≪Tae Yuna’s Oh Ye≫
Today's notable entertainment
‘Gag Concert’ rumored to be revived after 3 years
Today's notable entertainment
‘Gag Concert’ rumored to be revived after 3 years
≪Tae Yuna’s Oh Ye≫
‘The era of content overflow’. For readers who are wondering what to watch, reporter Tae Yu-na and Ten Asia will serve as an ‘entertainment guide.’ It adds fun to watching the program by delving into hot issues in the entertainment industry, as well as watching points, major characters, and behind-the-scenes stories.
‘The reason why Gagcon failed’. This word is still used as a buzzword online to this day. It means that reality is more fun than a comedy show. This is a humiliating analogy for KBS's 'Gag Concert', which has maintained the public comedy scene for 21 years.
'Gag Concert', which was disgraced due to low viewership ratings and noise, is considering revival after three years. On the 27th, a media outlet reported that KBS had begun internal preparations for the revival of 'Gag Concert', that the title was 'Last Gag Concert' (working title), and that the news had also been delivered to comedians.
However, a KBS official said, "There have been constant discussions in the past regarding the revival of traditional comedy programs, but the specific timing or title has not been confirmed."
Although it is still only a 'resurrection theory', this news must have brought hope to comedians who had lost their place. As it has long left a significant mark on popular culture as a gateway to star comedians, a stage where buzzwords were created, and the longest-running comedy program in Korea, voices calling for the revival of 'Gag Concert' have also grown.
However, it is true that these expectations are accompanied by concerns. Three years have passed, but the situation at the time of the abolition of 'Gag Concert' was not the same as it is now. Comedy produced under the constraints of the national broadcaster KBS's comedy program no longer provided fresh entertainment. Despite the comedians' cries to 'create conditions to secure a variety of comedy material', they only show gags that choose safety over novelty. Because there were so many restrictions, the laughter disappeared. Nowadays, with various OTT and YouTube contents pouring in, the stereotypical comedy of ‘Gag Concert’ is truly outdated.
In addition, the 'hidden camera' issue untimely broke out just before the end of the show, leading to a bitter ending of dishonorable exit. At the time, a hidden camera was discovered in the women's bathroom in the KBS research building where the 'Gag Concert' practice room was located, and the culprit was revealed to be a comedian from KBS' 32nd open recruitment. However, KBS was criticized for drawing a line by saying, "We are not employees," and despite the production team's appeal, "We hope you will watch their efforts until the end so that other issues do not obscure their efforts," the controversy over hidden cameras extended to 'Gag Concert'. It spread.
When ‘Gag Concert’ came to an end, comedians moved their stage to YouTube. And those who were free from the constraints of broadcast deliberation and editing freely created their own content, becoming a new chapter in K-comedy. Representative examples include ‘Pisik University’ and ‘Short Box’. A comedian who gained popularity here even made a foray into broadcast entertainment.
On the other hand, the new comedy program 'Gag Winners', which returned 1 year and 5 months after 'Gag Concert' was abolished, still could not escape the gag review and restrictions, and even in the newly designed version, it failed to achieve any significant results and exited after 16 episodes. It ended.
I acknowledge KBS's purpose of providing opportunities to talented but failed comedians and continuing the cause of discovering new comedians and nurturing juniors, but without change, revival is meaningless. The ambition to continue the legacy without following the trend will only lead to the end of the show once again.
As the KBS music talk show was revived 7 months after 'Yoo Hee-yeol's Sketchbook' was abolished, PD Lee Chang-soo said, "When I think of the image of KBS, I don't think they think of it as being ahead of the curve. We wanted to show that our program is a little different. “I tried to show that KBS is trying to become younger,” he said, and pledged to make a change, saying, “I will make it like Dolai. It will be new and bold.”
The same goes for what is needed for ‘Gag Concert’. I am not suggesting that KBS re-organize the show because the YouTube comedy content is so good and the 'SNL Korea' series is gaining popularity, but I hope that KBS will return after it is fully equipped with its own weapons.
Taeyuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr