On the episode of 'Anytime' aired on the 24th, the show recorded a peak viewership of 4.9%, with household ratings at 3.8% and the 2049 demographic at 1.3%. Notably, it dominated the same time slot for all episodes of Season 4 in the 2049 demographic and maintained its position as the number one Tuesday variety-drama for 12 consecutive weeks. (Nielsen Korea, Seoul metropolitan area)
SBS's 'Anytime' is a variety show that gifts luck during brief moments in everyday life. In the episode aired on the 24th, hosts Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok, along with 'gap friends' actors Yoo Jun-sang and Kim Gun-woo, visited the youth of Changsin-dong to support their shining dreams and passionate lives.
The first 'gap owner' they visited was a young couple running a Dongdaemun clothing wholesale business. The couple shared their busy life of working day and night in Dongdaemun for over ten years, which amazed everyone. Kim Gun-woo surprised everyone by revealing, "I also worked part-time in Dongdaemun wholesale," and boasted, "I was quick, so I never got scolded," raising expectations for the upcoming game. Kim Gun-woo, known for his role as Son Myung-oh in Netflix's 'The Glory,' is a graduate of the Korea National University of Arts.
The first gap mission was 'Rolling Ping Pong,' where they had to hit a ping pong ball with a roller to knock down balls on a thread. Despite his earlier confidence, Kim Gun-woo's nervousness led to a low success rate, causing laughter. Following Yoo Jun-sang's command, "Go now!" Yoo Jae-suk easily succeeded in the first stage, and Yoo Yeon-seok's two-hit success and Yoo Jun-sang's clean finishing shot led to a successful second stage, heating up the atmosphere. Yoo Yeon-seok even managed a three-hit success during practice, and Yoo Jae-suk single-handedly knocked down all the balls, raising hopes. However, in the final attempt, Yoo Yeon-seok's ball hit the target but didn't fall, resulting in a failed third stage. To console the couple, Yoo Jun-sang invited them to a musical, creating a warm atmosphere.
The four took a lunch break with a sense of regret. During this time, Yoo Jun-sang amazed everyone with his diligence, practicing tirelessly even after 32 years in the industry. Kim Gun-woo shared, "Jun-sang senior memorizes the script on the first day. He even spoke to me in character in the elevator the first time we met," adding to the admiration. Yoo Jun-sang then initiated a role-play with lines, making Kim Gun-woo sweat. As Yoo Jun-sang naturally sang while moving, Yoo Jae-suk praised, "I've met many musical actors, but you're the only one who sings on the street," eventually joining in a musical-style chorus, causing laughter.
The second gap owner was a youth theater group. The members, who have been performing the same play for 13 years, shared the news of their final performance at the end of March, evoking regret. To support the theater group's beautiful conclusion, Yoo Jae-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Yoo Jun-sang, and Kim Gun-woo prepared for the game with determination.
The gap owners called for a stop, and they received a dinner party fund as the first stage prize and plane tickets for a friendship trip as the second stage prize, completing a happy ending. Yoo Jun-sang expressed his heartfelt intention, "I wanted to give a gift because I understand the hearts of performing friends," adding to the emotional moment.
Yoo Jae-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Yoo Jun-sang, and Kim Gun-woo provided unforgettable energy to the youth of Changsin-dong with their passionate teamwork. Especially, 'Ttakji King' Yoo Jae-suk and his team, Yoo Yeon-seok, Yoo Jun-sang, and Kim Gun-woo, succeeded in the second stage with their perfect ttakji flipping skills, making the theater group's final memories even more special. It was a meaningful moment on 'Anytime,' filling citizens' gap times with joy.
Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr