KBS2 Sitcom “Kick Kick Kick Kick” Ends Season With 0% Ratings
KBS2’s ambitious office comedy “Kick Kick Kick Kick” has made Korean television history, but not in the way its creators hoped. The KBS2 sitcom “Kick Kick Kick Kick” ends with 0% ratings after completing its 12-episode run on March 13, 2025. This unprecedented failure has shocked industry insiders and fans alike, as the show broke records by becoming the lowest-rated Korean broadcast drama ever, with its final episodes recording an unheard-of streak of 0% viewership ratings.
The series, which stars Actor Ji Jin-hee and Lee Kyu-hyung as former entertainment industry stars who establish a content production company, began with modest promise. Its February 5 premiere drew a 2.1% nationwide rating, but viewership quickly plummeted, falling to just 0.3% by episode 10 on March 6. This marks not only the drama’s all-time low but also the lowest ratings ever recorded for any Korean broadcast drama. The KBS2 sitcom “Kick Kick Kick Kick” ends with 0% ratings despite featuring well-known stars and an experienced production team.
Despite the disappointing reception, the show completed its planned storyline, with the finale showing Actor Ji Jin-hee and Jo Young-sik achieving their goal of reaching 3 million subscribers and following through on their pledge to do a semi-nude photoshoot. The episode also resolved an office romance subplot between supporting characters Wang Jo Yeon and Kang Tae Ho. Even with these plot resolutions, the KBS2 sitcom “Kick Kick Kick Kick” ends with 0% ratings, raising questions about the future of experimental formats on major Korean networks.
The Ambitious Vision That Failed to Connect With Viewers
When “Kick Kick Kick Kick” was first announced, it represented a bold departure from KBS2’s traditional drama format. Director Koo Seong-jun envisioned it as a multi-season project similar to Western television productions, focusing on building a universe that could grow over time. This ambitious approach is part of what makes it so shocking that the KBS2 sitcom “Kick Kick Kick Kick” ends with 0% ratings.
“From the beginning, we never intended this to be a one-season project. Like overseas productions, we wanted to build a universe and grow together. While ratings are important, we hoped to carry forward with strong audience engagement and fun, making it a multi-season series,” Director Koo stated during the online production presentation on February 5.
The show aimed to blend various comedic styles, including deadpan humor, physical comedy, and energetic jokes. It marked Actor Ji Jin-hee’s first fixed role in the comedy genre, something he had reportedly long desired. The actor, playing a version of himself, brought his own quirky personality to the role, which was meant to add a refreshing touch to the show. Unfortunately, these creative choices didn’t resonate with viewers, and the KBS2 sitcom “Kick Kick Kick Kick” ends with 0% ratings despite its innovative approach.
Why “Kick Kick Kick Kick” Failed So Spectacularly
Despite its ambitious concept and talented cast, “Kick Kick Kick Kick” struggled to resonate with Korean audiences. Critics point to several factors that may have contributed to its historic failure and explain why the KBS2 sitcom “Kick Kick Kick Kick” ends with 0% ratings.
The exaggerated characters and lack of relatable emotional depth appear to have been major issues. While the show focused heavily on comedic elements, it failed to establish the emotional connections that typically draw viewers to Korean dramas. Most characters, including Actor Ji Jin-hee’s, were criticized for being overly exaggerated, making it difficult for audiences to relate to their situations.
In response to the dwindling ratings, KBS moved the show from its original 9:50 PM timeslot to a later 10:50 PM slot, ostensibly to target a younger demographic. However, this strategy backfired, with ratings declining even further to record lows. The show’s premise—following Actor Ji Jin-hee and Jo Young-sik as they establish a content production company and race to reach three million subscribers—may have seemed timely in the era of digital content creation. However, the execution apparently failed to capture the nuances of this contemporary theme in a way that engaged viewers, contributing to why the KBS2 sitcom “Kick Kick Kick Kick” ends with 0% ratings.
Final Thoughts on “Kick Kick Kick Kick” and What’s Next for KBS2
Despite its ratings failure, “Kick Kick Kick Kick” has secured a place in Korean television history, albeit for unfortunate reasons. The KBS2 sitcom “Kick Kick Kick Kick” ends with 0% ratings, making it a cautionary tale for future productions. The show’s record-breaking low viewership raises questions about the future of experimental formats on major Korean networks.
KBS is already moving forward with its next drama, “Villains Everywhere,” scheduled to premiere on March 19 at 9:50 PM. This new production will feature stars like Oh Na-ra, So You-jin, Song Jin-woo, and Park Young-kyu, and network executives are undoubtedly hoping it will perform better than its predecessor.
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For Actor Ji Jin-hee, Lee Kyu-hyung, and the rest of the “Kick Kick Kick Kick” cast, this experience may be a disappointing chapter in their careers, but Korean entertainment is known for its resilience and ability to reinvent itself. What are your thoughts on “Kick Kick Kick Kick” and its record-breaking low ratings? Do you think Korean networks should continue experimenting with Western-style sitcom formats?
