Edited by Jeon Gyeong Ju
Translated by Kim Hoyeun
If you go back and forth to TV channels that you have never thought of watching, or if you have a particular show in mind, you will find yourselves soothing the tension you have built up over the weekdays. Among them, we look back on the five “critical moments” of Variety shows that have left a strong impression on viewers.
Three Meals a Day: Fishing Village 5 Ends with a Warm Smile (Aired on July 10)
The three members who have warmed the hearts of viewers for the 11 weeks did not forget the fun and touching moments even after returning to Seoul. Yoo Hae Jin, who challenged to make egg rolls for the first time in his life with a sophisticated hairstyle and clothes, and Cha Seung Won’s tit-for-tat chemistry shown as he helped Yoo Hae Jin somehow feels more affectionate in the final episode. Also, to see the two teasing but still taking care of Son Ho Jun, who only appeared by phone call due to his drama schedules, reminded us of why we love this “family.”
Lee Hyori’s Tears in How Do You Play? (Aired on July 11)
Lee Hyori, a long-loved “superstar,” was only a weak human in front of the public’s harsh words. Previously, Lee Hyori and Yoona were buried in criticisms when they held Instagram live in a karaoke room. At the time, the two hurriedly ended the streaming and apologized through their respective accounts, but Lee Hyori seemed to have felt guilty about the incident. While practicing for SSAK3’s official debut with Rain and Yoo Jae Suk, she burst into tears, worrying her teammates and fans.
The Wonderful Taste of the Twist! Running Man‘s 10th Anniversary Special Race (Aired on July 12)
It’s already been 10 years since they ran recklessly to snatch the name tags. Running Man, a representative K-entertainment show enjoyed by countless overseas fans, has renewed the history of “all-time twist” in entertainment shows. The last 20 minutes of the special episode “The Blame Running Man’s Provocation” were broadcast live, and viewers were given the authority to personally catch two hidden thieves among the members through real-time text voting. Choosing Lee Kwang Soo as one of the two thieves seemed like an obvious choice, but the followed twist shocked everyone when Yoo Jae Suk, who members and viewers thought to be another thief, turned out to be a citizen and Yang Sae Chan was revealed to be the second thief. In fact, the scene of the failed arrest drew keen attention enough to record the highest viewership.
Energetic “Kkab” Brothers Dominate Amazing Saturday (Aired on July 18)
In the previous episode of Amazing Saturday, Jang Min Ho and Young Tak, the main characters of the trot craze, appeared as guests and showed great passion. But that was merely a “trailer” compared to these two. On July 18, Jo Kwon and Seo Eun Kwang visited Amazing Saturday in the same clothes, showing their perfect harmony. Seo Eun Kwang, who has only been discharged from the military for three months, drew a smile by receiving warnings as he showed excessive “desires” throughout the day, while Jo Kwon showed his unique “kkab,” but at the same time, made the cast nervous with his flashing wit.
Lee Seung Gi’s Return (?) as a Singer in Master in the House (Aired on July 19)
At the time of his debut, Lee Seung Gi won the title “Nations’s Younger Brother” with his song “Because You’re My Girl.” Since then, he has been mostly focusing on his acting career, but it seems like he has only matured as a singer. On July 12 and 19, members of Master in the House, who served Lee Jung Hyun as their master, performed the so-called “Topgol Concert” that brought back the memory of 1999. Lee Jung-Hyun’s stage as a “techno female warrior” was also impressive, but the real hero of the day was Lee Seung Gi, who sang Kim Kyung Ho’s “Forbidden Love.” With his more mature high-pitched vocal, he flawlessly digested the rock ballad song in his own style. Lee Seung Gi’s “Forbidden Love” clip has surpassed 300,000 views just a few hours after its release.
Editor Jeon Gyeong Ju: A natural-born media geek who is physically Korean and mentally multinational. All dramatic stories are my favorite sweets for life. TVs and streaming platforms are not only the playgrounds but also the weapons.
