The "lend of entertainment" Lee Kyung-kyu drew laughter with his unfiltered criticism of his juniors.
The episode aired on MBC's 'What Do You Do When You Play?' on the 8th and was themed around the '2025 Conscience Refrigerator' with Lee Kyung-kyu.
On this day, the production team introduced Lee Kyung-kyu, saying, "We have a legend from MBC with us today." Upon Lee Kyung-kyu's appearance, Lee I-kyung excitedly welcomed him by lifting him up, while Ha Ha warned, "You would have been slapped back in the day." Lee Kyung-kyu noted, "I dislike excessive physical contact," adding, "Even a dog has a biting time and a non-biting time. At a time when I was in my prime, I wasn't around. They think I'm a dog who doesn't bite. I bite."
Yoo Jae-suk said, "Kyung-kyu-hyung used to get really angry back then, and the rumors were inflated. In the late 90s and early 2000s, there were hardly any people around Kyung-kyu-hyung," and Lee Kyung-kyu agreed, saying, "When I walk through the MBC hallway, the writers are all stuck to the walls." Ha Ha noted, "It was fair; whether you were a man or a woman, you would have been clobbered if you ran into him."
After his long absence from MBC since 'Hojokmate' in 2023, Yoo Jae-suk revealed, "I have appeared on 'What Do You Do When You Play?' Before leaving, I said I hope you find my good deeds, but I really looked, and there was none." Lee Kyung-kyu admitted, "If there were good deeds, I was supposed to appear on 'What Do You Do When You Play?' but no matter how much I looked for them, I couldn't find any, so let's fabricate them. I will go out with a fabrication. But there's nothing to fabricate." Yoo Jae-suk responded, "You seem to really live cleanly."
In response, Im Ji-u said, "It's only me.." which made Lee Kyung-kyu flare up. Yoo Jae-suk remarked, "Mi-joo thinks of you as a truly good senior," adding, "Kyung-kyu-hyung used to assess entertainment back in the day. Kyung-kyu-hyung said at that time that entertainment would become more documentary-like. However, when I asked you last year about the trends in entertainment, you said, 'I don't know anymore.'" Lee Kyung-kyu honestly replied, "A new platform has come in. So I don't know."
Then, Joo Woo-jae asked, "Do you usually watch 'What Do You Do When You Play?'" and Lee Kyung-kyu retorted, "What? Who are you to ask if I watch television? Didn't you say not to come out? You are the one I removed for representing the model. From now on, don't talk, Joo Woo-jae," referring to his self-made entertainment blacklist, which elicited laughter.
He said, "I always wanted to return through 'What Do You Do When You Play?' This is my only connection," while Ha Ha noted, "Kyung-kyu-hyung said he would not only be an MC but also a guest." Joo Woo-jae joked, "Are you doing membership too?" and Lee Kyung-kyu replied, "Stay still, you. He won't do it until he goes out," showing a sensitive side. He added to Lee I-kyung's blessing of "live long" with, "Hey, does that mean to die? Saying 'live long' hasn't resulted in anyone living longer," and got agitated, causing a big laugh.
Lee Kyung-kyu expressed, "I have done many programs, but I wanted to do this one again" as he introduced the 'Conscience Refrigerator' special. He mentioned, "At first, it wasn't a Conscience Refrigerator. The production team brought a TV box. I got a lot of criticism for that. Since it's not your money, you should give me something big. They brought a refrigerator box, and I changed it. I thought to myself, how can I attach a conscience to a refrigerator? If you put it in, it doesn't rot. That's why I made it a Conscience Refrigerator," revealing his pride.
At this moment, Joo Woo-jae interjected, "It's actually a freezer. Refrigeration is slightly rotten," and Lee Kyung-kyu retorted, "You don't know the meaning of life. Just eat frozen food for life." He said, "What's important is not what you did in the past but what I'm doing now," to which Joo Woo-jae pointed out, "You said the past doesn't matter, yet when the 'Conscience Refrigerator' video comes up, you say, 'I did that', didn't you?" Lee Kyung-kyu replied, "Looking at Joo Woo-jae's conduct, I feel I made the right decision to put you on hold," adding to the laughter.
'The returned 'Conscience Refrigerator' allowed the choice between a refrigerator, a Styler, a dryer, a washing machine, a robot vacuum cleaner, or a 72-inch TV. Joo Woo-jae quipped, "You should give a washer-dryer combo," and added, "Didn't we agree it should be grand?" to which Lee Kyung-kyu retorted, "Why is he so loud? Stay still. Whatever we give, what does it matter to you? You're not the one paying. Just stay quiet."
