MBC’s The Secret Friends Club started at 2.1% on February 1, 2026, then dropped quickly to 1.6% for Episode 2, 1.3% for Episode 3, and eventually 0.9%. This rating was reached for the show’s finale, which aired on April 26, 2026. For a Sunday prime-time variety slot, that’s a steep fall. It looked even worse because the lineup included BLACKPINK’s Jennie, Dex, Go Youn-jung, and Jung Hae-in.
Why The Secret Friends Club kept losing viewers
The loudest criticism was the layout. The show’s “Manitto,” or secret friend, setup was supposed to build suspense through hidden missions and gift-giving. But viewers largely saw it as dated, confusing, and weirdly low-stakes. Instead of creating momentum, the show often felt slow.
That reaction stung more because this was a Kim Tae-ho PD project. His name alone raised expectations, especially with Jennie returning to MBC. While Kim Tae-ho admitted the team intentionally chased a ‘different’ vibe. But that gamble clearly didn’t pay off with many viewers.
Why Jennie’s Popularity Wasn’t Enough
On screen, many viewers said the chemistry just wasn’t there. Jennie and Dex were one of the most talked-about pairings before the premiere, but their interactions felt too limited to drive real buzz. And fans were frustrated that the BLACKPINK Jennie variety show never really made Jennie central to the story.
- Outdated, unclear Manitto concept
- Slow pacing and editing with weak suspense
- Lack of standout cast chemistry
- Big expectations tied to Jennie and Kim Tae-ho PD
This K-variety slump in 2026 wasn’t just about ratings. It was about a high-profile cast stuck in a concept viewers didn’t want to follow week after week. Star power brought attention. It just couldn’t make people stay.
