Yoo Jae-suk

Yoo Jae-suk
Yoo for Happy Together Season 3
Born (1972-08-14) August 14, 1972
Seoul, South Korea
Medium Stand-up, television
Nationality South Korean
Years active 1991–present
Genres Observational, sketch, wit, parody, slapstick
Spouse
Na Kyung-eun (announcer) (m. 2008)
Children Yoo Ji-ho (b. 2010)
Korean name
Hangul 유재석
Hanja 劉在錫
Revised Romanization Yu Jae-seok
McCune–Reischauer Yu Chae-sŏk

Yoo Jae-suk (Hangul: 유재석; Hanja: 劉在錫; Korean pronunciation: [jud͡ʑεsʌk̚] or [ju] [t͡ɕεsʌk̚]; born on August 14, 1972), is a South Korean comedian, host and television personality currently signed to FNC Entertainment. He has hosted several variety television shows in South Korea, including Infinite Challenge and Running Man. Known for his quick wit and appeal across a wide range of demographics, Yoo has established himself as one of Korea's top comedians and TV personalities.[1][2]

Early life and education

Born on August 14, 1972 in Seoul, South Korea, Yoo is the eldest of three siblings. He attended Seoul Institute of the Arts, but was unable to graduate due to his busy schedule as an up-and-coming comedian.

Career

Beginnings

Yoo's television debut was on the KBS Comedian Festival (for college students) in 1991, where he performed a parody of a commercial with Choi Seung-gyung. His dancing to a cover of the song "Step by Step" by New Kids on the Block was another early memorable moment.[1] In 2002, after nine years as a relatively unknown comedian, thanks to a recommendation by Choi Jin-sil, he hosted the program Live and Enjoy Together.[3] He then rose to prominence when he co-hosted a program called The Crash of MCs with Kang Ho-dong, Lee Hwi-jae and Kim Han-seok.

His first Grand Prize award was for the talk show Happy Together Friends.[4]

Mainstream recognition as "Nation's MC"

X-Man

He later hosted the show X-Man, which soon grew to be one of the most popular and viewed shows in Korea. During that time, Yoo became increasingly popular and many programs began to nickname him "the nation's MC". He went on to host various shows, including New X-Man, Old TV, and Haja! Go! (Let's Do It) for SBS, but these were all soon canceled due to low ratings on Sunday evenings. However, X-Man has found success in international syndication, and Yoo gained popularity among Korean Wave fans.[5]

Infinite Challenge

Yoo was a part of the cast of the top-rated comedy variety program Infinite Challenge. He had been the host-in-chief since 2005 and one of the program's founding members.

Despite low ratings during its initial premiere, the show went on to become one of the most popular and influential variety programs in Korea. Dubbed the "national variety show" in Korea,[6] Infinite Challenge became the forerunner of many programs that followed with the same or similar format.[7] Since December 2, 2006, the program has received the highest ratings of prime-time lineups for Saturday evening.[8]

Yoo revealed his love for the program during 1-on-1 talk with fellow co-host, Jeong Hyeong-don, on "Pause" special (S04E300) that aired on October 20, 2012. He said, "I think my life on television and variety shows will be tied to the fate of Infinite Challenge... When will we ever get to do another program like this? No matter how hard you try, it's going to be impossible to do another film like this."[9]

Talk shows

Yoo also co-hosts Come to Play with Kim Won-hee[10] and Happy Together Season 3. In particular, Happy Together is one of the longest running talk shows in Korea and has consistently earned high ratings.[11]

Good Sunday Variety Programs: Family Outing and Running Man

Yoo became the main host of Family Outing as a part of SBS's Good Sunday lineup. Together with Lee Hyori, Yoon Jong-shin, Kim Su-ro, Lee Chun-hee, Kang Dae-sung, Park Ye-jin and Kim Jong-kook (since episode 19), they made up the "family" (cast members) of the show. Family Outing has become one of the top-rated shows in Korea, consistently achieving the highest ratings for the Sunday mid-afternoon time-slot, and has gained popularity among Hallyu fans.[12]

Since July 11, 2010, Yoo has hosted the urban action variety Running Man together with fellow Infinite Challenge member Haha, and fellow Family Outing member Kim Jong-kook, and other entertainers such as Ji Suk-jin, Leessang's Gary (who left since episode 324 to focus on his music career), Song Ji-hyo, Lee Kwang-soo, Song Joong-ki (who left since episode 41 to focus on his acting career) and Lizzy of After School (who left for unknown reasons), Jeon So-min and Yang Se-chan (both joined since episode 346). Although the program did not have a good start in ratings, it later became very popular, and has held a consistent international fanbase to this day.[13]

Other notable programs: Sugar Man and Busted!

