With its finale, the KBS2 drama '24-Hour Health Club' has drawn attention for hitting an alarmingly low viewership rating.
Starring rising stars Lee Jun Young and Jeong Eunji, the show recorded a nationwide household rating of just 0.7% for its 11th episode on June 4, a steep drop from the previous episode’s 1.1%, and the lowest in the series' run.
This result was particularly surprising as the episode featured the long-awaited romantic development between the two main characters, including a kiss scene between Do Hyun Jung (played by Lee Jun Young), a passionate gym owner, and Lee Mi Ran (played by Jung Eun Ji), a gym member struggling with weight loss. Despite expectations of a ratings boost, the episode received little audience response.
'24-Hour Health Club,' which premiered on April 30 with a modest 1.8% rating, has been on a steady downward trend. It hovered around 1.0% in episode 9 but eventually fell into the 0% range by episode 11, which is a humiliating blow for a major network drama.
This continues a streak of poor performances for KBS2’s Wednesday–Thursday dramas. Following 'Who Is She', the network aired 'Kick Kick Kick Kick' and 'Villains Everywhere', both of which also struggled to gain high viewer ratings. 'Kick Kick Kick Kick' hit a record low of 0.3%, and 'Villains Everywhere' fluctuated between 2.7% and 1.3%. Hopes were briefly raised by '24-Hour Health Club’s start, but those too were dashed.
The show is a romantic comedy set in a fitness center, following the humorous journey of a muscle-obsessed gym director and a dieting newbie. Episode 11 focused on Do Hyun Jung receiving a magazine cover offer from Muscle Man Korea, only to spiral when his body fat exceeded 10% for the first time. Unable to focus on his training due to cravings for tteokbokki, a treat he shared with Mi Ran, he ultimately realized it wasn’t the food but her company he craved. He gave up the cover shoot to choose Mi Ran, but she, already hurt, switched trainers and disappeared from the gym.
Meanwhile, both leads are respected for their past performances: Lee Jun Young for 'Melomovie', 'When Life Gives You Tangerines', and 'Weak Hero Class 2', and Jeong Eunji for her acting skills recognized since 'Reply 1997'. Yet their chemistry and acting failed to capture viewer interest.
Industry insiders point to shifting viewing habits toward OTT platforms and increasing competition as key reasons for the ongoing rating slump among major broadcasting network dramas.
'24-Hour Health Club' concluded with its 12th and final episode on June 5.
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