MBC's 'Hangout with Yoo' Sees Ratings Surge with 80s Seoul Music Festival Special

Reporter Jung Se-yoon from TenAsia delivers intriguing broadcasting issues with a unique perspective.

---

MBC's variety show 'Hangout with Yoo' has bounced back in ratings after restructuring to a four-member format. The recent '80s Seoul Music Festival' special achieved a 6% viewership rating, marking the highest rating for the show this year. Analysts attribute this success to the nostalgic concept and strong casting.

On the episode aired on the 23rd, 'Hangout with Yoo' (hereafter 'Hangout') revealed the identities of 15 participants in the '80s Seoul Music Festival' special. Yoo Jae-suk took on the role of PD, with Haha, Joo Woo-jae, and Lee Yi-kyung as writers, presenting a time-travel concept from 2025 to the 1980s. The episode recorded a 6.3% viewership rating (Nielsen Korea, national household standard), ranking first among programs in the same time slot and Saturday variety shows. Notably, performances by singers Yoon Do-hyun, Lee Jun-young, and DinDin achieved a peak minute rating of 7.3%, generating buzz.

'Hangout' has undergone four format changes. It began in 2019 with Yoo Jae-suk as the sole host, then in August 2021, Jung Joon-ha, Haha, Shin Bong-sun, and Lee Mi-joo joined. In September 2022, Lee Yi-kyung and Park Jin-joo joined, forming a seven-member team. In July 2023, after Jung Joon-ha and Shin Bong-sun left, Joo Woo-jae joined, creating a six-member team.

However, less than two years later, in June, Lee Mi-joo and Park Jin-joo departed. 'Hangout' then transitioned to a four-member team (Yoo Jae-suk, Haha, Joo Woo-jae, Lee Yi-kyung), but ratings remained stagnant at 3-4%. Despite new concepts like 'What Can You Do with 10,000 Won?', 'Figure Visit Sales', and 'Meeting of Unpopular People', there was no significant rebound.

In this context, the production team revisited a familiar music project card. Previous projects like SSAK3 and WSG Wannabe, where Yoo Jae-suk participated as a singer and producer, were successful. While some viewers reacted with "another clichéd music project," the '80s Seoul Music Festival recorded the highest ratings of the year, reversing the trend.

The nostalgic 1980s concept and the lineup of performers were particularly effective. Rising stars like WOODZ and IVE's Liz, who resonate with younger audiences, took the stage, while seasoned entertainers like Lee Juck, Yoon Do-hyun, and Park Myung-soo added vitality.

Following the broadcast, online communities and social media buzzed with positive reactions. Some netizens praised, "The 80s vibe was amazing," "Only talented singers appeared," and "I'm already excited to see how the teams will be formed." Industry insiders also noted, "The planning and solid lineup that allowed even younger generations to share the 80s sentiment led to the rise in ratings."

However, this special's success does not immediately signify a revival for 'Hangout'. To capture viewers' attention long-term, fresh and non-repetitive concepts are necessary. The focus now is whether the four-member 'Hangout' can maintain its upward trend following the '80s Seoul Music Festival' special.

Reporter Jung Se-yoon, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr