Yoo Ji-tae Opens Up About Weight Gain and Health Struggles on 'You Quiz on the Block'

Actor Yoo Ji-tae, who recently revealed he gained over 100kg, shares his struggles with high cholesterol, acute gastritis, and colitis due to sudden weight gain.

On the October 25th episode of tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' (directed by Heo Kang-seok and Kim Ji-young, written by Lee Eun-joo), viewers will meet children who became viral sensations with their school performance videos, Simon Kim who captivated the world with Korean BBQ, comedians Yoon Taek and Lee Seung-yoon who have been searching for 'natural people' for 15 years, and Yoo Ji-tae, who became a million-seller actor 28 years after his debut with the film 'The Man Living in the King'.

Children Jo Seo-ho and Lee Seo-ha (6 years old), who became the center of attention with their school performance videos, will appear on 'You Quiz'. Jo Seo-ho, who captured the hearts of many with a video of him wanting to go to daycare even on holidays four years ago, will showcase his growth into a true dance prodigy. Lee Seo-ha, with her irresistible charm, will also join the show, promising an energetic dance parade. The two have achieved a combined 28 million views with their videos, and their unexpected answers and talents will even win over host Yoo Jae-suk. Their performances of 'Golden' and 'Rollin', along with their family's adorable dance parade, are expected to captivate viewers.

The episode will also feature Simon Kim, CEO of a Korean BBQ restaurant that has earned Michelin stars for eight consecutive years. He will share his journey of achieving an annual revenue of 100 billion won in New York, the home of steak, and reveal the secrets behind his restaurant being ranked as the number one steakhouse in North America. With a star-studded list of regulars including Obama, Beckham, Messi, and DiCaprio, he will also discuss the intense demand that sees reservations close within 15 seconds.

Having moved to New York at 13, Simon Kim will talk about discovering the potential of Korean cuisine amidst identity confusion and racial discrimination as an immigrant youth, under the influence of his gourmet father and chef mother. He will share his definition of a 'New Yorker' and the bold moves he made amidst numerous trials and errors, offering a glimpse into the world-class restaurant CEO's story.

Comedians Yoon Taek and Lee Seung-yoon, who have been searching for 'natural people' for 15 years, will share their real-life survival stories with Yoo Jae-suk. They will reveal the behind-the-scenes stories of why they couldn't appear on 'You Quiz' before, and their excitement about filming in the city. They will discuss their reasons for joining 'I Am a Natural Person', which they approached as a healing travel program or camping, and share the dramatic stories behind reaching over 700 episodes. Yoon Taek's pet dog Dal-mong, whom he met during filming, will also make an appearance, with a 'heart attack' direct cam of Dal-mong.

Lee Seung-yoon will recount his first shoot with a completely naked natural person, the legendary 'fish head curry' story, and the terrifying moment when he was stung by a giant hornet and rushed to the emergency room. Yoon Taek will share his experience of encountering hornet larvae as a meal during a disaster-like first shoot. Stories of 'natural person meals' that terrified them, such as roe deer liver, frog soybean paste soup, insect fried rice, and stone soup, as well as Lee Seung-yoon's story of buying a house for his parents with rerun fees, will add interest. Their heartfelt stories about their fathers will also resonate with viewers.

The episode will also feature Yoo Ji-tae, who played the sole villain Han Myung-hoe in 'The Man Living in the King', becoming a million-seller actor. He will humbly reflect on his success, attributing it to 'You Quiz', and share various behind-the-scenes stories about the film, which attracted over 14 million viewers, ranking third in Korean film history and achieving the highest revenue.

Yoo Ji-tae will reveal the process of creating his villain character 'Han Myung-hoe', the intense effort behind his overwhelming presence, and his wife Kim Hyo-jin's reaction. He will also candidly discuss the health issues he faced due to sudden weight gain, including high cholesterol, acute gastritis, and colitis. Additionally, Yoo Ji-tae will share anecdotes about director Jang Hang-jun, including a surprise interview with the director. The episode will also reveal behind-the-scenes stories of Yoo Ji-tae's acting with a sense of duty, including his chilling impromptu performance in a confrontation scene with Danjong.

Viewers will also hear about Yoo Ji-tae's genuine acting philosophy and family stories, as he marks his 28th year in the industry. His deep affection for Korean cinema and his iconic line "How does love change?" will be highlighted, showcasing his moments as a master of realistic romance. As a professor and head of the Media Acting Department at Konkuk University, his acting advice to juniors will leave a lasting impression. Furthermore, he will share the touching story of how he became interested in social welfare, inspired by his strong single mother, evoking emotion. The episode promises to reveal the sincere stories of 'human Yoo Ji-tae' that have never been heard before.

tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' airs every Wednesday at 8:45 PM.

Kim Se-ah, Ten Asia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr