Group 2PM's Jang Woo Young has been chosen by the Do Driver members as the funniest member.
KBS2 Hong Kim Dongjeon and, in spirit, the Netflix Do Driver series. The two programs are the most dramatic storytelling content in South Korea's entertainment scene recently. That is because a program that had been ended by the old terrestrial standard of low ratings was splendidly revived on a massive global OTT platform and rose to the top thanks to the fervent support of viewers.
Hong Kim Dongjeon, which premiered in July 2022, is a variety show that captures the members' changing joys and sorrows according to fate through the simple concept of "coin toss." The fresh yet steady combination of Hong Jin Kyung, Kim Sook, Cho Sae-ho, Joo Woo Jae and Jang Woo Young delivered increasingly powerful synergy with each episode and recorded high levels of public interest, and as a result an unusually strong fandom formed for a variety show. But low ratings held them back, and the show ultimately ended after about a year and a half.
This process further rallied the fandom. Opposition petitions flooded the viewers' petition board, and they voiced their opinions through truck protests. Amid the passionate support, Hong Kim Dongjeon moved to Netflix and was splendidly revived as Do Driver: in search of the lost screw, and it took the No. 1 spot in Netflix's South Korea TV show category within two days of release. It was a clear moment that proved how solid Hong Kim Dongjeon's fandom was and that the success of the content was not confined to ratings numbers.
Following Do Driver: in search of the lost screw, the members are meeting viewers every Sunday at 5 p.m. with Do Driver: in search of the lost steering wheel. They continue to deliver laughs with their still strong chemistry.
Jang Woo Young, who is also a member of group 2PM, showed awkwardness early on in Hong Kim Dongjeon because he had little connection with the other members, but he won everyone over by pushing forward with his distinctive comedy. Before long everyone warmed to him, and Jang Woo Young's wordplay became an indispensable laughter point in Do Driver, and he has been active as the "maknae on top," creating diverse chemistry with members across the board.
On the 4th, a day before the Chuseok holiday, Jang Woo Young met OSEN at a studio in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, and looked back on Hong Kim Dongjeon and Do Driver. He said, "When Hong Kim Dongjeon started, I didn't know what the future held for me. I had vague concerns about that, but I believed 'It will be okay because Jinyoung nuna is here, it will be okay because Sook nuna is here, it will be okay because Sae-ho hyung is here, it will be okay because Woo-jae hyung is here,' and 'Since these people are here, whatever I do will be fine.' And the production team made Hong Kim Dongjeon my playground, so I just blurted things out endlessly. Through that I was able to gain confidence."
Although he was the last character to appear in the first episode of Hong Kim Dongjeon, Jang Woo Young achieved growth in the entertainment aspect as the first character to appear in Do Driver's first episode. About him, Cho Sae-ho said, "I was so shocked I wondered if there could be someone this funny. These days when people ask 'Who is funny?' I answer without hesitation: Jang Woo Young." Joo Woo Jae also said, "It's not that Jang Woo Young adapted. The four of us adapted to Jang Woo Young. Jang Woo Young never tried to adapt. We became accustomed to him and fell in love with him. These days, when someone asks for a recommendation about who's funny, I say Jang Woo Young without a second's hesitation. He seems funnier than Cho Sae-ho." Kim Sook praised Jang Woo Young as the entertainment gem discovered by Hong Kim Dongjeon and Do Driver, saying, "I really had no expectations at all, but he is the biggest surprise."
Jang Woo Young has shown more of himself through Hong Kim Dongjeon and Do Driver. He recently returned as an artist with a new album for the first time in 7 years and 5 months, and in an interview to celebrate his comeback he described Hong Kim Dongjeon as the program that helped lift him up when he was crouched down. So what does Do Driver mean to Jang Woo Young?
"Actually, there's not much difference. Coming to Do Driver gives me confidence, and I gain a little more every day. Every time I see the hyungs and nunas I learn 'I can do this,' and I think of it as refining and training myself through the hyungs and nunas before going out into the world. As someone who works in broadcasting, it's the most valuable training time, and I have gained a lot of courage and confidence through Do Driver."
[OSEN]