date’s perspective, while hairstylist Cha Hong completed the transformation with soft, K-style long waves.
When Julia’s date arrived at the salon, his flushed reaction to her new look brought smiles and secondhand excitement to viewers. The “Danjang Crew” cheered the couple on with genuine warmth, delivering lighthearted laughs through their over-the-top enthusiasm.
The final guest of the episode was Elizabeth, an aspiring actress juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet. She requested a bold “sea siren” look inspired by K-beauty trends. Her story resonated deeply with actor Joo Jong-hyuk, who shared his own struggles before success.
“About five years ago, I worked multiple jobs too—barista, bartender, server, even at a screen golf venue. I worked as a barista for nearly 12 years,” he said. “It’s not easy to make money or even get auditions as an actor.”
The two encouraged each other with the words, “Keep going,” creating one of the episode’s most touching moments. Makeup artist Pony then delivered a dramatic dark siren look that left Elizabeth stunned. “I can’t just go home like this,” she said, clearly thrilled with the transformation.
Star Power and K-Beauty Masters But Ratings Lag Behind
Perfect Glow follows a team of Korean beauty experts who open a K-style beauty salon in Manhattan, bringing Korean hair and makeup artistry directly to New Yorkers.
The show is led by actress Ra Mi-ran as the salon director and Park Min-young as the manager both beloved figures in Korean entertainment. Their casting initially drew attention, especially with Park Min-young’s reputation as the “queen of romantic comedies.”
Joining them is an elite lineup of K-beauty masters:
- Cha Hong, Korea’s most recognizable celebrity hairstylist
- LeoJ, a leading beauty creator popular among Gen Z
- Pony, the makeup artist credited with elevating K-beauty’s global influence
With their signature tools in hand scissors, brushes, and mascara the experts radiated confidence, raising expectations for magical transformations.
Disappointing Numbers With Two Episodes Left
At the program’s production presentation, CJ ENM variety head Park Hee-yeon explained the concept’s inspiration: “Every time I traveled overseas, people asked why my skin looked so good. When I told them I used Korean skincare, I realized how much global interest there is in K-beauty. We wanted to reflect that trend in a meaningful way.”
Despite the ambition, Perfect Glow, a 10-episode series that premiered on November 8, has struggled to break past 0.8–1.1% viewership throughout its run.
Upcoming episodes may yet deliver emotional impact. The next broadcast will feature a personal color expert deeply interested in K-beauty prompting visible concern from Pony as well as a second-year neurosurgery resident in New York who applies for a mother-daughter makeover to comfort her ill mother. Their story reportedly moves Ra Mi-ran to tears.
Whether these heartfelt moments will translate into a last-minute ratings rebound remains uncertain. With only two episodes left, Perfect Glow stands as a reminder that even strong concepts, star power, and emotional storytelling don’t always guarantee mainstream success in Korea’s competitive variety show landscape.
Sources: Daum