KBS2 '사장님 귀는 당나귀 귀' featured Professor Han Jae-kwon, who is regarded as the godfather of Korea's Humanoid Robot, who appeared to talk about humanoid robots—the core industry of the future—and the imminent changes in occupations, providing interest and entertainment.
The 340th episode of KBS2 variety show '사장님 귀는 당나귀 귀' (directed by Choi Seung-hee, hereafter "Sadanggwi"), which aired on the 18th, recorded a peak rating of 7.0% and a nationwide rating of 4.9%, demonstrating strong power as the No. 1 variety show in its time slot for 189 consecutive weeks. (Nielsen Korea)
In Sadanggwi's signature corner "Walking to the boss's house," Park Myung Soo, together with Kim Yewon, visited Professor Han Jae-kwon, who is considered Korea's leading humanoid robot expert, to prepare for the coming robot era. Professor Han Jae-kwon, who developed the humanoid "Charlie" in the United States in 2011 and invented the disaster mission robot "Ttolmang" in 2013, is recognized as a humanoid robot expert who has taught robots human physical functions. When the professor introduced himself as a robotics professor and robot chief technology officer (CTO), Jun Hyun-moo asked Park Myung Soo, "What does that abbreviation mean?" Park Myung Soo answered, "Technology… Hwakssi," drawing laughter.
Upon entering Professor Han Jae-kwon's office, Park Myung Soo and Kim Yewon were astonished by the various awards displayed on one side. When Park Myung Soo marveled, "There's even an award from NVIDAI," celebrity brain Lee Jang-won, who appeared as a special MC, corrected him, saying, "It's not NVIDAI, it's NVIDIA," and after continued remarks from Jun Hyun-moo and Lee Jang-won, Park Myung Soo transformed into "angry Myung Soo," saying, "If you're so great, go do it yourself."
Professor Han Jae-kwon explained the reason he studied robots: "My younger brother has cerebral palsy. Watching the robots in cartoons that could do anything when I was a child, I came to the United States with the idea of making robots that could do difficult tasks instead of humans." He also candidly explained why he repeatedly turns down recruitment offers from China and elsewhere despite constant scouting due to his outstanding robot technology. Professor Han Jae-kwon said, "It is true that our robot technology is still behind that of the United States or China. But when have we ever had more money and people to do well? We are a country where semiconductors—the most important component when making robots—are advanced. We are focusing on industrial robots that can provide practical help in industrial sites."
He did not forget to offer advice on the reality that human jobs are being rapidly replaced by AI's rapid development. Professor Han said, "Jobs that sit still and perform repetitive tasks are highly likely to be replaced by robots. But jobs that evoke people's emotions, such as entertainment and sports, will be irreplaceable," adding, "Park Myung Soo's charm is something that cannot be replaced by robots, so he will surely survive," which made Park Myung Soo beam broadly.
Chef Jung Ho-young, Kim Sook and Yang Jun-hyuk drew attention as they engaged in a full-fledged cooking battle to develop a new in-flight meal menu. Teaming up as the "Bang-shin–Bang-sook team," Yang Jun-hyuk and Kim Sook began making rice balls and simmered yellowtail, while Jung Ho-young started making pot rice using rice, pine-cone snow crab and wagyu, along with clam soybean paste soup. Yang Jun-hyuk put instant rice in the oven and turned the rice balls into bait rice. In response, Jung Ho-young said, "I'm not nervous at all," and focused on his cooking.
After the cooking ended, the three judges proceeded with their evaluations. Contrary to expectations, two of the three judges raised their hands for the Bang-shin–Bang-sook team's dishes as tastier, surprising everyone. One judge said, "Jung Ho-young's dish had a flavor that can be easily encountered here. But Kim Sook's simmered yellowtail matched Japanese palates perfectly," and another judge said, "Yang Jun-hyuk's rice balls had a texture I'd never experienced before, which was good," leaving Jung Ho-young embarrassed. Especially as the simmered yellowtail received rave reviews from the judges, Kim Sook said, "Actually, I learned the simmered yellowtail recipe directly from Chef Jung Ho-young," surprising Jung Ho-young once again. When Kim Sook said she received the recipe from Chef Jung Ho-young a year ago, Jung Ho-young finally said, "No wonder it was so delicious," showing an embarrassed expression and providing amusement.
Meanwhile, Um Ji-in appeared on "Morning Yard" with her husband Koo Ja-seung, who works as a professor in Japan, and their two children, adding interest. Um Ji-in said, "After my husband appeared on Sadanggwi last time, it became a hot topic and we were contacted," and she became more nervous ahead of her husband's live broadcast appearance.
To celebrate her husband's broadcast appearance, Um Ji-in ordered rice cakes herself and covered them with photos of herself rather than her husband, drawing complaints from the MCs. Koo Ja-seung, who appeared on "Morning Yard," said about raising two children in Japan, "Sometimes I feel sorry that I alone watch the children grow up," and added, "My family always supports and loves my success as a broadcaster," proving he is a devoted husband and making Um Ji-in smile.
While their father and mother briefly stepped away from their duties, Um Ji-in's daughter and son went to the cafeteria for breakfast with announcer Kim Jin-woong. In particular, daughter Koo Bon-a knew KBS inside and out, which surprised Kim Jin-woong. Koo Bon-a said, "My mother wouldn't buy me anything else and always came to the cafeteria," and added, "This is home-cooked food," adding to the amusement.
Afterward, Um Ji-in revealed ambitions to become the top entertainer and visited the KBS entertainment bureau with junior announcers Kim Jin-woong and Nam Hyun-jong to meet Sadanggwi's executive producer Park Deok-seon. When Um Ji-in asked about her activities, Park CP said, "These days Um Ji-in's activities aren't what they used to be, which is disappointing." Knowing that Park CP is in charge of the program "The Return of Superman," Um Ji-in said, "My husband is a true homemaker," indicating she would mobilize her family for more variety show appearances, but Park CP preemptively blocked Um Ji-in's ambition by saying, "Isn't your husband in Japan?" which drew laughter.
[Photo] KBS '사장님 귀는 당나귀 귀' broadcast capture
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