Producer Na Young-seok (나영석), often called the “golden touch of variety shows,” has created numerous popular programs including '2 Days & 1 Night,' 'Grandpas Over Flowers,' 'Three Meals a Day,' 'New Journey to the West,' and 'Jinny's Kitchen.' In recent years, he garnered significant buzz with 'Biong Biong Earth Arcade.' However, his latest project, 'The Spacewalker's Rice Cake Shop' (우주년떡집), has unexpectedly struggled with low ratings.
'The Spacewalker's Rice Cake Shop' premiered on July 31, bringing together Lee Eun-ji (이은지), Mimi (미미), Lee Young-ji (이영지), and An Yu-jin (안유진) from 'Biong Biong Earth Arcade.' The show centers on the four running a rice cake shop in Goseong, South Korea, personally serving customers, making rice cakes, and managing all aspects of the business. It was initially expected to create new chemistry with the four stars' renowned comedic sensibilities.
However, since its debut, the show's ratings have steadily declined. The first episode recorded 2.9% viewership, but the latest ninth episode dropped to 1.8%. Instead of gaining momentum, ratings have fallen into the 1% range, prompting discussions about why the 'Na PD + Earth Arcade' dream team hasn't resonated with audiences.
Korean media analysis suggests the issue might lie in the show's pacing. With the rise of short-form videos like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels, viewers are accustomed to quick laughs and immediate gratification. They are more drawn to instant reactions, unexpected events, and dynamic interactions between cast members rather than slowly unfolding narratives.
In contrast, 'The Spacewalker's Rice Cake Shop' dedicates significant screen time to the four members preparing the shop, making rice cakes, serving customers, and working. The chemistry between the members also develops gradually. This 'slice-of-life' feel has been Na PD's signature style in the past, but it may now be out of sync with viewers' desire for fast-paced entertainment.
Lee Eun-ji, Mimi, Lee Young-ji, and An Yu-jin are all known for their strong variety show presence, and expectations were high for their reunion. However, the show's format, which assigns them separate roles in the kitchen and front-of-house, has inadvertently reduced their interactions. Some analyses suggest that the 'running a rice cake shop' premise has diluted their individual charms rather than amplifying them.
Korean netizens have also voiced considerable negative feedback after watching the show. Comments include, "There are too many mistakes, it's hard to keep watching," "They look too tired, so I don't want to watch," "Did they make the show's scale too big?" and "I found 'Kang's Kitchen' Season 1 fun, but Season 2 wasn't as good when it got bigger. Why make the same mistake again?" Some even questioned, "Why go to Goseong?" One viewer quipped, "Na PD has run out of ideas." Other viewers felt that the biggest charm of the four in 'Earth Arcade' was their playful interactions, and now, being busy with work, they've lost that natural dynamic.
However, some have defended the show, stating that "it's still very funny when they're having a good time." They argue that the issue isn't that 'labor-intensive' variety shows are outdated, pointing to programs like 'Jinny's Kitchen' that successfully generate buzz through work and daily life. The real key, they suggest, lies in how the work process is utilized to showcase member relationships and unexpected situations.
With 'The Spacewalker's Rice Cake Shop' ratings now at 1.8%, it presents a new challenge for Na Young-seok, the "golden touch of variety shows." The focus now turns to whether he can reverse public opinion with future content by maintaining his signature slice-of-life feel while accelerating the pace and amplifying the unique characteristics of the cast.
