Even with a star-studded cast including Yoo Se-yoon, Jang Dong-min, Heo Kyung-hwan, Boom, and Yang Se-hyung, “Choi Woo Su San” is struggling to find its spark. The show had a clever premise, taking those who were nominees for the “Excellence Award” (Choi Woo Su Sang) and sending them to the “mountains” (San), but it is currently feeling like a repeat of old formats. With ratings hovering around 1%, there are worries it might repeat the 0% rating humiliation of its predecessor, “Manitto Club.”
The second episode of “Choi Woo Su San,” aired on the 10th, recorded a rating of 1.7%, a 0.4% drop from the first episode’s 2.1% (Nielsen Korea). Billed as Korea’s first mountain variety show, it was created by the production teams behind “Radio Star” and “Adventure by Accident.” As the follow-up to “Manitto Club,” it was expected to be MBC’s savior, but the start has been rocky.
The format is simple: the cast climbs a new mountain each episode and collects “acorns,” which act as currency for games and food. It seems designed for the MZ generation who enjoy “light, mindless entertainment,” but the simplicity is starting to feel predictable.
PD Kim Myung-yeop mentioned during the press conference that there would be various games to keep it interesting. However, the games shown so far, such as “mouth soccer” (blowing bottle caps), claw machines, quizzes, and arm wrestling, feel like relics from old-school variety shows. By just moving familiar formats to a mountain setting, the show’s unique identity is fading. The first and second episodes felt very similar in structure and flow, already giving viewers a sense of deja vu.
Another issue is the heavy reliance on slapstick humor. Many scenes depend on primitive laughs, such as spitting on each other during mouth soccer or making funny faces during arm wrestling. Critics point out that this is out of touch with current trends, where talk-centric shows like “Pinggyego” and “Salon Drip” are dominating.
Competition from heavyweights like “2 Days & 1 Night” and “Running Man” also adds pressure. Those shows have massive fanbases and maintain freshness with new games and guests. In contrast, “Choi Woo Su San” is limited by its fixed cast and the restricted space of the mountains, which some say limits its growth.
If this trend continues, “Choi Woo Su San” might remain just a pilot. It was produced as a 5-episode pilot, and PD Kim stated that they need to beat the 2049 ratings of “2 Days & 1 Night” and “Running Man” to become a regular series. With ratings already dropping to the 1% range, the risk of failing to secure a regular spot and repeating the rating humiliation of “Manitto Club” is high.
However, it is still early, and there is a chance for a turnaround. The production team announced they will be the first variety show to climb Cheonwangbong Peak on Jirisan, which could attract more viewers if it provides a unique experience.
Utilizing YouTube could also be a strategy. For example, “Real Man’s Travel Method” has maintained buzz by aggressively uploading 20-minute clips to YouTube, gaining over 260,000 subscribers despite low TV ratings.
“Choi Woo Su San” has teased a climb of Mount Kumgang for the third episode airing on the 17th. All eyes are on whether the grander scale and scenery can finally win over the audience.
