Even before its premiere, MBC’s “The Secret Friends Club” he attracted significant attention due to his training with Jennie alongside several famous Korean celebrities. Given Jennie’s immense global popularity as a member of BLACKPINK, many viewers expected the program to become a huge hit. However, the show has instead struggled with alarming ratings since its release.
The disappointing results surprised many fans and industry observers, as Jennie is widely considered a star whose projects usually achieve great success. Online forums have been full of reactions from viewers expressing It’s shocking that even a high-profile celebrity like Jennie could be involved in a program that’s doing so poorly.
On March 5, Korean newspaper Hankook Ilbo published an analysis explaining several reasons behind the show’s poor performance. According to the report, one of the main problems lies in the outdated format of the program. In today’s highly competitive Korean television landscape, where innovative and experimental reality shows are constantly being introduced, the the concept of celebrities completing secret missions and building friendships through gift exchanges has been criticized as repetitive and uninspired. Many viewers noticed this similar formats had already appeared in numerous previous programs.
Another problem cited by critics is the lack of memorable chemistry between cast members. Successful reality shows often rely heavily on the personalities of the participants and the natural interactions between them. However, viewers say so “The Secret Friends Club” it has yet to produce a compelling relationship or extraordinary dynamic between participants that can spark a conversation or go viral on social media.
The show has also been criticized for focusing too much on completing missions rather than allowing genuine emotional connections to develop. As a result, the relationships between cast members feel rushed and disconnected, making it harder for audiences to become emotionally invested in the program.
The report highlights this further the changing media landscape may also be a factor. With celebrities now sharing much of their daily lives through social media platforms, audiences are less curious about discovering personal details through traditional reality shows. Because of this shift, producers today must create formats that feel innovative and fresh rather than relying solely on the star power of famous participants.
Many viewers on online forums agreed with the analysis, adding their own reasons for losing interest in the show. Some have commented on it the cast lineup seemed underwhelmingwhile others said the title alone did not arouse curiosity. Several viewers have also argued that modern reality shows need stronger personality-driven moments and natural interactions between cast members, rather than heavily structured tasks or forced moral messages.
Others criticized the lack of harmony between participants and described the concept as outdated. Some also noted that some cast members had previously been involved in personal controversies, which they felt had negatively affected the show’s overall appeal.
As discussions continue online, the unexpected struggles of “The Secret Friends Club” highlight how even a global star like Jennie cannot guarantee the success of a TV show without a compelling format and strong cast chemistry.
Sources: Hankook Ilbo
