MBC’s “I Live Alone” is officially back on top. The long-running reality show claimed No. 1 in both TV non-drama buzz and the 2049 weekly ratings for the second week of October, riding the back-to-back impact of newcomer Kim Min and “real rice” enthusiast Kim Shin-young.
According to a Spotv News report published October 13, the Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex Report placed “I Live Alone” at No. 1 in TV non-drama buzz for the second week of October. The show also led all variety programs in the same week’s 2049 ratings, holding the top spot for two consecutive weeks.
Actor Kim Min — dubbed the “Dongducheon naturalist” after his debut — topped the cast buzz chart for the second straight week following his first “Rainbow Live” appearance. The report says clips of his episodes keep setting new daily view counts across social media and YouTube, with commenters flooding in to ask for his return. In the following episode, Kim Shin-young pushed through a packed schedule and a 16-year battle with “hellish fasting” to chase a rice-sommelier license, while Lee Joo-seung unveiled his new home as he pursues bigger dreams as an actor, writer, and director.
The turnaround follows a rough patch: after a directing controversy around Jeon Hyun-moo’s Kazakhstan trip, the production team reversed its initial denial and admitted preparations had been made, dealing the show a blow. Kim Min himself was later swept into a brief “manipulation” dispute that both he and the team moved to extinguish.
This week’s episode keeps the momentum going — “laughter cheat key” Koo Seong-hwan takes a romantic ride with a junior from his driving-license exam days, while Seo Beom-joon hops aboard Daejeon’s “bread pilgrimage bus.”
