'I Live Alone' recorded its lowest ratings in about four years, and the successive sad news about the mascots who provided healing on the program makes it even more sorrowful.
On the 8th, Lee Ju-seung posted on his social media, "Thank you so much for fighting the pain until the end. Because of you, I was truly happy for 10 years. I love you so, so much," delivering a final farewell to his dog Coco.
Lee Ju-seung appeared on I Live Alone with Coco and received much love. He went hiking with Coco to help with Coco's diet and stamina, and because Coco seemed almost like a person, he expressed his difficulties by saying, "Tends to ignore me," creating a sense of empathy.
Lee Ju-seung said, "I've been loved a lot, and following Kkot-bun and grandfather, I'm sorry for the successive sad news. Coco is chic and sensitive, but sometimes slept attached to me and acted cute. Coco, who is the same age as Kkot-bun, I think crossed the rainbow bridge and the two will be running and playing excitedly. Please offer a moment of mourning in your heart."
Earlier, Ku Sung-hwan's dog Kkot-bun also passed away, drawing sadness. Ku Sung-hwan revealed on the 14th that Kkot-bun had crossed the rainbow bridge and said, "Kkot-bun received so much love, and I really wanted to say thank you for all the love given in this life! If I had known you would leave like this, I would have fed you more delicious food and taken you on more walks — only regret remains."
Although not the true main characters of 'I Live Alone' at the program level, the successive sad news about the mascots, who are loved as much as the cast members, inevitably leaves a feeling of sorrow.
Recently, the flow of 'I Live Alone' has stalled. Amid controversies such as manager bullying and allegations of illegal medical procedures leading to Park Na-rae and Kiki leaving the show, new cast members have appeared to inject fresh energy, but recent broadcasts saw ratings plunge into the 4% range.
On the 7th, rating research company Nielsen Korea reported that the 637th episode of the MBC entertainment program "I Live Alone," which aired on the 6th, recorded a household rating of 4.9% in the metropolitan area. Nationwide rating was 4.6%, ranking second among Friday entertainment programs but eighth overall. It is especially 1.1 percentage points lower than last week's rating of 5.7%, marking the lowest rating in about four years and increasing concerns about the downward trend.
The drop in ratings and the successive sad news about the mascots who were responsible for the program's lovability and healing make the mood inevitably heavier.
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