Yoo Seung-ho Joins First-Ever Variety Show in 25 Years: “They Told Me I Could Just Work”
On April 17, a press conference was held at the Stanford Hotel in Sangam-dong, Seoul, to introduce JTBC’s new reality variety show “Showdown! Pengbong Pengbong.”
The show pits veteran comedians Paeng Hyun-sook and Lee Bong-won against each other as they open rival restaurants on a remote island, welcoming international travelers in a real-time cooking competition. Directed by Lee Jin-joo, known for hit programs like Youn’s Kitchen, EXchange, and My Sibling’s Romance, the show is already generating buzz.
Paeng Hyun-sook, who has been running a sundae soup restaurant in Namyangju for 20 years, and Lee Bong-won, who operates a jjamppong eatery in Cheonan, will each open their own pop-up restaurant, Paeng’s Kitchen and Bong’s Kitchen, on a scenic beach.
Joining them as a part-time staff member is actor Yoo Seung-ho, who is making his first fixed variety show appearance in his 25-year career. Known for his sincerity and dedication, Yoo confessed that variety shows always felt out of reach for him, “I never thought I’d never do variety shows, but I always assumed they were best suited for witty, outgoing personalities. Since I don’t see myself that way, I never had the courage. But Director Lee Jin-joo told me I didn’t have to be funny, I could just focus on the work. That gave me the push I needed.”
Director Lee also explained her casting choice, “I saw Yoo Seung-ho on YouTube. He wasn’t trying to be funny, but he was naturally charming. He’s thoughtful and has many qualities viewers will appreciate. That’s why I told him he didn’t need to try to be humorous.”
As anticipation builds for “Showdown! Pengbong Pengbong”, viewers are excited to see a new side of Yoo Seung-ho, one that may be quieter than the average variety star but just as captivating.
