Uhm Tae-goo Steps into the Spotlight as Solo MC for YouTube Show ‘Workman’
Renowned South Korean actor Uhm Tae-goo, known for his intense film roles and soft-spoken demeanor, is taking on a new challenge — as the solo host of the popular YouTube variety show ‘Workman’. On June 21, a teaser video titled “I’ve Become the MC of a Variety Show” dropped on the Workman channel, confirming his upcoming appearance on the segment ‘Simple Labor’.
In the teaser, Uhm is joined by fellow actors Kwon Yul and Kim Hee-won at a café, where the two friends express playful concern about his unexpected career pivot. “Why are you even doing this? Who forced you into this?” joked Kim, while Yul quipped, “Can you really do this alone?” Their worried banter paints a humorous yet heartfelt picture of camaraderie and support.
Uhm, who is widely regarded as a severe introvert, admitted that the production team’s words had a significant impact on him. “They said they just wanted the staff to enjoy being on set,” he shared. “That stuck with me.” It was that sentiment, rather than any desire for spotlight, that convinced Uhm to say yes to the hosting gig.
Kim light-heartedly added, “This is the concept — Taegoo doing nothing and disappointing us,” while Kwon suggested keeping the comment section closed to protect Uhm from overwhelming fan feedback. “Let’s observe how it goes,” he remarked, proposing that the show might eventually evolve into a space where guests help coax Uhm into more spontaneous conversation, making it a reverse-talk setup with a twist.
The video quickly went viral, with fans showing a mix of amusement and support. Comments poured in: “This must be sponsored by the Introverts Protection Association,” “If he was coerced, shake a carrot,” and “I seriously can’t imagine the level of resolve this took.” Many viewers joked that the guests should be ultra-extroverted to balance the show’s energy, calling the moments of silence between conversations the highlight of the content.
The segment ‘Simple Labor’ will showcase Uhm tackling various hands-on jobs while engaging in candid, minimalistic conversations — a fresh spin on celebrity interviews. New episodes are set to be released every Wednesday at 6 p.m. KST.
If successful, ‘Simple Labor’ could redefine the variety genre by celebrating authenticity over theatrics — and give fans a rare, unfiltered glimpse into one of Korea’s most enigmatic actors.
