KBS Today (10th) revealed the faces of 14 new comedians who successfully passed the final selection for the 34th class of KBS.
On Feb. 28, 14 KBS new comedians were finally selected. KBS has brought many young people dreaming of becoming comedians to the stage since its comedy contest began in 1982, and it remains the only terrestrial broadcaster maintaining the open recruitment system for comedians.
◇ A gateway to stardom… a fierce selection process
From Jan. 13 to Feb. 28, the selection for the 34th class of open recruitment comedians attracted a total of 450 applicants, recording a competition rate of 32 to 1. The selection process included initial document screening, practical interviews, and final interviews. As they sought to recruit talented individuals with both skills and charm, a diverse range of applicants came regardless of gender, age, or profession. The youngest applicant was 17 years old, while the oldest was 55, with various individuals including YouTubers, models, active soldiers, chefs, and former athletes knocking on KBS's door with their big dreams.
Lee Jae-hyun, the producer of 'Gag Concert,' who participated in the judging, said, 'We plan to create a diverse stage with corners that can make all generations laugh, from slapstick to sketch comedy,' adding, 'We carefully selected individuals who align with the production direction and will bring vitality to the program.'
After passing the final interview in 2023, 33rd class comedian Na Hyun-young, who made her debut on the 'Gag Concert' stage in November of the same year, noted, 'I heard the wonderful news while preparing segments in the research building's meeting room all day. I want to create a joyful synergy with my juniors in the future.'
KBS Today met with the newcomers who are at the starting point as 'KBS comedians.'
I asked those who filled the stage with lively energy for their thoughts. Kim Ga-eun, who dreamed of becoming a comedian since childhood, smiled widely and said, 'I'm thrilled to be able to spread my dreams on the stage of Gag Concert.' Ahn Hyun-woo, who made the list after re-taking the exam, expressed his determination, saying, 'I will work hard so that the national entertainment program, Gag Concert, can seep into viewers in the year of the blue snake, 2025.' The 14 comedians who were finally selected will sign exclusive contracts with KBS and commence their activities.
◇ 'Gag Concert' returns to prime time at 9:20 p.m.
The representative comedy program of Korea, 'Gag Concert,' will air every Sunday at 9:20 p.m. starting from the 16th. Revived in November 2023, 'Gag Concert' has various segments gaining popularity, such as 'Defconn Some What,' 'Communication King Malja Grandma,' and 'Simgoek Police Station,' which has moved from late-night programming to prime time after more than a year.
Building on this momentum, 'Gag Concert' aims to captivate viewers with a blend of new and seasoned talent. 'Yellow Sea 2025' is a reinterpretation of the 'Yellow Sea' segment that brought audiences great laughter 12 years ago, featuring 22nd class Jung Beom-gyun collaborating with 33rd class rookies Oh Min-woo and Jang Hyun-wook. The segment 'Such a Kind Relationship,' starring 22nd class Park Seong-kwang and Song Jun-geun along with 33rd class Lee Soo-kyung, Hwang Eun-bi, and Seo Ah-reum, also showcases this synergy.
'Gag Concert,' which has become a hot topic for 'laughter without editing,' has surpassed 720,000 subscribers and over 1.3 billion total views on its YouTube channel as of March 4. It is receiving much enthusiasm by showcasing parts that are difficult to include in the broadcast or segments sadly omitted in a non-edited version on YouTube. Producer Lee Jae-hyun remarked, 'We adjusted the broadcast time so that more people can comfortably enjoy Gag Concert,' and added, 'We will deliver laughs with more diverse and innovative comedy.'
'KBS Today' March issue can be found on the KBS website.
[Photo] KBS
[OSEN]