Lee Suji, Ji Ye-eun and Kim Gyu-won, who lead SNL Korea 8, are delivering fierce performances.
From Lee Suji, who is "the most talked about," to Ji Ye-eun, the "stuck senior," and Kim Gyu-won, the "ambitious deputy manager." Leading SNL Korea 8's popular segment "Smile Clinic," they created a syndrome. After completing the new season's identity with shocking parodies and solid acting, they showcased a skin-crawling hyperrealism performance in "Smile Clinic."
Since the release of SNL Korea 8, Lee Suji has not lost her spot as the most talked-about non-drama performer in Good Data Corporation's Fundex for four consecutive weeks.
The reason for her popularity is her ability to perfectly copy limitless characters; the "Suji chief" she presents in "Smile Clinic" is considered a new peak in Lee Suji's acting career. With the manager's way of speaking that anyone may have encountered once, the subtle twitch at the corner of the mouth and every look conveyed as if transplanted exactly, she forms a skin-crawling empathy among viewers, earning reviews such as "If Lee Suji appears, you can trust and watch."
Ji Ye-eun also showed clear character growth each episode, cementing her presence as a core crew member of SNL Korea. Until last season she was part of the youngest line, but she is now showing a character expanded into a more seasoned senior position.
In "Smile Clinic," Ji Ye-eun endures brutal "mirror therapy" as she faces the brazen attitudes of the newly joined Gen Z crew while simultaneously portraying the struggles of the "sandwiched generation" still pushed around by superiors in her own colors. She especially parodied Lee Suji's line "nanlyu-do aniya," turning it into a catchphrase.
Ambitious deputy manager Kim Gyu-won is being noted as an emerging strong contender for buzz. Throughout the season he has worked in perfect harmony with all the crew as a likable character, boasting a high laugh rate with quick ad-libs and reality-grounded detailed acting.
In "Smile Clinic," he effectively earned a protagonist-level presence by being promoted in practice to counseling deputy manager and eyeing Suji chief's position; he ranked in the top five for buzz by exchanging tense, competitive lines and real power-play with Lee Suji, an icon of real-world bosses.
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