In a bid to breathe new life into the nighttime music talk show 'The Seasons', ZICO steps up as the show's new MC, sparking curiosity about his potential to overturn the program's struggle with ratings. On March 25th, KBS revealed to Sports Kyunghyang, "ZICO will succeed Lee HyoRi as the MC of 'The Seasons', marking his debut on April 26th."
'The Seasons' has been a pioneering seasonal music program that has stirred significant buzz since its inception. Starting with Jay Park (Season 1), Choi JeongHoon (Season 2), and AKMU (Season 3), each season has been led by different MCs, including Lee HyoRi who captivated audiences with 'Lee Hyori's Red Carpet' in Season 4.
The program faced possible cancellation earlier this year following the discontinuation of another variety show, 'Hong Kim Dongjeon'. However, the selection of Lee HyoRi as the new MC put an end to the controversies, with her season premiere on January 5th achieving a record-breaking 1.9% viewership rating. Furthermore, the viewership on the OTT platform Wavve tripled compared to the finale of Season 3, painting a promising future for 'The Seasons'.
Despite the initial success, Lee HyoRi's season struggled to surpass the challenging 2% viewership threshold as it neared its conclusion. The program's format, ending each season after three months, has left audiences expressing their longing for more. At the press conference for 'Lee Hyori's Red Carpet' in January, PD Choi Seung Hee hinted at a possible extension of Lee HyoRi's tenure as MC, fueling audience expectations. However, the show proceeded as planned, concluding Season 4 and announcing ZICO as the next MC.
ZICO, who previously co-hosted MBC's 'Show! Music Core' alongside actress Kim SoHyun and SHINee's MinHo for about eight months starting July 2014, is no stranger to hosting music programs. This, however, will be his first solo venture as an MC, raising anticipation about whether his experience can address the show's ratings challenges.
As Lee HyoRi prepares for her final episode, with a grand finale featuring all past MCs, all eyes are on how 'Lee Hyori's Red Carpet' will conclude and whether it can surpass the elusive 2% viewership mark. With special guests lined up for the last broadcast, the anticipation for a successful closure and a fresh start with ZICO at the helm is palpable.
As 'The Seasons' turns a new leaf with ZICO, the music talk show landscape is poised for an exciting shift. With ZICO's unique charm and experience, there's a palpable buzz about the fresh dynamics he'll bring to the show. Fans and viewers alike are eagerly awaiting the next chapter of 'The Seasons', hopeful for a revival in both spirit and ratings.
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