Whenever Possible's Yoo Jae-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Cha Tae-hyun, and Jang Hyuk thrillingly concluded the final stage of season 3's finale.
As a result, the 35th episode of Whenever Possible recorded 5.1% in metropolitan households and 4.5% nationwide, achieving its highest ratings and marking a successful conclusion to season 3. It not only ranked first in the 2049 and metropolitan household ratings during the same time slot but also took the top spot in the entire Tuesday entertainment 2049 ratings. Concluding every season with its highest ratings heightened expectations for the next season and proved the program's true strength.
SBS Whenever Possible, directed by Choi Bo-pil and written by Chae Jin-a, is a variety show that delivers luck during fleeting moments encountered in daily life through its 'gap tactics.' In the 35th episode, aired on the 19th, 2MCs Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok, along with 'gap friends' Cha Tae-hyun and Jang Hyuk, visited a sock store in Ahyeon-dong and the National Theater, creating unprecedented laughter through their Tikitaka.
Yoo Jae-suk welcomed the return of the official ending fairy Cha Tae-hyun and Jang Hyuk in the last episode of season 3, saying, "Tae-hyun always ends the season. Whenever you appear, the ratings go up." Cha Tae-hyun confidently replied, "It's a guarantee," making Yoo Jae-suk burst out laughing. Additionally, Cha Tae-hyun drew laughs as he playfully teased Jang Hyuk. Cha Tae-hyun remarked to Jang Hyuk, "You didn't get the rhythm and pitch right as the first guest at Hong Kyung-min's concert." This prompted Jang Hyuk to retort, "Hey, you XX!" At this, Yoo Jae-suk interjected, saying, "For broadcasting, we should say 'Hey! You rascal!'" as he kept the tone polite and started another burst of laughter.
The first gap owner that Yoo Jae-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Cha Tae-hyun, and Jang Hyuk found was the owner and staff of the sock store. The gap owner revealed, "Wearing new socks reduces Monday blues. I started this business based on that experience," resonating with the working audience. The first game, starting with two bonus coupons, was to 'throw socks into the laundry basket.' After succeeding at the first stage on the third attempt, Cha Tae-hyun declared, "I need to write a talisman," wore the socks made by the gap owner, and miraculously succeeded at the second stage on his seventh attempt, surprising everyone. However, they sadly failed at the third stage. The gap owner comforted them, saying, "Failing is romantic too, so it's okay."
The second gap owner they visited could be found at the National Dance Company at the National Theater. The last game they challenged with one bonus coupon was 'ping pong ball badminton.' Yoo Yeon-seok confidently stated, "I have a knack for table tennis," and successfully completed the first stage on his first try, impressing everyone. Even when Jang Hyuk passed the second stage on his sixth attempt with a single stroke, Cha Tae-hyun humorously remarked, "I need to absorb the energy of Namsan," and humorously borrowed the gap owner's dance costume as a talisman, causing laughter. Before the ninth attempt, when Cha Tae-hyun asked, "Is there anything else to wear?" and picked up a stage sword, Yoo Yeon-seok dramatically passed the third stage with one stroke, creating a thrilling climax for the viewers, causing the metropolitan household ratings to soar to 7%.
Yoo Yeon-seok expressed happiness, saying, "I was happy to be able to conclude the season thrillingly," while Cha Tae-hyun playfully said, "Because the conclusion was so good, season 4 will be no problem. See you next year!" leaving a cheerful aftertaste until the very end.
This season 3 of Whenever Possible started its viewing at 9 p.m., one hour earlier than the previous season, establishing itself as a true Tuesday 'rice friend.' Additionally, from the first episode, the 21st episode saw ratings peak at 5.8%, 4.5% in metropolitan areas, and 1.9% in the 2049 demographic, breaking its previous highest ratings throughout the season, maintaining first place in its time slot and taking the top overall 2049 ratings for both entertainment and drama, demonstrating solid popularity. Along with this, the final episode of season 3 once again broke its own highest ratings, creating a brilliant finale and proving the unrivaled power of Tuesday entertainment.
Amid season 3's tremendous popularity, the expanded communication in the gaps demonstrated its true value. Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok, through their flexible street communication developed over the three seasons, offered a friendly familiarity that felt integrated into daily life. They particularly showcased the essence of lifestyle entertainment through spontaneous conversations, such as directly asking bus passengers for their impressions of the filming. The laughter zone, where every citizen becomes a protagonist, once again proved the value of communication the program has aimed for, transmitting the vibrancy and joy of reality to the viewers.
The synergy of Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok, who have become known as the 'mom of the MC world' and the 'MC son,' also deepened. Their strong lead from Yoo Jae-suk combined with Yoo Yeon-seok's bold breakthroughs created a mature chemistry. Notably, Yoo Yeon-seok has established himself as a core pillar of the variety show by continuously directing conversations on various topics, artistically using physical comedy, and coming up with fresh lunchtime games, earning the title of 'lunchtime game developer.' Coupled with the synergy as 'MC hats' alongside Yoo Jae-suk, they created a unique flavor in Whenever Possible. This polished chemistry between the two further narrowed the distance with gap friends, gap owners, and citizens, adding layered fun. In fact, viewers responded fervently, expressing sentiments like, "Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok's banter is my laugh button," "They are genuinely good hosts. Conversations flow like water," and "The duo's chemistry feels like the kick of Whenever Possible."
In this season 3, various gap friends, including the official ending fairy Cha Tae-hyun, made tireless and passionate efforts despite the summer heat. Starting with the fiery entry of Cha Seung-won and Gong Myoung, who busted out the 'three-year curse' spirit, to Son Suk-ku and Kim Da-mi, who swept the second and third stages with a 'one-shot strategy' and dominated various communities, to Jo Yeo-jeong and Jo Jung-suk, who showcased the essence of variety with their wit and game sense, setting a new highest viewership rating for the entire season, a total of 30 gap friends filled season 3 with pleasant presence. Furthermore, they energized the program every episode with their various Tikitaka interactions with Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok, amplifying the unique dopamine energy of Whenever Possible.
With this, anticipation rose for what thrilling memorable moments season 4 would burst forth to excite the viewers' adrenaline.
[Photo] Capture from SBS entertainment Whenever Possible.
[OSEN]