From 2015 to 2016, Yoo hosted the program Two Yoo Project Sugar Man together with You Hee-yeol. The programs focus on remaking hit songs from singers who have disappeared from the public eye.[14] The show returned again for a second season in 2018.[15]

Yoo was scheduled to host Netflix's upcoming variety show, Busted!, which started airing on May 4, 2018.[16][17]

Guest appearances and collaborations

In 2012, Yoo appeared in the music video for Psy's hit single "Gangnam Style". In the video, he reprises the retro disco dancing character he created for the mock-band "Sagging Snail" in Infinite Challenge's West Coast Highway Music Festival special, in which Psy also appeared. Following his appearance, Yoo became known worldwide as the "yellow suit guy".[18] He also appeared in Psy's follow-up single, "Gentleman".[19] In 2015, Yoo collaborated with JYP in 'Infinite Challenge. On July 15, 2015, Yoo signed an exclusive contract with FNC Entertainment after having been without an agency for about five years.[20]

In 2016, Yoo collaborated with EXO for the SM Station single "Dancing King", which was also a collaboration for Infinite Challenge.[21] He performed with them at EXO's EXO Planet #3 - EXO'rDIUM concert in Bangkok.[22]

In the media

Yoo has been dubbed "the nation's MC" to his broad appeal and popularity with a wide demographic of viewers.[1] He has consistently ranked as the top comedian in Korea,[23] topping the Gallup poll in 2009, and for six consecutive years since 2012.[24][25][26][27] He is one of the highest paid television personalities in Korea,[28][29] and one of the most in-demand endorsers.[30]

Known for his exemplary image, Yoo has consistently been picked as a role model by fellow entertainers as well as the citizens of Korea.[31] He makes donations regularly to several causes, and has participated in philanthropic acts.[32][33][34]

Yoo is the first television host to have his own wax figure, displayed at the Grevin Seoul Museum.[35]

Personal life

On July 6, 2008, Yoo married MBC announcer, Na Kyung-eun, who worked with him on the show Infinite Challenge.[36][37] Yoo and his wife welcomed their first child, a son, Yoo Ji-ho, on May 1, 2010.[38][39]

Filmography

Television host

List of present programs
Year Title Network Notes Ref.
2010–presentRunning ManSBSSince 2010.07.11
2018–presentYou Quiz on the BlocktvNSince 2018.08.29[40]
Happy Together (Season 4)KBS2Since 2018.10.14[41]
Kids These DaysJTBCSince 2018.11[42]
Beautiful Autumn Village, MichuriSBSSince 2018.11[43]
List of former programs
Year Title Network
2000–2002Achievable Saturday – Star Survival Donggeodongrak (Live and Fun Together)MBC
2002Super TV Enjoy SundayKBS2
! Exclamation MarkMBC
2002–2003Dangerous InvitationKBS
2003–2007X-ManSBS
2004–2012Yoo Jae-suk & Kim Won-hee's Come to PlayMBC
2004–2018Happy Together (Season 1-3)KBS2
2005–2007Yoo Jae-suk's Truth GameSBS
2005–2018Infinite Challenge (Season 1-4)MBC
2007Haja Go! (Let's Do It!)SBS
Old TVSBS
2007–2008Miracle ContestantSBS
2008–2010Family Outing (Season 1)SBS
2014I Am a Man [44]KBS2
2015–2016 Same Bed, Different Dreams (Season 1) [45]SBS
2015–2018Two Yoo Project Sugar Man (Season 1, 2)JTBC
2018Busted! (Season 1)Netflix

Timeline

Television drama

Year Title Role Network Notes
2000–2001Great FriendsKBS
2005Banjun DramaSBS
2008Yi SanCameoMBC[46]
2009Queen of HousewivesCameo
2015The Girl Who Sees SmellsCameo with Running Man members SBS
My Daughter, Geum Sa-wolCameoMBC[47][48]

