BLACKPINK’s Jennie is back on television with the new MBC variety show The Secret Friends Club. The show brings together an exciting cast for a fun game of secret gift-giving. Viewers are eager to know when they can watch new episodes and how the show is performing so far.
The Secret Friends Club premiered on February 1, 2026, and airs weekly on Sunday evenings. The show marks Jennie‘s return to fixed variety programming after two years, with her last regular appearance being in tvN’s Apartment 404 in 2024 . The series is produced by TEO, the production company led by famous producer Kim Tae Ho, who previously worked with Jennie on JTBC’s My Name Is Gabriel .
When Do New Episodes Air?
New episodes of The Secret Friends Club air every Sunday at 6:10 PM Korean Time (KST) on MBC . For international viewers, this translates to:
- USA (East Coast): 4:10 AM EST
- USA (West Coast): 1:10 AM PST
- United Kingdom: 9:10 AM GMT
- India: 2:40 PM IST
- Australia (Sydney): 8:10 PM AEDT
- Canada (Toronto): 4:10 AM EST
Each episode runs for approximately 87 minutes . The show is also available for streaming on Prime Video in select regions, though availability may vary depending on your location .
Upcoming Episode Schedule
According to tracking sites, the show has a structured release plan. Here is the confirmed and expected schedule:
| Episode | Air Date (KST) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | February 1, 2026 | Aired |
| Episode 2 | February 8, 2026 | Aired |
| Episode 3 | February 15, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Episode 4 | February 22, 2026 | Expected |
| Episode 5 | March 1, 2026 | Expected |
| Episode 6 | March 8, 2026 | Expected |
The show is currently scheduled for at least six episodes, with the possibility of extension based on viewer response .
What Happened in the First Episodes?
The first episode introduced viewers to the show’s unique format. The five cast members met for the first time via video chat while hiding behind animal avatars to conceal their identities. Jennie appeared as a panda, Dex as a bull, martial artist Choo Sung Hoon as a rabbit, Noh Hong Chul as a fox, and comedian Lee Soo Ji as a raccoon .
The members had to guess each other’s real identities while struggling with the technology. Choo Sung Hoon, also known as Yoshihiro Akiyama, had particular difficulty with the computer system, repeatedly saying “Computers are hard” and accidentally revealing his voice .
A key moment came during the “gacha-style” random draw that assigned each person their secret friend, known as “manito” in Korean. Viewers learned that Jennie’s secret friend was Dex, while Lee Soo Ji was assigned to Jennie, Dex got Choo Sung Hoon, Choo Sung Hoon got Noh Hong Chul, and Noh Hong Chul got Lee Soo Ji .
The first episode showed Jennie turning to artificial intelligence to help with her investigation, admitting in surprise, “I didn’t know it would be this hard” .
Episode 2, which aired on February 8, moved further into the main game format where cast members secretly prepare and deliver gifts to their assigned recipients without getting caught .
How Is the Show Performing?
Despite the star-studded lineup, the show has faced challenges with viewer ratings. According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode recorded a 2.1 percent nationwide rating, while the second episode dropped to 1.6 percent .
Viewer reactions have been mixed. Some audience members commented that while the cast is appealing, the show’s format feels unclear and lacks tension. Others noted that although fans enjoyed seeing new sides of their favorite stars, the overall concept did not generate strong engagement .
Cultural critic Kim Sung Soo pointed out that variety shows often thrive on mystery and audience speculation. However, The Secret Friends Club reveals from the start who is whose secret friend and who is delivering the gift, which reduces the excitement. He also observed that the “secret friend” concept may feel somewhat outdated compared to current entertainment trends .
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What’s Coming in Future Episodes?
The production team has big plans to boost viewer interest. Future episodes are set to feature guest appearances from major stars including actors Go Yoon Jung, Jung Hae In, Cha Tae Hyun, Park Bo Young, Lee Sun Bin, Kwanghee, and Hong Jin Kyung .
This is particularly notable as it marks Go Yoon Jung‘s first variety show appearance ever, which could draw more viewers to the program .
The show will also transition from individual competition to team-based “Secret Manito” missions, where the members work together to create special days for as many people as possible through undercover gift-giving .
Experts suggest that creating unexpected twists and better highlighting the cast’s chemistry could help boost viewer interest in the coming weeks .
For fans of Jennie, the show offers a rare opportunity to see the BLACKPINK star in a relaxed, unscripted environment showing her warm and honest personality . This marks her first fixed variety role since 2024, and she was also recently announced as a special panelist for Transit Love 4, signaling her active return to entertainment programs beyond music .
Also Read: Is ‘Miss Scarlet’ Coming Back for Season 7? What We Know About the Show’s Future on PBS
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