The Go player Lee Se-dol, Super Junior's Kim Hee-chul, creator Chimchakman, and chef Napoli Matpia (Chef Kwon Seong-jun) appeared on 'Radio Star,' which recorded a top viewership rating of 6.3%. It ranked first for both household ratings and 2049 ratings during its time slot.
The MBC show 'Radio Star' (planned by Kang Young-seon / directed by Hwang Yoon-sang and Byeon Da-hee), aired on the 20th, was themed around a special for 'An Chimchakman' featuring Lee Se-dol, Kim Hee-chul, Chimchakman, and Napoli Matpia.
According to Nielsen Korea on the 21st, the previous day's episode of 'Radio Star' recorded a viewership rating of 5.0% based on households, claiming first place for the Wednesday time slot. The 2049 ratings, which are a key indicator for advertisers, also ranked first during the same slot. The 'highest one minute' segment peaked at 6.3%, highlighting the moment when Kim Hee-chul reminisced about when he was at the peak of Super Junior's popularity, making even fans willing to run away at the time, recalling the 'High Maintenance Boss' phase.
Despite his long absence from broadcasts after retirement, Lee Se-dol showcased his legendary candidness. He shared, 'Watching the movie 'Victory' reminds me of my life,' reflecting on the psychology during matches and the changes in his life.
In particular, during this broadcast, he expressed disappointment regarding the character Lee Chang-ho depicted in the recent Go movie 'Victory,' saying, 'He was portrayed too pathetically, which was unlike reality. In Go, surpassing one's master is the highest form of praise, yet in the movie, he came off as hesitant and troubled, which was disappointing.' When MC Kim Gu-ra asked, 'Have you heard feedback from Lee Chang-ho?' he candidly added, 'I haven't heard it directly, but I've been told from those around him that he wasn't very fond of it.' Lee Se-dol left a deep impression on the public through his match with AlphaGo but vividly conveyed the feelings of joy he experienced alongside human limitations, saying, 'There was a time after making a move when I went into the room and screamed.'
After retirement, he has been involved in activities such as Go commentary, education, and lectures, sharing a new philosophy: 'The time spent with my daughter is the most precious. I tell kids to enjoy the process rather than focusing solely on victory.' He noted that he accepts offers for broadcasts as much as possible, but added, 'However, I do not do family reality shows. It's difficult to show my family because of my wife and children.'
He also confessed his unique taste in formal dress style and noted about a variety show project centered around Lee Chang-ho and Lee Se-dol, 'We actually did plan it, but it was difficult with Lee Chang-ho, which is disappointing,' leaving audiences eager for a meeting of two living legends.
The broadcast revealed his human side, which surpasses the descriptor 'Go genius.' He humorously responded to a game challenge from Kim Hee-chul, saying, 'I might lose if it's not on the Go board,' provoking laughter, and teased Chimchakman, saying, 'He's less composed than I expected,' leading the atmosphere. Finally, he expressed, 'The match with AlphaGo was not the end but the beginning,' sharing his aspiration to continue communicating with many people through Go. His words conveyed a sincerity reminiscent of watching a documentary, resonating with viewers.
Kim Hee-chul celebrated Super Junior's 20th debut anniversary with remarkable activity reminiscent of a variety show cheat key. He laughed, saying, 'There are rumors that I've become nicer since our 20th comeback,' and caught attention by revealing that he had lost 5 kg due to dieting, showcasing his 'visual peak' status.
He shared legendary episodes as an 'Idol Ancestor.' He disclosed his experience of ranking first as 'Most Beautiful Man' over actor Lee Joon-gi in the early days, an incident where he inconvenienced TVXQ's Yunho, and candidly spilled behind-the-scenes stories with fellow member Mithra.
Kim Hee-chul reminisced, 'I had a dating rumor with Mithra. He was the first friend I became close with after debuting.' He continued, 'I had long hair and always had my arms crossed while sticking around, which amplified the dating rumors. Mithra kept it a secret from the Epic High guys when we were dating, but Tablo caught us and looked at me strangely.' He added that he appreciated Mithra for seriously listening to his stories, saying, 'I always sat in the passenger seat of Mithra's car. I used to treat the driver with snacks, sharing precious moments...I felt a bit sad when we took a picture together at Mithra's wedding.' Looking back, he stated, 'Now that I think about it, it's all a memory and a source of laughter,' showing a relaxed and mature demeanor.
