Lee Kyung-kyu, showing the wit and outlook befitting the 'lend' of variety shows, opened the new year of Hangout With Yoo on a cheerful note.
On the Jan. 3 broadcast of MBC variety program Hangout With Yoo (directed by Kim Jin-yong, Lee Joo-won, Ahn Ji-seon, Bang Seong-su, Park Eun-jin / writer No Min-seon), Yu Jae-seok, Haha, Joo Woo-jae, and Heo Kyunghwan were shown visiting the "lend" of variety shows, Lee Kyung-kyu, to offer new year greetings for the year of the red horse in 2026.
The broadcast recorded a 5.6% household rating in the Seoul metropolitan area. The 20-54 rating, which will be used this year as a key indicator of channel competitiveness reflecting changes in media consumption, recorded 2.9%, making it the No. 1 Saturday variety show. The highest rated one-minute scene was "Special mission! dad's great challenge," when Yu Jae-seok, who followed Lee Kyung-kyu, reached a peak minute rating of 7.9% at the moment before the last candle blew out. (Nielsen Korea, Seoul metropolitan area)
The members began recording by celebrating Heo Kyunghwan, who took part in the "Insamoh (gathering of unpopular people)", becoming a trend in variety shows. Yu Jae-seok said with pride, "Isn't Kyunghwan a star we raised?" Heo Kyunghwan cautiously appealed, "(Thursday, the recording day of Hangout With Yoo) I cleared my schedule," and "My week is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday," drawing laughter. He added that with popularity came rapid agency care, saying, "Don't do anything at the company. They are calming things down."
Next, the members checked their fortunes through physiognomy for the new year. Yu Jae-seok was revealed to be a "handsome face" even though he's not conventionally handsome. When the physiognomist said, "His wife's physiognomy is good so he benefits. His wife has a share in his popularity and fame," Yu Jae-seok agreed, "That's right. I did better after getting married."
The members' look-alike animal physiognomies showed a surprising level of synchronicity: Yu Jae-seok as a mountain goat, Haha as a mouse (hamster), Joo Woo-jae as a fox, and Heo Kyunghwan as a capybara. When asked about the four of them together, the physiognomist said, "Heo Kyunghwan stands out," which made Heo Kyunghwan's heart skip a beat, then added, "He will push forward from now on," fully recharging Heo Kyunghwan's confidence.
They then met the "lend" of variety shows, Lee Kyung-kyu, who offered Heo Kyunghwan, who has one foot in Hangout With Yoo, words of encouragement, saying, "Now you have to put down roots." He continued, "This year is the last. It's the best year. If you don't seize the opportunity, you'll end as just another entertainer," effectively issuing a limited-time entertainment prognosis to Heo Kyunghwan. He gave Haha a blessing, saying that having a large family could allow him to stay on the program longer. To the talkative Joo Woo-jae, he said, "You stay still. Didn't you see what (I) Yoon-seok did? That guy doesn't even breathe in front of me," delivering repeated teasing that drew laughs.
Lee Kyung-kyu's remarks about coveting Yu Jae-seok's vacant seat next to him had everyone in stitches. While offering words of encouragement to Yu Jae-seok, Lee Kyung-kyu mentioned 'You Quiz on the Block,' and Yu Jae-seok said in surprise, "I didn't expect you to think of 'You Quiz.' It's very fresh," expressing astonishment. Lee Kyung-kyu intended to fill the gap for now and later give up the seat, and pointed at Joo Woo-jae, saying, "If he sits in the seat, he won't give it up," teasing again.
Interest focused on Lee Kyung-kyu's predictions for variety shows in 2026. Lee Kyung-kyu, speaking about the expanded stages for entertainers due to media diversification, said, "Big stars like Jae-seok and I won't appear. A lot of small fry will come out," offering the forecast, "In 2026, small fry will dominate." His analysis was that when there are many outlets, big names don't stand out.
During Lee Kyung-kyu's passionate speech, a surprise guest who had come secretly appeared. It was Lee Kyung-kyu's daughter, Lee Ye-rim, and son-in-law Kim Young-chan. The scolding father quickly returned to the gentle dad he was at the sight of his daughter and son-in-law. Then Lee Kyung-kyu and the members set out to extinguish 20 candles with nunchaku in "Special mission! dad's great challenge" to win a gift for Ye-rim. After continued failures, Yu Jae-seok, who has a fear of game challenges, handled the candles Lee Kyung-kyu the dad couldn't finish. Fathers, husbands and uncles joined forces and succeeded in extinguishing the candles on the fourth attempt, releasing a dopamine rush.
Meanwhile, the next episode preview showed Yu Jae-seok, Haha, Joo Woo-jae and Heo Kyunghwan attending "baby (Kim) Kwang-gyu's 60th birthday party," raising expectations for more laughs. Broadcast every Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
[photo] OSEN DB, 'Hangout With Yoo'
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