[theqoo] “AH, SEVENTEEN’S HOSHI IS HERE AGAIN”… 2ND VISIT ON ‘EAT WHAT YOU REAP’ LEE KWANGSOO

On the February 6th broadcast of tvN’s ‘Eat What You Reap’, Lee Kwangsoo and Do Kyungsoo successfully concluded their cafeteria business, fulfilling their special contract and achieving a solid happy ending.

As a result, ‘Eat What You Reap’ recorded a viewership rating of 3.5% on average and a peak of 4.6% in metropolitan households, while nationwide, it averaged 3.1% with a peak of 4.0%. Additionally, among tvN’s target demographic (viewers aged 20-49), the show ranked first in its time slot across all channels, including terrestrial networks. 

For the final service, Lee Kwangsoo and Do Kyungsoo prepared a delicious lineup of Korean dishes, including stir-fried spicy pork, beef radish soup, and pan-fried potatoes. With more experience and confidence than ever, the duo handled the meal preparations with skill and enthusiasm. Lee Kwangsoo’s signature pan-fried potatoes, along with Do Kyungsoo’s homemade dishes, kicked off the last dinner service.

That evening, in addition to company employees, SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi and Mingyu also visited the cafeteria, enjoying a satisfying meal. Upon hearing that the cafeteria would be closing, employees expressed their disappointment, saying, “It’s a shame it’s ending,” “This is like a final feast,” and “I’ll really miss it.”

After officially wrapping up their cafeteria business, Lee Kwangsoo and Do Kyungsoo checked whether they had fulfilled their contractual obligations. Their agreement required them to use up 140 kg of potatoes and serve meals to at least 200 people. Impressively, they not only used all the potatoes but also served a total of 245 guests, successfully meeting all conditions.

‘Eat What You Reap’ initially attracted attention due to the strong chemistry between real-life friends Lee Kwangsoo and Do Kyungsoo. As the cafeteria’s CEO and head chef, the two engaged in playful banter while also showing dedication by developing unique menu names and recipes.

Viewers also found it heartwarming to watch Lee Kwangsoo and Do Kyungsoo improve their skills over time. Their interactions with employees, incorporating feedback to enhance meals, demonstrated their commitment to providing the best possible dining experience.

The show also featured notable guest appearances. Part-time worker Lee Young-ji provided great assistance, while auditor Kim Woobin maintained order in the cafeteria. Additionally, SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi, Woozi, and Mingyu made surprise visits, bringing both humor and warmth. Notably, Hoshi visited the cafeteria twice, prompting PD Na Young-seok to joke, “At this rate, he should start getting paid.” Some viewers debated his frequent visits, with some questioning whether he was simply enjoying free meals without contributing, while others dismissed concerns, saying it was all in good fun.

From the developing relationships between the employees and the heartfelt menu reviews, K’Eat What You Reap’, delivered fresh laughs and unexpected twists, cementing its unique appeal.

(…)

“EXO

D.O.

– tvN’s ‘Eat What You Reap’ premiered with a 3.4% viewership rating.

– Na Youngseok PD’s previous show, Earth Arcade Season 2, had a 3.5% premiere rating, while the previous show in the same time slot, Following My Brother to Maya, started at 3.8% and ended at 1.5%. Given that this was Kwangsoo’s variety show comeback under Na Youngseok, there was some expectation for a certain level of reaction. At the same time, since this show was practically a “relief pitcher” for tvN, the bigger challenge was whether it could overcome the time slot itself. Considering how rapidly media consumption trends shift every quarter, this was a heavy challenge.

– In terms of content, it doesn’t feel like the production team put in as much effort and reflection as they did for Earth Arcade, but Na Youngseok’s strength lies in keeping his shows afloat without major failures. Realistically, he’s the only figure in the variety industry who still commands that level of expectation. That makes him a key player, but at the same time, he must be feeling the pressure of running out of fresh ideas. In this situation, how much synergy SEVENTEEN can create with Na Youngseok will be a crucial factor.

– Youth Over Flowers will likely be well-received unless there’s an unexpected turn of events. However, given upcoming military enlistments and other issues, it’s important for SEVENTEEN and Pledis to focus on whether they can secure Na Youngseok as an ally. Broadcast industry veterans still retain a sense of give-and-take. If SEVENTEEN plays a key role in Egg Is Coming at a critical moment, this could open up opportunities to involve Baekho and other Pledis/HYBE artists in future projects. Strategically, this seems like the right moment to consider a long-term approach.

Ah, and in ‘Eat What You Reap’, D.O. mainly serves as Kwangsoo’s reaction partner. It’s essentially a one-man show for Kwangsoo.”