He conveyed reflections from '20 years in variety' by sharing a story about gifting wine to Lee Soo-man, the former chief producer (founder of SM Entertainment), considering him a benefactor for the 20th anniversary, and discussed feeling a sense of generational difference when working with younger groups in music shows. 'In the past, I spoke only what I wanted, but these days, I make sure to consider the show,' he noted regarding his changing attitude.
Kim Hee-chul showcased his variety talent with his signature impression skills. He perfectly recreated Kim Jeong-min, Kim Min-jong, and Kim Jang-hoon from the drama 'APT.' making the panel burst into laughter. He also shared behind-the-scenes stories of kissing scenes with Seo In-young and Eom Hyun-kyeong from the sitcom 'Rainbow Romance,' joking, 'I couldn't do it because I was the 'Gentleman of Love.'
Lastly, he expressed, 'I want to continue working with Super Junior for a long time,' revealing his affection for his fans and colleagues. He demonstrated both the traits of a 'variety show cheat key' built over 20 years and the genuine persona of an idol, bringing both laughter and emotion.
Chimchakman, who grew to become a YouTuber with a total of 4.16 million subscribers (across platforms like YouTube and Twitch) from webtoon creator 'I Mal-nyun,' honestly shared his philosophy on live broadcasting (Rabang) and his interactive communication through dancing. 'I'm just the source; the chatroom does the broadcast,' he explained the unique style of real-time broadcasting.
He conveyed various experiences, including standing alongside Yoo Jae-suk and Na Young-seok at the Baeksang Arts Awards, the challenges of live broadcasting, the creative value of internet broadcasting, and a heartfelt video letter to cartoonist Heo Young-man.
He revealed his talk know-how that draws viewer immersion on seemingly trivial topics like 'Hard vs. Soft Peaches' and the win rates of 'Rock-Paper-Scissors.' Additionally, he shared episodes of cohabitating with his close friend Kian84 in a joint workspace for 8 months, describing the limits of expression and the flavors of internet broadcasting leading to his retirement from webtoon creation.
Chimchakman left a strong impression by directly showcasing 'a YouTube scene that is even more entertaining than variety shows,' demonstrating his transformation, spirit of challenge, and sincere connection with fans.
Chef Kwon Seong-jun, who won the first season of 'Culinary Class Wars,' shared his thoughts on expectations, stating, 'At first, I went with the mindset that I would definitely win. I have a competitive spirit as someone who enjoys survival.' He also revealed, 'The prize for winning was 300 million won, and I tend to be on guard against becoming complacent, so I thought I should eliminate it from my mind and put it all into my rental deposit.'
Napoli Matpia turned the studio upside down with his unique variety character, describing himself as 'the winner of season 1 of Culinary Class Wars but always living a second-place life.' He showed various emotions, from a strange competitive relationship with runner-up Edward Lee, to giving the message, 'The real winner is Edward Lee,' while retaining the confidence to claim, 'But I'm number one in this field.'
He revealed his multifaceted profile, which includes being selected as one of Forbes' '30 Under 30', chef with influence on the global stage, and challenges in broadcasting, advertising, and collaboration. He also shared behind-the-scenes stories of meticulously analyzing and preparing for variety shows, mentioning missions involving fermented skate, and displaying his relentless spirit of challenge, stating, 'The god of variety helped me.'
Napoli Matpia candidly expressed, 'I monitor Edward Lee, who is in the spotlight for broadcasting and advertising, but I elevate it with laughter,' leading to rounds of laughter from everyone in the studio. He not only showcased serious singing talents beyond food specialties but also proved his versatility by crossing between variety and music.
He revealed new goals, stating, 'I originally don't like going out, so I'm buying a building where the first floor will be a restaurant, and the upper floors are where I'm painting my home.'
Meanwhile, a special episode featuring Kim Eung-soo, Kim Dong-wan, Baekga, and Kim Ho-young will air on the 27th, titled 'K-Ajja Hit Hunters.'
[Photo] MBC
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