'Hangout With Yoo' members made an appearance at the buzzed-about 'Gukjungbak (National Museum of Korea)' and spent a fruitful day from labor to talent donation.
On the 29th, the MBC variety show 'Hangout With Yoo' (abbreviated '놀뭐') depicted Yoo Jae-seok, HaHa, Joo Woo-jae and guest Heo Kyung-hwan becoming one-day staff at the National Museum of Korea to prepare the special exhibition "Our Yi Sun-sin." The hot place that surpassed 5 million cumulative visitors this year, the precious home of our history, became the setting for the members' labor, which captured viewers by delivering both usefulness and entertainment.
Notably, the key metric gauging the show's channel competitiveness and buzz, the 2049 rating, recorded 1.8% based on Nielsen Korea's metropolitan area, continuing its run as the No. 1 Saturday variety show.
Coincidentally, recently on 'Hangout With Yoo' former fixed member actor Lee Yi-kyung departed the show. Regarding this, Lee Yi-kyung revealed that he had been offered to leave by production despite being embroiled in private life rumors due to a false accusation by an internet user. When criticism arose, the production team apologized and the matter was put to rest.
Reflecting that public opinion, the show's average nationwide household rating for 'Hangout With Yoo' recorded 4% that day. Despite a continued downward trend, it maintained the top spot in the 2049 rating for Saturday.
Arriving at 'Gukjungbak,' the four entered exhibition spaces not yet open to visitors. Yoo Jae-seok and Heo Kyung-hwan began work installing replicas that looked exactly like the artifacts, while HaHa and Joo Woo-jae started cleaning the spaces where artifacts would be displayed. Cleaning enthusiast Joo Woo-jae dusted every corner and showed passion by aligning the podium installation with surgical precision. A senior curator praised Joo Woo-jae's meticulousness as being on par with Admiral Yi Sun-sin, and the four felt proud of the exhibition space they had touched.
Yoo Jae-seok and Heo Kyung-hwan continued shelving duties at the goods section. Previously Yoo Jae-seok once wore the Goryongpo beach towel from 'Gukjungbak' and caused a sellout frenzy; this time he wore a children's helmet fur hat and wrapped himself in a Myungnyang naval battle blanket depicting 12 ships. Heo Kyung-hwan reacted to Yoo Jae-seok dressed up in goods, saying, "It feels like wearing several luxury brands." Inventive items, including a limited wine stopper for the Yi Sun-sin exhibition, drew attention, and Heo Kyung-hwan, reverting to his inner child, begged Yoo Jae-seok, "Buy it for me," adding more laughter.
Next, the four carried out work placing exhibition label stickers. All of them, in a 'wall-as-one' state, applied intense concentration, but HaHa's mistake of omitting a character was discovered. Yoo Jae-seok scolded HaHa, who had made the mistake and was also late after going to the bathroom. Moreover, even usually reliable Joo Woo-jae was affected by the error and ran into difficulty. At that moment, a passing staff member solved in an instant the task the members had been struggling with for an hour, and the four, who learned the knack belatedly, quickly finished the work.
Finally, the four participated in the audio guides as a talent donation and did something meaningful. When Yoo Jae-seok was offered the role of the general, he said, "I was practicing being a general even without this. There's no one here with an imposing voice," showing the prepared stance of a general. HaHa, who took the role of the subordinate, received boos from the first line due to an awkward vocalization, and Joo Woo-jae pointed out, "It's too much to hear at 'Gukjungbak.'" However, Joo Woo-jae also delivered an awkward dialect performance and could not avoid boos.
Heo Kyung-hwan unleashed a dreadful ad-lib containing his catchphrase, saying, "General, dodge! If you get stabbed, no no that's not allowed!" which provoked laughter. While loudly criticizing others, Heo Kyung-hwan kept repeating, "Joseon is…," and choked up; Yoo Jae-seok, trying not to laugh, asked Heo Kyung-hwan, "Are you sad?" which sent everyone into peals of laughter. Their talent donation, which would add a spoonful of fun to a serious exhibition, made viewers look forward to hearing the four voices at 'Gukjungbak.'
Interest in '놀뭐' remains steady. The preview for the next broadcast showed members of the "Insamo (the club of unpopular people)" attempting an idol-style video call fan signing, promising more big laughs. Whether 'Hangout With Yoo,' which shows strength in large projects, will once again regain momentum is drawing attention. 'Hangout With Yoo' airs every Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
[Photo] OSEN DB, provided by MBC.
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