The latest episode of SBS's 'Whenever Possible,' aired on the 12th, recorded a 1.4% viewership rating among the 20-49 demographic and 4.3% among metropolitan households. Thus, it clinched the number one spot in its time slot for the 20-49 demographic, as well as across all Tuesday evening entertainment and drama shows, demonstrating its unmatched power as a Tuesday night variety show. (According to Nielsen Korea)
In the episode, the two MCs, Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok, joined 'Gap Friends' Ji Jin-hee and Ji Suk-jin in Ah-hyeon-dong, unleashing a non-stop laughter virus.
Ji Suk-jin had everyone laughing from the start, especially when he got one over on his nemesis Yoo Jae-suk. Yoo Jae-suk teased, "I heard Suk-jin was coming and thought, 'He's weak on his own,' but then he brought Jin-hee along," to which Ji Suk-jin retorted, "Come here. I've been saying I'd show you for 25 years and never did," causing an uproar. Ji Suk-jin's declaration of "Today it's Yoo vs. Ji" was quickly shut down by Yoo Jae-suk with, "This isn't a competition, we're one team," sending everyone into fits of laughter. Meanwhile, Ji Jin-hee expressed his competitive spirit, saying, "I've noticed we focus towards the end. I think we need to take the lead early on," hinting at a strategic game plan.
The group visited an indoor climbing gym to meet the first 'Gap Host.' Ji Jin-hee, who mentioned climbing was a past hobby, apologized for his chattiness, saying, "I talked too much. Sorry." When he even started explaining the theory, Yoo Jae-suk begged, "You've got a motor mouth, just climb," and Yoo Yeon-seok added, "Looks like we have an extra instructor," causing a burst of laughter.
The first game, starting with two bonus coupons, was 'Flicking Cards.' Yoo Jae-suk and Ji Suk-jin, boasting about their variety show-honed skills, were confident. Yoo Jae-suk proved their point by succeeding on his first try, exclaiming, "This is my game!" The second stage required everyone to succeed, but a final attempt ended in failure, leading Yoo Jae-suk to lament, "I was so confident," amidst laughter.
Reflecting on the 90s, the group delved into nostalgic talks. Ji Jin-hee reminisced, "Back then, bullies would take your money in every alley," finding common ground with everyone. Ji Suk-jin shared a unique experience, "I was once dragged away by a motorcycle. A 'cool' older guy took me to his friend's house. They didn't take my money, just practiced roundhouse kicks on me," he revealed, adding, "And his mom even peeled a melon for me," to which Yoo Jae-suk skeptically responded, "Really? That sounds like a nice guy," filling the room with laughter.
The second 'Gap Host' the group visited was a couple running a makgeolli (rice wine) house. Ji Jin-hee, who had been abstaining from alcohol for six years, accepted a taste test for the show, saying, "There's a good reason for it on broadcast," making Yoo Jae-suk burst into laughter.
The second game, 'Makgeolli Blow,' involved blowing a ping pong ball off a makgeolli bottle into a cup. Ji Jin-hee quickly figured out a winning strategy, offering, "Let me teach you the principle!" However, his theory didn't hold up in practice, leading to laughter. Ji Suk-jin and Yoo Yeon-seok, following the 'Gap Host's' advice on 'thin and long breaths,' succeeded on their sixth attempt. Yoo Jae-suk cheered, "Yoo's back in the game!" But the challenge ended in failure as the number of bottles doubled in the second stage. A flustered Ji Jin-hee humorously requested a rematch, "I'll be back after I sober up in an hour," keeping the laughs going until the end.
Meanwhile, the two MCs, Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok, continue to offer moments of luck in the brief gaps of everyday life with the variety show 'Whenever Possible,' airing every Tuesday evening at 9 PM.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)