With only two episodes left until the finale, tvN’s variety show Perfect glow is facing an uphill battle as its audience continues to hover around 0%, 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 despite these highlights, the show posted a nationwide viewership rating of 0.9%, the lowest since its premiere, according to Nielsen Korea.
A hot episode that failed to increase ratings
Episode 8 opened with a makeover for Julia, a glamorous 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, long K-style waves.
When Julia’s date arrived at the salon, her blushing reaction to her new look brought smiles and second-hand excitement to onlookers. The “Danjang Crew” cheered the couple with genuine warmth, offering lighthearted laughter 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 “mermaid of the sea” look inspired by K-beauty trends. His story resonated deeply with actor Joo Jong-hyuk, who shared his struggles before success.
“About five years ago, I also worked in several jobs: bartender, bartender, waiter, even at a golf course. I worked as a bartender for almost 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: “Continue,” creating one of the most touching moments of the episode. Makeup artist Pony then created a dramatic dark mermaid look that left Elizabeth stunned. “I can’t just go home like this.” he said, clearly thrilled with the transformation.
Star Power and K-Beauty Master but ratings lag behind
Perfect glow follows a team of Korean beauty experts who open a K-style beauty salon in Manhattan, bringing the Korean art of hair and makeup directly to New Yorkers.
The show is hosted by actress Ra Mi-ran as the salon manager and Park Min-young as the manager, both beloved figures in Korean entertainment. Their casting initially attracted attention, especially due to Park Min-young’s reputation as “queen of romantic comedies”.
Together with 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 increasing K-beauty’s global influence
With their signature tools such as 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 chief Park Hee-yeon explained the inspiration for the concept: “Whenever I traveled abroad, people asked me why my skin was so beautiful. When I told them I used Korean skincare products, I realized how much global interest there is in K-beauty. We wanted to reflect this trend in a meaningful way.”
Despite the ambition, Perfect glowa 10-episode series that premiered on November 8, struggled to surpass 0.8–1.1% viewership during its run.
The next episodes could still have an emotional impact. The next broadcast will feature a personal expert of color, deeply interested in K-beauty, who will elicit visible concern from Pony, as well as a second-year neurosurgeon resident in New York who applies for a mother-daughter makeover to comfort her ailing mother. Their story reportedly moves Ra Mi-ran to tears.
Whether these heartwarming moments will translate into a last-minute ratings rebound remains uncertain. With only two episodes left, Perfect glow reminds us that even strong concepts, star power and emotional storytelling don’t always guarantee mainstream success in the competitive landscape of Korean variety shows.
Sources: Daum
