Tak Jae-hoon Transforms into a 30-Year-Older Boyfriend on 'SNL Korea'

South Korean entertainer Tak Jae-hoon (57) has taken on the role of a 30-year-older boyfriend to Ji Ye-eun.

Coupang Play's 'SNL Korea' is the nation's top comedy show, known for its bold and daring humor with top-tier stars and trusted crew members.

In the premiere of Season 8, released on the 28th, Tak Jae-hoon showcased his all-around talent, living up to his reputation for 'devilish wit' from the opening to the closing. Wearing black sunglasses, he made a grand entrance by performing his debut song 'The Path I Chose' live, responding to the audience's relentless questions with his signature witty comebacks, setting the stage for explosive laughter.

The first episode blurred the lines between reality and skits, creating unpredictable 'no-holds-barred' iconic moments. In a segment where he and Shin Dong-yup engaged in a subtle rivalry over their favorite juniors, Tak surprised everyone by bringing out his real-life partner, Shin Gu-jin, to deliver a densely packed comedy performance. He then transformed into Ji Ye-eun's '30-year-older boyfriend,' capturing the audience with his detailed portrayal of middle-aged mannerisms contrasting with his youthful appearance.

The new format of Season 8 also made a strong impression. Last season's hit 'Smile Clinic' returned with even bolder reality-based comedy, and 'Weekend Update' attempted a daring transformation with a North Korean news concept, firmly establishing the debut presence of new crew members Lee Ah-ra and Jung Chang-hwan. Additionally, new segments like 'Gwanghwamun Book Club,' which targets the trending 'bookstore spontaneous meeting' trend among the MZ generation, delivered continuous laughter, earning praise for 'SNL Korea's' sharp comedic design.

After completing all the performances, Tak Jae-hoon expressed his heartfelt feelings, saying, “I felt a lot of pressure and was nervous, but the crew supported me well, and thanks to Shin Dong-yup, I could perform with ease. I feel proud.”

Meanwhile, the second episode of Coupang Play's comedy show 'SNL Korea' Season 8, featuring Go Ah-sung, will be released on April 4th at 8 PM. 'SNL Korea' Season 8 is exclusively available on Coupang Play, and audience attendance can be applied for through the Coupang Club.

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