Actor Lee Yi-kyung has left the show, and the face of the program's spiritual anchor, broadcaster Yoo Jae-suk, also disappeared from the main image. But a large-scale project, the in-sa-mo general meeting, is about to kick off in earnest. Hangout With Yoo is approaching a turning point.
On the 6th, MBC variety program Hangout With Yoo's new poster was released on the official website. The poster drew attention because, instead of the previous character-focused poster that featured Yoo Jae-suk, HaHa, Joo Woo-jae and Lee Yi-kyung, it showed only the background with all the cast members removed.
Although Lee Yi-kyung is the only member leaving the program, all the members' faces have disappeared from the poster image. The comings and goings of the fixed members are all the more painful, and it is proof that this is critical for Hangout With Yoo. Moreover, the sight of not even being able to see the face of Yoo Jae-suk, the team's spiritual anchor, left viewers with a bitter feeling.
On the same day the Hangout With Yoo poster was changed, coincidentally Hangout With Yoo held its first recording as a three-member lineup of Yoo Jae-suk, HaHa and Joo Woo-jae after fixed member Lee Yi-kyung left. The in-sa-mo (gathering of unpopular people) general meeting that Hangout With Yoo has recently showcased meaningfully was recorded that day.
It was a grueling schedule, with the broadcast airing just two days after the recording on the 8th. Even so, those on site were said to be enthusiastic. In particular, preview stills released by production on the 7th showed not only the three fixed members Yoo Jae-suk, HaHa and Joo Woo-jae greeting in suits of different styles, but also members of the in-sa-mo general meeting dancing and enjoying themselves, which drew attention. Even from the photos alone, the raucous atmosphere raised expectations for the broadcast.
This could be an opportunity for Hangout With Yoo to fill the void left by the missing faces from the poster with its own distinctive "items." In fact, Hangout With Yoo has continued the variety spirit of trying a new item each week. Although Yoo Jae-suk anchors the show as MC, fans accept that even if the cast changes, the program carries on the same kind of challenge in the same time slot as MBC's former flagship variety show Infinite Challenge. That is why they keep listening.
That is why the in-sa-mo general meeting is a turning point unique to Hangout With Yoo. The preceding '80s Seoul song festival' was so well received that it recorded a nationwide average household rating of 6.6%. The scenery of the in-sa-mo general meeting that follows fills the void left by Lee Yi-kyung's departure while cheering the program's item-focused, challenging format. How will Hangout With Yoo maintain its presence, which broke away from the comfortable observational format of watching studio VCRs and talking, centered on Yoo Jae-suk, HaHa and Joo Woo-jae? The public's expectations and curiosity toward Hangout With Yoo have not ended yet.
[photo] OSEN DB, provided by MBC.
[OSEN]