Actor Lee Yi-kyung has left MBC's Hangout With Yoo, and his image has completely disappeared from the new teaser, deepening fans' disappointment. However, because the producer in charge has spoken directly about this, reactions urge waiting to see what happens.
On the 4th, the YouTube Hangout With Yoo trailer for the Aug. 8 broadcast revealed the lineup for the "Insamo (meeting of unpopular people)" special.
On the day, Yoo Jae-suk said, "Compared with their fame, their popularity does not match," and introduced Heo Seong-tae, Jung Joon-ha, Hwang Kwanghee, Kim Kwang-kyu, Jang Hang-jun, Two Cuck, Han Sang-jin, Heo Kyung-hwan and Choi Hong-man, but Lee Yi-kyung's name was not included anywhere. The video's hashtags listed only Yoo Jae-suk, Haha and Joo Woo-jae, creating an atmosphere that his departure has been effectively formalized.
Netizens reacted sadly with comments such as "He was a beloved member, but to be 'deleted at the speed of light' even in the trailer" and "It's so empty to leave without a final goodbye."
Amid rampant speculation that Lee Yi-kyung was removed even from the cast list, remarks by Hangout With Yoo main director Kim Jin-yong drew renewed attention.
On the 4th, in an exclusive interview with OSEN, Kim Jin-yong said, "In this week's broadcast opening, the three members Yoo Jae-suk, Haha and Joo Woo-jae will officially convey their farewell to Lee Yi-kyung," and added, "Before launching the full 'Insamo' project, we filmed a time to share warm words."
He added the production team's position, saying, "Lee Yi-kyung had overlapping overseas schedules as an actor, making it difficult to continue. Rather than creating a separate special to include a final farewell, we decided to bring things to a close naturally through this opening."
Meanwhile, Lee Yi-kyung was recently swept up in AI composite rumors that were found to be false, prompting his agency to take legal action. Ahead of a new start after the controversy, with his name missing from the teaser, attention is focused on how he will say goodbye amid the final send-offs from Hangout With Yoo members.
With viewers urging "let's watch over the farewell of a beloved member," Hangout With Yoo is set to reveal Lee Yi-kyung's final traces through the Aug. 8 "Insamo general meeting" special, so reactions urge refraining from premature speculation and waiting for the production team's position.
[photo] "YouTube, OSEN DB"
[OSEN]