Yoo Jae-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Sang-hoon, and Ji Ye-eun Bring Joyful Vibes to Lunar New Year with Winning Streak on 'Anytime'

Yoo Jae-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Sang-hoon, and Ji Ye-eun delighted viewers with their winning streak on the Lunar New Year special of SBS's variety show 'Anytime'.

On the episode aired on the 17th, hosts Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok, along with actors Jung Sang-hoon and Ji Ye-eun, met with firefighters and a rice cake shop owner in Ilsan. The episode achieved a peak viewership rating of 6.0%, with a 2.2% rating among the 2049 demographic, and a 4.3% household rating, securing the top spot among Tuesday broadcasts excluding the Olympics, according to Nielsen Korea's metropolitan area data.

SNL siblings Jung Sang-hoon and Ji Ye-eun elevated the festive mood with their chatter alongside Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok. Yoo Jae-suk expressed his delight, saying, "Sang-hoon is my direct line. We both dropped out of Seoul Institute of the Arts." Ji Ye-eun joined the college talk, sharing, "I attended college for eight years due to my activities," to which Yoo Jae-suk jokingly asked, "What activities? Promotional activities?" Jung Sang-hoon added humor by saying, "Ye-eun has changed since her rookie days. I went to greet her first," eliciting laughter.

The first 'Anytime' mission involved a firefighter, where the challenge was to jump rope while holding a cup with a ping pong ball inside. Yoo Yeon-seok offered one-on-one coaching to Ji Ye-eun, saying, "Ye-eun, look at me. Jump with me," while the mission host joined in with chants of "Jump," leading to a dramatic first-stage success. With a bonus coupon opportunity, they passed the second stage, prompting Yoo Jae-suk to exclaim, "It's so beautiful," celebrating their teamwork. Jung Sang-hoon, sweating profusely, humorously responded with his Qingdao impression, "I'm unfazed~," drawing laughter.

During lunch, the group continued their conversations, including a surprise call with close friend Jo Jung-suk, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Ji Ye-eun humorously flirted with Yoo Yeon-seok on the bus, asking, "Have you ever dated a college classmate?" and "Where are you headed?" Yoo Yeon-seok played along, but Yoo Jae-suk and Jung Sang-hoon, seated behind, humorously interrupted, saying, "Just by looking at the back of their heads, they're not a couple," adding to the laughter.

The second mission involved a rice cake shop owner and his son, where the challenge was to bounce a ping pong ball with a paddle into a container in a relay game called 'Kong Kong Kong Rice Cake'. Ji Ye-eun, claiming to be a former ping pong club member, raised expectations. Proving her skills, the group succeeded in the second stage on their fifth attempt, with Yoo Jae-suk declaring, "It's Lunar New Year, we must succeed," clenching his fist. After extensive practice, they achieved a dramatic third-stage success on their sixth attempt.

Yoo Jae-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Sang-hoon, and Ji Ye-eun delivered exhilarating dopamine and happiness to viewers with their delightful chemistry and perfect teamwork with the mission hosts. Jung Sang-hoon's impromptu acting added humor, while Ji Ye-eun's cheerful charm, which surprised Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok, amplified the fun of the Lunar New Year special.

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