The Rise of Informal Comedy in Korean Entertainment: Haha and the ‘Big Release’
How Haha’s Humor Made Everyone Laugh in ‘How Do You Play?’
A Comedic Burst in Korean Variety Shows
In the latest episode of ‘How Do You Play?’, broadcasted on MBC, veteran comedian Haha brought an infectious wave of laughter as he inadvertently mentioned the exit of co-star Park Jin-ju, during the ‘Big Release’ segment where celebrities sell stored items. This episode, which aired on October 7th, featured Yoo Jae-suk, Haha, Joo Woo-jae, and Lee Yi-kyung engaging with VIP customers in direct-to-door sales.
A Sales Pitch with a Twist
The crew embarked on selling clothing items initially to stars Kim Sook and Kim Seok-hoon. Their journey led them to the upscale streets of Gangnam, South Korea, in anticipation of meeting their next VIP customer. Anticipating a youthful and vibrant client, Lee Yi-kyung speculated about catering to the ‘Mz’ zeitgeist, a Korean term signifying the generational blend of Millennials and Gen Z.
Just as they pondered over their potential clients, Haha’s humorous outburst occurred—staring at a ginseng keychain gifted by Park Jin-ju, he jested, “Oh, Jin-ju’s left the show. I should remove this.” The studio erupted in laughter from this lighthearted confession.
The Star-studded Exchange
Their match turned out to be the renowned entertainer, Ji Seok-jin, who fit their description of a youthful persona undergoing transformations to keep up with the ‘young and hot’ image. When questioned by Joo Woo-jae if he had aesthetic procedures, Ji admitted, “Entertainers must maintain themselves. I did a facelift,” creating a jovial environment filled with friendly banter and admiration for his maintaining youthful appearance.
A friendly debate sparked when Yoo Jae-suk teased Ji by dubbing him as the ‘wealthy man of the entertainment circle’. Ji modestly accepted the jabs, revealing, “Well, I might have a tad more than Lee Yi-kyung or Joo Woo-jae,” to which Joo humorously retorted, “But comparing yourself to us with 30 more years of experience isn’t fair, right? We don’t even own houses,” sealing the segment with light-hearted exchanges that resonated with the audience.
The Eager Purchase
As the episode unfolded, Ji Seok-jin, not just a visitor but also an avid participant in the televised humor, ended up purchasing clothing originally priced at approximately 2.88 million won (EUR 10,000), settling on a generous deal of 1 million won (~$800). Lightly laughing, he confessed, “Honestly, I have been working hard all along! It’s been a while since I bought clothes,” closing the session on a triumphant note.
This episode reignited discussions across fan circles about the charismatic informal essence that Korean variety shows are increasingly cultivating, enhancing global appeal.