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1989Young-gu and DaengchiliCameo[49]
1994Tyranno's Toenail
2007- 2008Kimchi Cheese SmileCameo
2008Bee Movie(Korean dubbing as Barry B. Benson)[50]
2009White Tuft, the Little Beaver(Korean dubbing as narrator & Owl)[51]

Music video appearances

Year Song Title Artist
2004"Cause' You're Pretty" (이쁘니까)Shinnago
2005"Look Out the Window"Kang Ho-dong
2009"Let's Dance"Future Liger (with Tiger JK, Tasha)
2012"Room Nallari" (방구석 날라리)Sagging Snail (with Lee Juck)
"Gangnam Style" (강남스타일)Psy
2013"Gentleman"
2014"Beep"Park Ji-yoon
2015"Tell Me One More Time"Jinusean
2016"Dancing King"EXO

Discography

Year Title Singer Notes
2006"All You Need Is Love"with Infinite Challenge members
2007"If I Do It or Not" (하나마나송)with Noh Hong-chul
"Fascination of Samba" (삼바의 매력)SoloInfinite Challenge Song Festival
2009"The Family's Day" (패밀리의 하루)with Family Outing members
"Let's Dance"with Tiger JK, TashaInfinite Challenge Olympic Road Duet Song Festival
2011"Apgujeong Nallari" (압구정 날라리)with Lee JuckInfinite Challenge West Coast Highway Music Festival
"As I Say" (말하는 대로)
2012"Room Nallari" (방구석 날라리)[52]
"Heat Stroked Seagull" (더위 먹은 갈매기)with Song Eun-yi, Kim Sook
2013"Please Don't Go My Girl"with You Hee-yeol, Kim Jo-hanInfinite Challenge Free Highway Music Festival
"Dance King" (댄스왕)[53]feat. You Hee-yeol
"Here We Are"with Infinite Challenge members
2015"I'm So Sexy"with Park Jin-youngInfinite Challenge Yeongdong Expressway Music Festival
2016"Dancing King"with EXOSM Station
"Like" (처럼)with Dok2 feat. Lee HiInfinite Challenge History × Hiphop special

Awards

YearAwardCategory Ref.
1991Inaugural KBS College Student Gag CompetitionHonorable Award
2000MBC Drama AwardsSpecial Award in Television MC
Gyeongin Broadcasting and EntertainmentPopular Comedian Award
2002Book Publishing Promotion Book ReadingSpecial Award
20032nd KBS Entertainment AwardsTop Excellence Award in Television MC
3rd MBC Entertainment AwardsTop Excellence Award in Show/Variety
2004SBS Drama AwardsSpecial Award in Television MC
20054th KBS Entertainment AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize)[4]
200618th Korean Broadcasting Producer AwardsBest Television MC
42nd Baeksang Arts AwardsBest Male TV Personality
Blue MediaSpeech Award
6th MBC Entertainment AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize)
20077th MBC Entertainment AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize) (with Infinite Challenge members)
8th Korea Video CompetitionPhotogenic Award
Mobile Entertainment AwardsBest Television MC
20082nd Mnet 20's Choice AwardsVariety Star of the Year
2nd SBS Entertainment AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize)
1st Nickelodeon Korea Kids' Choice AwardsFavorite Comedian
200921st Korean Broadcasting Producer AwardsBest Television MC
9th MBC Entertainment AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize)[54]
PD Award
3rd SBS Entertainment AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize) (with Lee Hyori)[55]
Best Teamwork Award (for Family Outing)
2nd Nickelodeon Korea Kids' Choice AwardsFavorite Comedian
20109th KBS Entertainment AwardsBest Teamwork Award (for Happy Together 3)
10th MBC Entertainment AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize)[56]
Korean Guardian Tree Award
4th SBS Entertainment AwardsBest 10 Entertainers
3rd Nickelodeon Korea Kids' Choice AwardsFavourite Comedian
201111th MBC Entertainment AwardsTop Excellence Award in a Variety Show
5th SBS Entertainment AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize)[57]
4th Nickelodeon Korea Kids' Choice AwardsFavorite Comedian
53rd National Rowing Championships 2000m NoviceEight Special Award (with Infinite Challenge members)
201212th MBC Entertainment AwardsPD Award[10]
6th SBS Entertainment AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize)[58]
Viewers' Favorite TV Personality
3rd Korean Popular Culture and Arts AwardPrime Minister Award
5th Nickelodeon Korea Kids' Choice AwardsFavorite Comedian[59]
201349th Baeksang Arts AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize) for TV[60]
6th Nickelodeon Korea Kids Choice AwardsFavorite Comedian
12th KBS Entertainment AwardsEating Broadcast Award (for Happy Together 3)
7th SBS Entertainment AwardsViewer's Choice Most Popular Entertainer Award
Viewer's Most Popular Award (with Running Man members)
201413th KBS Entertainment AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize)[61]
14th MBC Entertainment Awards[62]
8th SBS Entertainment AwardsViewer's Choice Most Popular Entertainer Award
201515th MBC Entertainment AwardsAchievement Award (with Infinite Challenge members)
9th SBS Entertainment AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize) (with Kim Byung-man)[63]
Viewers' Favorite TV Personality
201615th KBS Entertainment AwardsBest Teamwork Award (for Happy Together 3)
16th MBC Entertainment AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize)[64]
InStyle KoreaEntertainer Star Icon (Male category)

