G-Dragon's 'Good Day' ratings decline amidst Kim Soo Hyun controversy

MBC's 'Good Day' continues to see disappointing ratings and now faces an issue following claims that actor Kim Soo Hyun and the late Kim Sae Ron were in a past romantic relationship.

In episode 2 of 'Good Day,' G-Dragon spent time bonding with the '88ers' - the group of celebrities born in 1988, including Kim Soo Hyun, Jung Hae In, Lee Soo Hyuk, Im Si Wan, and Hwang Kwang Hee. Kim Soo Hyun played a central role in the group, sharing his candid thoughts on approaching his 40s and impressing with his strong singing skills, which helped boost the show's ratings.

The premiere of 'Good Day' recorded a 4.3% rating, but episode 2 saw a decline to 3.6%. While episode 3 rebounded slightly to 3.9%, episode 4 dropped back down to the 3% range. Given the star-studded cast and the prime Sunday evening time slot, these numbers are considered underwhelming (Based on nationwide household ratings by Nielsen Korea).

'Good Day' is a music project program where G-Dragon, as a producer, collaborates with various artists to create songs that capture the essence of the year. With Kim Soo Hyun expected to play a significant role in the vocal performances, the recent controversy may impact the project.

The late Kim Sae Ron’s family previously claimed that she and Kim Soo Hyun were in a relationship for six years, from November 19, 2015, to July 7, 2021. Kim Sae Ron, born in 2000, would have been 15 years old at the start of the alleged relationship, while Kim Soo Hyun, born in 1988, would have been an adult, raising serious concerns if the claims are true.

In response, Kim Soo Hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, stated, "The claims that the late Kim Sae Ron was in a relationship with Kim Soo Hyun from the age of 15, that our company mishandled her DUI case, and that our manager had close ties with YouTuber Lee Jin Ho are all false accusations. These malicious rumors cannot be tolerated, and we will take legal action."

Meanwhile, attention is also on Kim Soo Hyun’s upcoming Disney+ drama 'Knock-Off,' which is set for release in 2025. The drama follows the tumultuous journey of an ordinary office worker who rises to become a global powerhouse in the counterfeit luxury goods market. As Kim Soo Hyun remains active in the entertainment industry, how the controversy will affect his ongoing projects remains to be seen.