Reactions surrounding comedian Yang Sang-guk's "ho-tong entertainment" are unusual. Recently he has been making his presence felt on several variety shows with a rough tone and excessive reactions, but there is a growing sentiment that the discomfort outweighs the laughter. In this context, the stark contrast with Park Myung Soo, who originated the ho-tong gag and became known for speaking his mind, is striking.
Earlier Park Myung Soo had built his own character through "ho-tong entertainment." To the extent that he could be called the original, he was famous from his debut for a character who yelled and scolded. Even then, Park Myung Soo drew attention with his unique comedic style. Seo Kyung-seok also recalled in his rookie days about Park Myung Soo, "I thought Park Myung Soo's comedy would shine when the time came," he said. He added, "Park Myung Soo was a very diligent person. Some called him stingy, but when he spent, he spent, and he didn't spend carelessly," and "At the time he worked hard at nightclub events, so among ourselves we used to say, 'Even if our socks get a hole, we won't miss events.'"
In fact, today's Park Myung Soo is more than a simple "ho-tong character"; he receives public support for his candid remarks on social issues and relatable convictions. His realistic advice on radio, his empathy in reading social moods, and his characteristic humanity that doesn't cross the line have combined to make him a "character who can be gruff without being disliked."
By contrast, Yang Sang-guk recently has taken a similar "ho-tong tension" on variety shows, but the reactions are quite different. On his YouTube channel he told senior Yu Jae-seok, "Say that one more time and I'll scold you," sparking controversy over his attitude, and later he poured out words to Kim Dong-hyun such as "You're an idiot" and "How do you even do a broadcast?" and received criticism again.
The reason viewers felt uncomfortable is not simply that his voice is loud and strong. It appeared that the direction of the comedy was not the back-and-forth banter that makes both parties laugh, but a way of cornering or belittling a specific person.
In particular, Kim Dong-hyun is actually older than Yang Sang-guk, and although he smiled through the broadcast, viewers reacted with "Why speak to him like that?" Yang Sang-guk's comment that "even a fool character should be moderated" ultimately came back to him for not moderating himself.
More important than anything is public consensus. Park Myung Soo's shouting felt like it carried basic respect and affection toward others even within an old character, and it ultimately produced laughter by turning into self-mockery and relatable reality. By contrast, Yang Sang-guk, while he has been recognized for his presence through a distinctive dialect character and sketch sense on shows such as Hangout With Yoo, has been met with reactions that his excessive aggressiveness and old-fashioned variety sense stand out more.
Of course, because Yang Sang-guk has recently said directly, "I apologize for causing discomfort. I will be careful going forward," some reactions urge not to be too harsh.
In the end, even with the same "ho-tong entertainment," there is clearly a difference in how the public receives it. In an era when manners and respect toward others and keeping to relatable boundaries have become more important even for the sake of laughs, attention is focused on how Yang Sang-guk will refine his own character following this controversy.
[Photo] OSEN DB, broadcast screen
[OSEN]