'How Do You Play?' planned a gathering for unpopular people called 'Insa-mo', igniting the hearts of hidden fans.
Broadcast on the 19th at 6:30 p.m., MBC's 'How Do You Play?' (directed by Kim Jin-yong, Lee Joo-won, An Ji-sun, Lee Do-eun, Bang Seong-su/written by Noh Min-seon) featured Haha, who had previously noted that he was 'famous yet unpopular,' 'shouting out' to others like him through the specific item 'Insa-mo (gathering for unpopular people)'. The various reactions of comedian Heo Kyung-hwan, who received an invitation to 'Insa-mo' without understanding what it was, as well as Epik High's Tukutz and director Jang Hang-joon, brought much laughter.
On this day, 'How Do You Play?' recorded a viewership rating of 5.0% in the metropolitan area, showing an increase from previous episodes. The key indicator of channel competitiveness and popularity, the 2049 viewership rating, recorded 2.7%, securing the top spot among all Saturday entertainment programs. The peak moment aired was the scene concluding the interviews of 'Insa-mo' candidates. With more than three applicants expressing interest, anticipation rose for the formation of 'Insa-mo,' which spiked to a peak viewership of 7.2% per minute (Nielsen Korea metropolitan area standards).
Many celebrities contacted Haha following his 'shout-out to the unpopular,' with actor Han Sang-jin being the first to respond. However, Haha humorously eliminated Han Sang-jin, deeming him not famous enough. Yoo Jae-suk framed 'being unpopular' as 'the notion that fame does not equate to popularity, meaning there is no large fandom.' Haha was outed for having 500 live viewers on social media, proving he was a suitable candidate for 'Insa-mo.'
The first candidate for 'Insa-mo' met by Yoo Jae-suk, Haha, Joo Woo-jae, and Lee Yi-kyung was 'catchphrase maker' Heo Kyung-hwan. Joo Woo-jae blurted out, 'He seems really suitable,' and Heo Kyung-hwan, who did not know the purpose of the meeting, was left puzzled. In response to member questions trying to confirm his popularity, Heo Kyung-hwan replied, 'My mom is suggesting me for a fixed program,' and 'The fan club was dissolved due to a fight between the president and vice president.' Meanwhile, the camera director focused more on the leaves than on Heo Kyung-hwan, creating a humorous contrast.
Heo Kyung-hwan claimed, 'My fans are hidden.' Haha responded with fierce empathy and laughed, forming a common ground over the term 'popular commoners.' Sensing the moment, Yoo Jae-suk cautiously brought up the main topic of 'Insa-mo,' and Heo Kyung-hwan reacted defensively. Yoo Jae-suk reassured him, saying, 'We want to ignite the hearts of fans who were once enthusiastic.' Heo Kyung-hwan's hesitance while looking at the invitation piqued curiosity about his decision.
The second candidate was Tukutz, a member of the hip-hop group Epik High. His question, 'Who's the one wiping the table next to Tablo and Mithra?' contributed to the rumor of 'Epik High being a duo,' and Tukutz demonstrated his passion for entertainment. He shared anecdotes about saving a security guard from being assaulted but ended up being mosaicked on the news for not recognizing the guard as a celebrity, and humorous episodes misunderstanding him as a manager. Tukutz jealously remarked to Yoo Jae-suk, who couldn't relate to the struggles of being unpopular, 'This is the reality of the national MC. You have a fandom of 50 million, right?' aligning himself with Haha. Yoo Jae-suk, addressing a clearly overwhelmed Tukutz, said, 'You've endured too much and will await his response regarding the invitation to 'Insa-mo.'
The third candidate was filmmaker Jang Hang-joon, known as 'the husband of star writer Kim Eun-hee.' He appeared wearing a mask to foster an air of mystery, subtly converted discussions about his wife into self-praise, and showcased traits of being a show-off by complimenting Yoo Jae-suk's high school diploma story, asserting superiority in both looks and education. He also shared anecdotes of receiving personal tutoring as a child and donating trees in trucks to school, displaying his privileged background.
Stories of humiliation aligning with the 'Insa-mo member title of conviction' had everyone roaring with laughter. An episode mentioned during Kim Seung-woo and Kim Nam-joo's wedding, where Jang Dong-gun told him to acknowledge him but was stopped by a bodyguard, and that the person who recognized him was a fan of writer Kim Eun-hee. Jang Hang-joon asked, 'At this point, do I have to put my life on the line to belittle Kim Eun-hee? Will that make me stand out?' causing laughter. With fewer than three applicants for membership, 'Insa-mo' is at risk of being disbanded, and attention was focused on whether 'Insa-mo' could indeed be formed. Meanwhile, the trailer for the next broadcast depicted PD Yoo collaborating with writer Ha to promote an '80s music festival, raising anticipation. Curiosity was piqued regarding which voices would participate in the '80s music festival' planned to be judged using recording tape.
[Photo] 'How Do You Play?'
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