Lee Yoon-seok Takes Off His Partial Wig for Health Goals: "I Want to Live a Long Time" ("Hangout with Yoo")

[Sportschosun Jo Yoon-sun] Comedian Lee Yoon-seok revealed a secret he had kept hidden.

The MBC variety show "Hangout with Yoo," which aired on June 13 and was directed by Kim Jin-yong, Lee Joo-won, Kim Ki-ho, Ahn Ji-seon, Bang Seong-su, and Eun-jin Park, with writing by No Min-seon, featured an episode titled "Lee Kyung-kyu Goes Healthy" and focused on a health-boosting course for Lee Kyung-kyu, who was heading to Mexico to cheer on a soccer team.

The Seoul metropolitan area household rating for that episode of "Hangout with Yoo" reached 3.6%, ranking first among Saturday variety shows and in its time slot. Its peak minute rating climbed to 4.5%. The 20-49 demographic rating, a key indicator of channel competitiveness that reflects changes in media consumption, came in at 2.3%, also placing first among Saturday variety shows and in the same time slot. (Based on Nielsen Korea's Seoul metropolitan area data)

Lee Yoon-seok, who joined Lee Kyung-kyu on the show, drew attention with his unusual chemistry with Heo Kyung-hwan and Joo Woo-jae. Heo Kyung-hwan, known as Yoo Jae-suk's "fake warrior," listened intently as Lee Yoon-seok, who has stayed by Lee Kyung-kyu's side for more than 30 years, taught him the etiquette of surviving as a bodyguard-like sidekick. Joo Woo-jae, nicknamed "Lee Yoon-seok," also reunited with Lee Yoon-seok in a "new and old bonehead" moment. Lee Yoon-seok laughed, saying, "Who even talks about Lee Yoon-seok these days? Thanks," while Joo Woo-jae benefited from looking sturdier standing next to the frail Lee Yoon-seok.

The backstory of Lee Kyung-kyu and Lee Yoon-seok's close relationship also drew interest. When Lee Yoon-seok was going through a rough patch, Lee Kyung-kyu called him in and told him he would become a big support for him. Lee Kyung-kyu also added a funny anecdote, saying he had suddenly told Lee Yoon-seok to kneel. He then drew laughter from everyone by declaring, "When I die, I'm taking Yoon-seok with me," showing his determination for a burial-style farewell.

Lee Yoon-seok's hidden secret was also revealed during his health management routine. He had to remove his partial wig in order to receive a massage. After setting the wig aside, Lee Yoon-seok writhed in pain during the massage but pleaded earnestly, "I don't want anything else. I just want to live a long time," drawing laughter. Yoo Jae-suk praised him, saying, "Yoon-seok is the best at physical comedy."

As Lee Yoon-seok's willingness to set aside pride and make people laugh stood out, Joo Woo-jae irritated Lee Kyung-kyu by saying that Lee Yoon-seok was funnier. Jealousy flaring, Lee Kyung-kyu admitted, "Fine! I wasn't as funny as Yoon-seok!" and "If Yoon-seok lies down, no one can beat him," acknowledging how Lee Yoon-seok could make people laugh just by lying down. Joo Woo-jae did not stop there and later drew a storm of scolding from Lee Kyung-kyu and Yoo Jae-suk after eating only certain medicinal herbs.

Later, when Lee Kyung-kyu went to play bowling soccer, he faced a crisis because the other members, except for his "reliable man" Yoo Jae-suk, had terrible kicking skills. Lee Kyung-kyu shouted, "The worst, the worst," at Haha, who scored zero and failed again on a retry. Haha, already in a sports slump, was devastated. Lee Kyung-kyu, who won two gifts, was satisfied with the recovery course, and Lee Yoon-seok's constant care for him throughout the segment added to the humor.

Meanwhile, the preview for next week's episode showed the moves of a short-form drama team that started producing its OST before the script was even ready. It also featured the OST challenge by Hyori-soo, the Girls' Generation unit group made up of Hyoyeon, Yuri, and Sooyoung Choi, as well as the appearance of a mysterious, pure-white "ear-candy boyfriend," heightening curiosity and anticipation. MBC's "Hangout with Yoo" airs every Saturday at 6:30 p.m.