There were two conscience spots. Lee Kyung-kyu noted, "One is about conscience on the road, and the other one is in the subway. At that time, what happened was that an elderly woman was coming down with a bag from Yeongdeungpo. Who would help her? That friend went on air, got a reward vacation, and even got hired. They tested how many of the 100 wallets scattered in Incheon would come back, and more than 90% returned. Our society is an honest society," he stated. Upon hearing this, Mi-joo asked, "Do you put cash in there?" and was scolded with, "Be quiet."
Lee Kyung-kyu pointed out, "If your hand is raised, it means you're still talking. If you're talking and come in," and Yoo Jae-suk laughed, saying, "You all are learning well today." Park Jin-joo also raised her hand, saying, "I have a question," but after hearing, "It's not the right time to ask now, think in silence," she lowered her hand. Yoo Jae-suk asked, "What if you think silently while being on the program?" and Lee Kyung-kyu advised, "There is tremendous development. When I go home, I regret it while banging the ground. Progress keeps happening. Just think about it for about two months."
Yoo Jae-suk commented, "Hyung is real. After this, Myung-soo-hyung says he's sorry, but Kyung-kyu-hyung doesn't do that," to which Lee Kyung-kyu replied, "What is there to be sorry for?" causing a stir. He explained, "Talking while standing is not about saying unnecessary things; it's a character, conduct program contribution test. So, we decided to divide teams—Team A and Team B. The difference is significant. Team B almost doesn't go on air," he remarked. Joo Woo-jae expressed concern, "Isn't that likely? I'm a candidate for disqualification; what should I do?" and Lee Kyung-kyu replied, "In soccer, there's a starting lineup and candidates right? Team B is like the bench," and when asked, "If I do well, can I come over here?" he drew a line, saying, "That's not going to happen. I won't meet."
The teams consisted of Lee Kyung-kyu, Yoo Jae-suk, and Ha Ha on the road, while Lee I-kyung, Joo Woo-jae, Im Ji-u, and Park Jin-joo took charge of the subway. Lee Kyung-kyu humorously remarked, "You four can do whatever you want. You four can go home," bringing laughter.
Later, Lee Kyung-kyu's team visited a commercial area near a children's protection zone with Jeong Ui-seok, the Director General of the Traffic Safety Department of the Korea Road Traffic Authority, who explained, "When there's a red flashing light, you must stop temporarily. You need to remain at a speed of zero before starting again; to protect pedestrians and children, in children's protection zones, you are required to stop at the crosswalk," he said. However, results from a pre-test indicated that there were no stopped cars among the 50 detected.
The remaining four teams headed toward the subway lost and found center, aiming to find people bringing fake lost items to the center. The center manager stated, "We don't collect everything. I think 2 or 3 might be returned out of 10. 7 of them would still be at the same spot," noting that while it's right to bring items in, leaving them untouched is also a good method.
Not long after, the first wallet disappeared amidst the crowd, and Joo Woo-jae commented, "I didn't think it would actually happen; I'm disappointed." Im Ji-u expressed, "I'm a bit sad; I thought this wouldn't happen," revealing her disappointment but added, "We can search in other ways," and "We can think of police stations or mailboxes," remaining hopeful. Fortunately, they found the owner of the second wallet, who was a couple from Hong Kong. They expressed their intention to donate the items to "those in need," which touched everyone.
Meanwhile, the road team continued their uncertain wait, and when a car stopping in front of the crosswalk appeared, the three were overjoyed and rushed after it. Upon saying, "Kids can pass through and always stop," Lee Kyung-kyu exclaimed, "I found it; get ready to finish work! What a treat this is!" while Ha Ha emotionally remarked, "South Korea is worth living in, brother." The driver opted for a TV as a prize but later expressed, "After thinking about it, I will donate it to the underprivileged," delivering an even stronger message.
Before long, the second owner appeared, and the 33-year-old driver said, "I have seen the Conscience Refrigerator," which made Lee Kyung-kyu feel proud. Lee Kyung-kyu beamed, saying, "Look at that. Even the young friends know. The children I raised have grown up so well."
Lee Kyung-kyu stated, "'What Do You Do When You Play?' is such a good program. I thought MBC had discarded the Conscience Refrigerator. But now that it has come back, I'm so happy," he said, becoming emotional. He then asked, "On what day of the week do we record?" adding, "I have no work on Thursdays. I am very fond of Ha Ha and Jae-suk," saying, "I am always ready. I am always prepared on Thursdays. These days I've been a bit softer on my appearance fees. I've dropped them a lot," jokingly expressing his desire to remain a fixed member.
Lastly, Yoo Jae-suk said, "I came out on the road with Kyung-kyu-hyung and found citizens who still uphold their conscience. One day, I will return with Kyung-kyu-hyung on a new project," as he bid farewell.
[Photo] MBC
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