Actor Kim Soo Hyun has found himself at the center of controversy as multiple Korean media outlets point to his ongoing dating scandal as a major factor behind the unexpected ratings decline of Good Day, the star-studded music variety show hosted by G-Dragon.
Initially, Good Day enjoyed promising momentum. Its debut episodes drew viewers in, especially with its eye-catching lineup of 1988-born stars—dubbed the “88-liners”—including Jung Hae In, Im Siwan, Lee Soo Hyuk, Kwanghee, and Kim Soo Hyun himself. The show generated excitement and recorded steady viewership growth in its early stages.
However, the tide quickly turned when allegations emerged that Kim Soo Hyun had been in a relationship with actress Kim Sae Ron for six years, allegedly starting when she was only 15. The scandal caused a storm online, with a series of accusations and denials dominating headlines. As the controversy grew, fans began demanding the removal of Kim Soo Hyun’s scenes from the show.
Despite the backlash, Kim continued filming, appearing in the March 16 broadcast after shooting his segments on March 13. This decision only intensified criticism, prompting the production team to take urgent steps to contain the fallout. They skipped a week of airing to heavily edit Kim’s appearances and announced that his individual recording would not be aired. But even with these adjustments, the damage was done.
Wikitree reported, “Despite the uproar, Kim Soo Hyun proceeded with filming… sparking further backlash,” while also noting that the edits failed to reignite audience interest. Good Day ultimately wrapped up with a disappointing rating of just 2.7%, a stark contrast to its buzzworthy launch.
News1 emphasized the high expectations surrounding G-Dragon’s return to the variety scene, attributing initial buzz to the high-profile guest lineup. However, the momentum could not be sustained amid the swirling scandal. Celub Media and JobPost echoed similar sentiments, pointing to Kim Soo Hyun’s controversy as the primary factor behind the show’s dwindling viewership, despite its promising concept and celebrity appeal.