Despite Cutting Kim Soo-hyun, ‘Good Day’ Ends with Record-Low Ratings

What began as a star-powered project led by G-Dragon ultimately struggled to recover from scandal and viewer fallout.

MBC’s variety show Good Day has officially come to an end—but not with the celebration many expected. Despite its star-studded cast and buzz ahead of its premiere, the show wrapped up on April 13 with its lowest ratings to date, overshadowed by controversy surrounding actor Kim Soo-hyun.

The final episode featured the conclusion of the Good Day 2025 project, where G-Dragon led a joyful group recording session with the cast. The episode’s highlight came when G-Dragon and Hwang Kwang-hee, the final couple of the "88 Nation" segment, went on a theme park date and rode the infamous Gyro Drop—spiking the ratings momentarily to 3.5% (Seoul). However, the nationwide average was just 2.7%, a sharp fall from its premiere’s 4.3%, making it the show’s lowest-ever finale rating.

While Good Day had initially generated major buzz, the downfall appears closely linked to the scandal involving Kim Soo-hyun. Allegations surfaced that he had been in a relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron from 2015—when she was just 15 years old—until 2021.

Despite the serious nature of the underage grooming accusations, Kim Soo-hyun continued filming and appeared in the March 16 broadcast, prompting backlash. In response, the production team eventually announced that Kim would be completely edited out from the remaining episodes and that the individual recording session he participated in on March 13 would not air. The show also took a one-week hiatus amid the controversy.

Even after Kim’s scenes were removed, the damage was done. Good Day never recovered its ratings, closing out with a disappointing 2% average viewership.

The show’s concept centered around G-Dragon serving as a producer, teaming up with notable figures from different industries to create a meaningful year-end anthem. The official Good Day 2025 track and music video will be released on April 24 at 6 PM, with all profits donated to support underprivileged children and youth in Korea.

G-Dragon’s journey on MBC’s Good Day concluded in its 8th and final episode aired on the 13th, wrapping up the 2025 Good Day project with the release of group songs "Telepathy" and "From the Moonlight Window."

Throughout the episode, G-Dragon, CL, Kwanghee, Jeong Hyung Don, Hong Jin Kyung, Defconn, and Kian84 brought laughs and nostalgia—especially as G-Dragon and Hyung Don recreated their iconic Infinity Challenge studio scene. With G-Dragon away for concert duties, Code Kunst directed Kim Go-eun’s recording, while Taeyang and BSS guided performances from Ahn Sung-jae and Hwang Jung-min, who surprised with his husky vocals.

Daesung also joined for the finale, celebrating the heartfelt final chorus, “Open the Window of Your Heart.” Reflecting on the project, G-Dragon expressed gratitude, saying Good Day gave him a reason to laugh every day, calling it an honor and a joy.

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