Which Lunar New Year Special Earn the Best Ratings?

Kim Byung Man’s “Shaolin Fist” beat “Idol Star Athletics Championships,” and filled the spot for the highest rated Lunar New Year special. 

According to Nielsen Korea on January 30, SBS’ “Shaolin Fist” recorded a rating of 9.7%. It received the highest ratings among the Lunar New Year variety specials that aired on the holiday. “Idol Star Athletics Championships,” which aired during the same time, recorded a rating of 7.5% and KBS 2TV’s “Real Sports Spirit” recorded a rating of 5.8%.

The cast of “Shaolin Fist” consisted of leader Kim Byung Man, Rose Motel’s Yook Joong Wan, ZE:A’s Dong Joon, Teen Top’s Niel, and former H.O.T member Jang Woo Hyuk. The show followed the cast’s journey to the Shaolin Temple located in the Henan Province of China to learn martial arts.

The favorable ratings increased the possibility of the pilot show becoming a regular variety show.