Yu Quiz on the Block Breaks Ratings Record with Song Hye-kyo and Antarctic Team

'Yu Quiz on the Block' has achieved a new high in target ratings for 2024, featuring actress Song Hye-kyo and the members of the first-ever Antarctic winter research team from the Sejong Station. The special New Year episode aired on January 8, 2025, and included heartfelt discussions with Min Jun-hong, a member of the research team. The broadcast garnered an average rating of 6.3% in the Seoul metropolitan area, peaking at 8.1%, while achieving an average of 5.6% nationwide, with a peak of 7.5%. In the key demographic of viewers aged 20-49, the show recorded an average rating of 3.5% in the metropolitan area and 3.0% nationwide, marking it as the top-rated program across all channels during its time slot. This episode's ratings reflect the audience's strong interest, setting a record for the 2049 target demographic for the year 2024 (Nielsen Korea, paid platform basis).

The 37th Antarctic winter research team shared captivating stories about their experiences in the remote and mysterious land of Antarctica. Comprising 18 specialists, the team has conducted various groundbreaking studies at the Sejong Station, which spans approximately 1,700 square meters. They discussed the 'secret ecosystem' beneath the Antarctic ice, estimating that over 50% of the species found there are unique to the region. The episode also included somber moments, such as a tribute to the late Jeon Jae-kyu, a team member who lost his life while attempting to rescue a colleague 20 years ago, and the shocking revelations about zombie viruses discovered in Antarctica due to climate change.

Making her first talk show appearance in 23 years, Song Hye-kyo captivated viewers with her genuine and flowing conversation, sharing humorous anecdotes about her time working with Song Seung-heon on 'Autumn in My Heart.' Reflecting on her 28-year career as a top star, she discussed the highs and lows of her life, including the pressures of fame and her journey of self-acceptance. She also opened up about the emotional toll of facing false rumors and her feelings of monotony regarding her acting before her role in 'The Glory.'

Song Hye-kyo revealed that, at the suggestion of writer Noh Hee-kyung, she has been practicing daily gratitude exercises for the past five years, where she writes down her intentions for the day in the morning and lists ten things she is grateful for each evening. She shared that on the first day of this practice, she struggled to think of anything to be grateful for, but as she began to appreciate the small things, she realized there was so much to be thankful for.

She also discussed how 'The Glory' marked a turning point in her acting career, stating that she approached her 40s with the mindset that she could no longer rely solely on her looks. Despite the challenges of the role, she found herself excited to return for the next shoot. Hosts Yoo Jae-suk and Jo Se-ho expressed their admiration for her candidness, remarking on the depth of her insights. Song Hye-kyo expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome she received during her return to variety shows, sharing photos from the set on her social media and thanking everyone for their kindness.

Looking ahead, next week's episode will feature the legendary Middle Eastern high school exam cheer squad, Beopryun Sunim, and IVE's Jang Won-young and An Yu-jin, who have made waves in both the music and entertainment industries since their debut. 'Yu Quiz on the Block' airs every Wednesday at 8:45 PM on tvN.