A cloud has formed over rising comedian Yang Sang-guk. His attitude and remarks on a program where he appeared as a guest have come under scrutiny.
As his strongly accented Gyeongsang-do dialect has been reexamined, Yang Sang-guk, the "hot" star sweeping major variety shows such as Hangout With Yoo, Omniscient Interfering View and You Quiz on the Block, has hit a crisis. In the video "The ambassador is Pinggego" released on the YouTube channel "TteunTteun"s "Pinggego" on the 2nd, somewhat arrogant attitude and language became a problem.
In the video, when Nam Chang Hee, who is newly married, said he always makes breakfast and sees his wife off, Yang Sang-guk said, "From my perspective, it's really dangerous. Dating is similar," and revealed his views on relationships, saying, "My principle is I won't do it unless I'll do it for life."
When Yang Sang-guk's remark that "my principle is I won't do it unless I'll do it for life" grew awkward, Yu Jae-seok, Han Sang-jin and Nam Chang Hee gave him several opportunities to smooth things over, but Yang Sang-guk rejected those chances by emphasizing his uncompromising view on relationships. Finally, when Yu Jae-seok gave him another chance to smooth things over, Yang said, "Didn't we agree not to intrude?" and "If you say that one more time I'll scold you." Observing the situation, Han Sang-jin sighed and said, "Getting a regular spot won't be easy," and "Is this a retirement broadcast today?"
Some people defend Yang Sang-guk, calling it "nitpicking," but negative public opinion currently outweighs support. Calling Yu Jae-seok "Mr. Yu Jae-seok," despite Yu being far senior in rank and age among comedians, and his insistence on pushing his own values drew frowns, and critics said his apparent rejection of help from senior figures in life made him look arrogant.
The problem does not end there. As Yang Sang-guk's past remarks have been exhumed one after another, they are damaging his image. Most of the remarks relate to dating and marriage, and his comments on recent variety show appearances have come under fire.
On the 28th of last month, Yang Sang-guk declared on SBS' My Little Old Boy that he would "not get married" while watching Heo Anna's daily life, drawing curiosity. Yang Sang-guk said, "It's gone too far. The only thing the marriage partner needs is to have no prior convictions, but at this point I wonder if they should go to prison first. In my view they need to go for three months," he said. Critics said his harsh remarks about the poor state of Heo Anna's house cleaning were overly extreme.
Also, in a video released on the YouTube channel "Alddaldalhan Chamgyeon" on the 7th of last month, he named a woman of the virtuous wife type as his ideal, saying, "I like the image of the eldest daughter-in-law from Cheongdam-dong, the virtuous wife type. I hope she has a bit of elegance," and pointed to actress Kim Taeri as close to his ideal image. That remark has been criticized as out of step with the times.
Yang Sang-guk previously expressed regret on You Quiz on the Block, saying, "I'm hot right now but I have zero regular programs." Ironically, it became apparent that he would be risky as a regular cast member on programs where he appears as a guest. His strong-seeming Gyeongsang-do dialect and blunt, even blunt-to-the-point-of-honesty demeanor are great for one-off guest spots but could be risky as a regular cast member who has to work alongside others. Since becoming "hot," Yang Sang-guk has shown both strengths and weaknesses. As he faced a crisis while walking a precarious tightrope, attention is on how he will overcome it and whether he can land the longed-for "regular" spot.
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