Web variety show Pinggyego’s spinoff "Punghyanggo 2" wrapped with overwhelming buzz.
Released over five weeks on YouTube channel DdeunDdeun, "Punghyanggo 2" follows an off-the-cuff travel concept―no reservations, no apps, no plan―with Yoo Jae-suk, Lee Sung-min, Ji Seok-jin, and Yang Se-chan. The quartet hit Vienna, Austria, and Budapest, Hungary, embracing unpredictable moments for a real, laugh-out-loud, highly relatable trip. Despite its long-form runtime―about 110 minutes per episode―the series surpassed 35.6 million cumulative views across all episodes as of the 24th, proving its massive traction.
Viewers were all in on the group chemistry that deepened week by week. Reactions included: “I laughed so much this past month,” “Their growing closeness became a must-watch point,” “Their unfiltered charm made it feel like I was traveling with them,” and “The four-way banter is flawless―want to see this lineup again.”
This season also aired on TV for the first time via ENA, and the ratings delivered. After the trip kicked off in earnest, "Punghyanggo 2" consistently topped a 1% rating in the 20-49 target demo and averaged above 2% in nationwide household ratings (Nielsen Korea). Compared to the time-slot average before its launch, ratings roughly tripled―clear evidence that the buzz translated on air.
Official "Punghyanggo 2" merch on Marpple Shop is also flying. Orders are pouring in not only from Korea but from overseas, including the United States and Japan. The lineup―hoodies, ball caps, keyrings, and luggage tags―sold out within a day. Thanks to the heated demand, additional pre-orders are underway for the hoodies and caps.
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(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)