References

  1. 1 2 3 "With fame comes humility for Yoo Jae-suk". Korea JoongAng Daily. June 13, 2013.
  2. ↑ "[그래픽] 유재석, 1인자의 길" [The Royal Road of Yoo Jae Suk]. Naver (in Korean). Ize. January 12, 2017.
  3. ↑ "명단공개 유재석, 고 최진실 언급 "동거동락 추천해 주신 분"". The Fact (in Korean). October 25, 2005.
  4. 1 2 "KBS 연예대상 대상에 유재석". Hani (in Korean). December 25, 2005.
  5. ↑ "Comedian Yoo Jae-suk rises as Hallyu MC". Hancinema. KBS World. June 6, 2007.
  6. ↑ "<무한도전>, 한국형 쌩얼". Hani (in Korean). October 26, 2006.
  7. ↑ "[SC초점]한국방송대상 '무한도전', 어떻게 '국민예능'으로 우뚝 섰나". Daum (in Korean). September 3, 2005.
  8. ↑ "The rating of Muhan Dojeon renewed again to its highest mark" Archived March 9, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.. Star News (in Korean). November 26, 2006. Retrieved 2013-07-02.
  9. ↑ "Infinite Challenge Yoo Jae Suk Reveals Feelings On 300th Episode". KDramaStars. October 22, 2012. Retrieved 2013-07-04.
  10. 1 2 Jeon, Su-mi (31 December 2012). "Yoo Jae Suk Says Goodbye to Come to Play at the MBC Entertainment Awards". enewsWorld. Retrieved 2013-07-02.
  11. ↑ "Two KBS Shows Popular This Winter Season". Hancinema. KBS World. January 28, 2008.
  12. ↑ "[REVIEW] Variety show "Family Outing"". Asiae. February 8, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Popular Running Man Television Show Brings Back Childhood Memories". Hancinema. Korean Content. February 16, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Two top MCs set out to discover Korea's forgotten 'Sugarmen'". The Korea Herald. August 18, 2015.
  15. ↑ "'슈가맨2', 내년 1월14일 방송…유재석·유희열 재회(공식)". Naver (in Korean). MBN News. December 7, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Netflix announces star-studded reality show". Korea JoongAng Daily. April 5, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk aims for global market in upcoming Netflix series". The Korea Herald. April 22, 2018.
  18. ↑ ""Gangnam Style" video stars perform in Times Square". The Korea Herald. January 2, 2013.
  19. ↑ "'Gentleman' generates mixed reviews from foreign press". The Korea Herald. April 15, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk signs with talent agency". Korea JoongAng Daily. July 17, 2015.
  21. ↑ "'Dancing King,' duet song by Yoo Jae-suk, EXO, to be released". Kpop Herald. September 12, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk to appear in EXO concert in Bangkok". Kpop Herald. September 26, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk and Jang Dong-gun '1st' for 7 years in a row". Hancinema. Nate. November 30, 2011.
  24. ↑ "Yoo Named Comedian of the Year". The Korea Times. December 21, 2009. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  25. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk retains best comedian title for 4 years". Kpop Herald. December 9, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk named best comedian of 2016 in survey". Kpop Herald. December 9, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk Named Comedian of the Year for 6th Straight Year". The Chosun Ilbo. December 12, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk MBC's Priciest Entertainer". The Korea Times. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  29. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk Paid Nearly W1 Billion by MBC in 2008". The Chosun Ilbo. October 12, 2009. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  30. ↑ "Korean TV Viewers Pick Yoo Jae-suk as Favorite TV Ad Model". Hancinema. KBS World. October 30, 2008.
