PD lacking competency in ‘What do you do when you hang out’, discrimination against members ‘still’

Less than a year after MBC's entertainment show 'Hangout?' was reorganized into a 7-member lineup, it is undergoing another reorganization. ‘What Do You Do When You Play’ plans to be renovated in June. However, looking at the reported content alone, there are concerns that the reform may be superficial and the substance remains the same.

On the 9th, the ‘What Do You Do When You Hang Out’ side announced, “There are plans to renew the program due to a change in the production team in June.” Regarding the member replacement, he did not say anything, saying, "We are discussing it internally, so we will announce an official position as soon as it is resolved."

Earlier on this day, Sports Seoul reported that Yoo Jae-seok, Haha, and Mi-joo, as well as Jeong Jun-ha, Shin Bong-seon, Lee Yi-kyung, and Park Jin-ju, will be leaving the show, and that the production team will also appoint a young production team, so there will be changes in both the members and the production team.

‘What do you do when you hang out?’, which aired in July 2019, is an entertainment program started by PD Kim Tae-ho, who led ‘Infinite Challenge’, and Yoo Jae-seok. Yoo Jae-seok took on various projects on his own and received a lot of love as a 'sub-character'. Music projects such as Yoo Sanseul, Ssak3, and Refund Expedition also attracted a lot of attention.

However, as the program continued for a long time, it began to reach its limits, and a major change occurred starting from the 100th episode. They added '+' to 'What do you do when you hang out?' and made up 'plus' members, from 'Infinite Challenge' members Jeong Jun-ha and Haha to Shin Bong-sun, who worked with them on KBS' 'Happy Together', and tvN's 'Sixth Sense' co-star Mi-joo Lee. I took on a new project.

However, the five-member system was criticized due to the 'sub-character' projects that disappeared with PD Kim Tae-ho's departure. The lack of competency of PD Park Chang-hoon, who was newly appointed to the command tower starting in 2022, was clearly revealed later on. Although the scope expanded from producer to actor, the response from viewers was cold. With the reorganization in September of last year, Lee Yi-kyung and Park Jin-joo were added, creating a seven-member system, but similar format replication continued. The repetitive music format also caused fatigue.

In addition, controversy over member discrimination arose recently. Comedians Jeong Jun-ha and Shin Bong-seon were used only as entertainment devices in the Dangcheori entertainment project, and only actor and singer Line was made the main group of the project. There was also a heated debate over whether One Top and Shareholder Secret would be active or not through paid text voting. Accordingly, the viewership rating has fallen to the 4% range and is experiencing a slump.

Under these circumstances, the decision to reorganize after only 9 months must have been made after much deliberation. However, based on what has been reported, it is doubtful whether the reorganization of ‘What Do You Do When You Hang Out’ will bring about significant changes? First of all, according to media reports, PD Park Chang-hoon will move to CP, but will still serve as the command tower. So, can the production team's lack of competency, which has continued to emerge so far, be changed solely with a new, young production team?

Although it is not confirmed here, as reported, even if four people, Jeong Jun-ha, Shin Bong-seon, Lee Yi-kyung, and Park Jin-joo, are left out, Lee Mi-joo and Haha, who are absolute Yu-rans, will remain. Unfortunately, Jung Jun-ha and Shin Bong-seon, who were left out of the neglected entertainment project, are among the departing members. If Park Jin-joo also leaves the show, the future direction of JuJu's Secret is also inevitable.

Accordingly, opinions on the criteria for leaving and remaining are also divided. Some are saying that it would be better to go with Yoo Jae-suk as a one-man system like before. With only Lee Mi-joo and Haha left, I don't think adding a new member is a way to overcome the slump of 'Hangout?'

Even with the new refurbishment, I still can't erase the feeling of uneasiness. It remains to be seen how the production team's official position will be decided, but the criticism of 'What Do You Do When You Play' has not abated despite the ongoing reorganization. It remains to be seen whether this reorganized card will be a trick or a handshake for ‘What Do You Do When You Play’?

Taeyuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr