'Hangout With Yoo' filled 2025 with diverse laughter and emotion through projects such as "80s Seoul Music Festival" and Insamo (a gathering of unpopular people), and it adds a warm touch to the year-end with donations for the seventh consecutive year.
On the 26th, MBC entertainment program Hangout With Yoo said it will again in 2025 deliver proceeds from ancillary businesses such as music tracks and merchandise as donations to support vulnerable groups. This year's donation total is 306 million won, and according to the wishes of the cast and production staff it will be given to places in need.
There are 10 recipient organizations in total: Anna's House, Community Chest of Korea, Milal Welfare Foundation, Dongbang Social Welfare Association, Korea Childhood Cancer Foundation, Severance Children's Hospital, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Korea Green Umbrella Child Fund, Love's Ear (Sarangeui Dalpaengi), and Bapsang Community Briquette Bank. The sharing that spans all sectors of society adds meaning.
Since 2019, Hangout With Yoo's ongoing donations have spread a positive influence every year. By giving viewers laughter and sharing the love received across society, the entertainment program is creating an example of warm giveback that a variety show can achieve.
This year Hangout With Yoo presented a range of items and joined viewers as a leading weekend variety show. In the key indicator 2049 rating, which gauges channel competitiveness and topicality, it consistently held first place among Saturday variety shows. It also earned a spot in the Korea Advertisers Association (KAA) 'program of the year' award in the variety category, receiving high praise for delivering new value to viewers and society and providing advertisers with positive brand experiences and social impact.
Especially, "80s Seoul Music Festival," in which Yu Jae-seok transformed into a producer, revived the romance and sentiment of that era and swept ratings and headlines while uniting generations. Singer Lee Juck, who proved the power of class, and actor Lee Junyoung, who showed a different transformation as a dance singer, won the grand prize, and the discovery of hidden vocalist Choi Yuri led to explosive video view counts. Yoon Do-hyun, Solar, Jung Seong-hwa, Liz, Woos, Park Young-gyu, Ha Dong-qn, Choi Jung-hoon, Park Myung Soo, Lee Yongjin & Ralral, Song Eun I & Kim Sook, and DinDin all showcased their voices. The "80s Seoul Music Festival" episode recorded this year's highest ratings with a 7.3% household rating in the metropolitan area and a 4.0% 2049 rating.
Insamo (a gathering of unpopular people), which began with Haha's sale of Infinite Challenge figurine stock and grew into a larger phenomenon, is heating up the year-end. Popularity votes by at-home producers (fans) are held every week, and a group fan meeting was even organized. Led by host Haha, members whose appeal craves popularity — including Kim Kwang-kyu, Jung jun-ha, Choi Hong-man, Two-cook, Han Sang-jin, Heo Kyunghwan, Heo Sung-tae, and Hyun Bong-sik — are revealing new charms each week and gathering fans. The much-anticipated Insamo fan meeting will be unveiled through the Dec. 27 broadcast.
In addition, Hangout With Yoo pursued an open variety format without limits and met viewers every week with diverse items. The episode in which AI decides the day delivered unpredictable laughs with a trendy concept, and the online filial piety service that trended on social media left a warm impression. Also, members who became one-day employees at Incheon International Airport and the National Museum of Korea showed a different kind of collaboration. Delivery Hangout With Yoo, which traveled to Hongcheon in Gangwon Province and Hong Kong, created precious connections, and buoyed by positive response it will return in 2026 as a global Delivery Hangout With Yoo.
The Hangout With Yoo production team said, "We are grateful to be able to turn the love we received from viewers over the year into meaningful sharing," and added, "We will do our best in the new year to be a program that brings laughter and warmth to viewers' daily lives."
The Insamo fan meeting episode of Hangout With Yoo, airing on the 27th, will be broadcast 10 minutes earlier than usual at 6:20 p.m.
[photo] OSEN DB, provided by MBC.
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