Host Yoo Jae-suk and Lee Yi-kyung of 'What Do You Do When You Play?' received recommendations for secret restaurants from 'The Lonely Gourmet' Matsushige Yutaka, promising to meet in Japan, showcasing their closer relationship.

In the episode of MBC's 'What Do You Do When You Play?' aired on the 22nd, the scene depicted Yoo Jae-suk and Lee Yi-kyung eating guamegi and tail soup (gomtang) with Matsushige Yutaka.

On that day, Yoo Jae-suk and Lee Yi-kyung followed Shim Eun-kyung, who wanted to eat guamegi, to a guamegi restaurant, where 'The Lonely Gourmet' Matsushige Yutaka, who gained popularity on the show as 'Gorosama,' was waiting.

Yoo Jae-suk said, "You said you wanted to eat guamegi, so we came here," and asked, "You haven't tried it before, have you?" Matsushige replied, "I’ve never heard the name, and the pronunciation is difficult." Yoo explained, "Some Koreans love it, but some people can’t eat it," and Shim Eun-kyung added, "Some might find it fishy. The smell isn’t terrible, though. Anyway, it’s my favorite food."

Afterward, the guamegi was served, and Shim Eun-kyung demonstrated how to eat it. Yoo Jae-suk expressed his gratitude, saying, "It’s such an honor to be able to see how Matsushige takes his meal directly," and Lee Yi-kyung remarked, "He eats it so deliciously." Yoo Jae-suk stated, "Although today was our first meeting, I feel a great sense of intimacy. I watched the episode where you had cheongukjang about a week ago, and it made me order cheongukjang myself again."

He said, "I'm eating guamegi with Matsushige," and Lee Yi-kyung commented, "It feels like a scene from 'The Lonely Gourmet.'" Yoo Jae-suk cautiously remarked, "I don't know how this sounds, but Matsushige seems a bit like me," to which Matsushige responded, "Are you talking about the glasses?" Yoo clarified, "It’s not about the glasses, but there’s a somewhat similar vibe, don't you think?" He added, "We should do something together," and Matsushige replied, "That sounds good; 'The Lonely Gourmet,' 'The Lonely Picky Eater.'"

When asked, "What can't you eat?" he pondered, "If I had to pinpoint it, there’s nothing I can’t eat," but during this process, Lee Yi-kyung insinuated, "You don’t really like fish, do you?" and added, "You're quite picky." Matsushige expressed surprise at Yoo Jae-suk's taste, saying, "That’s a strange pickiness," and Yoo commented, "Matsushige might have misunderstood me. He must think I'm a picky person." Matsushige noted, "So that means you're okay with this, then? Others might have a hard time with it," to which Lee Yi-kyung quipped, "That’s why you have no friends. Even your family shakes their heads," prompting Yoo to get flustered.

Yoo Jae-suk asked, "Matsushige, you make food look so delicious; how do you do that?" Matsushige replied, "The best way to eat deliciously is when you're hungry. I don't eat dinner the night before filming and just watch the staff eat lunch. Really, when I’m very hungry, just one spoonful is real pleasure," adding, "It’s real. The places really exist, and the food is genuine. Although it’s considered a drama, it has a documentary-like quality. You could think of it as a documentary drama."

When asked if he usually eats a lot, Matsushige said, "I don’t eat much normally, but I eat a lot during filming. Overall, though, my portions are small; I lose weight during filming. Since I'm an actor, I still need to manage my weight when I do other things," he shared. However, when asked, "I heard you walk home after filming; is that true?" Matsushige stated, "I commute back and forth to the filming site in my car. I drive myself since it’s stressful if someone else is around. I need time to memorize lines or reflect on my filming alone in the car, which is hard to do if someone else is around. Driving doesn’t stress me out. "

Currently, ahead of the release of 'The Lonely Gourmet: The Movie,' he revealed that he has done directing, screenwriting, and acting, surprising everyone. Matsushige noted, "I had to monitor and went back and forth at a very fast speed. I directed in that manner to check things out. It was difficult but enjoyable," showcasing his enthusiasm.

After eating guamegi, the four people headed to a tail soup restaurant in Namdaemun Market. Lee Yi-kyung asked Matsushige, "Do you know Yoo Jae-suk well?" to which Matsushige replied, "Yes, I’m familiar. There's a very famous comedian in Japan, Akashiya Sanma. In Korea, Yoo Jae-suk is about the same level as Sanma." Lee Yi-kyung proudly said, "He has won 20 Daesang awards," and Matsushige commented, "I saw earlier that Yoo Jae-suk is really popular," but when asked, "Isn’t Matsushige a famous national actor in Japan?" he said, "I’m not a national actor. I was surprised that more people recognized me in South Korea. Yoo Jae-suk, you are more well-known in Japan. You’ve received prestigious acting awards; not everyone gets cast as a leading actor."

While eating tail soup, Matsushige asked, "Does everyone quiet down when eating this kind of food? Is it broadcasting well?" Lee Yi-kyung responded, "It’s enough just to have Matsushige here to fill the time." Yoo Jae-suk expressed, "It’s such a great happiness to eat with Matsushige here. Thank you," to which Matsushige replied, "I should be thanking you for introducing me to delicious places. I could never have found a place like this on my own." Yoo Jae-suk humorously suggested, "In the future, the owner might put a sign saying ‘The house that Shim Eun-kyung and Matsushige visited’ in front of the place."

Matsushige shared that his favorite cuisine is Chinese, saying, "When I was younger, I worked at a ramen shop. I still love it after working there. My favorite is gyoza (dumplings), and I make them myself at home. On gyoza-making days, I only eat gyoza." He also recommended Japanese eel dishes. Responding to Shim Eun-kyung’s suggestion of sukiyaki, he said, "I think it’s silly to pay for sukiyaki or shabu-shabu in a restaurant. You can make it yourself. I will even tell you how to make it at home."

Yoo Jae-suk asked Matsushige, who had become quite close with him, to share a food recommendation, saying, "Though I don't know much, where does Matsushige frequently go?" Matsushige recommended, "It’s not okonomiyaki. If you say okonomiyaki, that’s in the Kansai region. I went to that restaurant for the first time last year, and it’s the best okonomiyaki restaurant ever. It’s located in Sakai," adding, "The okonomiyaki in Sakai is even featured on broadcasts. I will let you know the name of the place later, as it’s a really small restaurant. I’ve never had such delicious okonomiyaki; the sauce leaves a lasting flavor in your mouth."

He then offered to guide Yoo Jae-suk when he visits Japan, saying, "If you come to Japan, I will show you around," and Lee Yi-kyung eagerly reiterated, "We are genuinely looking forward to it." Yoo Jae-suk also affirmed, "I’ll definitely go later," while Matsushige added, "It’s not an expensive meal," and Lee Yi-kyung emphasized, "I’m not sure about this guy, but I will definitely go." Matsushige promised, "If it’s okonomiyaki, I will treat you anytime. Please come for sure."

Yoo Jae-suk cautiously asked, "Since I’ve become quite close with Matsushige, can I say to others that we are friends?" to which Matsushige replied, "Of course." Yoo added, "Let’s really go to meet Matsushige someday. I truly want to go."

Lastly, Matsushige expressed his gratitude to fans waiting for 'The Lonely Gourmet: The Movie,' saying, "I was glad that the show 'The Lonely Gourmet' was well-received in Korea. Although some might have thought, ‘Why make 'The Lonely Gourmet' into a movie?’ I hope those who watch it will feel happy about seeing the movie."

[Photo] MBC