'Handsome Guys' generated unprecedented laughter alongside guest performer Rhymer's 'paying for meals magic trick.'
tvN's 'Handsome Guys' (directed by Ryu Ho-jin and Yoon In-hye) features five cheerful men who embark on a quest to find popular dining spots free of dislikes for modern individuals caught in an endless menu dilemma, a generational food hunting show that defines tvN's culinary variety entertainment. In the 21st episode, aired on 1st (Thursday), Cha Tae-hyun, Kim Dong-hyun, Lee Yi-kyung, Shin Seung-ho, along with Rhymer, a 'music producer and singer' who appeared as a guest in place of Oh Sang-wook, explored lunch menu recommendations and dinner menu recommendations in the Yonhui & Yeonnam areas. Consequently, 'Handsome Guys' achieved a 1.4% viewership rating among males and females aged 20-49, securing the top spot in its time slot across all channels (Nielsen Korea, based on paid platform in the metropolitan area).
On this day, the first lunch menu the members chose was Chinese cuisine. Lee Yi-kyung, Shin Seung-ho, and guest Rhymer selected Chinese dishes, ordering an astonishing 15 servings of 'five-spiced sliced pork,' 'Kung Pao shrimp,' and 'deep-fried chicken,' demonstrating a strong 'gathering power.' Rhymer notably showcased his expertise in food, leading Lee Yi-kyung to express surprise by saying, 'Are you preparing for the food industry after the entertainment company?' Meanwhile, Rhymer revealed, 'I play the role of a mediator among heated rappers,' disclosing his unexpected influence in the hip-hop world, which led Kim Dong-hyun and Lee Yi-kyung to deliberately create a minor discord for comedic effect.
When the 'paying for meals quiz' time returned, Rhymer, true to his status as a representative of the entertainment company, displayed a big-hearted demeanor. 'I don't want to show my younger friends a desperate effort to win,' he stated, adding that he would pay if the competition became a team event. Ultimately, a rock-paper-scissors match between Shin Seung-ho and Rhymer unfolded, during which Rhymer surprisingly drew with Shin Seung-ho, extending his fate unexpectedly. Cha Tae-hyun commented, 'There's nothing good about this now. It's not heartwarming at all,' and a flustered Rhymer reorganized his 'foolproof strategy' and completed the bill payment, adding to the laughter.
At the steakhouse where Cha Tae-hyun and Kim Dong-hyun's lunch menu was suggested, 'Chinese faction' Rhymer, Lee Yi-kyung, and Shin Seung-ho transformed into viewers of eating broadcast content, provoking laughter. Additionally, Rhymer exhibited his unique mediation ability, reconciling Kim Dong-hyun and Shin Seung-ho, who had a dispute over a 'crab shell,' earning the trust of his fellow members. However, in a brief moment of glory, Rhymer experienced humiliation during a game of 'paying for meals' when he confidently answered that '7X8' is '56' but incorrectly stated '8X7' is '57,' leading him to cover his face in anguish, eliciting laughter from the audience. Ultimately, Rhymer ended up with the bill receipt without eating a single bite at the steakhouse. Ironically, Rhymer was the one who provided quiz answer hints to Cha Tae-hyun and Kim Dong-hyun, claiming, 'I will take care of the payment. Don't anyone touch it!' while shoving the leftover food into his mouth, generating more laughter.
Rhymer's multifaceted performance continued during the expedition to taste 'Pimak (pizza + beer)' and 'lamb skewers.' Whenever Kim Dong-hyun and Lee Yi-kyung engaged in internal conflict, Rhymer jumped up, showcasing his 'organizing king' side. In the 'paying for meals quiz,' he repeatedly faced challenges and could only consume water, demonstrating a 'zero gain' situation. Cha Tae-hyun remarked, 'You didn't eat and only did the math; a true Nobel Peace Prize winner,' leading to uncontrollable laughter. Furthermore, Rhymer, who consistently demonstrated 'big brother leadership' by yielding tasting opportunities to his younger friends, found himself swayed by Cha Tae-hyun's offer to 'order beer,' leading him to strive to beat his younger friends but ending up with nothing to eat and just losing face. 'Missing out on food doesn't matter, but I feel way too petty,' he sighed, generating laughter. Amidst all this, Rhymer again provided a significant hint in the quiz, leading to him paying for the bill, proclaiming, 'What is $100,000 to me?' while generously pulling out his card, continuing his trend of being a big spender.
Alongside this, Rhymer formed an exciting one-on-one competition with Cha Tae-hyun during the final 'paying for meals' quiz at the 'lamb skewers' restaurant. Cha Tae-hyun, pondering from the day's experience of Rhymer covering the bill, proposed, 'If my answer is wrong, I will pay for the meal,' which piqued interest. However, Rhymer dismissed Cha Tae-hyun's wild card and insisted on his answer. Eventually, Cha Tae-hyun's response was confirmed as correct, leaving Rhymer as the final recipient of the meal payment receipt. Thus, Rhymer became the 'great protagonist of the magic trick' by paying the bills at all four restaurants for lunch and dinner, humbly noting, 'It's not easy to get stuck like this; I'll write it off cheerfully,' delivering a bittersweet sentiment that had viewers in stitches.
Following the 21st broadcast of 'Handsome Guys,' various online communities and social media platforms erupted with comments such as, 'It's so funny how Rhymer keeps answering the quiz for the opposing team,' 'The increasing slyness of Handsome Guys is hilarious,' 'Rhymer should definitely get more in appearance fees today; I almost burst out laughing,' 'The members are having a great time thanks to Rhymer, but the quiet munching from Shin Seung-ho is also a highlight,' and 'I've completed the list of dining spots from Handsome Guys again today.'
tvN's 'Handsome Guys' airs every Thursday at 8:40 p.m.
[Photo] OSEN DB / tvN
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