  31. ↑ "Young people see Yoo Jae-suk as role model". The Korea Times. May 16, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Korea's top emcee donates W10m for comfort women". The Korea Herald. July 10, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk makes donation for 'comfort women'". Kpop Herald. June 22, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Comedian Yoo donates 50 mil. won for Typhoon Chaba victims". The Korea Times. October 9, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk to be recreated in wax, 1st for Korean TV show host". Yonhap. July 6, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Yoo Jae-seok and Na Kyung-eun's Wedding". KBS World. 19 July 2008. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  37. ↑ Ho, Stewart (9 February 2012). "Photos from Yoo Jae Suk's Wedding Surface". enewsWorld. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  38. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk to Become Dad". Hancinema. KBS World. September 19, 2008.
  39. ↑ "Na Kyung-eun Wants to Swap Mic for Maternal Duties". The Chosun Ilbo. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  40. ↑ "[공식입장] "유재석과 tvN의 첫 만남"…'유 퀴즈 온 더 블럭' 29일 첫방송" (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  41. ↑ "'해투4' 지상렬-황민현 스페셜 MC…첫 게스트 배우 한지민 [공식]". sports.donga.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  42. ↑ "유재석이 '요즘애들'을 만나면?…신규 예능 11월 첫 방송!" (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-09-19.
  43. ↑ OSEN (2018-10-01). "유재석X제니X김상호X손담비, SBS 예능 '아름다운 가을마을, 미추리' 합류[공식입장]" (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  44. ↑ "New machos dominate TV programs". The Donga Ilbo. March 25, 2014.
  45. ↑ "Talk show director speaks highly of Yoo Jae-suk". Kpop Herald. January 27, 2016.
  46. ↑ "Why Did Yoo Jae-suk and Park Myung-soo Tie Topknots?". The Dong-A Ilbo. 16 January 2008.
  47. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk to appear on popular drama". Korea JoongAng Daily. November 17, 2015.
  48. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk makes drama appearance for W20m". Kpop Herald. November 23, 2015.
  49. ↑ "Inside Director Shim's Film "D-War"". The Dong-A Ilbo. August 15, 2007.
  50. ↑ "MC Yoo to Voice Act in 'Bee Movie'". Hancinema. KBS World. November 26, 2007.
  51. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 27, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2010. (in Korean)
  52. ↑ "'Snagging Snail' The remix version of 'Room Nallari' to be released". Yahoo. Star News. August 28, 2012.
  53. ↑ "Yoo Hee Yeol & Yoo Jae Seok's bonus track 'Dance King' grows hot". Yahoo. Star News. November 7, 2013.
  54. ↑ "Yoo Jae-seok wins grand prize at MBC Entertainment Awards". TenAsia. December 30, 2009.
  55. ↑ "Yoo Jae-seok, Lee Hyori share grand prize at SBS Entertainment Awards". TenAsia. December 31, 2009.
  56. ↑ "Yoo Jae-seok wins grand prize once again at MBC Entertainment Awards". TenAsia. December 30, 2010.
  57. ↑ "Yoo Jae Suk Wins Big, Winners from '2011 SBS Entertainment Awards'". enewsWorld. December 31, 2011.
  58. ↑ "Yoo Jae-seok wins SBS Grand Prize". Korea JoongAng Daily. January 1, 2013.
  59. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk is "Best Comedian" for the fifth time". Yahoo. April 16, 2012.
  60. ↑ "The honorable winners of the 49th PaekSang Arts Awards". Hancinema. News1. May 9, 2013.
  61. ↑ "Top KBS award goes to Yoo". Korea JoongAng Daily. December 29, 2014.
  62. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk wins 2014 MBC Entertainment Grand Award". Asia Today. December 30, 2014.
  63. ↑ "Comedians share top SBS awards". The Korea Times. December 31, 2015.
  64. ↑ "Yoo Jae-suk nabs 13th Grand Prize". Kpop Herald. December 30, 2016.
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