Despite boasting a stellar cast dubbed “rating queens,” tvN’s beauty variety show Perfect glow failed to meet expectations, recording a sharp decline in ratings in its second episode. Airing November 13, episode 2 of Perfect glow it managed just 0.8% of viewers, down from the premiere’s modest 1.1%.
Perfect glow follows Korea’s top makeup artists and hair stylists as they open a K-beauty salon in Manhattan, New York, aiming to showcase the essence of Korean beauty to a global audience. PD Kim Sang Ah explained that the idea for the show was born out of curiosity to know whether the global boom in K content could extend to K-beauty, choosing New York as a cultural melting pot where beauty trends converge.
The show features actress Ra Mi Ran as the salon manager, with Park Min Young as the head coordinator and Joo Jong Hyuk as the manager. Ra Mi Ran admitted that she was reluctant to participate in a beauty-themed program, unsure why she was chosen, but ultimately accepted the challenge. Park Min Young echoed similar doubts about his role as chief coordinator, while Joo Jong Hyuk humorously remarked that he was simply thrilled that someone had thought of him, noting that he was referred by Park.
Famous beauty masters Cha Hong, LeoJ and PONY have also joined the cast, adding to the anticipation. Cha Hong confessed her concerns about language barriers and dealing with different hair textures in New York, while LeoJ and PONY, known for their online content, were initially worried about transitioning to salon work in real life.
Episode 2 featured the heartwarming transformation of Kelly, a former idol trainee who gave up on her dream of debuting in Korea. With the help of LeoJ and Cha Hong, she re-emerged as a brilliant “K-girl group member”. Viewers were impressed, commenting, “I was really shocked. I didn’t think it could work,” and praised the show’s stylistic execution, especially its authenticity “effortlessly chic” vibration.
While Perfect glow has garnered praise for promoting K-beauty globally, its disappointing viewership raises questions about its staying power. With 10 episodes planned and the finale set for January 2026, attention now turns to whether the show can bounce back and capture the interest of wider audiences.
Perfect glow airs Thursdays at 10:40 PM KST on tvN.
Sources: Daum
