(following interview ①) Comedian Yang Sang-guk expressed both respect for and a friendly rivalry with his KBS public recruitment classmate and close older brother Heo Kyunghwan, eliciting laughter.
Yang Sang-guk is recently regarded as one of the main contributors to the second heyday of the MBC variety show Hangout With Yoo (abbreviated Hangout). He first appeared in the 'War on Crime' episode, appearing as the younger brother who had just come to Seoul from Heo Kyunghwan's countryside, delivering big laughs with every single line. Riding that momentum, he not only returned but also made a big impact as the 'prince of Gimhae.' He met with OSEN at its Hapjeong-dong office in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 8th.
Beside Yang Sang-guk, who has been showing a stellar performance on Hangout, was his KBS 22nd classmate and close older brother Heo Kyunghwan. Yang Sang-guk said, "Heo Kyunghwan hyung always calls me once in a while. After I first appeared on Hangout, I was worried because it was all ad-lib — 'Is this right?' — but he instead said, 'Thanks for doing well.'"
He joked, "What should I do? I don't have any regular shows," while laughing and added, "Even though we tease each other like this, Kyunghwan hyung and I always support each other," then smiled. He went on to emphasize, "Because we're really close, we can say these things without hiding them."
Above all, Yang Sang-guk said, "Among us comedians there is definite 'recognition' for Kyunghwan hyung. It would be a lie if I said none of the comedians want a regular spot. But 'comedy' and 'variety' are different. Kyunghwan hyung has been able to keep that color for more than 10 years while doing variety as a comedian," expressing his respect.
He added, "But can I catch up with just one Hangout?" and said with emotion, "Still, people immediately see the image of a variety entertainer in me, so it feels like they see what Kyunghwan hyung has done for more than 10 years reflected in me, and I'm grateful and very happy about that." However, he added tension, saying, "Of course I know it's not easy. I always think it could disappear in one shot."
He said comparisons with Heo Kyunghwan around him could not be completely avoided. Yang Sang-guk joked, "Kyunghwan hyung's HERDAK does so well that he has leeway in variety. Oh of course he does his best. But to viewers, the laugh of someone who's rushed and the laugh of someone who's relaxed are different, and that tension can be read as character. Hyung is someone who enjoys life."
Regarding fellow comedians' reactions, "They say, 'You're better than Heo Kyunghwan,' but those people are not only close to me but also close to Kyunghwan hyung. Everyone knows how much effort Kyunghwan hyung has put into variety for more than 10 years. Didn't hyung suffer for months on Hangout to become a regular? Many comedians dream of being variety entertainers, and didn't he open that opportunity?" he emphasized.
In fact, Heo Kyunghwan has recently been mentioned as a trend in MBC variety through becoming a Hangout regular. Coincidentally, on the day of the interview the news of Heo Kyunghwan joining MBC's new variety program Choi Woo-soo was also announced. Yang Sang-guk joked, "I can't let that happen. Heo Kyunghwan, I got you," while adding, "I want us to support each other and have a win-win relationship like now."
(continued in interview ③)<
[photo] OSEN DB, provided by MBC.
[OSEN]