Comedian Yang Sang-guk, who is moving between hot and cold reception, will he remain a "flash-in-the-pan" or lead the entertainment world with a "long run"?
Debuting in 2007 as a comedian in the 22nd KBS open recruitment, Yang Sang-guk built a distinctive character with a strong Gyeongsang dialect and raised his presence, but that popularity did not last long. After the end of Gag Concert, he drew more attention as a car racer, and he was spotlighted again in the entertainment world by appearing on Hangout With Yoo, where he left a strong impression by appearing as the brother of Heo Kyunghwan in a special episode presented with the "war of money" concept.
From that point on, Yang Sang-guk's entertainment life changed. Following his appearance on Hangout With Yoo, he swept major programs across networks, including Radio Star, My Little Old Boy, No, but really!, Omniscient Interfering View, Hidden Singer 8, Shinppal Talk Show Strange Stories, Same Bed, Different Dreams 2: You Are My Destiny, You Quiz on the Block, and Amazing Saturday: DoReMi Market.
His activities on platforms such as YouTube channels have been impressive as well. Appearing in various web entertainments and content, he is truly creating a "Yang Sang-guk heyday." Yang Sang-guk himself noted on You Quiz on the Block, "Just two months ago I was hearing 'Where are you appearing?' and 'What are you doing these days?' but these days I'm being told 'Turn anything on and only Yang Sang-guk appears.'"
But the crisis came sooner than expected. A problem erupted on Pinggego, hosted by Yu Jae-seok, who worked with him on Hangout With Yoo. While listening to Nam Chang Hee's newlywed life story, he revealed a firmly patriarchal view of dating, and he irritated viewers by addressing the conciliatory Yu Jae-seok as "Mr. Yu Jae-seok" and showing an arrogant attitude by saying "If you say it one more time, I'll scold you," which drew frowns.
On You Quiz on the Block he used the honorific "senior," but on Pinggego he called him "Mr. Yu Jae-seok," which created discomfort, and critics said it was rude that he told the host, who had several chances to smooth things over and save face, "I'll scold you."
Following these criticisms, a series of contents in which Yang Sang-guk made viewers frown on recent broadcasts began to be unearthed. His criticism that after seeing Heo Anna's home he decided not to marry and said, "You should go to prison and come back," was seen as rude. In particular, although he seemed to keep a distance from dating and marriage, since on Feb. 2 he was reported to be contacting "Chosun's lover" to find a bride, criticism continued over his contradictory behavior.
Within two months Yang Sang-guk has moved between hot and cold reception. He ultimately bowed his head in response to viewers' criticism. On his social media, Yang Sang-guk left comments to those who reacted with disappointment, saying, "I am very sorry for causing discomfort," and "I will be more careful going forward." The apology came two days after the controversy began, suggesting that Yang Sang-guk gauged reactions and took feedback. It remains to be seen whether he will show a different side going forward now that he has apologized.
Whether his current attention will be a "flash-in-the-pan" or a "long run" depends on his attitude and conduct. Having learned a bitter lesson through this incident, one hopes he will not remain a "flash star" but continue his popularity and become an entertainer who brings laughter.
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