Yoo Jae-suk
Yoo Jae-suk, is a South Korean comedian, host and television personality currently signed to FNC Entertainment. He has hosted several variety television shows in South Korea, including Infinite Challenge, Running Man, and Happy Together. Known for his quick wit and appeal across a wide range of demographics, Yoo has established himself as one of South Korea's top comedians and TV personalities, arguably the most well-known and popular celebrity in South Korea.
Early life and education
Born on August 14, 1972 in Seoul, Yoo is the eldest of three siblings. In 1985, Yoo Jae-suk completed his primary education and graduated from Youhyun Elementary School in Seoul. In 1988, He completed his middle school education and graduated from Seoul's Suyu Middle School. In 1991, he completed his high school education and graduated from the Yongmoon High School in Seoul. In the same year, Yoo entered the acting department of Seoul Institute of the Arts.Career
Beginnings
Yoo's television debut was on the KBS Comedian Festival in 1991, where he performed a parody of a commercial with Choi Seung-gyung. His dancing to a cover of the song "Step by Step" by New Kids on the Block was another early memorable moment. In 2002, after nine years as a relatively unknown comedian, thanks to a recommendation by Choi Jin-sil, he hosted the program Live and Enjoy Together. He then rose to prominence when he co-hosted a program called The Crash of MCs with Kang Ho-dong, Lee Hwi-jae, and Kim Han-seok.His first Grand Prize award was for the talk show Happy Together Friends.
Mainstream recognition as "Nation's MC"
''X-Man''
Yoo later hosted the show X-Man, which soon grew to be one of the most popular and highest rated shows in South Korea. During that time, Yoo became increasingly popular and many programs began to nickname him "the nation's MC". He went on to host various shows, including New X-Man, Old TV, and Haja! Go! for SBS, but these were all soon canceled due to low ratings on Sunday evenings. However, X-Man has found success in international syndication, and Yoo gained popularity among Korean Wave fans.''Infinite Challenge''
Yoo was a part of the cast of the top-rated comedy variety program Infinite Challenge. He had been the host-in-chief since 2005 and was one of the program's founding members.Despite low ratings during its premiere, the show went on to become one of the most popular and influential variety programs in Korea. Dubbed the "national variety show" in Korea, Infinite Challenge became the forerunner of many programs that used a similar format. Since December 2, 2006, the program has received the highest ratings of prime-time lineups for Saturday evening.
Yoo revealed his love for the program during 1-on-1 talk with fellow co-host, Jeong Hyeong-don, on a "Pause" special that aired on October 20, 2012. He said, "I think my life on television and variety shows will be tied to the fate of Infinite Challenge... When will we ever get to do another program like this? No matter how hard you try, it's going to be impossible to do another show like this."
Talk shows
Yoo also co-hosts Come to Play with Kim Won-hee and Happy Together Season 3. In particular, Happy Together is one of the longest running talk shows in Korea and has consistently earned high ratings.Good Sunday Variety Programs: ''Family Outing'' and ''Running Man''
Yoo became the main host of Family Outing as part of SBS's Good Sunday lineup. Together with Lee Hyori, Yoon Jong-shin, Kim Su-ro, Lee Chun-hee, Kang Dae-sung, Park Ye-jin, and Kim Jong-kook, they made up the "family" of the show. Family Outing became one of the top-rated shows in Korea, consistently achieving the highest ratings for the Sunday mid-afternoon time-slot, and it gained popularity among Hallyu fans.Since July 11, 2010, Yoo has hosted the urban action variety Running Man together with fellow Infinite Challenge member Haha, fellow Family Outing member Kim Jong-kook, other entertainers such as Ji Suk-jin, Leessang's Gary, Song Ji-hyo, Lee Kwang-soo, Song Joong-ki, Lizzy of After School, Jeon So-min and Yang Se-chan. Although the program did not have a good start in ratings, it later became very popular and has held a consistent international fanbase to this day.
Post ''Infinite Challenge''
After the end of Infinite Challenge, Yoo’s biggest show, in March 2018, articles were being written about how Yoo was in a crisis and past his prime. Though with himself still topping popularity charts, new shows of his such as Laborhood on Hire and You Quiz on the Block while finding moderate success and having favourable reviews, were not able to fill the shoes of Infinite Challenge.2nd heyday: ''Hangout with Yoo''
Hangout with Yoo was the eagerly anticipated new project with the partnership of the power duo from Infinite Challenge. The main driving forces for the success of ‘Infinite Challenge’ are main program director Kim Tae-ho and Yoo, as the main host. Unfortunately, initial reactions to the show were not ideal and ratings were plummeting, leaving many ‘Infinite Challenge’ fans disappointed.After the disappointing start a few episodes in, the show began working on a new project. The project was to have Yoo learn to play a simple beat on a drum set. The recorded sample was then passed down from musician to musician in which each musician will add their own accompaniment in, and ultimately end up with a complete song. With the start of this project, ratings and reviews for the show were picking up.
With the show slowly picking up in popularity, the media labelled the show as Yoo’s 2nd heyday with Yoo’s debut as a rookie trot singer, Yoo San-seul for another of the show’s project. Yoo released a three-track trot album, Bbong For Yoo.
Other notable programs: ''Sugar Man'' and ''Busted!''
From 2015 to 2016, Yoo hosted the program Two Yoo Project Sugar Man together with You Hee-yeol. The program focuses on current popular artists remaking hit songs from singers who have disappeared from the public eye. The show returned again for a second season in 2018 with Yoo co-hosting alongside Yoo Hee-yeol, Joy, and Park Na-rae. The show then returned again for a third season in late 2019 with Yoo co-hosting alongside You Hee-yeol, Kim Eana and Heize.Yoo hosted both seasons of Netflix's variety show, Busted!, which aired in 2018 and 2019.
Guest appearances and collaborations
In 2012, Yoo appeared in the music video for Psy's hit single "Gangnam Style". In the video, he reprises the retro disco dancing character he created for the mock-band "Sagging Snail" in Infinite Challenges West Coast Highway Music Festival special, in which Psy also appeared. Following his appearance, Yoo became known worldwide as the "yellow suit guy". He also appeared in Psy's follow-up single, "Gentleman".In 2015, Yoo collaborated with JYP in Infinite Challenge.
On July 15, 2015, Yoo signed an exclusive contract with FNC Entertainment after having been without an agency for about five years.
In 2016, Yoo collaborated with EXO for the SM Station single "Dancing King", which was also a collaboration for Infinite Challenge. He performed with them at EXO's EXO Planet #3 - EXO'rDIUM concert in Bangkok.
In the media
Yoo has been dubbed "the nation's MC" for his broad appeal and popularity with a wide demographic of viewers.He has consistently ranked as the top comedian in Korea, topping the Gallup poll in 2009, and for six consecutive years since 2012. He is one of the highest paid television personalities in Korea, and one of the most in-demand endorsers.
Known for his exemplary image, Yoo has consistently been picked as a role model by fellow entertainers, as well as the citizens of Korea. He makes donations regularly to several causes, and has participated in philanthropic acts.
Yoo is the first television host to have his own wax figure, currently displayed at the Grevin Seoul Museum.