How a Variety Show That Failed on TV Became a Huge Hit on Netflix

Once canceled due to dismal 1% viewership ratings, KBS2’s variety show Beat Coin (Hong Kim Dong Jeon) has made a spectacular comeback on Netflix. This remarkable revival is heralded by the newly released variety show Screwballs.

As of 3:00 PM on the 26th, Screwballs claimed the top spot in Netflix Korea’s Top 10 Series ranking. It was followed by The Witch at number 2, Melo Movie at number 3, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call at number 4, The Blank Menu For You at number 5, Dr. John at number 6, Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill at number 7, Failure Frame at number 8, Sakamoto Days at number 9, and Zero Day at number 10. Just a few months ago, the original program that had vanished from TV re-emerged as Screwballs and shot straight to the top—an outcome no one had expected.

Screwballs is a new variety show presented on Netflix by the production team and cast members of the now-defunct Beat Coin (Hong Kim Dong Jeon). The original show featured Hong Jin-kyung, Kim Sook, Jo Se-ho, Joo Woo-jae, and 2PM's Jang Woo-young in a concept where fate was decided by a coin toss. Although it received attention for its unique format and fresh humor when it first aired in July 2022, it was canceled after a year and a half due to low ratings in the 1% range. Despite its TV failure, its distinctive concept and the strong chemistry among its cast had garnered a loyal fanbase.

While fans clamored for a Season 2, restructuring at KBS and departures within the production team halted any follow-up. However, with Netflix confirming its release, the original members have reunited. Now retitled Screwballs, the show has been reborn—not as a traditional broadcast variety program, but as a format optimized for streaming.

Screwballs ramps up the character-driven humor and variety elements even further than Beat Coin. The cast sports bolder makeup and more exaggerated character settings, engaging in relentless, playful banter and unabashed jabs at each other. Many viewers attribute this heightened hilarity to the creative freedom afforded by the Netflix platform.

The biggest change, however, is in the runtime. Whereas Beat Coin ran over an hour per episode, Screwballs has been trimmed to about 30 minutes per episode. Borrowing the format of web-based variety shows and aligning with the current trend of short-form content, this adjustment has resulted in a faster pace and greater viewer engagement—proving that a shorter runtime can actually amplify the humor.

The comedians from Screwballs TV Show have struck a unique chord with G-Dragon as well, making guest appearances on his “Good Day” segment. Their offbeat humor and energetic presence complement G-Dragon’s innovative style, creating a dynamic blend of music and comedy that resonates with fans. This collaboration not only showcases the comedians’ versatility but also reinforces G-Dragon’s status as a trendsetter who bridges diverse entertainment genres.

A program that was once shunned on TV has turned the tables on Netflix by clinching the number one spot. The shift in format and the inherent differences between traditional broadcast and streaming have given viewers a completely fresh experience, prompting a reevaluation of the original show. It remains to be seen whether Screwballs, returning in an evolved form rather than merely resurrected, will sustain its long-term popularity.